fast opinions needed – clothing

[mstone]

I have no love for fleece jackets on a bike.

[Vicegrip]

Gore Windstopper, $180. Spend the $ and never look back. My jacket works very well in a wide range of conditions and is well made. Few and far between is something costly that that works better than expected and worth every penny.

[hozn]

I will say that I got an Endura Convert softshell jacket (zip-off sleeves that are designed so that this also works as pit vents) on sale for $70. It deals well with wind and light rain and is comfortable down into the low 20s with base layer(s). Great jacket. I like Endura because I have monkey arms — and would rather not size up to XL just for arm length.

http://www.artscyclery.com/Endura_Convert_Softshell_Jacket/descpage-ECVSSJ.html

I also have a Gore windstopper jacket and it great, just less optimal for my dimensions (baggy in torso). Maybe a different jacket/cuts would work better. I think I have the Phantom, but don’t recall exactly.

I am cold just thinking about fleece.

[PotomacCyclist]

Wicking T-shirts can be a good inner layer in winter, and on its own in summer. But try it on first, to check the comfort level. Some wicking shirts can be very scratchy, while others are much smoother. I don’t know why, since all of them are made of polyester fibers. Maybe it has something to do with the weave or some other design feature. Some of them can cause chafing (especially while running) but other shirts don’t cause such problems.

The price is OK, but I’ve seen similar sale prices on other shirts. The deals aren’t always good though. I think it tends to be the cheaper, scratchier shirts that go on sale like this.

[hozn]

Target also sells short-sleeve wicking t-shirts (their “by Champion” brand) that are around that price and work fine. I find it rare to want a wicking short-sleeve shirt that is not a jersey (i.e. long in back + pockets), though sometimes in winter as an additional core base layer.

[lordofthemark]

@Vicegrip 104728 wrote:

Gore Windstopper, $180. Spend the $ and never look back. My jacket works very well in a wide range of conditions and is well made. Few and far between is something costly that that works better than expected and worth every penny.

This?

http://www.rei.com/product/838688/gore-bike-wear-phantom-windstopper-soft-shell-convertible-bike-jacket-mens. I should run and get it at $120? I have a light windbreaker – this is for colder conditions – REI says spring and fall. For FS I would layer something else with it?

[mstone]

@lordofthemark 104778 wrote:

http://www.rei.com/product/838688/gore-bike-wear-phantom-windstopper-soft-shell-convertible-bike-jacket-mens. I should run and get it at $120? I have a light windbreaker – this is for colder conditions – REI says spring and fall. For FS I would layer something else with it?

I don’t have that jacket, but I have something similarly thin. For winter it’s easy enough to add layers (wool FTW!), and my torso is generally pretty warm.

[ian74]

@lordofthemark 104778 wrote:

This?

http://www.rei.com/product/838688/gore-bike-wear-phantom-windstopper-soft-shell-convertible-bike-jacket-mens. I should run and get it at $120? I have a light windbreaker – this is for colder conditions – REI says spring and fall. For FS I would layer something else with it?

I have that exact jacket and I love it. Even when it’s in the 20s I can get by with just a base layer underneath it. I went out this morning when it was cold with a base layer, a short sleeve jersey and this jacket and I was really really comfortable. Just be aware, the jacket runs small. I’m 5’4″ and a little bit thick and I went with a large.

I love this jacket. I also recommend the under armor cold weather gear base layers. I have one of these and it is thick and really comfortable without being bulky.

[KLizotte]

Fleece does absolutely nothing for wind. Brrrrrrrr

[Slosurf]

@lordofthemark 104778 wrote:

This?

http://www.rei.com/product/838688/gore-bike-wear-phantom-windstopper-soft-shell-convertible-bike-jacket-mens. I should run and get it at $120? I have a light windbreaker – this is for colder conditions – REI says spring and fall. For FS I would layer something else with it?

I have that jacket and it is my favorite cold weather option. I have a Rapha Hard Shell too and think the Gore Phantom is the best for when it gets real cold. True bang for the buck.

[Sunyata]

@KLizotte 104799 wrote:

Fleece does absolutely nothing for wind. Brrrrrrrr

I have a fleece pullover by Kuhl that is AMAZING in the wind. I do not wear it for cycling because it is super warm and I would sweat to death in it, but for hiking, it is amazing!

For any ladies (or men, they might make a men’s version?) that like to be uber warm when cycling (or when hiking, walking the dog, etc.), I highly recommend it:
http://www.kuhl.com/kuhl/womens/outerwear/alyssa/

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