Best commuting jackets for winter?

[Melalvai]

Honestly, for a two-mile commute, you might as well just ride your bike in your regular clothes and regular jacket/coat. That's what upright Dutch-type bikes are so good for.

It depends on what the hills are like in her area. Even for a short commuter a serious hill can either work up too much sweat for the regular jacket/coat, or if it's a downhill the regular jacket & coat might not be up to it. Well, even my fairly flat 2 mile commuter before we moved, at 20F temps, I preferred to have my cycling specific clothes. The gaps (wrist waist, ankles) that regular clothes invariably leave are just awful at that temp.

[shootingstar]

If one lives in an area with snowy slush, etc., then I would tend not to cycle in my office clothing. I just can't afford time and more money to wear out my office clothing vs. cycling clothing (which tends to be sturdier materials anyway).

Best cycle commuting jacket for me: high visbility colours so that I can cycle safely in the dark, pit/underarm zippers if I need it, a jacket that's thick enough for days when the temperature drops well below freezing, plus a jacket that does not have back air vent. Those jackets are just too cold for me in the winter. (Fine in spring summer.)

[Geonz]

I'm about the layers, too. I just put on two jackets.
If it's *seriously* cold (which is going to be a different temp for different people) I get on the trainer for six minutes before going out. Then I don't even have that "cold before you get warm" thing, tho' if you're at the subway in 10-15 minutes you're not going to get *that* cold.

[Melalvai]

I'm about the layers, too. I just put on two jackets.
If it's *seriously* cold (which is going to be a different temp for different people) I get on the trainer for six minutes before going out. Then I don't even have that "cold before you get warm" thing, tho' if you're at the subway in 10-15 minutes you're not going to get *that* cold.

I do jumping jacks. But for 20-30F, that's not usually necessary. That's for <20F, for me.

[Geonz]

Used to be that for me... but it's snuck down to 10... tho' last winter wasn't that cold for that long so it might have snuck back up. However, the bike I had on the trainer is the one that got spirited away...

[A.Watson]

I'd look for a softshell jacket as they tend to look a little better off the bike and will keep you warmer (don't really need to worry much about overdressing on short commutes!). If being cold is an issue, start from your core and invest in some good baselayers!

[moderncyclista]

North Face softshell jacket Men's Cut as it's longer and covers more, in my opinion. Chrome Stock Cobra underneath. Balaclava. Good gloves. I have a pair of thick Craft brand gloves that are amazing. Adidas Samba soccer shoes (stiff indoor soccer insole makes them nice for short bike rides). Then whatever else you're wearing.

Just a regular softshell style jacket (many generic brands are available. Or, I used to ride in my old M65 Army surplus Field Jacket before I got all snooty. LOL!) Those work well because they are like wind-repellant and water repellant with an insulating layer inside.