Hello, I'm a 16 year old SoCal native and I started cycling...everywhere about six months ago, and never plan on going back...err...would much rather ride than drive. It has worked great so far; I work in Long Beach, and the train station that gets me there is a 7 minute ride from my house, and school is a 16 minute ride from my house. It's perfect for me; don't have to pay a dime most of the time to get around.

But with the fall and winter (what of it) coming, I figure it's time to shop around for cooler weather gear. I'm looking for a good jacket that will keep me warm while riding, but not choking with sweat. Not only that, but something to wear around school so I don't freeze to death there. Also, I'm not looking for extremely bright yellow; I really like the deep blue that many makers put in jackets. But as said, I just want something to keep away all the annoying wind and keep me warm whilst riding, that's not too bulky. And SALE is the word of the day here!

I was looking at the Performance Century II but a lot of people said it creates a sort of parachute effect...which is a no-go.

Also what are some good beanies to wear that also cover up ears?

I just bought a regular jacket from Walmart. Two of them, actually. They cost $15 each, and do a great job of keeping me warm. You don't need to spend money on stuff advertised specifically for cyclists.

Cabelas has some decent active wear reasonably priced. Here's one https://tinyurl.com/4c7e2u

Do you have an REI nearby? Their house brand, Novarra, is pretty good and fitted so it won't balloon like was mentioned.

As far as your head or ears is concerned, one of my favorite things is a buff, https://buffusa.com/. Rei carries these too. They are not cheap, but are versatile. Take a look at the movies on the website.

HTH,

There's an REI relatively close by in Manhattan Beach I believe. Might as well stop by sometime!

"I'm looking for a good jacket that will keep me warm while riding, but not choking with sweat"

There is only one coat/jacket made that will do both for you. A jacket/coat made with pure 100%
goose down. This natural insulator will pass moisture (sweat) easily and keep you warm as toast
to below zero. They are expensive to be sure but with care will last a long time.

everybody is having sales. www.REI.com www.nashbar.com www.performancebike.com

The difference between bike gear and regular gear at walmart is fit to the body so as not to create extra wind drag, Sleeves tight to wrist again to keep air from filling them, long in the back and contoured up in the front so that when on the bike it covers your butt to keep rain or cold air at bay not running in at the waist band. Often you will find a draw sting at the bottom to keep it snug. Also a pocket on the back for gear. Vented back or pits for a fall jacket zipping it down in the front will allow air to circulate and vent out the back or the pits.

I just picked up a Sugoi jacket at Nashbar for $30 on sale. Pretty happy with it. Beats my regular windbreaker and keeps the sweat evaporating. Works for me with a short sleeve jersey in the high 40's to low 60's I'm seeing in Atlanta now.

Canari bright yellow jacket with removable sleeves and 3 pockets. Works great for me down to the 20s.

Do you have any longsleeve jerseys or base layers? If so, living in SoCal and having rides so short, I would recommend a vest or a jacket that the sleeves come off. It will be much cheaper.

I ride to school, so mostly just a T-shirt underneath.

Okay, scratch the warm off the bike. Just anything that's breathable! I keep reading through a lot of jackets, and the main complaint is that it's not breathable, which is pretty bad.

https://www.rei.com/product/754621

How are those?

The Louis Garneau Stratos jacket is going for $55 at Performance. I've had two of these for over a year and they're great. Mate them up with a thin baselayer or three and they hold heat well. You can even get dried blood out of the fabric, a plus for me.

Not sure how your options are on buying overseas, but I got them at https://www.cyclewear.eu

That's similar to mine I got a couple of years ago in the orange. It seems to have a couple of new features. BTW, if getting sweaty is an issue, slip an extra t-shirt in your pocket and keep some deodorant in your locker. Leave enough time to get there, grab the deodorant, run in the bathroom, swab off and change shirts.

Forget anything "waterproof/breathable" my gore-tex jacket sits in the basement. The condensation starts to build up on the inside within ten minutes.

I just picked this one up...

https://www.rei.com/product/771562

Windblock on the front, breathable on the back. Exactly what I have been dreaming about every 40 degree morning lately.

does it really get bellow 50's in SoCal? Even if it is 40s...all you need are arm warmers and a windproof vest...

The only time I would bring out a cycling jacket is if I'm riding in temps close to or below freezing.

Obstinate, while doing laundry, it occurred to me to ask: Are you looking for waterproof? Many of the jackets we have discussed are waterproof which is what contributes to the sweat factor. Non-waterproof jackets are less sweaty.

Oh! Is water-resistant any different? I'm just looking for something to break the wind as I'm riding and around school. It doesn't get too cold, but in the winter it does dip down into the 60s and 50s occasionally.

I do like those REI Novara jackets. Very nice. I have a Canondale jacket that I really like which came from Performance Bike. I think I got it for like $60. Water resistant, lots of pockets, reflective and you can turn it into a vest.

since you live in the socal I would recommend just getting a wool jersey and wool blend cap from kucharik. The jersey is a little more than $70, but if something is a jacket like entity then you should easily be able to get your mom to help kick in for it. I am nearly 30 and if I called my mom and asked for a jacket I doubt I would have any problem getting it.

Think in terms of plastic-like which most waterproof stuff is, at least to an extent. However that also cuts the wind, just encourages sweat. However just plain warm doesn't necessarily turn water.

Another thing you can do, really cheap, is go to places like Goodwill and look for cashmere and merino wool pullovers. They won't itch and can be pulled over your Ts. I go look every year and abuse them terribly all winter. That's why I have to go every year. But they make great winter jerseys with a layer underneath or on top. They will even keep you pretty warm if you get wet.

I still like your new jacket.

I asked my mom, she said that I ometimes have an allergic reaction to Wool. Any other suggestions for under $50 perhaps? Anything that just blocks away wind and rain is fine. I just might stow a jacket in my backpack for when I'm not riding.

Don't overestimate how much of a jacket you need. Down to about 55 degrees, I would go with just a jersey and arm warmers. You might start off a little chilly, but you warm up really quickly once you start riding. Anything that starts off warm will have you sweating within 15 minutes.

I recently picked up the Performance Century II jacket. The parachute effect is vastly overstated IMO. The sleeves catch a little bit of wind, but the body is fine. I guess if you get a size too big it would be a problem. I've used it with just a short sleeve jersey down to about 50 degrees with no problem. One of the reviews says it's bulky, which is kind of ridiculous. It fits in my jersey pocket easily.

Don't be too quick to dismiss the hi-vis yellow. Nobody looks being scraped off the pavement.

Also, you mentioned having a T-shirt underneath. Assuming that's cotton, that will be the determining factor in how clammy you end up feeling when you sweat. Unless your rides are really short, consider a wicking (polyester) T and then change when you get where you're going.

I think I'll go with a long-sleeve jersey. Just a few questions:

1. Do they shield from water pretty good?

2. Is it worth it going with the hood, or should I just get a cycling beanie?

The LS jersey won't turn water. But your jacket will. As to the wool, ask your mom if you broke out into hives or were just itchy. If it's just itchy, that's why we go with merino or cashmere. Not usually itchy.

With the hood, does it go over your helmet or fit comfortably under it? Sometimes hoods are too bulky to go under, but won't go over. Test it out. BTW, find an old school shower cap like ladies used to wear to keep their coiffed hair dry in the shower. It's useful to either cover your helmet in the rain or put over your saddle to keep it dry if it rains while you are in school. An el cheapo accessory.