Best commuting jackets for winter?

[zia]

I have a new job downtown and am going to be biking 2 miles to the subway -- hopefully throughout the winter! I'm looking for something...

1) Warm enough to keep me comfortable biking 2 miles in 20-degree temps
2) Short enough that I don't get tangled getting on/off bike and on/off seat
3) Attractive enough for me to look professional at work

I've looked at the jackets on the Terry site, but nothing quite fits the bill. What jacket do you like for winter bike commuting?

[Melalvai]

I use layers. Part of the challenge for me is not sweating. It's easiest if I don't have to change clothes when I get to work, but I haven't found a great solution, so in the extreme temps (extremely cold & extremely hot), I end up wearing different clothes for my short commute and changing when I get to work.

When the temps are in the 20's (F), I wear a merino wool undershirt, a light windbreaker, and my goretex rain coat (Phantom). The wind breaker & rain coat are cycling specific so they are the right shape. They don't get tangled, and they don't leave a cold bare gap on my back when I'm leaning over the handlebar. However, a non-cycling specific light jacket & outer shell to block the wind would probably do fine.

It seems like not much clothes but it is enough for me at that temp. The balaclava, gloves, wool socks, and long johns or leggings under my jeans or slacks complete the rest of it. And a thick layer of vaseline on the part of my face that isn't covered by the balaclava.

I'm not sure what you mean about the jacket being work-professional. I take my jackets off when I get to work. The one thing that does cause me problems is if I need to go over to the other building on a cold day. What works for biking in the cold isn't nearly warm enough to walk 3 blocks. Sometimes I just sprint. However I have enough coats that I should probably just leave one in the office.

[Sky King]

My commute involves walking down the stairs but my DD commutes in Portland and I just bought her an O2 Calhoun Jacket - this is a rain jacket but it has the pit zips so hopefully will be breathing better than the mountain hardware she uses now. Nice long back to cover the "tail" although she also has fenders. It is a nice bright yellow - Be seen. She layers underneath the jacket as needed

A positive of the 2 mile to the subway. you may be able to ride without getting to hot and sweaty and you have time on the train to regroup :)

I think leaving another jacket at work is the perfect answer for off the bike needs.

[tulip]

Honestly, for a two-mile commute, you might as well just ride your bike in your regular clothes and regular jacket/coat. That's what upright Dutch-type bikes are so good for.

[Melalvai]

Honestly, for a two-mile commute, you might as well just ride your bike in your regular clothes and regular jacket/coat. That's what upright Dutch-type bikes are so good for.
It depends on what the hills are like in her area. Even for a short commuter a serious hill can either work up too much sweat for the regular jacket/coat, or if it's a downhill the regular jacket & coat might not be up to it. Well, even my fairly flat 2 mile commuter before we moved, at 20F temps, I preferred to have my cycling specific clothes. The gaps (wrist waist, ankles) that regular clothes invariably leave are just awful at that temp.

[shootingstar]

If one lives in an area with snowy slush, etc., then I would tend not to cycle in my office clothing. I just can't afford time and more money to wear out my office clothing vs. cycling clothing (which tends to be sturdier materials anyway).

Best cycle commuting jacket for me: high visbility colours so that I can cycle safely in the dark, pit/underarm zippers if I need it, a jacket that's thick enough for days when the temperature drops well below freezing, plus a jacket that does not have back air vent. Those jackets are just too cold for me in the winter. (Fine in spring summer.)

[Geonz]

I'm about the layers, too. I just put on two jackets.
If it's *seriously* cold (which is going to be a different temp for different people) I get on the trainer for six minutes before going out. Then I don't even have that "cold before you get warm" thing, tho' if you're at the subway in 10-15 minutes you're not going to get *that* cold.

[Melalvai]

I'm about the layers, too. I just put on two jackets.
If it's *seriously* cold (which is going to be a different temp for different people) I get on the trainer for six minutes before going out. Then I don't even have that "cold before you get warm" thing, tho' if you're at the subway in 10-15 minutes you're not going to get *that* cold.
I do jumping jacks. But for 20-30F, that's not usually necessary. That's for <20F, for me.

[Geonz]

Used to be that for me... but it's snuck down to 10... tho' last winter wasn't that cold for that long so it might have snuck back up. However, the bike I had on the trainer is the one that got spirited away...

[A.Watson]

I'd look for a softshell jacket as they tend to look a little better off the bike and will keep you warmer (don't really need to worry much about overdressing on short commutes!). If being cold is an issue, start from your core and invest in some good baselayers!

[moderncyclista]

North Face softshell jacket Men's Cut as it's longer and covers more, in my opinion. Chrome Stock Cobra underneath. Balaclava. Good gloves. I have a pair of thick Craft brand gloves that are amazing. Adidas Samba soccer shoes (stiff indoor soccer insole makes them nice for short bike rides). Then whatever else you're wearing.

Just a regular softshell style jacket (many generic brands are available. Or, I used to ride in my old M65 Army surplus Field Jacket before I got all snooty. LOL!) Those work well because they are like wind-repellant and water repellant with an insulating layer inside. :)

[Triskeliongirl]

I have a different problem. Where I live its chilly on the ride in, 40s, but warm on the ride home (60s-70s). So I started using the cannondale morpheus jacket. What I like about it is that the sleeves come off with magnets for the commute home, and it is screaming yellow which is good for visibility and its waterproof too. But its just a shell, although you could layer it over an ibex sweater in a colder climate.