cold weather clothes?

[nuthatch]

I finally got some neoprene shoe covers and, boy, do they make a difference! I also use a balaclava with the nose thingy that has a cutout on the bottom (fer snot wipin') and a mesh area at the mouth. That has really helped me with not feeling smothered by the balaclava when I'm working hard.

The problem is breathability. I'm getting pretty sweaty if I add a windbreaker but it's just too cold to do without it. Mine's just a Canari windbreaker - are those fancy soft shell wind jackets better for this? Do you guys find yourselves constantly unzipping and rezipping? I know I've complained about this here before but it's been a whole year, so I thought I'd bring it up again.

Corsair, it must have taken you 45 minutes to disrobe when you got to work! Denise, I like the knee warmer idea!

[Eden]

The problem is breathability. I'm getting pretty sweaty if I add a windbreaker but it's just too cold to do without it. Mine's just a Canari windbreaker - are those fancy soft shell wind jackets better for this? Do you guys find yourselves constantly unzipping and rezipping? I know I've complained about this here before but it's been a whole year, so I thought I'd bring it up again.

Well, it rarely ever gets as cold as some of the days you guys have to face around here, but I find that I really love my softshell jacket for cold and especially for wet weather. I still get a little sweaty, but nothing like with a windbreaker or rain jacket and I hardly get wet at all when it rains - just on the arms where the more breathable material comes around to the tops and the cuffs. I've got the REI brand softshell cycling jacket. The coldest its been around here this year was in the lower 30's and I was fine and cozy wearing a long sleeve base layer, short sleeve jersey and jacket on top.

[CorsairMac]

http://www.rei.com/product/47942637....HP_CYCLING_TOC

this is the one I wear and no I don't seem to spend any time unzipping it! LOL It has vents in the upper back which is nice under a backpack plus it has a zippered back pocket that you can open as a vent, and then of course the front pockets and even the zip-off sleeves can by unzipped partway to vent. I just wear less Under the jacket and then on the rare occasion (like climbing) I just unzip the front partway. oh.....it also has a 2-way zipper.

and yes - it takes me truly 10-15 minutes to change clothes in the morning once I get to work - which is why I don't do any lunchtime riding in the winter! LOL

[DeniseGoldberg]

I have the women's version (in yellow, of course!) of the jacket that Corsair linked too, and I've also been very happy with it.

[nuthatch]

Thanks, guys - I'm going to keep my eye on it to see if it goes on sale. I guess the key is zippers!

[CorsairMac]

Thanks, guys - I'm going to keep my eye on it to see if it goes on sale. I guess the key is zippers!

It's also IllumiNITE which is an added, awesome bonus and well worth the money I spent since I'm a commuter!!

Corsair "lights up like a Christmas Tree now" Mac

[MomOnBike]

You know, I was thinking as I was coming off that hill tonight (Brakes? I know not of what you speak, these brakes. Humph!) that I might need a jacket that is a smidge warmer.

DH & I had the bike path to ourselves tonight, so we bombed home. Fun, but chilly. Maybe I should re-read this thread for ideas.