Winter Jacket For Commuting

Levi_501

Hello all, I trust you all ate to much turkey and had to many mince pies!

This winter I have decided to stop f4rt a55ing around with Lidl winter jackets and buy a decent one. Whilst the under £20 winter jackets from Lidl are great, they are a little boil in the bag.

I am after a Nov/Dec to March-ish winter jacket. One that will keep me nice an warm, stop the wind and is breathable.

What do you all recommend and use?

Are the Altura Night Vision Evo jackets any good, the Gore ones?

Things to note:
I am not yet a millionaire, so no breaking the bank recommendations
I wear a rucksack when commuting
Not overly concerned if is is not fully waterproof - I usually wait until it has stopped raining!
Current commute is 12 miles (each way) on Surrey/London roads; which may go up to 20-25 miles (again each way) in the next year or so.
XXXXXXXXXXXL size will be needed!

Thanks in advance and all the best for 2015

pblakeney

Castelli Gabba long sleeve, in yellow.

Of the dozens of jackets that I have owned, it is far and away the best jacket for this time of year.

It is not cheap, but you will spend as much in the long run on many cheaper solutions which will not suffice.

Other opinions will become available.

arthur_scrimshaw

Vulpine have a sale on and the softshell jacket is £95 reduced from £175. Not cheap but all you'll probably need.

Kieran_Burns

Nightvision jackets are warm - I do not wear mine until it drops below freezing, anything above that and I overheat. Saying that though, they do have vents at the back which help.

Remarkably waterproof though, and the fit is very good for me.

meanredspider

Given you're an odd size, you should be able to find a deal on stock that hasn't sold. The Gabba is good but not especially breathable. Have a hunt around the Web to see if you can find an Assos Airjack discounted enough for your budget. I've tried all sorts (including having a couple of Gabbas) but I still think the Airjack is king.

okgo

meanredspider wrote:

Given you're an odd size, you should be able to find a deal on stock that hasn't sold. The Gabba is good but not especially breathable. Have a hunt around the Web to see if you can find an Assos Airjack discounted enough for your budget. I've tried all sorts (including having a couple of Gabbas) but I still think the Airjack is king.

+1

Fucking gabba, sick of everyone going on about it like its the 2nd coming. 851 Assos if you want to stay warm.

meanredspider

okgo wrote:

******* gabba, sick of everyone going on about it like its the 2nd coming. 851 Assos if you want to stay warm.

Yes - I think there was rather too much hype about the Gabba - it's good but not as amazing as some would have be believe.

itboffin

No its all about the alpha now, do keep up at the back

meanredspider

itboffin wrote:

No its all about the alpha now, do keep up at the back

The only Alfa I'm interested in has an F in it (or an effin it - I'm never sure)

I'm ignoring the other one 8)

daniel_b

I purchased a Mavic echappee jacket earlier this year and am getting on with it really well.
The zip vents on the forearms are really effective.

£160 down to £80.
http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Mavic/Echappee-Jacket/18IB?gclid=CjwKEAiAt4mlBRDXwt_m9ICU4DcSJAAS_X0WNP6x5K5FrsCZ9zzu6palPB89cjLvz9dReWmFsGnGfhoCdJnw_wcB

Two of the reviews that made me decide to get one:
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/clothing/jackets/product/review-mavic-echapee-jacket-11-45457/
http://road.cc/content/review/76346-mavic-echappee-jacket

Additionally, for colder temperatures I bought one of these:
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/jackets-cycle-giordana-trade-team-wba-jacket/giorzjac150
But would suggest it is worth considering these Giordana's too
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/jackets-cycle-giordana-fr-carbon-body-clone-light-jel22-jacket/giorzjac374
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/jackets-cycle-giordana-formared-carbon-jel-44-jacket/giorzjac377

cookeeemonster

meanredspider wrote:

okgo wrote:

******* gabba, sick of everyone going on about it like its the 2nd coming. 851 Assos if you want to stay warm.

Yes - I think there was rather too much hype about the Gabba - it's good but not as amazing as some would have be believe.

+1

Missybiker

I bought an aldi softshell for £19 and frankly it is super. Extremely well made , great features and very wind proof. Only thing is I didn't like the colour.

So I started to shop around (starting to really get into cycling so felt I could justify the spend). I LOVE a bargain and the one thing I have noticed is that anything to do with cycling adds £25 to the price. anyway. I came across the
Altura synergy softshell on Evans. £39. Lowest price by far. Almost everyone else was £55-£69. I ordered the shocking pink and it really is a super jacket. I am a size 16 (marks and Spencer's size 16 not hennes or next size 16) and the synergy is true to size, I got it 10 days ago. It's very lightweight (good) and certainly does the job. As you'd expect there are 2 rear pockets and a couple of reflector strips. I've been riding all over Christmas and yesterday and today have been the coldest since buying the jacket. I've put on an Aldi base layer (short sleeve) and an aldi cycling top under it and it has kept me completely warm - comfortably so. I simply love it. It completely does the job and is attractive too. I don't think you would be disappointed. Ps: they do it in red and aubergine too, but the pink it great. You can see me for miles (a good thing as far as I am concerned). Let us know what you get

Broono83

To add to the discussion:


I've been looking at either the gore oxygen 2 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gore-bike-wear-oxygen-20-gore-tex-active-shell-jacket-exclusive/?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&kpid=5360659541&sku=5360659541&ci_src=18615224&ci_sku=5360659541uk&ds_e_ad_type=pla&ds_e_ad_type=pla&utm_source=google&utm_term&utm_campaign=XMas+2014+-+Gifts+Everything&utm_medium=base&utm_content=sIQ8aRwmN_dt%7Cpcrid%7C%7Cpkw%7C%7Cpmt%7C%7Cprd%7C5360659541uk&dest=1&curr=GBP

Or the considerably cheaper dhb eq 2.5

Does anyone have opinions or experiences on either?

bendertherobot

Broono83 wrote:

To add to the discussion:


I've been looking at either the gore oxygen 2 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gore-bike-wear-oxygen-20-gore-tex-active-shell-jacket-exclusive/?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&kpid=5360659541&sku=5360659541&ci_src=18615224&ci_sku=5360659541uk&ds_e_ad_type=pla&ds_e_ad_type=pla&utm_source=google&utm_term&utm_campaign=XMas+2014+-+Gifts+Everything&utm_medium=base&utm_content=sIQ8aRwmN_dt%7Cpcrid%7C%7Cpkw%7C%7Cpmt%7C%7Cprd%7C5360659541uk&dest=1&curr=GBP

Or the considerably cheaper dhb eq 2.5

Does anyone have opinions or experiences on either?

They're both rain/wet weather jackets. Not winter jackets per se. Though, for at least 2 more weeks, this winter looks like it will be mild.

So if you want protection from the rain, good options. But they won't keep you warm. Not unless you have several other layers on .

Broono83

I always wear a base laser (under armour usually) of varying thickness and am invariably too warm so it is just for water protection for myself.

Thanks and apologies if off topic

Levi_501

A little update.

I have purchased (arrived today) a Madison Sportive soft shell and a Giordana Trade Team for when it gets very cold. If I am honest, they are all a little bit to small, but alas it is nigh on impossible to find clothing for cyclists the long side of 6'.

If anyone is interested I will try them for a few days and post up a review.

vermin

Levi_501 wrote:

it is nigh on impossible to find clothing for cyclists the long side of 6'.

Really? Have you tried the grown-ups' department?

trevtherev

I'm wearing the Aldi winter jacket at £16 and although it is not waterproof for the price it is brilliant....but from all the comments the Evo also looks a good bet ......

gbsahne001

base layer and running top for most of the Winter, worn slightly warmer jersey maybe 4 times this Winter

glenwatt

If it's any use. Tredz are selling Altura Night Vision Evo's for £60 plus you can get a fiver off for registering for the newsletter.

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Altura-Night-Vi ... _64198.htm

Anonymous

I have the crivit one (Not sure if Aldi or Lidl) and depending on the base layer (Baa Baa or a thin Helly Hansen), have not been cold so far this winter (except when it p!ssed it down)

london-red

+1 for the Echappee. Really rate mine, which I bought for winter last year. Seems to be lasting well, and hasn't suffered from multiple washes...

I went for an XL, but L would have been a better fit (I'm 6'1" ish with a 34 waist) so unless you're Geoff Capes, the XXL on sale at Sigma could serve you well.

warreng

I got a Rapha Hardshell from the sale as a late Xmas present

I love it - kept me dry for over 90 mins on Monday. Wore it with a base layer this morning and was toasty