My quest for the perfect jacket

[carolonabike]

Since I returned to cycling and particularly since I began commuting 18 months ago I have been on a quest to find the perfect jacket. I don't want much, just something which will keep me warm but won't make me too hot, will keep me dry, won't be too thick and heavy .... or too thin. And, it has to look nice too, on and off the bike . As of Saturday I'm up to number 5 I always have high hopes but there's always something just not quite right.

I have an Altura Night Vision Evo which is lovely but I get too hot if the temperature goes above about 5deg. I have another lighterweight jacket but it has flappy sleeves which irritate me. I have a very lightweight shower proof jacket but it's no good if the weather turns a bit chilly. I have a full zip jersey which is a bit windproof and which was my current favorite until the weekend. On Saturday I bought a Nike Element jacket. It's actually a running jacket but it has a windproof front and sleeves a rear zip pocket (quite small) and is cut quite long so it doesn't ride up. It's not waterproof but it is water resistant. It's in a lovely raspberry colour (although other less shouty colours are also available)

I think this may be the one. For now anyway....

Is it just me? Arsen Gere cycles all year round in pretty much the same one (with a boil in the bag for emergencies) How many jackets do you all have?

 

[Friz]

Oh good. It ain't just me. I'm on 5 or 6 at the moment...

Some LIDL hi-viz that I really like but broke the zip.
A Polaris "shower-proof" Hi-viz.
A Red fleecy thing
A Black Fleecy thing
A boil in the bag waterproof jacket.

and I have another on the way from Wiggle as we speak.

 

[amaferanga]

You won't find a jacket that works all the time. If its above about 5-10 degrees I go for baselayer + armwarmers + s/s jersey + windproof gilet (and bibshorts with legwarmers). Below 5 degrees and I'd wear a lighweight windproof jacket and baselayer. If it's actually raining then I'd wear a full on waterproof jacket, but even commuting and riding almost every day I really don't need it very often.

If you have a windproof jacket then with the right underlayers it should be good for most weather. The mistake many people make is being comfortably warm when they set off which inevitably means they quickly get too warm and sweat and then they get cold and think they need to wear more layers, when in fact they should be wearing less.

 

[HLaB]

I prefer not to wear a jacket but I own a few
Soft Shells-Giordana x3, Gore Phantom, Campagnolo, an Australian one & Endura Jet Stream (although that is classed a jersey),
I've lost count of the Aldi wind/ waterproof ones I've got but I've probably got at least 5+,
Montane featherlight velo (my jacket of choice),
Endura Biker Jacket, a great utility jacket (lots of pockets),
Endura Pac light (or whatever its called) my most waterproof jacket.

 

[VamP]

Don't wear jackets. I have a Pearl Izumi soft shell, which is quite wind resistant. I load up on base layers when the weather is cold. None of the waterproof fabrics are breathable enough for me, so I prefer to just get wet, if it's rainy.

 

[italiafirenze]

http://www.rapha.cc/wind-jacket

Perfect for almost all conditions that don't require a full jacket. In which case look to the Rapha soft-shell.

Pink if you want to look dashing.

 

[carolonabike]

Now that is a smart jacket, I'm now looking at the ladies version with a touch of jacket envy. Shame about the price tag though

 

[Red Light]

Try http://madamedepe.com/coat-detail.php?tab=1 for real style and down to €99 in the sale

 

[carolonabike]

Mmm, interesting. They appear to be channeling little red riding hood Do you suppose the co ordinating dog and basket are included?

Unfortunately there's nowhere on my bike to fit a basket

 

[Red Light]

Mmm, interesting. They appear to be channeling little red riding hood Do you suppose the co ordinating dog and basket are included?

Unfortunately there's nowhere on my bike to fit a basket

N + 1 time?

 

[jayonabike]

My jackets are
Dhb long windslam sleeved fleece top
Specialized mid-winter long sleeved top
Assos ij.tiBuru insulator jacket
Assos sj.blitzFeder shell jacket
Castelli Sottile waterproof jacket
Dhb minima waterproof jacket

 

[carolonabike]

I am looking for an + 1 as it happens. But the basket is not really my style. I have a Trek Lexa SLX which I love but I'm looking for another road bike, I fancy a triple to help me up the hills when I go touring this summer. I'm looking at a Scott Contessa, the only thing putting me off is the fact that they are very white. They look lovely in the shop but I'm thinking about the cleaning.... white wheels

 

[jay clock]

I have one of these Endura Air Defence that works perfectly up to about 12 degrees. Hi viz is much brighter than it looks on there. Also in black. No longer a current model I think but still around. http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=en....,cf.osb&fp=7a0ea5ab9227d9fb&biw=1024&bih=575 They are windproof, light fleece lining, and not too sweaty by any means. From about 4 degrees up I wear with a short sleeve merino baselayer (150 weight). about minus 1 to plus 5 with long sleeved merino (200 weight). Below that, both short and long sleeved baselayers. It is moderately shower proof. Yesterday I went out for 3 hours and did not wear it for once as I expected heavy rain, so was in Berghaus Goretex jacket and baselayers. sweated a lot more

 

[italiafirenze]

Now that is a smart jacket, I'm now looking at the ladies version with a touch of jacket envy. Shame about the price tag though

How foolish of me! I didn't realise carol on a bike would be a lady.

They very often offer hefty discounts on the ladies kit as I don't think it's quite the seller the menswear is. They had 50% off just last month, keep your eye on it.

Admittedly they are expensive but you won't find yourself buying a different jacket next year or the year after. The stuff is very durable and the fit is excellent.

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

I have had a few low cost waterproof jackets and they all were boil in the bag. Then I got a Tenn Vapor jacket, it is not perfect but very good for the money IMHO. The only gripe is that the arms are a little baggy and can flap in the wind, but for a cheap jacket it is hard to beat. I certainly do not sweat that bad in it at all compared to the others and it is actually waterproof unlike a cheapo one that I got from Aldi that was shower proof but like a tea bag in the rain. It's also on offer at the moment maybe worth a punt, I think they used to be around £40.

http://www.tenn-outdoors.co.uk/sale-mens-vapor-cycling-jacket--featherweight--hiviz-yellowgrey-sml