Commuter jacket
 

Hey All,

I would like to put together a design for a small run of a custom jacket. I'm not very satisfied with others on the market, so I would like to try and give it a go. If others are interested, I would be more than willing to accommodate reasonable design features. I've tried contacting various manufacturers, but overseas production makes it difficult for them to react more dynamically.

I'm not in it for the money, but just want a good jacket to enjoy my winter riding in Seattle.

Thanks

PS-please reply or PM if at all interested

So make one for yourself, or take it to the Marketplace.

I plan to do both (that's a good idea to post in the marketplace) and hopefully, make a jacket for others besides myself. I posted in this forum, because I am interested in a Commuter Jacket and this forum should have more collective interest and experience as to what bike commuters desire in a jacket not available currently.

Thanks for your comments.

My brother made me a one-of-a-kind commuter jacket. Here are its interesting features.

Made of wind-resistant fleece, neon green.
Reflective patches on the back and sides.
Reflect stripes on the arms.
A high and tight neck to keep in warm air.
Extra long sleeves so that they tend to bunch up and not expose the wrists.
Extra long in the back for the bent-over riding position.
Hand-warmer style pockets.
Zippered pockets on top of the hand-warmer pockets.
A zippered pocket on the left breast, with "911" embroidered on the outside. Inside the pocket is a laminated card with emergency medical information.

The jacket is warm enough so that I can't wear it at temperatures above 40F. With another fleece jacket underneath, it will get me down to around 0F. With a heavy wool sweater underneath, I can go well below zero. With a sweater plus long underwear (plus a regular shirt of course), I have gone down to -20F.

What kind of features are you looking for? Chances are, something like it exists already but you just don't know about it. Custom clothing lines tend not to be very economical though if cost is no object, it should be a fun project.

Personally, I'm very happy with my Craft Thermal windproof fleece and Gill Prospeed waterproof jackets. Both are bright without being obnoxious, have plenty of relfective piping for foul weather cycling, and do their jobs admirably.

swwhite-Do you have pics of the jacket? I really want a waterproof jacket, but that sounds interesting. I really like the idea of the "911" card.

joejack951-Where did you get the Pro Speed? That sounds like a nice jacket.

Thanks for the comments

I like the visibility of the hi-vis day-glo lime-green jacket I have but it is too dorky - it needs some design elements to be cool, like maybe some patches or logos or some black elements. I added reflective tape to my yellow rain jacket but I'm riding in the light now and the reflective tape isn't necessary anymore. so I have to go back to that his vis wind breaker I have but it's dorky. I can use it as just a vest but that's pretty boring too.

I have two jackets I'm happy with. One is the women's Pearl Iz Elite jacket. It's lightweight, but still warm enough to use with another layer in the winter, is very, very bright green and has fairly good reflectivity plus pockets that make sense.

For rain riding I am using a Performance Illuminite jacket. It actually breathes well so I don't get soaked with sweat instead of rain. It's a darker color (it was a gift, so I couldn't be picky) but it is very warm, so I don't use it if it's above 60. It's got reflectivity built in all over it so the whole jacket lights up when lights hit it. Good side pockets, but no back or interior small pocket.

Windproof, Coldproof, and Waterproof. Thin enough to use all year round. And lots of pockets. Most jackets don't have enough pockets.

The Pro Speed had to be ordered from the UK (I believe Chain Reaction Cycles) as it was not offered in the US for some reason. I got it a few years ago and it appears to be no longer available.

That's what I want. Something for year round use.

I ride with a helmet light and need access to a secure back pocket for the battery.
I like Illuminite and like HiVis color for daytime use.
Big zipper pulls that you can work with gloves on.
Pit zips
A front pocket for my work badge to display at the factory main gate. Separate from hand-warmer pockets.
Some clever way to fold up the jacket and carry it when temps get too warm mid-ride or for the ride home.
Something that is very breathable yet rain proof, won't make noise or flap in the wind

Just a few quick thoughts about my dream jacket. It would

-be very light-weight, and compact when folded
-fit perfectly, allowing free range of motion
-be odor-free and not require laundering; no zippers that don't work or velcro that sticks to anything
-have the perfect number of pockets that wouldn't sag no matter what was in them and would allow for the easy retrieval of anything that was in them no matter the size
-be climate-controlled, adjustable to the wearer's comfort preference
-be highly visible in all possible conditions including fog, pitch black and bright light yet allow you to appear and disappear when necessary
-have the capability to communicate any thought-activated message in any direction, in audience-appropriate language
-be water-proof yet able to block out harmful UV rays; able to withstand and repel bottles, cans, etc. thrown from motor vehicles; bricks from overpasses; bullets and hand grenades and anything fired from an alien spaceship, including x-rays; able to protect it's wearer from hazardous materials

It would be free.

Yeah, what he said, only in 3XL or a 52 chest minimum!

My design element idea: have the whole thing covered in images of flames like a gasoline fire,
using red, orange, and yellow reflective material. Should look pretty eye-catching in daylight
and headlights.

Check with Lou @ Foxwear
http://www.foxwear.net/
He makes a great inexpensive jacket. Doesn't have great pockets and could use a wind block on the zipper. Since he makes each jacket individually maybe he can add the features you seek. He can make it totally wind proof, mostly wind proof, somewhat windproofetc... My Foxwear jacket has front panels that block 98% wind, rear panels and armpits have venting material. Front and shoulders are rain resistant not waterproof. I don't think any jacket can do it all but Lou's does most of what we need. If you continue to do this on your own try getting power-shield material. This is one of the best soft shell materials going. Blocks wind and vents well and resist light rain. This is my go to jacket all winter, most of spring and fall. I carry a cheesy Bell weather rain jacket for the downpours and add a wool sweater when temps go low.
Remember: nothing can do everything
Best, Charlie

I will try...
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Notes:
1. The blurred picture of the pocket says "911 INFO INSIDE."
2. The 911 card is a piece of paper with emergency information, laminated.
3. The 911 pocket happened to be sized just right for a maglite flashlight.
4. The black trim is some sort of fabric that looks black normally but reflects light that is shined directly on it. I don't know where it came from.
5. The extra-long sleeves are really nice in the winter.
6. The zippered pockets on top of the hand-warmer pockets are just a little too smalit front are black elastic loops of several sizes for holding maybe a hat that I might remove during a trip.
7. The material is wind-resistant fleece.
8. The jacket was a gift and so is one of a kind unless my brother decides to go into business (unlikely).

Ahahahaha! Awesome.

I would add to the list -

1. I wish jackets had a good way to carry a light on my side - maybe a blinky, or maybe some sort of tube that lit up from a battery would be even better (well, something you wouldn't even see during the day, you know)
2. Pockets, as everyone else said. A rear bike-specific pocket, as well as regular front pockets.
3. Would be nice to be capable of carrying a packet while wearing it - ie, not fragile in the shoulders or back.