Interesting that we are so different in size but we both like the same size jacket. I'm 5'9" and 158 lbs.

Today, I walked outside wearing a dress shirt, the jacket, a hat, and a scarf. Normally in this weather (45ºF and breezy), I would wear a t-shirt under my dress shirt or a sweater over it, but I didn't need to. So far, still so good.

I use a couple different options:

1. Marmot Down Jacket
2. Nashbar Softshell
3. Woolrich Flannel
4. Orange softshell

These are all usually used with a combination of layers except the marmot, it just needs a t shirt or a thin wool long sleeve underneath. It stuffs into itself to so fits easily in my pannier.

The woolrich is my go to most of the time, the jacket is awesome and will probably outlast me. Not fancy tech involved just hard work. I usually do two long sleeve layers under it and it's good to go.

The softshell I usually use at a cycling type event, because its reflective and for some reason people get after about that kind of stuff when I am in a group. The jacket is ok, if I did it over again I would not use it and would have sold it but someone made me crash on it so its scuffed up.

The orange is a nice jacket, its pretty heavy though. I might drop the down jacket in favor of it on a bike due to the cut being more relaxed.

I just bought a Northface softshell jacket I found on sale at Sports Authority for $75. https://www.thenorthface.com/shop/me...ariationId=7D1 I wore it yesterday for a club ride in temps of 40 F with a tee and and a long sleeve jersey under and it was just right. Northface gear and clothing, in my experience is a bit heavy but very well made and durable which describes this jacket. It resists rain and abrasion, typical of soft shells. With a micro-fleece shirt under it, it will be good into the teens.

It's been a while since I posted anything on Bikeforums, but I've been meaning to write something on this topic.

Over the last year and a half or so, I've been trying out some Triple Aught Design gear. I have been very, very happy.

Context: I commute year-round in Rochester NY. Temperatures in the teens (F) are pretty common in the winter, and there are generally a number of days/nights that get to be -10F or below. And it's pretty much always windy.

Low temperature ratings here assume a waffle knit Henley as a base layer top and other appropriate cold weather gear.

Stealth Hoodie LT
Best. Jacket. Ever.
This is my year-round foul weather shell. Windproof, waterproof, breathable to varying degrees depending on temperature, and pit zips. A nice selection of pockets that are well placed to stay out of the way and be accessible. Zippers and material can be a bit stiff at first, but soften some with use. Durable material; one review I read before buying involved the reviewer wearing the jacket in a motorcycle accident. The jacket survived, though looked worse for wear. Works extremely well as the outer shell in a layering system. It's not super-light, and packability isn't great, but it shoves into a small-to-medium-size backpack pretty well.

In my experience, you'll be cool but comfortable while cycling down into the 20s wearing this and the aforementioned Henley. You'll be less comfortable standing around and walking for long periods of time. You lose too much heat via conduction.

It ain't cheap, but it's a fantastic jacket.

Praetorian Hoodie
A nice, moderately warm, comfortable Merino wool hoodie. Good looking, and will keep you cool but comfortable while cycling down into the low 30s. It's cut to fit under the Stealth LT, and that's my go-to combo when the weather gets very, very cold. I have yet to find a lower limit for the Henley+Praetorian+Stealth LT combo, but I've been perfectly comfortable down around -15F.

Ranger Hoodie
I just picked this up in early December. It is extremely warm; wearing a Henley and this I can start overheating when cycling at 25F. Pocket layout is essentially identical to that of the Stealth LT, but most of the pockets double as vents. Like the Praetorian, it's cut to layer under the Stealth LT, but when I tried it I started overheating when riding at 10F. Note that it is not windproof, which will tend to be the big limiter for what temperature at which you can wear it.

So yeah, I'm really happy with my TAD jacket and hoodies. Zero regrets.

I bought two of these I liked it so much (blue/black and hi-vis/black): Gore Bike Wear Phantom 2.0, and wore it down to 5 F on my morning commutes this week, with a medium weight long sleeve base layer, and a really thin long sleeve base layer under that, along with Izumi AmFib windproof bib pants and standard padded bib shorts.

This jacket is 100% windproof, water resistant, and its usable temp range is 0 F (with 2 bases) to 60 F (with nothing under), and has removable sleeves (for days that get above 60 F unexpectedly), which unzip, roll up, and store easily in one of the three ample back pockets, and has built in short sleeves. But this is an unexpectedly thin single layer cycling jacket, with a breathable back panel to release hot moisture during a hardcore vigorous ride, and not a fashion jacket that is multi-purposed for cycling. The sleeves are designed to be a little extra long for getting into the drops without the cuff riding up and exposing wrist skin. Highly recommended. $100 on sale. I'm 5'10", 169 lbs, 33 waist, and longer than avg arms, and the Large fits nicely.

I'm the opposite: In sub-30 degree weather is especially care about back pockets, because A) I'm wearing gloves; and B) I definitely don't want to have to unzip my jacket to get into whatever pockets my other layers may have. And I want technical fabrics that breath and wick because the last thing I want in sub-freezing temps is to be wet.

Yeah...sub-30 is where one often stops caring as much about weight, grams, etc. But I care way more about technical fabric at those temps. In warm weather I'll often just bike with a t-shirt. In sub-30 weather technical windproof and breathable stuff is very important for me.