It’s about that time of year when the weather changes from brutal hot, to frigid. I’m excited. But I need a new cycling jacket for this fall, so I’m turning to y’all - my favorite source of reco’s
What are your favorite cycling jackets? Let’s say for temps in the 40-50s, w no rain (I’ve got rain jacket + colder temp jackets covered)
I’ve been very happy with the Pactimo Keystone jacket.
Castelli Alpha RoS 2 or the successor (Alpha Doppio).
You might find good deals of the “2” since it got replaced by the new Doppio.
The RoS 2 is my go-to jacket for winter for years now. Might be a bit (too) warm on your upper end of temps.
This one from Assos is fantastic.
In the 50s I wear any random long sleeve cycling jersey.
In the 40s I wear this thing: https://www.rapha.cc/us/en_US/shop/mens-winter-jersey/product/WJY09XXBLULRG?srsltid=AfmBOoqZ8cR_soLkAx0EQVqEUyHC-egV4atZTm7HhpGtGnCtEjFVl6RL9X8
In the 30s I wear this thing: https://www.assos.com/us/mille-gt-ultraz-winter-jacket-evo-182082.html
In the 20s I ride the trainer (tbh, I ride the trainer quite a bit in the 30s, 40s, and 50s too, but I’ll at least consider going out in those temps).
This one from Assos is fantastic.
https://www.assos.com/...wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
These jackets are nice but the BLACK color is a real problem for me. Us cyclists/triathletes like to ride early before the cars get out, and that black jacket is zero visibility at dawn or dusk. I have a black Assos jacket with white sleeve accents similar to this one, but I’ve resorted to wearing a reflective armband to keep me visible, as my black Giro Aerohead is also poor on the visilibity front.
Get it in yellow (I don’t like the layout of the yellow though!)
This one from Assos is fantastic.
https://www.assos.com/...wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
These jackets are nice but the BLACK color is a real problem for me. Us cyclists/triathletes like to ride early before the cars get out, and that black jacket is zero visibility at dawn or dusk. I have a black Assos jacket with white sleeve accents similar to this one, but I’ve resorted to wearing a reflective armband to keep me visible, as my black Giro Aerohead is also poor on the visilibity front.
Get it in yellow (I don’t like the layout of the yellow though!)
I just wear a construction worker florescent orang and green vest over the jacket
As well as a florescent green cap over the helmet
Pearl Izumi wind stopper. Fits snug, so if you wanted to wear a base layer or something then size up.
I really like Polartec Alpha Direct based products for this use case.
For an insulative material, it has an extreme ability to pass air and moisture. At speed and with no-covering it feels less insulated than a typical long-sleeve jersey because of the breeze that comes through. However, cover it with a wind-blocking layer - even a highly packable rip-stop jacket or vest - and it’s suddenly becomes really warm.
This makes it very versatile both between days where you can choose your different jackets, but also during a ride where removing a layer drastically changes your comfort.
This one from PEARL iZUMi is a great example, but other companies also make great products.
https://www.pearlizumi.com/products/mens-pro-alpha-layer-11122205?variant=41958671122603
Full disclosure: I helped develop the above PI garment.
I will second the awesomeness of Polartec Alpha Direct. By far the best insulating layer ever. Warm but breathable. In fact I am wearing the RAB alpha direct jacket right now in my chilly home office.
Pactimo has an Alpha Direct vest which is my goto under a Sportful Hot Pack jacket for long days that start off near freezing and end up in the high 50’s. Easy to stash as things get warmer or you start to overheat.