"The jacket doesn't really 'breathe', I'd say."

I am beginning to wonder if any athletic jacket really breathes. Jackets get bad going uphill on the bike and, much worse, when running. I've had that problem with all jackets, the PI Whisper Jacket, two Mountain Hardwear jackets (the ultralight Ghost and the rainworthy Epic), and an Outdoor Research jacket that was also marketed as "highly breathable." Not! Now I have a posse of jackets I hardly use (the Mountain Hardwear ones are high quality keepers for hiking/backpacking though).

For cycling I've jettisoned all jackets and I've been cycling with a vest, even in the dead of winter (well dead of winter here in northern California means rarely colder than 40 degrees). A couple of layers of longsleeve merino wool keeps my arms plenty warm even if there is rain. I have to admit my Optik vest breathes really, really well and if it weren't for the very irritating and uncomfortable fit, I'd just stick with it.

So, looks like I'll try that Nightlife vest. I thought I saw it in a store here on sale, I'll drop by there this weekend...