Calling all hardcore FAST commuters - gear question

It's getting to that time of year again. That time when you need to bust out the softshell or something similar to ward off the chill, especially on those upcoming subzero days. I ride pretty fast, or at least fast enough to sweat a fair amount on both my ride to and from work. I struggled all last year trying to find some layering combo that wouldn't have me arriving to work feeling like I'd been marinating in my own juices for the last 11 miles.

I'll spare you all the permutations of my layering attempts and the garments (mostly failures), that I purchased last year. So what's your favorite cycling-specific garment that allows you to stay warm and yet is also highly breathable. I've been leaning towards softshell jackets, but the Nashbar brand one I bought last year for about $60 just doesn't cut it - the thing needs to be hung inside out for a few hours to dry before I can put it back on.

I guess choices don't have to be cycling specific if you know of a non-cycling softshell or similar jacket that is able to stand up to heavy sweating and keeping you warm at the same time. It'd be totally awesome too if any of you were able to suggest something that would cost less than $100. Oh yeah, and please don't say, "ride slower". I'm already taking between 40 and 50 minutes to get to work on the super-windy LFP, so the less time I spend out there when it's booger-freezin' cold, the better, which means riding fast, or at least about 14 mph average, which is fast for me, riding a 40+ pound touring bike.

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on October 16, 2012 at 1:09pm

Is it the holy grail like so many folks say?   It sure costs a pretty penny. 

Adam Herstein said:

I use a Showers Pass Elite jacket (http://www.showerspass.com/catalog/men/mens-jackets/mens-elite-20) down to around 55°F, and layer a thin cotton sweatshirt underneath down to 35°F or so.

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on October 16, 2012 at 1:18pm

I wouldn't necessarily call it that, but it does work pretty damn well. I've work it in a few downpours and been totally dry underneath. It's also great as a windbreaker, and the pit zips let you vent some heat if it gets too warm on your ride. The eVent fabric is not exactly the warmest, especially if you are just wearing a T-shirt underneath, so for chillier rides I wear a sweatshirt between a workout shirt and the Showers Pass jacket.

James BlackHeron said:

Is it the holy grail like so many folks say?   It sure costs a pretty penny. 

Adam Herstein said:

I use a Showers Pass Elite jacket (http://www.showerspass.com/catalog/men/mens-jackets/mens-elite-20) down to around 55°F, and layer a thin cotton sweatshirt underneath down to 35°F or so.

Permalink Reply by Joe Guzzardo on October 16, 2012 at 1:19pm

Hey, I just found the same jacket at almost half the price: http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___51912?cm_vc=PDPZ1



Adam Herstein said:

I use a Showers Pass Elite jacket (http://www.showerspass.com/catalog/men/mens-jackets/mens-elite-20) down to around 55°F, and layer a thin cotton sweatshirt underneath down to 35°F or so.

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on October 16, 2012 at 1:22pm

That's the Touring Jacket, not the Elite. It's cheaper because it uses a different fabric. I've got the Showers Pass rain pants made of that same material and they work very well, so I'd imagine that the Touring Jacket would work well too. The Elite tents to fit better, though – I found the sleeves a bit too loose on the Touring Jacket.

Joe Guzzardo said:

Hey, I just found the same jacket at almost half the price: http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___51912?cm_vc=PDPZ1



Adam Herstein said:

I use a Showers Pass Elite jacket (http://www.showerspass.com/catalog/men/mens-jackets/mens-elite-20) down to around 55°F, and layer a thin cotton sweatshirt underneath down to 35°F or so.

Permalink Reply by william on October 17, 2012 at 1:24pm
I bet it's no different despite what the marketing copy says.

Mobile Sweat Lodge.
Permalink Reply by Aaron Bussey on October 17, 2012 at 1:53pm

I wear my work clothes and just dod a fleece vest on days between 50-65 and below 50 to around 35-40 wear a rain jacket/windbreaker with pit zips.  Below 35 and I am wearing a Columbia winter jacket that is thick but has a nice thermal liner.

I always show up with a sweaty undershirt, which is usually dry by the time I finish my first cup of joe.

9 miles one way and all along Damen/Ogden/Western

I would say get a lighter bike and try avoiding the LFP - the LFP doesnt give you the most direct route unless you live right on it and work at Navy Pier.  Clark to Wells is the fastest and shortest route from the north side IMO - are you riding on the South side?

 

Permalink Reply by spencewine on October 17, 2012 at 3:00pm

Although not biking specific, I've worn this jacket in 3 day downpours while hiking the Canadian Rockies and Fiordlands in NZ and it's kept me completely dry. I also wear this for biking during downpours in Chicago. It's got pit-zips too and doesn't cost a ridiculous sum of money like the Shower Pass jacket above.

http://www.zappos.com/the-north-face-mens-venture-jacket-tnf-black-...

Permalink Reply by Katie on October 18, 2012 at 10:00am

I simply use a cold gear shirt - long sleeve, and a rain/windbreaker.  It it gets super cold I throw on a fleece vest between the shirt and windbreaker. 

Permalink Reply by Tricolor on October 31, 2012 at 10:40am

Since it's actually cold again let's hear what people are doing.  Today for a ride along the lake to work I wore a cotton long sleeve shirt (Grant will kill me) with a heavy wool sweater (Grant will only break my left arm), shorts and some old soccer socks that go up to the knee.  All I was missing was something for my ears.  I need put some 180s in my bag with the lights, tools and heavy gloves.

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on October 31, 2012 at 10:57am

I love 180's down to about 38 degrees. Below 38, I go to a merino wool cap.

Tricolor said:

Since it's actually cold again let's hear what people are doing.  Today for a ride along the lake to work I wore a cotton long sleeve shirt (Grant will kill me) with a heavy wool sweater (Grant will only break my left arm), shorts and some old soccer socks that go up to the knee.  All I was missing was something for my ears.  I need put some 180s in my bag with the lights, tools and heavy gloves.

Permalink Reply by Austin Fenwick on October 31, 2012 at 2:14pm

My personal experience has been that wool is a tremendous tool in situations like this. It will be very great for dealing with the sweat. Me personally i have to run some sort of shell i just can't do it without it. Base layer, wool, shell. Thickness of each depends mostly on wind for me.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on October 31, 2012 at 2:53pm

This is a good example of why these threads are not that useful: Everybody's tolerance for cold is different. Everybody's tendency to sweat is different. There is no one standard that you can adhere to.

While Kevin wears his 180's down to 38 (the temp this morning) I haven't started wearing them. I might wear them tomorrow for the first time, and typically wear into the mid to low 20s, at which point I switch to a headband.

That doesn't mean either one of us got it right or wrong.

Kevin C said:

I love 180's down to about 38 degrees. Below 38, I go to a merino wool cap.

Tricolor said:

Since it's actually cold again let's hear what people are doing.  Today for a ride along the lake to work I wore a cotton long sleeve shirt (Grant will kill me) with a heavy wool sweater (Grant will only break my left arm), shorts and some old soccer socks that go up to the knee.  All I was missing was something for my ears.  I need put some 180s in my bag with the lights, tools and heavy gloves.

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