Boleros

[emily_in_nc]

The only one I've tried is the Terry, but my biking partner has a couple of the Sheila Moon. Her SM boleros have very long sleeves, which she is thrilled with because she's tall and has really long arms. It's cute (she got a couple of different colors) but rather thin, no warmer than a standard long-sleeve jersey fabric. Best for temps no lower than 60F, I'd say, unless you're more cold-tolerant than we are here in NC!

The Terry is warmer than the typical l/s jersey, with a fleecy inner layer that feels great next to the skin. The sleeves are also very long -- a bit too long on me since I'm petite, but better than too short. I really like it. Mine is several years old, so they may have changed them since then, but hopefully not as it's a very nice item. Perfect over a sleeveless jersey in the morning when it's going to warm up, or after a rest stop when starting back out.

Emily

[Cheryl SF]

I have the Shebeest bolero and love it! I tend to get too hot in a full jacket in moderate fall/spring weather (I live in San Francisco), so this is perfect and warmer than just arm-warmers. You can zip it up for extra warmth in the chest, and there are thumb loops to keep the sleeves in place. There is also reflective detailing, and, hey, I got tons of compliments on it from gals and guys alike!

[GLC1968]

I have two different Terry boleros. I have the thicker original one that I wear pretty much all winter. It turns any short sleeve or sleeveless jersey into an all season one (because of it, I only own one ls jersey!). Like Emily said, it's a little thicker with a fleecy inside. It's also a little long in the sleeves for me, but I've got short arms.

I also have Terry's new lighter bolero. This one I bought this summer when I needed extra layers when biking in the NC mountains. My original bolero was a bit too warm and it didn't roll up as small as I would have liked when my storage/pocket options were minimal. This one is more like the long sleeve jersey material without the fleecy lining. It's definitely lighter and breathes a bit more...probably too light for real winter temps.

I love both and they both have gotten tons of use. I've been tempted by some of the others just because they are cute colors/prints, but these two (both black) have really suited my needs 100%.

Oh, and the zip one didn't appeal to me AT ALL. The part I like best about my boleros is that they are open on the chest. My chest rarely gets cold and once I'm warmed up from biking, I swear that's where most of my heat needs to vent. Even biking in the 30's, I can't wear anything thick on my neck/upper chest without broiling! I'm weird that way, though. I had the same problem with xc skiing and ice skating too.