I’m looking for a good cycling jacket. I don’t want anything too bulky. Id like it to be wind/water resistant. I probably won’t ride much under 35 degrees. Not looking to break the bank on this either.
i bought a Pearl Izumi Elite Softshell jacket and like it a lot, colors are limited this year with only one colorway, but you can still find some of last years at good prices.
it’s not waterproof, but very water resistant, good wind blocking, zippered back pocket(s), doesn’t flap around in the breeze. i’ve worn it with a base layer, LS jersey, windstopper beanie, fleece tights down to about 40-45. fit is called “semi-fitted”, so you can still wear more layers under it without looking like a sausage.
I shopped jackets last year and it was tough, because so many are sails. However, I finally settled on a Gore Xenon soft shell last year and love it. Not bulky at all, plenty of zippers for air flow, reflective strips all over, and water just slips off. Zippers on the sleeves also do a good job of keeping Castelli has lots of good stuff to also made with Gore fabrics. My wife got one and really likes it. If you shop around you can probably find a good deal on something from last year.
One thing about Castelli, and especially the Gore Xenon jackets, is that they have “race fits” and tend to run small and fit snug. Even if you go a size down it will probably still fit pretty snug.
Castelli Windstopper is a great cycling jacket. Wind/waterproof, fits like a jersey, soft lining (can actually weat without baselayer) rear pockets and longer sleeves to cover your wrists when on hoods, in drops, or aero.
Not sure what defines breaking the bank but it runs for $175ish
Castelli Windstopper is a great cycling jacket. Wind/waterproof, fits like a jersey, soft lining (can actually weat without baselayer) rear pockets and longer sleeves to cover your wrists when on hoods, in drops, or aero.
2x Castelli stuff is where it is at.
Check out the Sugoi Firewall jacket. I love mine, and I’ve often seen them on sale online. Thin, slimmer fit, windproof and waterproof. No rear pockets.
Castelli Windstopper is a great cycling jacket. Wind/waterproof, fits like a jersey, soft lining (can actually weat without baselayer) rear pockets and longer sleeves to cover your wrists when on hoods, in drops, or aero.
2x Castelli stuff is where it is at.
It is great and the new Nanotech arm/knee/leg warmers are freaking awesome
x2 on the Castelli.
+1
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x2 on Pearl…I normally don’t buy their stuff but I have a light “wind breaker” type jacket I inherited from a friend. 3 seasons of bad weather later it has held up perfectly.
I use it as an outer shell down to 30-35 with a base layer, jersey, and 2 thin arm warmers on each arm. Folds easily into a back jersey pocket, heck it can even fit in the same jersey pocket with a mini pump.
-Physiojoe
check out PBK for these, always a decent deal there…
The Assos line of variable weight long sleeve jerseys is great. They last forever and if you shop the summer closets on winter gear, their super cheap. I have two and have worn one of them for most winter rides for 6 yrs.
If you will ride in the rain Showers Pass is excellent. If its just for warmth and damp weather, well honestly I’ve never been picky.
What i do like is a jacket with a two way zipper. if you’re trying to ride fast being able to zip up from the bottom to let air in is way bettwr than zipping down and creating big parachute.
Styrrell
You are all crazy. I bought a KB designs jacket off the Ebay for $15 and $5 shipping. It has decent stitching and is a China special. I rate it of equal warmness/rain protection as my Vermarc and Assos at a throw away price. I am sure the others will hold up longer, but at the price I can throw 10 of those puppies away and have a new jacket where my Vermarc will be a five year old dirty jacket. I swear it is the same fabric as Vermarc, Assos, and Voler use only from an nocount China Factory in stead of Swi or Bel. built. Whatevers
Buy a vest instead: An old pro once told me that a vest (a light one and a thermal) with 1 to 3 rear pockets is the best bang for the buck and I have to agree. I own 2 wind jackets (one thermal and one normal) and I don’t use either! I’ve found that 35-55 degrees is ideal with a vest for a 2-3 hour ride. Underneath, I wear a thermal jersey (full zip) and a base layer. The more thermal base layer is for closer to 35 degrees.
Another great thing about the vest is it’s easily stowable. Also, the vest keeps the core warm but doesn’t have flappy, un-aero arms that hold me back in the wind. The thermal cycling jersey and base layer are usually tight enough for me to stay somewhat aero. Good luck!
And vests are pretty cheap. They’re all over ebay.
Don’t know much about your jacket. My main concern when looking for a rain jacket is ventilation. Most chean and really most expensive waterproof jackets suck for me I can’t use them unless its about 30F or I’ll sweat so much i get soaked anyways. I’m not really concerned about being wet either, but wet plus cold plus climbing and descending is a big issue. My jacket was about $100 on sale but for long rides with rain and big fluctuations in temps its a lifesaver.
Styrrell