I just received this jacket, which I ordered from Amazon. My intent was to find a jacket to wear in 30-40 degree weather, that provides high visibility. This is my first "cycling jacket" so I have a few questions:

1. This was listed as a men's jacket, but the zipper handle is on the left. Is that normal for a cycling jacket, or is this a women's jacket? (I've e-mailed the company, but it's the weekend, so no response back yet.)

2. I'm not sure whether I need a larger size or not. I'm able to wear a Russell Athletic Compression shirt (bottom layer), plus a Maser zippered (ski) turtleneck (cotton) under the jacket - but nothing else. I know that these style jackets need to be form-fitting, but I'm wondering whether I should exchange for the next size up, in order to fit another layer underneath, when necessary.

FWIW - My rides are generally 1 hour in length - 10-12 miles (hoping to increase that), so it's not as serious a cyclist as most of you here are. I plan on riding a few times/week in the winter as weather allows, just to stay somewhat in shape - in between the days that I go skiing. Of course, when warmer weather arrives, I'll increase the frequency and distance.

Any thoughts on whether to return (due to the zipper situation) or exchange the jacket for a larger size would be appreciated.

If the zipper works, no big deal.

Cotton bad, holds sweat.

Tight fit is up to you..I like loose fit.

Test ride with it on.

Best way to ride in cool or cold temps is to wear many layers,

Effort, Winds, Sun, Humidity all come into play when riding.

The zipper is probably attributable to Euro manufacturing. Makes no difference to me. Fit is up to you as stated. Although I am an unabashed Luddite, modern fabrics rock for some purposes. The Capo jacket I bought is windproof and thermal in front and lighter material in back allows for breathing. I'm sure it's more expensive than the one you posted but I expect my Capo to last me for the rest of my riding days so, to me, it's worth it.

This is the most likely reason the zipper seems reversed to what we are used to. I have a couple of full zip jerseys and a jacket that are the same way. Not a big deal.

Personally, I like my rain jackets a little on the loose side. I ride year round, and it is nice to be able to get a couple, sometime three, layers under it.

This is a men's jacket. I own one and like it. The $50 price is a great deal, though the fabric and construction quality is a little lower than the more expensive brands. Nashbar sizing is on the loose side. I weigh 160 pounds and size medium is loose on me (but I don't want to get a smaller size else it would be too short). Softshell jackets like this are designed to be a combination of insulating layer and weather resistant layer, so you get more breathability and less bulk and a wider temperature range than lots of separate layers. I wear the jacket over a thermal base layer in temperatures near freezing. Over a wicking compression shirt in more moderate temperatures.

Agree with the previous comments that cotton is a bad idea for cold weather aerobic sports and the zipper is fine as long as it works.

I had the same experience recently. I called Pactimo back after receiving my jacket because it was super small and the zipper was on the wrong side. I figured it had to be a womens medium. They told me no mistake, it was a mens jacket. I ended up keeping it because I needed something right away, but now wish I didn't because it is too small. If it fits wear it, otherwise send it back.

The zipper on my Louis Garneau wind jacket is bass ackwards as well, but it's been a good jacket.

Thanks to everyone for your comments. Based on what I'm reading here, I'm going to keep the jacket. The zipper on the "wrong" side seems to be typical, and the sizing is form-fitting, but not too snug. (As long as I don't gain back the lbs I've recently lost, it should be OK.)

But now I'm wondering what you recommend (specifically with a link, if possible) I wear underneath, (between the compression shirt and jacket) instead of the cotton turtleneck?

Thanks again!



Thanks!

Wicking polyester , like the Turtle neck style? there are Zip Turtles too ..

the Poly with the wicking treatment trasports the sweat without absorbing it

Wool absorbs the moisture , but is not so cooling when it does, but takes a longer time to dry.

I've taken saturated Polar-fleece off flung it over a hand rail to drive off excess water,
and put it back on again , and it was, immediately, relatively Dryer.


want a link?
https://www.patagonia.com/us/product/...neck?p=44442-0

I have 2 of these jackets and really like them for temps between 25 - 55 F. Possibly even lower then 25F, but haven't tried ridding in that range yet. I just vary the layers underneath to match the temps. I picked up both jackets for $37 on sale through Nashbar last year during holiday and closeout sales.

Sizing - I'm 180lbs with 42" chest and wear large. The jacket is a little loose, could wear medium, except the room accommodates multiple layers, so that's good.

I also have thermal jackets by Sugoi and Giordana and the Nashbar jacket isn't really that far behind (if at all) when comparing materials and construction. To me, spending more doesn't always improve function, the biggest different is graphics and eye appeal.

As for the zipper, not an issue and it's still a men's jacket in Euro style with the zipper pull on left.

If I were you, buy a second jacket in one size larger of a different color when these go on sale (< $40) again right after Thanksgiving. This way you'll be well equipped with tight or loose jackets if needing more or less layers underneath to match temps.

The key is buying layers that can be used more then once to match the weather.

To fit under the jacket, I like long sleeve cycling jersey's of different thickness or insulating abilities. Some are thin and nothing more then warm weather jersey's with long sleeve and others are thicker with fabric designed to tramp heat and insulate the body, these are called thermal jersey's. When the temps warm up, I'll often wear a long sleeve jersey with a wind vest or the jersey by itself, whatever it takes to match the temps when used alone or added as a base layer.

Here is one example.
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...46_-1___202490

Not a bad idea! I didn't realize that they typically go on sale after Thanksgiving. I thought that the price was pretty good already! Thanks.

These jackets go on sale regularly, you just need to watch the sales. Two weeks ago this jacket was under $40 again, so I suspect it'll be marked down for Back Friday.

I have that jacket and I am happy with it. I bought mine with room to layer. If you are going to keep it. Wait till it goes on sale and call nashbar, they should credit you the difference. I have done that in the past.

When the weather gets cool, which for me is the 40's and 50's, I wear a BCG polyester, long-sleeve t-shirt (Academy Sports) as a base layer. Usually, I will wear one or two short-sleeve cycling jerseys over the base layer and top it off with the wind jacket. These jerseys are the typical wicking type jerseys, three pockets in the back etc. I like the full-zip jerseys as they allow me to unzip a little as I begin to warm up.

Based on my experience, it takes a while and some trial and error assemble a wardrobe for cool- and for cold-weather riding. You're off to a good start with the wind jacket. A few years back, I bought a long-sleeve jersey thinking it would solve some problems, but the wind cut right through it. Once I had the wind jacket over this jersey, the jersey was able to do its job. Stay with it, you'll get there.

tuff for me to buy clothing online. my personal philosophy about clothing shopping is: "if it fits perfect & you love it buy it regardless of price. if it's not dead-on perfect what you want - don't buy it"

you got any clothes at home you don't wear ...? my point exactly

I have two wind/water resistant shells in hi-viz colors. One is tighter for use in cool weather with just a long-sleeve jersey or maybe a light base and jersey. The other is a full size larger and a looser cut. This one is my outer layer for really cold weather when I might have 2-3 wicking and warm layers underneath. Worn over just a regular jersey it would flap a bit in the wind, but once I get a base layer, merino wool sweater, and a fleece vest underneath, it fits about right without compressing my insulating layers.

When you live and cycle in areas with a wide range of weather conditions, you have to have a few different options that you can mix and match to get the best combination of warm and weatherproof for the given day.

Thanks for all of the replies, guys. I've used the jacket twice now - yesterday and today. Temps were in the 50's yesterday and low 40's today (no wind to speak of). In the cooler conditions today, with a base layer of Russell Athletic Compression Mock, then a cotton T-shirt, then a cotton zip-up T-neck (I haven't gotten any non-cotton layers yet...) and the jacket on top, I was fine. A bit cool at first, but then comfy.

However, my hands (specifically fingertips) were quite cold. I wore these full-finger gloves under fingerless bike gloves. Not only were my fingertips cold but my hands (especially the left hand) cramped up pretty severely. It took soaking in warm water and 10 minutes of stretching the cramped muscle before it would finally release. Anyone have any recommendations to keep the hands warm (and hopefully un-cramped) in the future?

Thanks!

I have to wear heavier gloves than those you have in the 40s and lower. I even use chemical hand warmers.

For gloves, I've used REI's Novara brand windproof gloves with a fleecy lining. They do me well down to ambient temperatures in the low 40s or upper 30s. If it's colder than that, I have some nicely insulated and windproof gloves I use for cross-country skiing. They're a little clunky and it took me a while to get used to shifting with them on but they do a great job of keeping my hands warm. If the temps start out pretty cold but I think they're going to warm up a little later, I just take the Novara gloves with me and swap them out during the ride.

https://www.montbell.us/ This is a company I like for outdoor clothing. Their products are very high quality but not cycling specific. I have one of their light weight insulated jackets. It weighs a mere 8 ounces which is slightly more than a tee shirt but is as warm as a fleece jacket and packs down to the size of an orange. There is a range of similar jackets of increasing weight and warmth, with hoods or without and prices are reasonable. They also have base layers in polyester or merino wool. I would urge people to poke around their web site.