Has anyone else ditched the windproofing layer?
 

After years of using windproof jackets, I have moved to a layering system with no windproofing this year. At 28 degrees F this morning I had 4 layers (jersey, thermax long sleeve, Performance long sleeve, Colnago long sleeve) and was probably warmer (AND CERTAINLY DRYER) than I would have been in a windproof jacket due to the decreased amount of sweat.

So far, I really like it.

I did finally do just the opposite on the legs, however, and went to a PI Amfib tight. LOVE IT!!!!!

Anyone else ditching the windproof on top?

Only wear a "wind" layer at about 20 degrees and I usually put the upper and lower zipper in the middle(basically just holding the middle together).

windbreaker vest with goretex arm warmers work perfect for me... with varying degrees of layering beneath (1 to 3 layers) depending on the temp.

This combo allows for plenty of venting (back of vest, gap between vest and arm-warmers).

I went the other way, and went from multiple baselayers with a polartech toplayer to 2 baselayers with a wind vest. And love it too!

I'm sure I looked funny today. I wore shorts, a t-shirt, and a squall jacket. (A squall jacket is a polyester jacket with the windbreaker layer.) I find this is nice and flexible because of the front zipper. It was about 45ºF.

My knees hurt when thinking about shorts at 45F.

Too many layers makes me too damn hot. I prefer a polyester long sleeved shirt topped by a windbreaker. It's good down to 20 degrees. I carry a clean work shirt in my Indigo.

Oh. It's rare I go out under 32.. Black Ice sort of worries me.. Above 32, no problem.. I love my UnderArmour.. With that all I need to ride in freezing weather. is a light wicking tee shirt, my long sleeve Underarmour, a heavier jersey and a light weight windproof jacket. Minimal bulk and once I'm going , I am toasty warm and once it warms up- take off the outer jacket and you don't overheat..

Nope. It is a major part of my layering strategy. I use wind vests and arm warmers thought, with couple base layers and SS jersey.

I find the "wind jacket" essential below about 45 degrees. Of course, I use one that is not even remotely "water proof" with big vents in the back, so I don't have excessive water buildup.

Typical 45 degree layers will be wicking tee-shirt, nike base-layer, arm warmers, smartwool top, wind jacket. Below 35 degrees, I'll substitute a poly-pro long underwear top for the base layer, and this is good down into the 20s. Sometimes I use the base layer with the long underwear top (and skip the wool top). This depends on what I expect the weather to do later in the day.

I also use PI Amfib tights, but only if it's raining or below 40 degrees. Otherwise, it's just too warm. Between 40 and 55, I use either bib shorts and leg warmers or PI thermofleece tights (depending on whether I expect it to get warmer or colder on the way home). Above 55, shorts and a slightly heavier "top layer" are better than tights.

The windproof stuff isn't as critical until you're drenched from some hard rides/climbs, and then are cruising in easy for the final stretch (which can be long) of your ride, and the wind kicks in. ouch. For commuting, hopefully this isn't as much of an issue.

I don't want to sound condescending but ditching a wind layer doesn't really make much sense in cycling. If you're cycling at any appreciable speed wind the wind chill is taking a significant amount of heat from you. You can have a much better warmth to weight ratio with clothing that stops wind. Instead of 4 layers you could have much less with a windproof jacket. If you're sweating then remove insulating layers. If you only have a jacket and still sweating then use a vest. You may want to be sure your wind layer is breathable as well.

a wind jacket is useful for my commute. It's light, dries out easily at work, and packs easily if I don't wish to wear it in the PM. It's also bright orange or yellow, with reflective ribbon sewn for visibility.

Sure, it leaves me sweatier, but it's easy. Polyester shirt, windbreaker, and go.

I have a Gore Bikewear "Tool" jacket that's a couple of years old- - - -it's a soft shell that is stupendous for wind block and breathability. Would suck rain of any significance but in cold dry weather it's awesome. Nothing else I have breathes as well. . .even in sub-20's I'll wear a craft base layer, another thermal layer, then the Gore shell. . .but as with anything, ymmv

Maybe your windproof was too airtight, a loser-weave material will let moisture through but block the cold gust.

I skipped the wind blocker last week. It felt great, except I got cold feet with temps in the high forties. With non-ventillated winterer cycling shoes and wool socks. I am wondering if peripheral vaso-constriction was to blame due to the extra heat loss from the upper body. I was considering buying a vest, and seeing what combo of head and upper body cover worked as the temps declined. However, it is more likely that the temps will move solidly into jacket territory before I get it figured out.

It looks like a lot of people bought poorly performing wind layers - probably the usual membraned based junk that gets sold as a fashion item with a pseudo-outdoors brand on it. Pertex weighs nothing, blocks wind superbly, and breathes about as well as cotton. Paramo directional fabric is even better, but it comes with built in insulation, so it's only for when it's cold enough to need a mid-layer.

If you want a superb breathable wind and rain shell check out the Shower's Pass Elite 2.0 . . .

I ride naked, so I rarely sweat!

Ride on...

Get the vest, you should love it. I'm in the Chicago burbs, and find mine to be a great compromise between a windproof jacket and baselayers. I warm up and cool down faster too, but you better hurry if you want to figure things out before spring!

Nah. In the same weather I was wearing Voler L/S jersey and Canari shell. Unzip the sleeves a little as needed.

I got a great deal on a cycling specific rain jacket and applied some expensive reflective tape so I'm use it. The 2 rides I've done so far with it I dressed very lightly with only a base layer and a fleece vest. I felt great - not too hot but the base and vest got wet. If I can figure a lighter option under the jacket I will. I figure though that the teps will drop more and these items will work fine. I reused my base layer for the 1st time for my return trip and it was a little ripe.

A week ago I dressed too lightly for a 44 mile rail trail joy ride with just a base player and cycling t-shirt. After warming up I was fine but added a layer for the 2nd half of the ride due to the sweat and cooling caused by it. A double long sleeve base layer might have been fine providing evaporation.

Commuting right now in the dark though needs the reflective outerlayer.

If you're sweating from the windproof layer, you literally are using something that's windproof or your mid layers are too much. The windproof layer should be something that breathes.

Most definitely.Point Well taken .. Windproof material does not mean it's not a wicking material. Well taken point.. Mine breathes , that is why its so effective. With that cold blast hitting you head on, having an excellent base layer would then likely be ineffective.

I usually don't add a windproof layer until under 30F. Above that I just get too warm after a few miles. I wear a base layer and a wool sweater and that serves me just fine done to the thirties. However, if it is a particularly windy day in the mid-30s to mid-40s, I might add a windproof vest (the sleeves come off of my windproof jacket).