Winter Commuting Jacket Recommendations
 

I'm going to replace my winter commuting jacket this year and before I do, I'd like to get the forums' opinions on their favorite (and least favorite) winter cycling jackets.

I don't ride when it freezes (out of a fear of ice), so I don't need gear for that kind of winter. I live in Seattle, home of the 40˚ drizzling rain winter, so freezing isn't normally an issue anyway. What I'm looking for is a jacket that is functional for cycling (you know; light, waterproof/resistant, breathable, etc.) but classically styled (you know, not obnoxiously colored or sci-fi looking) so that I don't look too dweeby wearing it around the city. By the way, the jacket I'm replacing is an aging ADIDAS ski jacket that worked well but looked pretty silly.

Any suggestions? What are you all wearing? What's working? And what's not so great?

Thanks,
Jake

The Showers Pass line is solid for commuting.

I live in Portland and use the Cutter Asymm Anorak during the winter for daily commuting. The jacket shows up on SAC every so often at a great price.

But obnoxious colors are functional.

I've got a Novara Stratos jacket that I like very much. I used to be skeptical about the value of a rain jacket, because everything I had tried was either not waterproof or not breathable, but I found this for $50 at an REI used gear sale and decided to take a chance. I'll spend the $150-ish to replace it or get something similar when it wears out. The Stratos isn't 100% waterproof, but it does a pretty good job of keeping me dry without cooking me. It's too warm above 50 degrees, and below 35 I also wear a wool base layer under my shirt.

Are the crazy zippers helpful or are they a style choice?

I know this is true. And I have a reflective helmet, lights and reflectors on my bike, a light on my backpack, the backpack itself is white and reflective. But I really would like a jacket that just looks like a regular jacket without unnatural colors or reflective strips. I'd like to get a jacket that doesn't scream "HEY, THERE'S A BIKE AROUND HERE SOMEWHERE."

I recommend the best vented nylon waterproof shell you can find at your local thrift store for under $20. Like the Adidas ski jacket I bought for $10 made of goretex. YMMV.

Well that leaves out this one: http://www.bicycleclothing.com/Water...n-Jackets.html

It's my weapon of choice along w/t rainproof/beathable pants and helmet cover.

The combo screams "HEY, THERE'S A BIKE AROUND HERE SOMEWHERE!" :p

Thanks Matimeo. The ADIDAS jacket I'm replacing was a $10 thrift store jacket (bought at the Red White and Blue Thrift down in your neck of the woods, if I remember right). And I've been on the hunt for its replacement at the thrift stores for a few months now with no luck. But I am looking for something a little nicer looking this time. I'd like something I can commute in the rain with and then wear out to a business lunch.

Ha! I've got a mustard yellow Columbia rubber rain jacket, too. Here's a picture of me biking in it:

http://thisisphotobomb.files.wordpre...-fisherman.jpg

Cool, braugh...where'd you get those handlebars. Been searching the web for weeks. No luck. Nice hat, too. :thumb:

The jacket is also my weapon of choice as well. I also like the RainMates chaps as well, I Sheldon Brown tape my helmet vents.

I have been wearing my jacket off the bike as well, I don't really feel that the jacket alone screams, "HEY, THERE'S A BIKE AROUND HERE SOMEWHERE!"

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikep...ingheader.jpeg

Columbia Omnitech... have been using this jacket for several years and especially like the performance of the shell.

Usually wear the fleece inner as a separate piece of clothing and prefer a base layer and a wool sweater when it is damp and cold.

I recommend a waterproof rain shell commonly sold for hiking. They often come with pit zips and good pockets, are long in the arms and posterior, and have good closures at wrists and neck. They usually go on sale in Winter (February). It will block the wind and rain. For warmth add layers like fleece under it and remove layers as needed. You don't want one very warm jacket, because it can get too hot.

went from a regular Outdoor back packers parka, Marmot/etc.
to one from Carhartt .. roadside worker's gear
a Dweeby neon lime, ANSI reflective tape on the body and arms,
for the fog & light drizzle ..
but when the sky kicks in with a shower mode,
I get out the Grunden's made Cycle rain cape
and pull it on over my parka with the hood up,
or the SouWester, like the guy at the old sail helm.
http://www.rivbike.com/product-p/ar1.htm.
Big benefit of the rain cape , is it drapes over my hands, so they stay dry..
better than any sewn gloves .

You in Metro Seattle would probably be wearing a helmet with a helmet cover on it.
would have to take off the helmet to get the cape over your head.

cycle capes like the 'bumpershoot' er umbrella,
is open underneath so breathability is not an issue
though it physically is 100% waterproof, welded seam PVC/nylon.

I have to go cheap; no choice.

Since '04, I've had a Starter winter coat, with zipout liner that I mostly use for an extra layer elsewhere. I don't ride as far when it gets below about 37-38F. Short commute routes almost exclusively. I also HAD a no-name hunting jacket that claimed water resistance and sweat-wicking breathability. It did a good job, too, working down to about 20F. The fasteners gave out after about four years, not too bad for a $20 waist-length....

I think the Starter was about $40-45, both were purchased at Walfart. They DO have some good cold-weather stuff....

I WISH I had that kind of good fortune with my RAIN gear, lol.

I just bought a winter rideing jacket by LG so far it works perfect and it dosen;t look dweeby it's breathable and moves with you.
As far as water proof that it isn't but it's a good cycing jacket for those days it doesn't rain.

How about the Showerspass Portland Jacket?
http://www.showerspass.com/catalog/m...ortland-jacket
It's the bike jacket that doesn't look like a bike jacket

Showers Pass is solid. Well designed and the fit is for real humans, not anorexic cyclists.

More civilized for mid level management..http://www.brompton.co.uk/jacket/
fabric woven of water repellant treated threads..

OK, this is the kind of thing I'm looking for. Thanks!

That's very nice. I don't know if it's robust enough to call itself a winter jacket, but I'd be very happy to have this in spring and fall.

This is the jacket that is currently in the lead for this most prestigious honor—My New Commuter Jacket.

http://www.filson.com/products/ellio...ket.10111.html

The filson stuff is amazing. Makes you feel like an adventurer from the 20's.

If you like that what about the brooks jacket
http://www.brooksengland.com/catalog...+Jacket+GENTS/

Very nice... and made in Seattle so local too.

Wow! I'd wear that with a leather cap and pilot goggles.