InTheRain

So far my favorite is the Under Armour Derecho fleece jacket. It is perfect at blocking the wind, it's warm but breaths well in temps below 40 degrees and just in case you get caught in the rain... it's also waterproof! The perfect temp for this jacket with just a thin base layer is 25-35 degrees. It has made my winter weather commutes something to look forward to. I love the feel of fleece!


https://www.underarmour.com/shop/sear...-Fleece-Jacket

Are there any others out there that people really like?

Daily Commute

I just use a Nashbar Goretex shell over UnderArmour Cold Gear. That gets me down to around 20F. This morning it was 11F, and I just put a wool sweater over the Cold Gear and I was fine. I like the removable Goretex hood. It keeps my head dry and really adds to the warmth of whatever else I put on my head to keep it warm.

Marrock

Mil-Spec M-65 in black.

JeffS

My most versatile jacket is actually a Jersey.

Cannondale Slice Jersey



I bought this, and one other cannondale jacket/jersey off ebay for next to nothing. I wear it in a wide variety of temperatures and really just alter what I have on underneath it, and how far open I keep the zip - ranging from one very thin wool layer to one thin and one medium weight wool top. Wore all last winter down to 20F or maybe the high teens.

Waterproof/windproof front, fabric back and stretch sides. I forget the model of my other one. I like it too, but find myself wearing the orange more.

unixpro

I just the rain jacket I bought from J & G Cyclery. I wear a SmartWool base layer under it and I'm warm, toasty, and dry. It has pit vents for airflow if I need them, and I can close the velcro on both the top and bottom while keeping the zipper down some for more air flow.

BMonei

The Northface Venture Jacket is almost to hot with just a simple base layer underneath. It's a simple waterproof windbreaker.

unkchunk

After reading unixpro's comment where he mentions the word "zipper", I've started to wonder... does that jacket zip weird or is it photographer's license? I mean, the jacket is zipped closed and the little black thing at the bottom is the zipper, right? So to unzip it you would pull up and the bottom would open first. That can't be right.

Ouabacher

Looks like a zipper at the top as well. I'd zip 'em both to the middle and wear it bare-chested to the mall!

.....sorry. Bare-chested might imply that I have something worth viewing. In my case, bare-belly'd would be a more appropriate term.

Marrock

It has a two-way zipper, you can zip it from either end.

JeffS

Correct, though I can't imagine a situation where I'd want to unzip some portion of the bottom.

Shows how observant I am. I've had the jacket for probably a year and never noticed it did this.

bmclaughlin807

I use a $20 wind breaker shell that I bought at Target last year. Have used it with various layers under it down to -5 F.

Marrock

I guess it'd all depend on how you wanted to ventilate yourself.

reiffert

Lightweight windshell, Longsleeve wool jersey, LS silk 'long underwear'. Works to below 30 for me.

I'd be worried about gray color.

Also, gloves. Keep your hands (and head and feet) warm and torso can manage a lot better. Lots of heat lost keeping your brain and fingers comfortable (or alive). And then, when the flat happens, there is still some dexterity left. Frozen fingers make lousy tire irons.

InTheRain

Included in my definition of versatility would be... Can you wear this jacket out to lunch and not look too "bikey?" Can you wear it without layers and still be warm enough outside in cool temperatures? Are you protected if you get caught out in the rain or snow with this jacket (not necessarily in a bike situation) without the layers? I work in a professional office (not suit and tie... but business casual dress), it wouldn't be appropriate for me to go to meetings, out to lunch, etc... wearing my hi-vis yellow shell. It's nice to know that I'm "covered" for most any situation with this jacket (the under armour derecho.)

devianb

That is a great combo, one of my favorites.

nvr

I have Performance Bike's Illuminite commuter jacket. I wear it all year if the weather calls for a jacket. I just vary the layers I wear underneath depending on the temps. It's worked great for 2 years. Windproof/waterproof, long sleeves, drop tail, pit zips, velcro wrist. mesh liner so it doesn't stick to you. Great bargain if you can catch it on sale for $80. Mine is yellow/black, and it IS "bikey", but the blue version looks more casual.

acroy

$10 windbreaker shell, diy waterproofed with silicon spray from the camping section.
Been down to 0F with 2 layers under it: longsleeve t and sweatshirt.

Works great I'd only get something more if I had to deal with cold rain more often. But if it's raining, it's usually not very cold.

Cheers

Matt1972

I wear a green fleece vest layered over a blue fleece pullover. The get up has been sufficient so far... Truth be told, I've been on vacation this week, so I haven't had the chance to commute in 30 degree weather!

flipped4bikes

Sugoi jacket, no insulation. I layer according to the temperature.

noisebeam

Someone mentioned the versatility of the jacket for both on the bike and off the bike use.

I have this dilemma as well. For on the bike (especially during times it is cold and/or wet: night, rain, etc.) I want hi-visibility color (lime, yellow, white). Of the bike that is exactly what I don't want.

I don't compromise and get the hi-vis colors. I never want to be riding at night in a rainstorm in black jacket, even with multiple PBSFlashes. I most want my arms to be hi-vis colors. I've seen several jacket designs with high-vis torso and black arms. Not for me.

Al

Marrock

That's why I use the M-65, it has a removable liner for milder days and plenty of room for layering, a stowaway hood, and one of the most waterproof things I've ever seen.

Intheloonybin

I use a Craft jacket I bought at a bike shop to cc ski in originally. It has a windbreak front and a breathable back. Now I use it for commuting only.

I start wearing it at about 60 F and have used it down to 3 F. I just adjust what is underneath, using short sleeve and long sleeve t-shirts.

At 3 F, I used a ss t, and two ls t's. Any colder and I will add a layer or two.

banerjek

Altura night vision jacket. However, that's only because the very thin windbreaker I normally like to wear leaves me drenched in 35 degree rain. If it's dry, my windbreaker is better. The Altura can be worn at 40F, but you'd be pretty hot unless you wore a really light jersey and had it opened up a bit.

MichaelW

Between October and April/May I am rarely without my Paramo Cusco jacket. It is as breathable as a windproof and highly rainproof, definately more comfortable than goretex and more convenient than a windproof + goretex combo.

arcticbiker

I still use a 12 year old Pearl Izumi coat with wind proofing, reflective material for night riding, warm interior. It's not too waterproof, but excellent for our arctic conditions (I'm laughing to myself now because we have a Chinook wind today and temps are above 40 F.) No snow!

Only complaint with the Pearl Izumi is that the zipper tabs are too small for gloves.