Good wind jacket?
 

Looking to start cycling with a jacket instead of a long sleeve jersey for days when I commute and it is cold in the morning, but warmer in the afternoon. I have a nice jacket, but looking for something that is stowable.

LBS does not have much selection, so I am resorting to blind internet purchases. Just purchased a Sugoi Shift, but I am returning it since it was a bit short. Which manufacturers have a slim fit? Or in the words in another recent thread: "american skinny - cyclist fat". Slim but tall, so I need something long enough to cover my back.

I don't care much for rain protection. On that one day when it rains, I simply don't ride. :thumb:

I have one from Gore with removable sleeves and it's excellent.

ive got a garneau wind jersey which works well. splits the difference between a heavier jacket and just a long sleeve vest. or have you considered just adding a wind vest. im intrigued by the castelli gabba jersey it seems to do it all.

this was my thought. If you're not dealing with rain, it's not brutaly cold, and stowability is important, vest is a great option. Pearl Izumi wind vests work nicely, and are way more stowable than a jacket.

+1. Almost the best piece of gear I have. Light armwarmers if necessary. If there is a bit of a chill I go with a light thermal layer under my jersey and perhaps wool arm warmers (45 deg and lower)

Last spring I picked up a Craft "High-Performance Bike Light Cycling Jacket" for the same purpose. No pockets, ultra-light, warm enough to get me into the high 40s with a short sleeve jersey underneath, and as packable as it gets. They've updated the jacket to this model (or so it seems as some features have been added): http://shop.craftsports.us/performan...ens-35663.html

This is also very similar: http://shop.craftsports.us/performan...ens-31657.html

I really want the rapha wind jacket but at this point have decided to go with a rapha wind vest instead. From what I have gathered and think, it will be more versatile to have a vest and layer than use a jacket. That is unless younger a jacket that has sleeves that unzip.

Arc'teryx Squamish is wind and water resistant, and supposedly the most breathable jacket made, 5 oz, packs to the size of an orange.
Feathered Friends Jackorack is wind and water resistant, 4 oz, packs to the size of an orange.
Patagucci Houdini, don't know much about this one except that people who own them love them.
Arc'teryx Accelero, great breathability, good wind resistance, good water resistance.

Pearl Izumi Pro aero vest, don't look like a newb wearing a trash bag flopping against the wind.

I think cyclists give fashion up when they shave their legs and wear spandex. Just saying.

Properly sized cycling specific jackets don't flap either.

Gilet.

In considering any vest (gilet) or jacket, the first thing I look at is the back. IMO they must have a fully air permeable back. I have a couple of vests with mesh backs that work well. My cold weather soft-shell wind-stopper jacket back blocks no wind and I can easily blow right through it. I find this essential in helping to manage sweat. It also prevent the jacket from ballooning up when riding with the zipper partially open. Slits or vents have not done the job for me.

This is exactly right. Mine has wind-blocking fabric on the front, and the tops of the sleeves. The back breathes. It's da bomb. Blocks the wind on cold descents and releases body heat through the back, as you'd want. Form fitting, too.

I got it from REI, and I believe it's been discontinued. This one seems to be somewhat similar. The one linked has a hood. Mine has no hood, not that I'd want one. If I were you I'd look for a similar configuration, wind-blocking front and breathable back.

+100 on the breathable back on a vest or windjacket.

Looks nicely stretchable, unlike the Pearl Izumi I got last season which, while it does keep the wind out, doesn't have much stretch, so when I was between 2 sizes, I went with the looser one. As a result, I do get a bit of trash-bag wind flapping around the ears at times.

How's the water-resistance on it? We don't get much rain here, but when we do it can come down hard.

The wind-blocking fabric in front is somewhat stretchable, the rear fabric much more so. I haven't rode in the rain with mine, but today I dribbled water on it while drinking from my bottle, water beaded up nicely. When it really pours it doesn't much matter what you are wearing.

http://www.aerotechdesigns.com/atdwi...=fall+Campaign

I have Pearl Izumi jacket like this- packs down to about the size of an inner tube, but $100.

http://www.pearlizumi.com/content/pe...AMING%20YELLOW

Aerotech looks to be the same fabric at a nice price.

Check out their shorts, too.

Mission Workshop Orion Jacket. That is all. Pricey but you really do get what you pay for.... and more. I had this last winter (Toronto weather and I all I wore was a long sleeve merion wool underlayer, Chrome Cobra hoodie and this and I was fine), used it all summer... looks sexy, fits great, waterproof, windproof, bomb-proof, superbreahable... it's basically made of black magic.

I really like my Bontrager RXL Windshell. It's nicely form-fitting, with good stretch, and a cycling cut as far as the length. It does an excellent job of blocking the wind as well (which is good, since that's what it's made for). I have the RXL Windshell Vest myself, but they make a full jacket version as well.

I've got a 30 year old Shaversport wind jacket that has a vented back and upper arms, and has 3 rear pockets. It's just the thing for days when you need more than a long sleeve jersey or arm warmers. One important thing is that it's bright red for good visibility, something some clothing manufacturers seem to have forgotten about.

I've finally lost enough weight to use it again!

I just bought this Castelli jacket. Typical Castelli, has very nice slim fit. Also has great venting in underarm area, long at the rear & stows up nicely. Downside is it has no rear pocket. Great for wind and light moisture but not at all insulated. http://www.biketiresdirect.com/produ...ra-long-jacket