Fall Jacket

[SadieKate]

I have jackets with zip-off sleeves and like them except they tend to be made in heavier fabrics that don't pack as well. I find that I like them best for variable temperature days the best -- cold mornings which gradually warm or days with hills on the route or high mtn altitudes with afternoon thundershowers.

You're in a colder climate so not sure what works for you, but I find that I only like to be encased completely by windproof layers when zipping down a long hill. You can easily get sweaty with full windproof jackets and then get cold any way.

Mtnbiking doesn't seem to produce the same windchill issues so I just like a heavy longsleeve jerseys with an very light LS zip turtleneck under (PI makes a nice silky one). This is probably where the vest/jacket combo works the best because I can carry it in my hydration pack and use it in case of rain.

Our roadbiking (around home) is very flat and can be very foggy with temps in the low 40 degrees (F). The coldest day, I wore a mid-weight capilene LS zip turtleneck and a PI jacket made from the heavier Kodiak material with a windvest underneath. Since a regular windvest has mesh on the back, I get all the benefits of the windprotection on my chest but can still blow off the sweat through the back. By wearing the vest underneath, I didn't have to listen to it russle all the time.

I find that zip turtlenecks as my base layer work well because I can regulate temperature the best.

[Grog]

Great thanks for the info girls!

Veronica: Good idea. My only problem is that I have VERY small arms (diameter not length), I still have to find a model that fits (or more push-ups to do... I'm working on the push ups right now but improvement is slow).

Also: can you trace out the model name of your jacket?

SadieKate: I hadn't thought of wearing a turtleneck under my jerseys (just warmer layers over it), I'll try exactly that this week. I may go for the jacket/vest, I know there will be enough cool riding days to justify it around here... and eventually I could even wear it for snowshoeing.

Thanks ladies!

[Veronica]

My Sugoi is a Bosui - last year's model. It really is waterproof. I commute in it a lot throughout our rainy season.


BTW Patagonia has some of that capilene stuff SK mentioned on sale right now. The sale stuff is under web specials.

V.

[SadieKate]

Grog, be sure that your base layers fit somewhat snugly. They'll be more comfortable under your jerseys. I tend to buy turtlenecks on the large size but have learned the error of my ways when I want to layer.

REI outlet will sometimes have killer deals. I've picked up lots of sleeveless and shortsleeve undergarmets from them.

[JmcG]

I have a Gore jacket/vest:
Gore jacket

I wore it all last winter. You can zip the sleeves out if it gets warmer and stuff them in the back pocket. When it gets cold out, I wear an Under Armour cold gear mock turtle neck base layer, a Pearli vest (that's tight) and this jacket. That's all I need on my upper body even in temps in the high 20s (my limit for being out in the cold weather - otherwise I'm on my trainer!).

Good luck in your search!

Here's the link for the jacket: http://www.gore-tex.com/webapp/wcs/s...=1128606517134

[DeniseGoldberg]

One of my favorite layers as we move into weather too cool for just a wind vest over my cycling jerseys is an REI Midweight MTS Tank Top. It's a dynamite extra layer.

Here's the link: http://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...ory_rn=4501794

--- Denise

[Grog]

Thanks girls for the input!

I ordered the Descente Axiom Jacket / Vest last night and I'll let you know how it works (although it will not be extremely cool yet).

I am really not very resistant to the cold, I have no fat on my arms so all my layers of protection are from my clothes! It's around 12-15 celcius these days when I go riding and already I am wearing a longsleeve base layer + a longsleeve jersey + often a windshell, and that's for a hilly ride.

I think I really need something that covers my neck. The Axiom looks like it can do that job. I'll review it as soon as I get it.

For the rest (base layers and all) I have MEC, the Canadian equivalent of REI, but I'll make sure I'll drop by REI next time I cross the border to go to Seattle.

Many thanks!