Jacket advice

mattleonard

Hi all. I've been commuting by bike for the past 10 years, but have finally decided to invest in a decent-ish jacket for the winter. However, my requirements are fairly particular, so I wondered if anyone had any advice.

Basically, I don't feel the cold much at all, and as long as my hands are warm I can just about cope - but would like to make my body a little bit more comfortable in the winter, and have something to keep the rain off. Last year I managed to get through the whole winter in shorts, a normal t-shirt and a thin fleece, but I'm very conscious that last year was unusually mild and don't want to get caught out this year. Plus - a fleece is obviously not very breathable and so I'd rather not get so sweaty. I do sometimes find that I need the fleece in the morning for my cycle in, but really don't want it when it comes to getting home. My wife is also keen that it be hi-viz.

So, given all that - I'm wanting something a) waterproof and b) enough warmth for it to be worthwhile, c) as breathable as I can possibly get for my fairly small budget (roughly £60ish), c) hi-viz, d) packs down small.

I like the look of the Altura Night Visions, particularly the Evo (although it's slightly out of my budget) - but not sure whether it's worth considering that over the 360; and also the Endura Gridlock ii - although I'd prefer a slimmer fit. But I suspect these aren't going to be much good when it comes to criterion d above.

The other obvious solution is whether it's worth me putting my money into layers - although I'm slightly concerned I'd end up with lots of comparatively mediocre kit, and therefore might be better going for one nice new garment. I'd also prefer not to have to think too hard about what I'm going to where each morning ;-)

Any ideas? Does such a holy grail exist?

asprilla

I've given up on jackets. I run warm and I don't find anything breathable enough so I prefer a gillet and arm warmers.

The Castelli Fawesome is windproof, water resistant and comes in a high-viz yellow for about £50. I love mine, it's my favourite kit.

prophet01

I know it's not directly answering the OP's question but a big thumbs up to Asprilla's suggestion of arm warmers.

As the night's have been becoming increasingly more chilly I was finding that although my exposed legs were fine (shorts) my arms were starting to feel the cold during my 10 minute late night sprint home from the squash club. I started to wear a jacket but by the time I reached home I'd be sweaty and uncomfortable.

I thought I'd try out arm warmers without jacket so I bought a pair of Aldi specials for £7.99 and they are fantastic. Now I have cosy, warm arms and comfortable core body. I've also bought the Aldi leg warmers for when winter sets in.

Prophet

fatsmoker

I like my Pearl Izumi barrier elite. Breathable, not great in the rain, but what is? Sweat or get wet. I wear all through winter, layering up as necessary when it gets chillier.

-=mike=-

always use a merino wool base layer, then a combination of arm warmers and Altura Vapour, which is breathable and windproof.

When it gets colder, use Rapha softshell, pricey but well worth the money.

mattleonard

Interesting thoughts - thanks folks.

The more I read, the more I'm inclined to ditch the waterproof criterion - I'd take breathability over it any day (well, dry days at least). If it's one that can dry out between commutes then that's likely to be enough for me.

So I'm torn between a softshell (still slightly concerned it might be too warm and might not be packable enough for those border-line days) or either a light jacket or jersey (which then will be packable but might not be enough for a January morning).

The softshell I've seen the best reviews for, and fitting my criteria and budget is the Proviz Pixelite, however Probikekit, who've got it reduced only have it in XL and above (I'm waiting to hear back if they're expecting more). Alternatively I could buy their jersey direct, but feel like I might be paying over the odds when the jacket is available for a similar price (albeit not in my size).

I like the look of the Pearl Izumi elites - again torn between the barrier and the softshell. The barrier looks nice and potentially would give me some budget for a base layer, which might give me more versatility - although with daily commutes I don't want to end up relying on one (or at a stretch two) base layers for every day.

I think the Altura Vapour & accessories will end up being a bit out of my price range. Intrigued by the gilet/arm warmers idea, so will give that a thought.

It doesn't help that I don't expect to get to a physical shop anytime soon to see any of these (and doubt the range I'd find there would be comparable), so am relying on online.

mattleonard

I've also just spotted that Evans have got the Louis Garneau Spire on special offer, which combines the jacket and gilet ideas.

asprilla

The reason I wear a gilet is that, contrary to popular opinion, you radiate most heat from your forearms. So being able to bare my arms if I'm over heating makes a bigger difference opening a jacket zip.

The Rookie

I too run hot, still in T-shirt and shorts despite the frost this morning (gloves as my fingers feel the cold and a lycra headband to stop the wingnut-esque ears suffering too much.

When it gets chiller I use an Aldi soft shell, it combines just enough insulation with some windproofing but has sufficient ventilation through it to stop it feeling sweaty. Mine starts its 6 winter of use this year.

mattleonard

Well, I took delivery of a Craft Glow jacket today, which certainly feels very nice. It's got a good fit, is nice and bright and feels like it will probably be warm but not too warm. So will be interesting to see how it works out :-)

geomickb

I think you need several jackets (just like bikes!).

So far this year I have used:
1, just t-shirt most of the time
2, Paramo Fuera Windproof smock - this is obviously more windproof than other windproof, especially downhill in the cold.
3, Paramo Velez Smock - needs to be really cold for this but it will handle anything.
4, Super light Rab waterproof - for wet and not too cold days.

This week it has ranged from 10 - 1 degree c in the morning, so I don't think one coat will handle that.

Mick

karlmcr

mattleonard wrote:

So, given all that - I'm wanting something a) waterproof and b) enough warmth for it to be worthwhile, c) as breathable as I can possibly get for my fairly small budget (roughly £60ish), c) hi-viz, d) packs down small.

I've been wearing a dhb Classic Rain Shell for a few weeks now & am very happy with it. Its the right price for you.

Generally only need a long sleeve Tshirt underneath but I replace that with a baselayer for cold days.
It keeps the wind out, & the Manchester rain without issue.

Its not hiviz, but has some reflective stripes on it ... But check the size, I'm not designed for the Performance Cut of the jacket with my gut so I find the XL to be a tight fit, but not too tight as I've only 1 layer underneath.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-classic-rain-shell-jacket/