Howdy y'all from Winnipeg Manitoba Canada here (how many of the places did you have to read before you knew where I was from? hehe)

Anyway rather windy here, Im' pretty new to cycling so been picking up various gear and stuff over the last year. I'm starting to think a wind vest would be a really useful thing to have. I have a windbreaker right now, but often its overkill, and my arms get sweaty.

Locally, I've had a lot of trouble finding a decent wind vest, with the best I've found is the MEC Dervish Wind Vest for $37.00 CDN.

I'm wondering, any recommendations on vests? I'm willing to spend decent buck if its a good one. Only thing is I need a place that would ship to Canada. However, looking around a bit on Nashbar, $50 USD seems a bit harsh for a jacket with no sleeves... Features I'd be interested in (not expecting to find a vest with all of these mind you):

-bright colours
-trim fit (i'm 5'6" and 118lbs, so yeah.. trim)
-reflective strips (would be a plus)
-maybe venting, that linked vest has complete mesh back so that must be nice
-dual direction zipper would be awesome too
-very lightweight (dont' care for any fleece lining or anything)


Nashbar's Crossroads Vest is on sale for $29USD, anybody tried this? Sigh being in Canada makes finding good apparel difficult at times.. sometimes I've resorted to buying things without even trying them on

Appreciate any info,
-xan-

Oh boy, You really need to hook up with Machka! She has just moved from Manitoba. She is currently doing a cycling tour in Australia so I'm not sure when she will be back. She is the expert on clothing and gear and where to shop in Manitoba. She is a long distance cyclist and has more HC points than most men. You could do a search under her user name and see what you can come up with. I do know that she posts on a few other boards. Good Luck & safe riding!

I too am in Winnipeg and have the MEC vest and it packs down small, cuts the wind and is relatively cheap. You could support one of the LBS's and maybe pay a little more for pretty much the same thing.