Originally Posted by naisme
Do those big ticket items work or is there something better I'm not trying?
Yes they do work. Like temp1 says, the pit zips are great for regulating temperature. I rode a 17 mile commute last winter and only had cold feet problems. I have a Louis Garneau Spotlite jacket with pitzips and back venting that cost more than most of my bikes put together, but I was comfortable all winter. The ventilation is the big difference. I have a rain jacket with no vents and I get soaked in my present 7 mile ride just from sweating.
Where is the liquid I generate suppose to get wicked to?
I don't know where it gets wicked to, it just does. I think it gets wicked away from direct skin contact, so you feel dry. It goes to the surface of your shirt and then evaporates if it can, or like temp1 says, can freeze on the inside of your jacket.