avner

I've been digging through tons of cycling jackets and jerseys without really being able to find much on how well they will suit my needs. Most of them claim they will wick moisture, ventilate well and keep rain and wind out.

What i'm looking for specifically is a cycling jacket that will keep me warm, and as dry as it can in 35-40 degree weather without having to wear several layers and look decent. I'm hoping to find something in the 100-150 dollar range however if there is something really awesome please recommend it.

I was hoping some of the all weather commuters around here might be able to assist me in being able to commute comfortably for the winter because as it stands I don't have anything warm enough to ride in after 7pm and night rides are now seeming completely off limits.

(maybe I'm weak and just cant handle the cold!)

Eugeo

I've been to Echo Park and I know it can get pretty chilly. I live near Ontario and use under armor and a windbreaker that I had, to commute, but the windbreaker traps in a lot of heat and doesn't let the under armor do its job. I would not recommend this its just that what I'm doing is a really cheap alternative.

The Broadmoor-It looks warm but I don't know how well it will do against other weather conditions like rain and wind, its been pretty windy lately.
https://www.chromebagsstore.com/appar...broadmoor.html

The Anza- The description says that its good for wind and rain conditions.
https://www.chromebagsstore.com/appar...nza.html?c=124

I don't own any of these so you're pretty much on your own. These are just some of the things that I have been looking at. You could probably pick up a base layer from what you save on either one of these two jackets.

Let me know how it goes because I'm gonna be riding in cold conditions again soon, too. I just want to know if some clothes really make a difference.

El Duderino X

I have two wet/cool weather jackets that I'm quite fond of. The first is an older Axiom much like this one:
https://www.axiomgear.com/products/ap...kets/panorama/

The other is a Gerber hi-viz EMS jacket that I use when visibility is low.
https://www.gerberouterwear.com/product.html?id=89l

I don't find either of them any more or less "breathable" than any other water/wind proof coats I've used (but I find that depends largely on what I'm wearing beneath them) but they have plenty of effective venting, keep me dry in the rain and are wind resistant. The Gerber EMS has a really good removable liner that keeps me warm in any weather and the hi-viz ensures that others can see me coming from a mile away!

billyymc

If you ride hard nothing will breathe enough to keep you dry. Not even the most expensive "breathable" jacket.

Just keep that in mind as you're looking.

xtrajack

I wore my J & G jacket all last winter, I was pleasantly surprised, It performed much better than my L.L. Bean windbreaker that I wore the first winter that I was commuting.

It is 99 dollars, and worth every penny,IMO.

nelson249

I went to a work clothing place and bought a ventilated wind proof and waterproof shell that was about half the price of a cycling-specific jacket. Works great.

avner

totally get that. I think more then anything i'm looking for something light weight and warm.

MichaelW

Depending on the length of your ride and the amount of rain, a softshell style of jacket is probably better.
I used to ride with a windproof smock and a separate goretex jacket for when it rained. In cold damp conditions, the windproof was a lot more comfortable than the goretex. Goretex is most breathable in cold, dry conditions. In higher humidity, the membrane doesn't function.
My current winter jacket is Paramo, the original softshell. It is much better than goretex, as brethable as a windproof and it deals with any amount of rain, all day. Not technically a water-proof since wet, liquid water can get out.

scroca

Lou Binik can tailor one for you, well within your budget. foxwear.net

I love mine.

bijan

What I wear for weather right above freezing: winter gloves + winter hat, thin sweater + jacket. Basically the sweater is warm enough and the jacket is just for some "wind-proof-ness", so it's easy to use a light-weight jacket that looks decent. If I need something really waterproof because of real rain I wear rain paints + rain jacket + rain boots and I have to accept the fact that I will look like I just crawled out of a manhole.

thenomad

I'm in the IE (near Fontana) as well. Now it's getting to be 38-40 in the AM, colder is coming as it'll be dark again end of Dec. in the AM.

I dress in layers and it works so much better than one jacket that has lots of space in it for wind to circulate in.
Base layer long sleeve, thin merino wool sweater, then a Performance Transformer jacket that cuts the wind and elements. I sweat very easily so it's tough to not be wet underneath when I come in. The wool takes care of that as it's still insulating when wet.
Cycling bib shorts with knee warmers (soon to get some full leg warmers) is fine for lower areas. I'd probably appreciate some overshoes or wool socks as my feet are now feeling the cold, even with mountain type shoes.
I use a Buff that I can pull over my head and it'll cover my neck and also can flip it up to cover my nose and mouth. Pretty versatile item. Keeps the wind from cutting through to my head/ears so easily.
I wear full finger gloves, not cycling specific, they do well.

I was toasty this AM and felt I could have taken the arms off the jacket and still been fine.
YMMV

1fluffhead

Mountain Hardwear windstopper tech jacket. I have been wearing one of these to commute in for at least 9 years. I got one of the first models they came out with. Great jacket. When I was left hooked by a car and wrecked I ripped the jacket. I sent it back to MH and they completely repaired it free of charge. This has been the best cycling jacket I have ever owned or has lasted for multiple seasons. I usually wear just the jacket and t shirt under it with the pit zips open. I have worn it to ride in when the temps were in the teens. I just needed an extra layer under the jacket. If it is raining I just throw one of those clear Giordana Rain Jackets on over it.

Check ebay for them. There always seem to be lightly used ones going for well than half price. If I ever wear this one completely out, I will be buy it again for sure.

HardyWeinberg

What do you mean by 'look decent'? Not hi-viz?

paul2432

40 is a tricky temperature. It can be a little warm for a lot of jackets, but too cold for just a long sleeve jersey. Depending on your tolerance for cold you may be able to get away with a mid-weight base layer and a long sleeve jersey.

I use a PI Gavia jacket that works wonderfully for me. I need to unzip the front a bit when temperatures get into the upper 30s. Unfortunately, PI doesn't make this jacket any more (not sure what the equivalent would be in their current line).

paul

exile

To me it comes down to layering (like thenomad mentioned). It is difficult to regulate temperatures when their could be a 20 degree swing between when you leave and when you come back. Then on top of that you want it to handle extremes in weather.

I am a year round commuter. I really don't have anything cycling specific. A base layer close to the skin works with regulating temperatures. On top of that I have different shells that work with weather changes. Most of my clothing comes from discount stores and were acquired over time. They are not hi-viz or reflective. I have different things for that. Everything can be packed away and not take up much room.

Seattle Forrest

I don't think you're going to find it. With bike frames ( or wheels ) you have strong, light, and cheap, but you can only get two of them in any incarnation. Any jacket that's going to be warm in and of itself will not breathe, and will leave you vulnerable to getting soaked in sweat. I'd strongly suggest layering. Not only does it work better and give you more options to deal with changing conditions, but it can wind up being much cheaper.

I'd get something that blocks the wind and ideally keeps the water out, as cheaply as possible. Then I'd head to Goodwill or Value Village and get a cashmere sweater, and wear both of these over a merino mid layer. This combination ( with a goretex outer shell ) has worked beautifully for me from 15 degrees to 55. The cashmere sweater set me back a whopping $5, is warmer than I can believe, and soaks up more sweat than I thought possible, but without me actually feeling any of it.

Hibonite

Down to 30F or so, i can get away with a med wt. long sleeve wool top, under a synthetic or wool long sleeve jersey. To cut the wind I use a vest with a mesh back. I find this to be superior when it is dry out since i would normnally sweat too much with a wind jacket. Above 45 I only need a single wool ls top under the vest.

Scheherezade 

Any old fall jacket/windbreaker works for me at 35-40 degrees. Go to the thrift store and see what they have. I snagged a nice Eddie Bauer fall jacket in the summer for $5.

hairlessbill

I've been loving a Swrve mid-weight hoodie I got on closeout a few months ago (the link is to the current updated new/improved model):

https://www.swrvestore.com/servlet/Detail?no=104

I have worn it almost every day since I got it: with just a t-shirt it is good down to the low 50's. For 30-40 degree weather I add another insulating layer - either a Mont Bell Ultralight Thermalwrap or Ultralight vest. It is windproof and can pass as casual wear. The new model has pit zips which I wish mine had. It is lightly insulated like a thin fleece. I have not tested it in rain but the hood has come in handy in light rain/snow out here. We tend to get big temperature swings here. It was 30 degrees this morning; 50 this afternoon; supposed to be 20 degrees tonight but I have been perfectly happy with this layering system. And it looks great. My biggest unhappiness with cycling jackets (and I have about a dozen of them collecting dust now) has been aesthetics and fit. The Swrve hoodie is well-fitted (it tapers nicely) and looks good enough off the bike that I wear it even when I am not riding.

avner

Thanks for all the great responses! you're helping me define exactly what I need, I really dig the swrve and I've heard good things about them. The mountain gear looks awesome, especially the way you describe it.
I'm not going to be dealing with much in terms of weather (Snow, Rain, hail, extreme winds) I'm pretty much a fair weather commuter. My only issue is my schedule gets me out decently early (5-7am depending on the day) and will keep me out fairly late (9-10pm when my night classes end) and it will be in the 30-40's at either time. I also do night rides around LA that can last into the morning hours and the chill can really get to you. I also bike throughout the day and right now carrying a pleather jacket that is my only viable wind breaker as well as a sweater for indoor/extra warmth at night. I just want to avoid carrying tons of bulk because it fills my bag and makes it super bulky.

More then just none high-viz. I don't dig the greens/yellows all that much. but has a good cut as well.

As time moves on I'll have more money to invest and if I can find something that someone, or several people have used and highly recommend I would be happy to invest in it. Like some of you have said, I tend to sweat like a horse so layering is something I'd like to ideally avoid, just to keep my laundry basket from getting filled thrice a week.

But over all I guess my criteria is a light/packable, decent looking and warm windbreaking jacket. I don't really need something for all weather conditions, not adverse to it but not a requirement. Sorry to ask this, but with the base layers does anyone have an example? I've dug through a lot stuff related to cold weather cycling and I just don't have a base reference for whats what and I'd like to learn as much as I can to make cycling this winter comfortable and toasty.

Again thank you guys for the responses I really appreciate everyones input.

bijan

Given your requirements: pack-ability, avoiding extra laundry, and 30-40 degree weather but not much rain/snow/tsunamis. I would recommend a light windbreaker, a sweater, and whatever you are currently wearing. The wool sweater absorbs sweat and doesn't absorb smell so although I have a t-shirt go into the laundry every day my sweaters will last more than a week. The benefit of this combo is that both the sweater and the light windbreaker pack down to nothing and can be stored in a messenger bag. Of course if you have pannier bags or saddlebags you can go crazy with layers and stuff, but the weight still adds up...

Seattle Forrest

I sweat more than most people, and used to avoid having extra layers or extra insulation for this reason. I'm actually more comfortable in a merino base layer + a cashmere mid layer + a goretex wind breaker than I am in just the mid layer and parka. Five minutes into a ride I start to warm up, and think I'm going to over heat. But the mid layer draws the sweat away from my body - I literally don't feel it. With just the base layer, I sweat the same amount, but it has nowhere to go, so it saturates the base layer and stays against my skin. I didn't believe it, either, but I tried it on a really cold day, and have been more comfortable ever since.

You can get an Arc'teryx Accelero jacket for around $80, I think, and it's an extremely light weight, very packable and pretty handsome jacket. It's water resistant and lets about 1/3 of the wind through, as air conditioning. I love mine, but it's cold and windy in Seattle and I'm wearing goretex instead now.

Here's an example of a merino base layer. It's a little bit thinner than a typical cotton tee-shirt, and a bit softer, too. I like wool for this because it's still warm when it's wet ( important since you sweat ), never smells like body odor, and it wicks better than anything else on the planet.

Arcanum

Check out the Champion C9 softshell jacket mentioned in this thread.

It's not bike-specific, but it's cheap, wind resistant, water resistant, and when I'm riding it will keep my torso warm with just a t-shirt down into the 20s F.

tsl

I'm starting my third year with an Endura Gridlock jacket. Mine is hi-viz, but it also comes in blue, gray, and red.

Like all cycling-specific jackets, I like the cut--gorilla length sleeves for in the drops, a long tail to cover my butt, and no loose flapping sides. It's also water-resistant, fairly breathable, and has good venting. I can wear it with one long-sleeved wicking t-shirt underneath from 55 down to 30 before adding a second layer or switching to a heavier layer.

Best of all, it's pretty cheap. $99 MSRP, less online.

Lambo

I use a Marmot DriClime jacket I got from Sierra Tradingpost for cold weather riding.
I believe it is very breathable. It adds a bit of warmth and yesterday and today was comfortable riding with only a light weight polypro top and a wicking tshirt on underneath. It was in the low 30s.