Originally Posted by
indyfabz
I’ve gotten caught at 7,800’+ in rain, snow and sleet while about to start long descents. Windbreaker=Hypothermia.
Sounds like back east bragging. Kinda cute when compared to real descents at real elevation.
Funny. I know a whole lot of folks, myself included who have no problem on much higher and colder descents in a wind vest. Or a few sheets of wrinkled up newspaper under the jersey.
Me personally, at 14,000 ft, I like my windbreaker. It's got hood and sleeves and is lower bulk than my vest. I just can't put it on while riding.
I've only been hospitalized once for hypothermia, it was the incident 20 years ago that prompted me to get a vest.
My biggest issue is cold hands on the descent. It's why I rock full finger mtb gloves year round on the road. It helps. I quit ice climbing because of reynauds though, so I'm probably not a typical case.