Looking for feedback on cold weather cycling jackets

I need a better cycling jacket for cold-weather riding. After riding in the cold last year wearing my cheapo Canari windbreaker...I have determined that it just isn't gonna cut it. I need something more substantial and breathable. Ran across a few options while perusing online at REI-Outlet.

Can anyone out there comment or offer some feedback on any of these? The prices seem reasonable, and most of them have my size in stock. About the only downside that I see with any of them, is the color choices. Was hoping to find more offerings in HI-Viz yellow (only 1 that I see). Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

Sugoi Neo Bike Jacket

Sugoi Zap Bike Jacket

Novara Verita Bike Jacket


Novara Tempest Bike Jacket

If you're looking for cold weather, I would scratch the Sugoi Zap from the list. It's a beautiful jacket, but not insulated, just a windbreaker. The Neo looks similar to me, but I don't have any first-hand experience with it.

I like the looks of the Verita.....for a rain/wind jacket. Again, no insulation, but it's eVent *drools* If you're quite warm-blooded, this might be an option.

The Tempest looks similar in construction to the Novara Headwind, which I really liked except for its dark back. I like a little more visibility...

I've been looking for a hi-viz winter jacket too. I love my Pearl Izumi Gavia, but it's just too dark for me to feel safe a lot of the time. So far, the only option that I've found is the Gore Phantom. I'm interested to see what suggestions others may have.

I have a PI Insulatour PRO. Holy Hades...that thing is HOT! You'd never guess it to feel it. It's not bulky and has a nice bit of stretch to it. Generally you can find good deals on the previous year's colors, too.

Not sure what size you are, but here is a super deal in a LG red/black XL--
http://www.geartrade.com/item/207267

I have the same jacket in bright yellow in L... wore it once this fall when it was about 45-50 with just a shortsleeve jersey underneath. Think it will be fine down to about 35 or so with a silk turtleneck or fleece pullover. It is not lined but is heavier than most of my other windbreakers.
DonnaS

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Originally Posted by Muirenn

Just found this Phantom Gore in bright yellow.

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TE now has the neon yellow version: http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodGB_JPHALO_0.html.

Hmmm...that Gore Phantom (in neon yellow) looks interesting. It's a softshell jacket, right? Can anyone tell me how the sizing is on Gore jackets? I normally wear a L/XL in women's jerseys...and I prefer a bit of breathing room as opposed to a snug fit. I have a broad upper back/shoulder area, average chest I guess (38C), not much in the way of hips, but a somewhat poochy tummy area.

Linda

Yes, it's a softshell.

I just tried it on at a local store. I'm normally a Medium in cycling jackets, with narrower shoulders, but a 34D bust. Waist and hips are narrow-to-average. My impressions were that it fits very snugly, and it's a cycling cut with a short front and drop tail. In the Phantom, I could wear a medium with a base layer under it. It fit more like a jersey. A large fit more like a jacket, with more room for an actual jersey and a little more length in the front. However, it still fit closely enough not to flap.

I'll be buying a Large.

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Originally Posted by Becky

Yes, it's a softshell.

I just tried it on at a local store. I'm normally a Medium in cycling jackets, with narrower shoulders, but a 34D bust. Waist and hips are narrow-to-average. My impressions were that it fits very snugly, and it's a cycling cut with a short front and drop tail. In the Phantom, I could wear a medium with a base layer under it. It fit more like a jersey. A large fit more like a jacket, with more room for an actual jersey and a little more length in the front. However, it still fit closely enough not to flap.

I'll be buying a Large.

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Eeeeks! Then that would likely put me in an XL or XXL for sure. Wish I could try one on first, but not many shops in my area carry a wide selection of Gore...let alone women's Gore.

IIRC, they're also making the Gore Contest in high-viz and the fit isn't as snug in that style. There's also the Gavia that Murienn mentioned. Mine Gavia is a few years old, so the sizing may have changed, but I find that it's true to size and more like a cycling jacket than a jersey (fit-wise).

Ok, so I am "this close" to pulling the trigger on a PI Gavia jacket. I really like the HI-VIZ yellow color that Performance Bike is offering. The only problem is that the biggest size they have in stock is a Large...and I'm not entirely sure if a Large will fit me comfortably. I have a few PI jerseys and most of them are Large and fit fine. But I'd like to be able to wear a light-midweight layer underneath the Gavia, and I'm worried that the Large will be too tight with a baselayer. And because the Gavia is a discontinued style, nobody around here has any in stock to try on.

So can anyone give me some feedback on wearing a baselayer under the Gavia? If the sizing is "true-to-size" and I do get a Large...will layering make it feel super snug?

Linda

My Gavia is true to size, even with a lightweight or midweight jersey underneath. I wear a medium in PI jerseys and a medium in both the Gavia and the Vagabond jackets (for reference).

It's also wicked warm. I can't wear more than a lightweight baselayer until it's below 40 degrees. With layers, it easily gets me to the teens and 20s on the road.

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Originally Posted by nscrbug

Eeeeks! Then that would likely put me in an XL or XXL for sure. Wish I could try one on first, but not many shops in my area carry a wide selection of Gore...let alone women's Gore.

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I would just like to take the opportunity to say, again, how very pissed off I am at Gore for making The Perfect Winter Jacket (IMO, I've had one for years and love the fit and material) ... i.e. neon yellow with reflective stripes down both sleeves and in back... only for men. And it doesn't come in XS which would fit me.

The women's version is fine, but it doesn't have the reflective stripes. I need the reflective stripes! Why the f can't we get reflective stripes too!

-signed
disgruntled customer

PS. And it's not that they look uncool either. So why??

I hadn't even noticed that until you pointed it out, LPH. That makes me angry!

I'll probably end up adding my own reflective bits to the womens jacket, but I shouldn't have to do that on something that expensive :mad:

Well...I ordered the Gavia today from Performance. Had it shipped to the store so in case it doesn't fit, I can return it while I'm there. Won't arrive until Oct. 16th. It's an early Christmas present from DH. :)

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Originally Posted by nscrbug

I need a better cycling jacket for cold-weather riding. After riding in the cold last year wearing my cheapo Canari windbreaker...I have determined that it just isn't gonna cut it. I need something more substantial and breathable.

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Substantial, very warm, but very breathable: 100% merino wool layers in various combinations. My favorite combo for below 45F: a merino thin soft base layer, a soft merino zip turtleneck, and a soft wool vest.
I have a gore biking jacket and it totally makes me sweat- doesn't breathe at all. I put on my wool instead and I feel great and cozy in the extreme cold and I don't get drenched in sweat. Just my 2 cents.

+1 what Lisa said :)

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Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl

Substantial, very warm, but very breathable: 100% merino wool layers in various combinations. My favorite combo for below 45F: a merino thin soft base layer, a soft merino zip turtleneck, and a soft wool vest.
I have a gore biking jacket and it totally makes me sweat- doesn't breathe at all. I put on my wool instead and I feel great and cozy in the extreme cold and I don't get drenched in sweat. Just my 2 cents.

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I think my climate might be similar to yours...do you find that the wind gets through the merino knit? I'm worried about windproofing. I'd love to just wear wool, but what about down to 32 degrees with a bit of wind?

I wear a Goretex shell type jacket, with zip off sleeves that I love. As it gets colder, I add layers underneath. My threshold for cold is about 34o, and I will have a base layer on, then a long sleeved heavy weight jersey. Then the jacket, worn with a neck gaitor, and/or a balaclava under my hood. I have the Terry cold weather tights, wool socks, and my big splurge last winter was the Sidi winter boots. I love those!

While part of me would like to have a heavier weight jacket I don't think it would make much difference. The layering works very well for me.

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Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl

Substantial, very warm, but very breathable: 100% merino wool layers in various combinations. My favorite combo for below 45F: a merino thin soft base layer, a soft merino zip turtleneck, and a soft wool vest.
I have a gore biking jacket and it totally makes me sweat- doesn't breathe at all. I put on my wool instead and I feel great and cozy in the extreme cold and I don't get drenched in sweat. Just my 2 cents.

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I have many merino wool baselayers that I wear on cold weather rides, but I definitely need something windproof on top of the merino wool base. I live just outside of Chicago and I have often ridden on mornings where we start out with air temps in the low 20's (add to that the wind chill factor!!!)...that is just way too cold for wearing just merino wool layers...I need something warmer in addition to the wool layers. Hence the reason I went with the PI Gavia jacket. From the descriptions I've read, it sounds like it will be the perfect addition to my cold weather riding arsenal.

Linda

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Originally Posted by Juliegoddess

I think my climate might be similar to yours...do you find that the wind gets through the merino knit? I'm worried about windproofing. I'd love to just wear wool, but what about down to 32 degrees with a bit of wind?

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I've done 25 mile rides as cold as about 30F. Any colder than that and i just can't keep my hands and feet warm anymore, and it's no fun. that's when i do fitness walks instead, which keep the blood moving better in my hands and feet.
So I never ride much below 35F. But even with a wind, I'm ok in wool.

Yes, I do feel the cool air coming through the wool. But that's the great thing about it- the wool keeps me nice and warm no matter what, and the little hint of cool air circulating through actually feels wonderful and refreshing. It's hard to describe- you have to experience it! (This coming from someone who spent most of her life freezing her but off while trying to keep warm in polyester jackets and acryllic sweaters.... lol! )

I need to have something windproof, too. I once forgot my x country ski jacket (similar to a Gore cycling jacket) on a trip to Vt. when it was below zero, but had my Shaks with me. I had my normal layers (wool and/or fleece) under the Shak, but the wind really got to me.
I solved the issue by getting an Ibex jacket (forget which one, now) last year, that has a wool back, and a windproof front, for snow sports. It's super thin.
For cycling, if I have enough wool layers or fleece, I can wear a regular, thin wind jacket. Or, I wear thinner layers and my Gore cycling jacket, which has pit zips.
I don't ride when it's under 35 -38, depending on other weather factors, but I am comfortable.

So my PI Gavia jacket came in the other day. Unfortunately, I ended up returning it. :( I got the jacket in a size L, because it was the biggest size they had on hand...even though I was pretty sure I needed an XL, which turned out to be true. The size L felt a wee bit too snug and too short-waisted on me. I kept wanting to pull it down more over my hips. I was wearing a loose thermal top when I tried it on in the store...it felt way tight. So I removed my shirt and just tried the jacket on by itself, and it felt a bit roomier but I still found myself "pulling" at it to give myself more room. I'm sure with an added baselayer underneath, it would have felt too constricting. If only it had been available in the XL, it would have been perfect...SIGH!!!!

So...while I was at Performance, I grabbed a men's Gore Tool SO jacket off the rack, in a size M. I loved the longer length (covered my butt well), loved the pit zips, and the fit was fairly good. The only downside to it, was that the hip area is a bit narrow (and I don't have large hips either). The size L felt too big overall everywhere...shoulders, torso, etc.

Anyways...I've decided to order a women's Gore Phantom SO in an XL in the Neon Yellow. So we'll see how that goes when it arrives.

Linda

So the Gore Phantom SO (women's) jacket arrived at my doorstep today. I ordered it in a size XL. It was supposed to be an early birthday gift to me from my DH. Well...my excitement didn't last very long upon trying it on. Infact, I already have it packaged back up and ready to be dropped off at the UPS store tomorrow. :( Aside from feeling extremely short-waisted, especially in front...it felt snug overall. The only thing I liked about it, was the length of the sleeves were perfect for me. I'm so disappointed. Really thought I had found THE jacket. I am seriously thinking about looking into the men's Gore jackets, simply because they are longer and offer more room for layering. I tried on a men's Gore Tool SO jacket at my local Performance shop, and I liked it well enough and would have bought it had it not been red (I really want neon yellow). I can order it in neon yellow online, but it is a darn pricey jacket at $200. :eek: I'll have to see if DH gives me the "ok" first. :p

That is a bummer. At least the weather is nice these days... tomorrow might be shorts and short sleeves weather.

Reviving this thread for an update: the Gore Phantom SO jacket for women will get more reflective stuff next Fall/Winter season (from an answer from their customer support).

Well, since this thread was revived...I guess now would be a good time to say a few things about my Gore SO Tool jacket that I received over 3 weeks ago. First off, it IS a men's jacket...so the styling and/or fit may not suit some women. Some of the things that I like about this jacket include - the pit zips for ventilation (a HUGE plus!!!), the 3 large rear pockets (big enough to stuff my bulkier gloves in, when the temps rise and I switch out to lightweight gloves), the longer length that covers my butt (I found most women's jackets to be short-waisted), the adjustable cinch-style neck opening, the Windstopper material (it really does work). There is really only 1 thing that I don't like - and that is I wish this jacket were made for women in a feminine cut. Because it is available only as a men's design, the cut is not very flattering (a bit boxy). I wish it had more shape to it, but then again most men are straight and boxy shaped...which would account for the boxy shape of the jacket. Other than that, it's a fantastic cold-weather cycling jacket that I would not hesitate to recommend to both men and women.

Linda