Softshell jackets, hills and overheating

Serious Cat

Can anybody suggest softshell jackets that don't contribute to that awful baked from the inside out feeling when going uphill during winter season. Thankfully the weather hasn't been oppressively cold lately and ive been getting by with a sleeveless compression layer under a long sleeve jersey , but in the harshest weather winter has to offer I may need to look at a softshell. What I absolutely wish to avoid is heading up hills with tongue hanging out , blinded by sweat and that feeling like you simply cant breathe due to the heat. There will surely be softshells which cause this but Id love to hear about ones which have the best breathability and take away the hills and overheating concerns I have.

luv2ride

The Mavic Echappee jacket has forearm vents which are surprisingly effective at cooling, but the main feature I like is the different material under the arms and sides which is almost like a thick mesh which almost completely prevent overheating. I overheat easily and this jacket has been a godsend. Lots of other cool features and fits me really well. Without a shadow of a doubt my favourite jacket. Used it today with a long sleeve base layer underneath and it was plenty warm enough (was 5 - 8 degrees out) and coped really well with the constant fog/mist/drizzle - kept me bone dry both out and in 8)

Serious Cat

Luv2ride wrote:

The Mavic Echappee jacket has forearm vents which are surprisingly effective at cooling, but the main feature I like is the different material under the arms and sides which is almost like a thick mesh which almost completely prevent overheating. I overheat easily and this jacket has been a godsend. Lots of other cool features and fits me really well. Without a shadow of a doubt my favourite jacket. Used it today with a long sleeve base layer underneath and it was plenty warm enough (was 5 - 8 degrees out) and coped really well with the constant fog/mist/drizzle - kept me bone dry both out and in 8)

Do you use it on skin or do you have to use a base layer with that one ?

cougie

Unzip on the climb. you want a jacket to keep you warm when descending at speed. That same jacket will obviously be a bit warm when climbing at high effort going up hill. And all jackets should be worn with a base layer.

andrew_s

I use a Gore Phantom, and take the sleeves off if I start to get too warm

carrock

I am 16 stone diabetic and overheat easily, even with a gore phantom which is supposedly breathable.

Bought a Castelli gabba.

Absolutely brilliant. Maintain a constant temperature up hill and down dale, windproof, waterproof.

Even in 5 degree temps, still warm with a base layer.

Serious Cat

I own a Giordana windproof jacket which I absolutely don't wear as it just locks obscene heat in and doesn't let it out which makes for epically uncomfortable rides when the gradient goes up. Softshell jackets which I would be interested in have to keep the wearer COMFORTABLY warm and also regulate things by effectively letting heat escape.

flasher

The problem with all these clothing threads is that every bodies body is different, so what works for one is terrible for another.

Trial and error until you work out what works for you!

antfly

There is always Rapha...

sungod

as above, unzip on the climb, also stay unzipped for a bit after

compared to the flat, you'll be probably putting out more power, but you'll also be going slower

more heat generated and less cooling from airflow

once you're wearing clothing with significant insulation (whether thermal or simple windproofing) it's inevitable that thermal energy will build up on hills

also as above, people respond to this in different ways

if you're one that needs the insulation on the flat, but gets uncomfortable on climbs, unzipping is the answer

robbo2011

+1 sungod.

It's inevitable that if you are warm enough on the flats, you'll overheat on the climbs as you are putting out much more energy and there is less wind cooling effect as you are slower. The worst is a tailwind, then you really do overheat.
I don't think any clothing can completely solve this issue, you just need to unzip completely (preferably at the foot of the hill before you start sweating) and remove some clothing, e.g. gloves and headwear in order to try and minimise it.

This is one of the challenges of winter riding, unfortunately.

robbo2011

Serious Cat wrote:

Softshell jackets which I would be interested in have to keep the wearer COMFORTABLY warm and also regulate things by effectively letting heat escape.

The trouble is, if a winter jacket effectively lets heat escape, then it isn't going to be very warm!

It might be that you are overdressing for the conditions, but you should also be using the heat management techniques described above.

luv2ride

Serious Cat wrote:

Do you use it on skin or do you have to use a base layer with that one ?

I always use a base layer to aid wicking away sweat, whether high summer (sleeveless mesh type) or winter (long sleeve merino or my now favourite long sleeve compression base from Aldi 8) )

Don't know why but have never gone out riding without one...