puma1552

Curious if anyone uses an actual cycling jacket, as opposed to a long sleeve jersey.

Looking at this one, which thankfully is available in my size:

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/cl...0jacket/104529

Almost looks too nice to sweat it up in? I'm curious if anyone has used this or similar, and how it compares to a long sleeve jersey, and also if it's something you could pass using as an actual normal jacket as well. Also, do you wear an undershirt with these or wear them with nothing underneath?

Homebrew01

Yes, all the time in the winter. 2 long sleeve jerseys underneath when it's really cold.

All depends on the climate, and your particular cold tolerance.

BlazingPedals

A long sleeved jersey is a long-sleeved shirt. A jacket is a jacket. I use them both, and add other layers as needed. If your LS jersey is heavy enough, don't wear a jacket on top of it.

puma1552

Id be riding in no colder than 40ish F id say - will ride into November here in the Twin Cities

Yendor72

I wear a cycling jacket. Always something underneath, dependent on temperature. Sometimes I just need a single workout shirt and sometimes its a merino wool long sleeve with an additional long sleeve workout shirt over that then the jacket. Last year at 28°F I sweated through my jacket with just a merino wool long sleeve underneath. It really is dependent on what you can handle. Layers.

Yendor72

40°? I think rule #5 applies here.

puma1552

??

DaveQ24

Yup, I've got a number of them. Just as in "civilian" clothing, some styles and fabrics blur the line. IMHO, a jacket is going to be more wind and water resistant than a jersey. My favorite ones have been from Louis Garneau and Gore.

shipwreck

Velominati ? The Rules

C Law

I usually wear jackets for winter riding with a base layer or 2 underneath, depending how cold it is.

That jacket doesn't look like it could pass as a normal jacket or that you could wear it casually around after riding, as it looks very cycling specific. If you want something a bit more stylish for post ride activities, I would look at something like this

digibud

The primary thing that makes a jacket a cycling jacket and not 'just' a jacket, in addition to the obvious pocket in back and tail is the even more important type of material that is used on the back of the jacket. It should be some form of airy weave of material that easily allows moisture to pass through. When my wife and I ride at temps below zero it's just a matter of time before we have to brush off each other's backs to remove the frost from sweating. If your jacket doesn't breathe easily across the back, all that moisture stays trapped and eventually is a real problem. If you're doing a 30min commute and it's merely 'chilly' then it's not such a big deal but in real cold temps your warmth comes from inner and middle layers. The outer layer is merely a wind break and front and moisture valve in back.

bulldog1935

here, temperature swings wildly from morning to afternoon, all winter long, and layering works best.
I use l/s merino base layer, cotton tee for insulation, and a Canari shell. Peel as appropriate during the day.
I wear knickers all winter to keep my knees warm and let my legs cool as needed. On a really cold morning (for here), I'll wear merino knee socks and swap them for shorties later in the day.

puma1552

Awesome, this is the kind of info I was looking for.

02Giant 

Sweet, I've thought about something similar.

02Giant 

That is nice. If they had it in my size, I would be after one.

Check the type of fit, I don't know how Specialized's various lines fit, if you are thinking about layering under you want to make sure you can.

BillyD

Fixed

blakcloud

I wear a jacket made of the same type material as you posted but in a commuting style. It is one of the few bicycle specific clothing pieces I own. I use it for everyday use off the bike and of course on cooler days when cycling.

puma1552

Luckily I'm a small, if their short sizes are anything to go by. Probably couldn't stomach $250 for it, but $125 is reasonable. Might look a little funny wearing with cycling shorts though.

shipwreck

I agree. My tan lines are not crisp, and I use a frame pump. Once the Velominati found out they changed the handshake.

Milton Keynes

I wear a lightweight cycling jacket I bought from Amazon, likely made in China. It's really come in handy lately when I go out for my early morning rides and the temperature is in the 50's. I like it because it's bright yellow with reflective strips, and lightweight enough I can fold it up to almost nothing. Yet it's still heavy enough to keep me warm when wearing a cotton T-shirt to the point I still break a sweat.

MRT2

I have a bunch of stuff for cold weather, but no cycling specific jacket, yet. I have a merino wool base layer, various synthetic base layers, long sleeve jerseys, a wind vest that is not cycling specific but works fairly well, cycling tights, and a windbreaker, also not cycling specific. At 40 degrees or a little below, I usually go with merino wool socks and gloves, tights, merino wool base layer, long sleeve jersey and wind vest. And winter head sweat. That usually works down to about the high 30s. Much colder than that and I go to the gym to get in some time on the spinning bikes.

At around 55, I might go with a Craft or Under Armor synthetic base layer, short sleeve jersey, and wind vest, but I might just skip the wind vest. Some days instead of tights, I might go with knee warmers instead.

hanshananigan

Another guy with a jacket and who dresses in layers matching conditions.

The arms of mine don't breathe well, but otherwise, I wear that shell and multiple layers of Merino, fleece, and synthetic to stay warm in 30s thru low 50s.

Machka 

I have a whole collection of cycling jackets ... windbreakers, rain jackets, even a couple winter cycling jackets.

And yes, I do wear something underneath them ... often 2 or 3 or more layers.

JanMM

I often wear a running jacket when cycling. But only when it's cool/cold. With a wicking poly shirt or two or three underneath.

TenSpeedV2

I use this in cold weather. https://www.rei.com/product/102059/n...nd-jacket-mens
Have worn it down into the single digits with just a short sleeve athletic shirt on under it and have broken a sweat in it. Has good pockets, reflective bits, and I managed to get one in red and black before they changed the design. Would definitely get another if needed.