Thought on this winter gear?
 

I already posted this on the Winter forum, but those guys are a bit hard-core for the kind of riding I do temperature wise.

I'm in the market for a new jacket and gloves for this winter. These are intended for training rides of up to 4-5 hours in temps as low as the 19 F (or below), but more in the 30 F range. I currently have an Assos 851 Air Jack and a Fugu Jack, both of which I am looking to sell, and I am looking for replacements. I don't like the fit of either of those jackets (too big for me) and they are black and gray, and I am looking to get something more visible. Anyone have any suggestions?

The current favorites are:

Specialized element 2.0 gloves
Specialized Bicycle Components

Castelli Elemento
Amazon.com : Castelli Elemento 7x(Air) Jacket - Men's : Cycling Jackets : Sports & Outdoors

I have no experience with the above but what I did is try and combine functions to lessen the cost. I use this https://www.showerspass.com/products...lite-21-jacket which is simply the best rain ajacket made. I wear a long sleeve wool jersey from Ibex under during winter months and when less than thirty degrees, add a short sleeve T also of wool from Ibex. This keeps me warm and, most importantly , dry in anything, rain, snow, or wind. The showers pass material is unparalleled in it's ability to let moisture out so you don't over heat , while keeping rain and wind out as well. This is a three season jacket. In summer I just skip the rainwear and get wet. Warm wet is not a hassle, cold wet is a different story altogether.

BTW, I am a fellow nutmegger. I grew up in Glastonbury and went to UCONN.

Layer. Wind proof to block wind and fluffy stuff for insulation. Put a wind vest under (or over) a wind resistant jacket and it makes a huge difference. And you can remove the vest and stuff it in a pocket if needed. All these need to have fully breathable wind permeable backs to help control buildup of sweat and to prevent inflation. Use the zippers to regulate airflow.

e.g. I wear a thermal long sleeve jersey under a Gore Phantom II jacket from the mid 40s down to the mid 30s F. Below that I add a Specialized wind vest with a mesh back. If temps rise, I can take the vest off and stuff it in a pocket. If they rise more I can remove the jacket's sleeves and put them in another pocket. Open the jacket zipper all the way and I'm OK up into the mid 50s.

for me cold weather riding was always more about covering skin, layers and the ability to adjust the layers and ventilation as needed. extended riding at 17 degree F would be really challenging on my knees and ITB. tights and rain pants or just snow pants are well and good but the thighs take a hit and so do the knees. never mind the freezing water bottles! :-) so for me I go with a cycling specific rain jacket with reflective stripes cuz it's dark when it's cold. the rain jacket accommodates the precipitation which inevitably comes with the cold too. and a jacket that allows for a couple layers underneath. good luck in your quest!

I think it's hard to beat an old school combo of pile, a down vest, and a windproof shell. So I'm willing to pay quite a bit for a high end shell but the other stuff is easy enough to pick up from an outdoor outlet fairly inexpensively. Gloves can be tough, though, because your hands are so exposed. I like waterproof shell mitts and I use a thin pair of gloves underneath.

I use this jacket down to 15F (with wool layers) Nokomis Jacket (Black) | O2 Rainwear

Really nice stuff. It is breathable yet wind and rain proof. I prefer a shell I can put over layers and keep it more flexible.

These gloves get me down to 20F - Bontrager: Race Windshell Glove (Model #09877) and down to 0F I have some PI gloves, I think it's these P.R.O. Barrier WxB Glove - Pearl Izumi

Let me know if you want to get recommendation for gear to get you to -20F, I got some good experience with that last winter.

Castelli Gabba 2 in fluro yellow, and layer underneath, watch out for the smaller than normal sizing. Castelli Estremo gloves

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...psff6ee5f8.jpg

How cold does that work for you?

I have had a lot of luck with Castelli Windstopper clothing. I have several Castelli Jackets that work in the 40° and lower range well. I have found that what works in the teens becomes to warm in the 40's. My cold weather gear closet is much larger than my warm weather closet.

Just saw this posted on Castelli Twitter account. It may be just what you are looking for....

Castelli Alpha Jacket ? Redesigning the Winter Jacket - YouTube

Yup. Looks like that's what I'm looking for. The real issue is the 'fits like a jersey' point. I can't stand having all sorts of bulk around me on the bike.

I have had very good luck with Endura products for winter and wet weather. I have also had good luck with Craft gloves.

I would not buy another piece of Specialized gear for cold weather. In road salt conditions, none of it has survived even part of a season, at least for me.

400 for a Castelli jacket.... yikes...

jacket is nice though... most likely performs well too...

Thought on this winter gear?
 

Can we get back to some natural fibers. Not a fan of the tech gear so many people wear. How bout a nice wool sweater with a layer of newspaper on your chest.

Are winters wet where you are ... in other words, does it rain a lot during winter?

Not that especially. But if it's raining and just north of freezing, I'll likely be in my basement.

I'm with you.

I moved from dry but bitterly cold winter conditions which required a certain type of gear ... to rainy but warmer winter conditions which require an entirely different type of gear.

It can be a challenge to figure out what works.