jacket recomendations?

nicchick

Hiya, what jackets do you girls wear when out on your bikes? Now that the weather is getting colder etc I think I need one.

I want one that is suitable for my days out, but that I can also wear when I cycle to work. I dont want it neon in colour, but some reflective bits to help me be seen would be great.

If I can get one that is waterproof and breathable that would be ideal, but I really do not want one that makes you wet from sweating instead! I would be happy with a good water/wind resitant one.

Any reccomendations? Or ones to avoid?
nic

lynseyf

I only wear a jacket when it is raining, I much prefer just layering up for cold days, a couple of thermals, gloves and a buff are ususally enough. I have a Mountain Hardware jacket which is supposed to be waterproof and breathable. it is very waterproof but quite sweaty, I don't think you can get a jacket that does both unless you spend loads of money ( i got the jacket for £20 off ebay but RRP is £90)

ChickyChick

i've been wearing an altura nevis jacket for about 2 years now. Ive ridden all sorts of places, all kinds of riding and in some seriously interesting weathers and its never once let me down. so much so i wear it as a normal jacket if im out sometimes. I wear the mens version though i think but it still does the trick. Think the mens only comes in blue and the lovely day glo yellow, and the womens has a lighter blue,yellow and grey. Its not exactly a warm one but then i agree with lyndseyf in saying its best to layer up first. anyway,this is the womens nevis jacket...

http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=21106

Andy B

Have a look at http://www.howies.co.uk/

Their stuff is very good quality ( it's an environmentally aware company too!)

ddoogie

I used an Altura Night Vision jacket for all of last year's winter riding. Absolutely fantastic. Super bright reflective strips that are discrete during the day. Not hugely breathable, but for £50, its a steal.

nicchick

Cheers guys the altura stuff seems pretty good - from snowboarding etc I love underarm zips! Suprised at the price actually - was expecting it to be more expensive. I have some helly hansen base layers already from boarding/running so yeah i am happy with layers The jacket is more for wet days, or days when there is a cold wind.

Andy thanks for the howies link - I didnt realise they did base/layers some techy stuff, thought it was all jeans and hoodies! I was liking rather too many items though...!

Nic

G-manracing

howies are good. amazing in fact, but sooooooooo expensive. even on sale i cant afford much of their stuff. I just get a tshirt once a year to keep up my fanboy status. the altura stuff is really good value for money. looks a bit gimpy but it really does work.

switchback18

nicchick wrote:

Hiya, what jackets do you girls wear when out on your bikes?
...want one that is suitable for my days out, but that I can also wear when I cycle to work ...If I can get one that is waterproof and breathable that would be ideal, but I really do not want one that makes you wet from sweating instead!

Hey. My business partner (MTB Guiding Business) wears an endura event and an endura stealth (not at the same time...) I've got same, and the event is the most breathable waterproof cycling jacket I've ever seen. It also breathes better than most when you cool down on a break as it doesn't rely so much on body heat for breathability. I'm one of those unfortunates that sweats alot so I really notice the difference. The stealth is also real nice. Great fit softshell, and one of the few that's fully waterproof.
Endura stuff seems to last well - had the event jacket for about 18 months & it's got no real signs of wear. It's also designed in the UK for the UK. In case anyone wondered we're not sponsored by endura... Chain Reaction do them as do plenty of others.

As has been said, howies are good too - I always use their base layers

Myself (Steve) & Chrissy are http://www.chasingtrails.com

http://www.chasingtrails.com/mountain-bike-skills-courses/ for ladies (& mens) bike skills days, weekends & mini breaks

malibu_babe_28

My recommendation is the Pearl Izumi Whisper for summer use - packs down ridiculously small, and is very light to wear and breathes well.