Best places to try on & purchase jackets around here?

[LeprosyStudyGroup]

I’m looking for the best places to go to try on winter/waterproof jackets (because I’m picky and sizing /returning expensive online purchases is a hassle)

I did not like the selection available at the REI on Leesburg Pike, and it seems like the few LBS type places in my area of NOVA only carry 2-3 coats if I’m lucky.

I’d be happy for this to just be a general jacket/coat thread too!

I heard great things about Showers Pass jackets and got to try a few on during my trip to Seattle last year, but the torso/arm length ratio did not work for me at all.

[TwoWheelsDC]

The REI in Bailey’s Crossroads probably has the best selection in the area, which is kinda sad, since even there it isn’t great…like you, I’ve found that apparel is one area where local shops are lacking. I think BicycleSpace in DC is probably next best, particularly as they’ve expanded recently, although I haven’t been in to the shop since they moved. I’m basically at the point where I know how a number of different brands fit, and I just shop online. Yeah, support local businesses and all that, but no shops around here carry the stuff I prefer to wear.

[Vicegrip]

Spokes has Gore brand as well as others. I have found the Gore stuff I have to be well made. My Gore wind-stopper jacket is my go to from 40 to “Snotrocketsfreezemidflight”

[sjclaeys]

@Vicegrip 134742 wrote:

Spokes has Gore brand as well as others. I have found the Gore stuff I have to be well made. My Gore wind-stopper jacket is my go to from 40 to “Snotrocketsfreezemidflight”

Agree on Spokes and Gore. They usually have a winter jacket sale around this time of year with good discounts.

[Judd]

I bought a Showers Pass softshell at Performance Cycles in Bailey’s Crossroads. They had a decent selection IMO, much better than REI, at least. I bought this one: https://www.showerspass.com/products/skyline-softshell

It’s 180 bucks at Performance. Looks like it’s currently on sale if you buy direct from the web. It’s really thin, but I’ve been comfy with a long sleeve thermal and this jacket down to 17 degrees. It “breathes” pretty well to if the amount of moisture on my cell phone in the back pocket is any indication. It’s a racing cut, so I had to go up a size. Nice zipper side vents and a vent at the neck if you start sweating too much. I’ve worn it in the rain several times and it works great for keeping the rain out. I’ve got short arms for my height and the sleeves are slightly long. The only thing that I don’t like about it are that the back pockets are a little bit too high for me to comfortably dig into while I’m wearing it. This may be the short arm problem plus a lack of flexibility though.

[LeprosyStudyGroup]

@Judd 134761 wrote:

I bought a Showers Pass softshell at Performance Cycles in Bailey’s Crossroads. They had a decent selection IMO, much better than REI, at least. I bought this one: https://www.showerspass.com/products/skyline-softshell

It’s 180 bucks at Performance. Looks like it’s currently on sale if you buy direct from the web. It’s really thin, but I’ve been comfy with a long sleeve thermal and this jacket down to 17 degrees. It “breathes” pretty well to if the amount of moisture on my cell phone in the back pocket is any indication. It’s a racing cut, so I had to go up a size. Nice zipper side vents and a vent at the neck if you start sweating too much. I’ve worn it in the rain several times and it works great for keeping the rain out. I’ve got short arms for my height and the sleeves are slightly long. The only thing that I don’t like about it are that the back pockets are a little bit too high for me to comfortably dig into while I’m wearing it. This may be the short arm problem plus a lack of flexibility though.

Actually that was my issue with them as well, Large size jackets could fit my torso length, if a bit billowy, but the arms would be many many inches too long. The M size jacket torsos were too short, while the arms were just right.

Thanks for the recs so far, I’ll be checking all these places out this weekend probably.

[ian74]

Actually I got an email from Spokes yesterday and they are having a %50 Off sale on lots of clothing including some Gore and Endura winter jackets. For example: http://spokesetc.com/product/gore-bike-wear-power-trail-windstopper-soft-shell-thermo-jacket-237097-1.htm

I think this is a great deal for this jacket. Also, in my experience, the Spokes Etc location in Vienna seems to have the most stock in hand. Good luck finding something that works.

[AFHokie]

@ian74 134906 wrote:

Actually I got an email from Spokes yesterday and they are having a %50 Off sale on lots of clothing including some Gore and Endura winter jackets. For example: http://spokesetc.com/product/gore-bike-wear-power-trail-windstopper-soft-shell-thermo-jacket-237097-1.htm

I have one of these & I’m quite happy with it. Its one of the few cycling jackets I found with front hand pockets (was a must for me.) It blocks the wind & while not waterproof it performed well the couple times I was caught in the rain. However if its raining or I know it will rain heavily, I’ll wear a hardshell jacket instead.

As far as sizing, I’m 5’9 & went with an XL. It fits, but isn’t overly tight or big. On really cold days I can still fit a bulky Columbia fleece on under it and not feel like a stuffed sausage.

Pit zips are the only improvement I’d like to see added to the jacket, but those aren’t typically found on softshell jackets.

[ian74]

AFHokie, I actually have the Phantom 2.0 jacket by Gore. They also have that on sale at Spokes for $95. Which I think is a great deal. http://spokesetc.com/product/gore-bike-wear-phantom-2.0-windstopper-soft-shell-jacket-187409-1.htm

It’s a soft shell jacket and the sleeves can come off making it a short sleeve jacket. The zippers around the sleeves serve as pit zips. You can open them up as it gets hotter. This is my everyday winter jacket. I wore it today with a long sleeve jersey underneath and was fine for the hour+ I was out riding around. I had to buy a large, because I’m short and stout/chubby. I’m 5’4 and 165. I think they size kind of small.

[AFHokie]

@ian74 134924 wrote:

AFHokie, I actually have the Phantom 2.0 jacket by Gore. They also have that on sale at Spokes for $95. Which I think is a great deal. http://spokesetc.com/product/gore-bike-wear-phantom-2.0-windstopper-soft-shell-jacket-187409-1.htm

It’s a soft shell jacket and the sleeves can come off making it a short sleeve jacket. The zippers around the sleeves serve as pit zips. You can open them up as it gets hotter. This is my everyday winter jacket. I wore it today with a long sleeve jersey underneath and was fine for the hour+ I was out riding around. I had to buy a large, because I’m short and stout/chubby. I’m 5’4 and 165. I think they size kind of small.

I looked at those too, but I’m not a fan of zipoff sleeves. Eventually I’ll take it to a tailor and have pit zips added. I’ve done that with a few other jackets and its worked out well.

At 5’9 & 185 I don’t think I’m overly chubby but I’ve yet to find a cycling clothing company whose sizes don’t run small compared to average American sizes.

[ctankcycles]

@LeprosyStudyGroup 134887 wrote:

Actually that was my issue with them as well, Large size jackets could fit my torso length, if a bit billowy, but the arms would be many many inches too long. The M size jacket torsos were too short, while the arms were just right.

Thanks for the recs so far, I’ll be checking all these places out this weekend probably.

Regarding arm length, and you may already be taking this into consideration, but cycling jackets usually have longer arms since the fit is based around the riding position rather than standing upright. When you’re on a bike you need more room in the shoulders and arms so the sleeve cuffs don’t ride up your arm.

[huskerdont]

The Endura Stealth II comes with pit zips. I have the older model and have just about worn it out but love it so much I keep using it more than the jacket I bought to replace it. Got it at a place that isn’t there anymore (CycleLife), but Spokes may have it. It’s pricey.

I’m 6 ft and 160 lbs, and the large fit me perfectly.

[hozn]

@ian74 134906 wrote:

Actually I got an email from Spokes yesterday and they are having a %50 Off sale on lots of clothing including some Gore and Endura winter jackets. For example: http://spokesetc.com/product/gore-bike-wear-power-trail-windstopper-soft-shell-thermo-jacket-237097-1.htm

I think this is a great deal for this jacket. Also, in my experience, the Spokes Etc location in Vienna seems to have the most stock in hand. Good luck finding something that works.

Thanks for the link. I went ahead and ordered one of the Endura Luminite jackets to try that out. Since it looks like it’s kinda “club cut” I sized down to medium. “Large” in their athletic fit is perfect, but we’ll see whether the arms are long enough in medium. I have their convertible (sleeves remove) jacket in large and it’s a little baggy in mid section.

[LeprosyStudyGroup]

Yeah ended up getting an Endura Windchill II jacket from the Belle Haven location because that sale was too good to turn down. It’s puzzlingly not as windproof as I would expect something branded around being windproof should be, but it fits well and so far has kept me in that sweet spot of almost cold enough to be uncomfortable, but not.

[Bruno Moore]

Dangit, wish I’d seen this earlier—we have some Showers Pass jackets at Bikeyspace that are 20% off. So if anyone else is looking for a good late winter/spring/next year jacket…

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