Old 11-25-07 | 07:32 PM
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patentcad
Peloton Shelter Dog
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 90,508
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From: Chester, NY

Bikes: 2017 Scott Foil, 2016 Scott Addict SL, 2018 Santa Cruz Blur CC MTB

The Best Winter Cycling Garment Ever Devised



Is clearly the Pearl Izumi Zephyr jacket in 'Please Don't Flatten Me Screaming Yellow'.

Why?

It is the key outer layer. You don't need $200 cycling jackets for winter cycling. Au contraire. You need the right weight zip-neck polartec long sleeve tops (I generally wear 1-2 or varying weights according to the temps) under regular long or short sleeve cycling jerseys with a wind-breaking shell on top. That's where the Zephyr comes in. Contains your body heat, sheds rain, keeps the wind off - all without overcooking you.

Get warmed up, you can take it off while you're riding and stuff it in your jersey pocket. I do it all the time. All the while, it makes you visible like a moving road sign. I just got my 2nd Zephyr since I started riding again 3 years ago, they have improved it and actually added a pocket in the back. Now it's even more functional. All this for $70 or so (and they sell it for less some places).

The only time I go heavier than the Zephyr is when temps go south of 25ºF on cloudy/windy days. Then I go to a similar more involved jacket with a very light mesh lining that block wind/cold better. None of my jackets for cycling ever have insulation. The key to keeping warm is in the under-layering. Listen to Pcad on this weenies. Nobody here rides more in sub freezing temps than I do. Trust me.

P.S. The Zephyr isn't water proof, but it will keep you drier in damp conditions. Don't worry about staying dry in the pouring rain on a bicycle. Worry about staying warm. Wet and warm is OK. Wet and cold is intolerable.
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