Winter Jacket

derbygrimpeur

Having recently re-taken up cycling (due to a running injury) after 10 years away, I'm approaching my first autumn/winter and wondering what to wear. Am thinking baselayer + jersey but wondering what to wear on top. Do I look for a thermal jacket or just something that is windproof?

Looking for something that is good value, i.e. not dead expensive (am willing to spend perhaps up to £100)

keef66

Just a windproof jacket over one or two layers depending on the temperature and how hot / sweaty you get. Waterproofs invariably do the boil-in-the-bag thing, then you freeze if you take them off.

A windproof with removable sleeves can be quite versatile so you can turn it into a gilet

derbygrimpeur

Cheers, will look at something with removable arms.

John C.

Try an Ultura windstopper, they are also prety waterproof

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/alt ... t%20vision

I've had one for 3 years and love it, more for the touring rider than racer (you may get too hot even in sub zero conditions)

Scrumple

assos aiirjack
anything gore windstopper
gore phantom for sleeve option

James_London

Assos Airjack 851 and a base layer. More than two layers never works well.

Scrumple

yep - 2 layers.
Vary the inner layer only.

And use a top/arm warmers/gilet unless it is winter!

gsk82

campag heritage thermo is an awesome jacket. on the very coldest days i wear a short and a long sleeve base layer under it

http://www.alwaysriding.co.uk/campagnolo-heritage-thermo-txn-jacket-272.html

pastryboy

John C. wrote:

Try an Ultura windstopper, they are also prety waterproof

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/alt ... t%20vision

I've had one for 3 years and love it, more for the touring rider than racer (you may get too hot even in sub zero conditions)

I recommend this too. This + a base layer was fine for me when it was -3.

amaferanga

So the guy is willing to spend up to £100 and still along come the muppets recommending a £200+ Assos jacket :roll:

James_London

What he saves on the pointless third base layer and some canny shopping should get him in close to budget. Which muppet pays £200 for an Airjack 851?!

amaferanga

I cycled almost every day last winter with a single baselayer and an Altura windproof jacket. I wasn't aware that every jacket except the Assos needed a 3rd baselayer....

(and yes I exaggerated the price a bit - I actually guessed that since it was Assos it'd be over £200, but I now see that its only around £150)

derbygrimpeur

Just to say - I already have the base layers from the running I do so no additional expense there.

It's pleasing to see the Campag Heritage jacket suggested as I had earmarked this one after a bit of searching yesterday. Have sturggled to find any reviews though so useful to see a positive recommendation here.

Had seen the Gore Phantom recommended elsewhere but read some other issues about it not being too breathable.

The Campag jacket is winning on looks anyway...

Cheers for the views and feel free to keep 'em coming

chriskempton

Re: the Campag jacket, I wouldn't buy a winter jacket that was predominantly black because of my perception of a slightly increased risk of being run over.

For under £100, I'd probably go for a nice red Giordana one from the wide selection here :

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/pp/road-t ... e/GIORZJAC

James T

I have somthing a bit like this http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/reinforced-jacket-7-black-137636595/ - only the older version. It's a soft shell jacket and is excellent in the cold weather. Cost about £30 in the sale.

This is the one I have

derbygrimpeur

chris, fair point although the Campag jacket is also available in white (any safer?)

The Giordana look good, although I'd need blue to match my bike.

eyebee

I would personally reccomend the Endura windchill. I've used it for the last two winters and found it to be excellent. I think you can still get it for less than £70, and as far as I know can get in red or black. Plenty of reviews around for it.

TimoH

Gore Phantom II
[/discussion]

willbevan

mavic hydro jacket, adjsutable vents, offset vip, longer back, good rear pockets, long cuffs to go over the gloves. can pick up last years model for 100.

Think I like about it, for a wateproof its very breathable and you need to make sure you wear something underneath as you may get to cold if your used to boil in the bag jackets. Some may say thats a bad thing, to me its a plus!

giant_man

TimoH wrote:

Gore Phantom II
[/discussion]

Isn't this an autumn jacket with detachable sleeves?

bendertherobot

I have a Gore Cosmo WS jacket. Not much gets past that.

neilmacd

Altura Nevis jacket. Waterproof & windproof and I've had one for 5-6 years and it's going strong.

I wear it every day through the winter for commuting & club runs at the weekends
Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op are selling them for £32.99 in the sale which starts today

pablojag

The Gore Phantom is the best & most useful piece of clothing I've bought.

Almost a 3/4 season jacket with our iffy summers, the detachable sleeves are really useful. It doesn't seem to work as well with 2 layers under it though, you need to pick the right baselayer underneath it. The long sleeve length is good for me as other makes (Altura) always come up short.

northpole

Another muppet here recommending the assos airjack 851 - keep your eyes peeled on fleabay for a good deal. Only thing I would point out is that mine was a half size smaller/ tighter than expected. Otherwise superb in winter riding.
Peter

bigpikle

I wore my Gore Phantom all through last winter with just a single baselayer - the L/S merino baselayer mostly when it was cold, and I didnt have issues with breathability or it not being enough. I really rate the jacket although major weight loss since I got it mean mine is a little too flappy now and might need replacing for this winter.

If anyone fancies swapping an XL for a L Phantom them let me know

Tail end Charlie

Foska training jackets (£80) great designs and very well made.

spezial

giant mancp wrote:

TimoH wrote:

Gore Phantom II
[/discussion]

Isn't this an autumn jacket with detachable sleeves?

You see these everywhere, so not very individual, but got one myself and they are great, well made, versatile, and are warm enough for winter & heavy rain. Price & detachable sleeves make it bang on the OP's specs.

derbygrimpeur

I had kind of discounted the Phantom II based on reports that it wasn't that breathable. Any of you recommending it care to comment on that?

The Foska suggestion is interesting, although I've never been too convinced about any of their designs (the Soreen one or Pirate look alright though).

steelwheels

i dont have the phantom but have other Gore Bike Wear jackets, both the windstopper and Goretex
the windstopper gets most use, I can wear it on cool spring / autumn days and in the very coldest of winter nights, it is so versitile and i never have got clamy or sweaty with this jacket
while the goretex does tend to get a little clamy, it is still very good and never feels uncomfortable even on the wettest of days and riding hard
Gore Bike Wear make great products, just choose the one that suits your needs best and the fit that suits you, and you will be happy
even better, get a light windstopper jacket and it will do all year, just add an extra base layer if it hits really cold temps in winter, and get a goretex jacket if you do go out in heavy rain
but given the choice of one or other, i would have the windstopper first