I need a new jacket

[marni]

I the past week our temps have rollercostered from daytime highs in the 80's to daytime highs in thehigh 50's low 60's and back again. The wind on the 60 degree days brought the chill factor down to the high 40-mid 50's. On the Tuesady ride (day's high 65) I was wearing a wool underlayer, a relatively thick jersey, a wind/raincoat, tights and thermal gloves. Lo, how the mighty have fallen, in spite of the entire ride being rollers, and because of the 15 mph wind from the north, I was shivering as we started the ride and still feeling cold when we finished the 40 miles. I've reached the conclusion that I need a heavier winter riding jacket. I don't want to pay scads of money but would like something with a bit of a lining. Sort of a rain jacket with velcro cuffs, side zipper vents, a full length zipper, snug high neck and some sort of warm lining. I am not fussy about pockets as I always have pockets in my jerseys and am of the "three pockets good to go" school of rider. Since I will probably only use it 6-8 times a year, I don't want to pay ad arm and a leg- something from 90- 150 dollars would be about right pricewise.

Do ay of you real coldweather riders have any suggestions for this Texas hothouse flower?

[Becky]

Are you thinking about a softshell-type jacket? If a windbreaker and thermal jersey aren't enough, I'm usually reaching for my Gore Phantom, which is a convertible softshell jacket. It's awesome, but more than you're looking to spend. I would watch clearance websites for this sort of thing- there are usually deals to be had on last year's models, especially if color isn't a priority.

[Artista]

TE is offering a 25% - 50% off sale on jackets and free shipping on orders of $75 or more. Maybe they'll have something that will fit the bill. I'm not sure when the sale ends but I think it ends really soon.

[pll]

I have a Gore Contest, which, at $159, is normally just above your price range. I found it on sale for ~$130. With temperatures above 45 degrees, if I wear a baselayer and a jersey under it, I melt down. Their yellow is so bright it makes my other high visibility stuff seem dull.

I see the Gore Phantom is on sale right here, in TE.

[Becky]

That's a really good price on the Phantom, and I can vouch for how bright the neon yellow is.

[jordanpattern]

I have the phantom in white as well. It's okay, but the fit isn't great for a lanky/skinny lady like myself. I have an xs, which fits well through the shoulders and bust, but it's a bit short, which means I get a breeze on my midriff.

As far as warmth, I use it mostly in the 40s and 50s, with a base layer and sometimes arm warmers underneath. On today's ride, (44), I had two base layers, short sleeve jersey, and arm warmers underneath the phantom, and I was a little chilly, but I run very cold.

Anyone happen to have recommendations for anything other than the phantom?

[soprano]

The best thing I've found for chilly and windy is a cheap-o cycling jacket that I got on sale at REI for $22. It's not exactly waterproof, and it doesn't "breathe" at all so I get sweaty in a flash, but it absolutely keeps the wind out. It was 34 degrees during my commute on Tuesday morning, and between that jacket and a light wool sweater I was toasty warm. Sometimes I think that we out think these things in our pursuit of high-performance, breathable gear.

Also, try covering your head. Find a beanie or something that will go on under your helmet. You lose a lot of body heat through your head. Not the 75% or whatever figure from the old wives' tales, but a lot nonetheless.

[marni]

thank you all for your responses, I lucked into a gore phantom jacket in black and green, sort of a short sleeved jersey with zip on long sleeves, for $134 at the local bike store plus a new pair of pearl izumi shorts so I am good to go I hope. Of course now that I have bought a reasonable cold weather jersey/jacket, the weather will stay warm for the rest of our winter. Things could be worse.