winter cycling jacket soft-shell

mrdeano45

Hi all. looking to get a jacket for getting out and about during this winter, just sum advice please been looking at the bontrager RXL 180 soft-shell. are these kind of jackets ok to be worn next to the skin or ideally with a base layer. so much choice!!!! was recently lucky to buy sum CASTELLI bibs and they are fantastic. just need summit for the top half but without spending a fortune...
any help would be great cheers....

animal72

I always wear a base layer, a silk t if it's not too cold or a Helly Hansen if it is.

FatTed

Castelli Espresso Due

Anonymous

I always wear a base layer as it feels better with bib straps and jersey. I think it helps wearing two layers if you have an off as one slides over the other rather than your skin, but not sure if thats true.
A soft shell would feel better with a base layer IMO, but its personal preference. I just vary the type depending on how warm it is etc.

I looked at the RXL 180 for the wife. It was OK but but colour and detailing (which is only on women's one I think) were a bit odd and so going to hold out for an Endura Phantom, which is significantly nicer and more suitable IMO.
The mens RLX 180 looks very cheap IMO (it is of course not as expensive as some) and I would look at other options.
The thing with soft shells is they come in lots of different weights and degrees of protection/breathability.
I love my Phantom. It is good VFM considering how much I wear it.

The new Louis Garneu soft shell looks pretty good. Would have got one for the wife but the women's colours are even odder that the Bontrager.

northpole

Not a soft shell but the best winter jacket for bike riding I've owned is the Assos Airjack 851. No longer current range but still widely available. Incredible bit of kit.

Peter

southdownswolf

I'm guessing that the Assos and Castelli are probably out of your price range if you are looking at not spending a fortune...

I have a DHB Windslam Roubaix Long Sleeve Jersey that I have used for the last couple of years, keeping me warm in the winter, it protects from the windchill, but not the best in the rain. Moving up in price, the Sportful Windstopper Ascent is also a reasonably priced jacket that does the job well in winter.

smoggysteve

Animal72 wrote:

I always wear a base layer, a silk t if it's not too cold or a Helly Hansen if it is.

I got 2 North Face merino wool base layer shirts last winter. Fantastic bits of kit. Keep you warm and also wick away sweat.

dwanes

If you want to go out when temperatures are below 0 to around +8 degrees then consider the Sugoi Men's RS Zero Jacket.
It is well made soft-shell jacket but is a fairly 'heavy-weight' material but this means it is completely windproof and you wont feel ANY chill from a FREEZING wind, and is water resistant from the odd small shower.
It feels very snug in freezing temperatures due to its sporty cut and has good breathability.

RRP is a true £129 and would be a very good jacket at that price, but I got it in my size at the time for £80 making it very very good buy.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sugoi-Mens-RS-Z ... B0081F285Q



PS. you will need a base layer under this jacket.

gabriel959

I have got 2 softshells.

A Sportful Alpe, which is the one I use for commuting, good to 0/5c with a long sleeve baselayer underneath. It feels more like a jersey and it is fairly warm. It has got windproof panels at the front and thermoDx panels at the back. It has 3 basic pockets. I got this for £50 last year.

I have also bought a Rapha Pro Team softshell, this is warmer and can probably do -5c with only a baselayer but have not tried it yet. It is fully windproof and has a zipped pocket. Light rain beads on the surface. Fit it better with a longer tail at the back and more athletic on the chest. This cost me £110.

luv2ride

I thought this Castelli Poggio softshell looks great down from 160 to 80 quid:
http://www.merlincycles.com/castelli-po ... 65478.html

Or perhaps this one for 87 instead of 185 quid?

http://www.merlincycles.com/castelli-ve ... 63153.html

ilovegrace

This was the deal of the decade, still have black medium in from Lekies of Falkirk Scotland (google them) for £38 plus p&p

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/altura-varium-jacket

gabriel959

Altura, urgh... granted it is a top priced item so it may be ok but all the altura stuff I've had has been junk, from gloves to jerseys and shorts.

If you want something cheap the Craft Performance Stretch jacket looks good but please note that Craft comes up big... I am 6' 4", 36" chest and 80kg and usually use an Small in Craft.

http://startcycles.co.uk/craft-performa ... AqjY8P8HAQ

with the 10% off code it goes under £40.

daniel_b

http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/mavic-cyclone-jacket-219600
http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/mavic-espoir-windjacket-128135
http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/echappee-softshell-jacket-131811

daniel_b

gabriel959 wrote:

with the 10% off code it goes under £40.

Do you have the code please? I can't find it anywhere!

blackpoolkev

Daniel B wrote:

http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/echappee-softshell-jacket-131811

I have one of these. I paid just under £100 for it and I use it on cold winter rides with a thermal vest. I was happy with my purchase before I saw this link!
80 euros(+ p and p) is a bargain.

Anonymous

gabriel959 wrote:

Altura, urgh

Lol. I love it when people say what I'm thinking but feel I should not say.
Some Altura stuff is ok if (like you say) its discounted higher end stuff.

Millidog

Endura all the way for any winter gear !

daniel_b

blackpoolkev wrote:

Daniel B wrote:

http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/echappee-softshell-jacket-131811

I have one of these. I paid just under £100 for it and I use it on cold winter rides with a thermal vest. I was happy with my purchase before I saw this link!
80 euros(+ p and p) is a bargain.

Pleased to hear you like yours, these 2 reviews swayed me:
http://road.cc/content/review/76346-mavic-echappee-jacket
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/clothing/jackets/product/review-mavic-echapee-jacket-11-45457/

Ridiculous price eh - I just chucked another £15 or so of stuff in the trolley, and it gets qualifies for free shipping, they are wuick as well, expect it will go out on Monday, and be with me either Wednesday or Thursday.

I have been after one for a good few years, but not a fan of the red, colour scheme - this is the first time I have seen the blue at a steal of a price - in fact that site has a vast array of heavily discounted Mavic kit, so as a Mavic fan boy I have ended up ordering 3 jerseys, 4 pairs of bibs, and this jacket - hoping it will be as good as it is meant to be!

Jahmoo

Just purchased a Bontrager RXL 180 from my LBS, paid a packet, but I needed to try it on for size and get some feedback from the guys, they pushed me towards this, tried on and fitted ok. It had turned cold and my dhb Windslam Jacket purchase from Wiggle, well let's just say snug, but I did like the neck, really comfy, am gutted it does not fit.

First ride out Friday/Yesterday, was a tad chilly, but no complaints from me, if I could say anything, I felt a bit too warm, so will be good in the colder weather also. I purchased the Yellow version, quite plain, with Grey under arms and back, soft material. Pockets are great at the back, I had room for my waterproof, not a Pakamac, but it rolls up and fits well enough, then 2 pockets for Phone and plenty of energy gels/bars.

I was forced in to purchase as had to try one on and needed it quick, but apart from the initial outlay, price, no more complaints.

pippi_langsamer-2

northpole wrote:

Not a soft shell but the best winter jacket for bike riding I've owned is the Assos Airjack 851. No longer current range but still widely available. Incredible bit of kit.

Peter

What he said...

meanredspider

Pippi Langsamer wrote:

northpole wrote:

Not a soft shell but the best winter jacket for bike riding I've owned is the Assos Airjack 851. No longer current range but still widely available. Incredible bit of kit.

Peter

What he said...

Yup - another fan of the Airjack - still to be found. I wish Assos hadn't stopped using 851 - the 851 Early Winter gloves are fantastic.

mrdeano45

Guys thanx very much for your feed back. its a bloody minefield all this stuff. i didn't want to sound tight would love to get sum more Castelli stuff but just tooooo expensive. crazy when i paid £125 for sum Castelli meno wind tights, but tell ya wot they are good, not water proof but would rather be warm. i noticed sum good deals on mavic jackets i saw the espoir ? for £80. look good. so once again thanx for your feed back. Recently purchased a Trek Emonda S6 so really want to get the miles in over the winter with all this new clober fingers crossed.

luv2ride

Luv2ride wrote:

I thought this Castelli Poggio softshell looks great down from 160 to 80 quid:
http://www.merlincycles.com/castelli-po ... 65478.html

Or perhaps this one for 87 instead of 185 quid?

http://www.merlincycles.com/castelli-ve ... 63153.html

So, problem solved assuming they still have stock?

stueys

Rapha pro team, just an excellent piece of kit. Worth the cost

pippi_langsamer-2

I don't know what size you are, but have you checked out the classified?

viewtopic.php?f=40091&t=12999010

This is the original 851 spoken about in mythical reverence identical to mine

Looked after, it will last you a lifetime...

(For Assos, large is generally a medium)

starbuck

I have a DHB Windslam softshell jacket. Very warm (but with good zip vents for when it gets a bit too toasty). Actually bought it from Wiggle on a New Forest Sportive, and it poured down for 5 hours. The jacket kept me dry (ish) and warm the whole time in the wind and rain. Perfect with just a baselayer underneath or a mid-layer if it's well below zero.