Looking for feedback on cold weather cycling jackets

[Rebecca19804]

+1 what Lisa said

[Juliegoddess]

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.

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?

[withm]

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.

[nscrbug]

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.

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

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

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'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! )

[Crankin]

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.

[nscrbug]

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

[nscrbug]

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. I'll have to see if DH gives me the "ok" first.

[pll]

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

[pll]

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).

[nscrbug]

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