Old 12-17-11 | 12:59 PM
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david58
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Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Los Alamos, NM

Bikes: Fuji Cross Comp, BMC SR02, Surly Krampas

Windproof and breathable - in my experience, we have an Oxymoron. If the breathable fabric is indeed breathable, it will be only marginally so. I can easily out-sweat my garments at 25deg F - and that being a baselayer, a wool sweater, and one of those lightweight convertible (sleeves zip off) Pearl Izumi jackets (admittedly not a breathable jacket - just an example of how little I can wear and still work up a sweat - Goretex would get sweaty, too).

You might look at the REI Novarra jacket that has the wind/wet resistant fabric on the front and sleeves, and the back is just the thermal spandexy stuff. My pants of the same are great - in all but the coldest or wettest situations they work very well.

Back in the day, my wife worked for The North Face (before it became a department store brand) in garment design. Basically, their approach was that breathable was a nice word, but in fact if you are active it simply cannot breathe enough. And waterproof? I do covet a Showers Pass jacket (very nicely made and ventilated, not truly breathable), but for waterproof a Performance rain jacket with pit zips and some waterproof Showers Pass pants do the trick. And I shower when I get to work - no way I can ride in "relaxed" enough to get away without one unless it's a weekend and I am the only person in the office.

Last edited by david58; 12-17-11 at 01:00 PM. Reason: clarity
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