Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by T.C. O'Rourke on November 26, 2008 at 9:03am

This is my usual m.o.; I've had 3 of the same Giro helmets, 3 pairs of Sidi Dominators, 2 Ortlieb panniers, 2 Bianchi Pistas even.

But often with 'bike company' clothing & accessories the manufacturer --and quality-- varies year to year. This is particularly true of the Performance 'brand'. 6 years ago, I replaced my original Burley jacket with their current model and was dissatisfied with change in fit.

What I should do is buy 2 more immediately after successful testing...

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Permalink Reply by GabeW (not the other Gabe) on November 26, 2008 at 9:25am

I just bought an REI One jacket last weekend. I like it because I don't look like I'm wearing a silly super sporty cycling jacket when I'm not on my bike. It's windproof to 60mph and water resistant - I think a light shell for heavy rain/snow would be a good idea (and easy enough to through in my backpack). So far it's been toasty warm without much layering underneath, and it's got the room for plenty of layers for the coming months.
Like Performance, I figure you're getting the same tech(usually) as a name brand, but without paying for the name. The REI One jacket is in your price range (and was on sale for a little less). I bought the black one, but they also had a light khaki. Of course, I just bought it, so I haven't put it through all the paces yet. Fist impressions are good though.

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Permalink Reply by Vondo on November 27, 2008 at 4:58pm

Good point about paying for brands. I like my North Face Apex Bionic jacket for riding, water and windproof, light and room for layers, it even looks identical to your ONE jacket, but I paid about 75 bucks more for TNF brand. I love the jacket, but would have probably gone with the ONE jacket had I been aware of it!

GabeW said:

I just bought an REI One jacket last weekend. I like it because I don't look like I'm wearing a silly super sporty cycling jacket when I'm not on my bike. It's windproof to 60mph and water resistant - I think a light shell for heavy rain/snow would be a good idea (and easy enough to through in my backpack). So far it's been toasty warm without much layering underneath, and it's got the room for plenty of layers for the coming months.
Like Performance, I figure you're getting the same tech(usually) as a name brand, but without paying for the name. The REI One jacket is in your price range (and was on sale for a little less). I bought the black one, but they also had a light khaki. Of course, I just bought it, so I haven't put it through all the paces yet. Fist impressions are good though.

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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on November 27, 2008 at 6:23pm

What's up with some waterproof bike jackets not having hoods? It's fine when I'm on my bike with my helmet. but not cool (well wet and sometimes cold) when I'm walking and its raining.

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Permalink Reply by GabeW (not the other Gabe) on November 28, 2008 at 3:16pm

I find hoods get in the way when I'm trying to look behind me, or are too bulky around my neck when they're rolled into the collar. But I agree, rainproof without a hood is a bit of a head-scratcher. zip off is probably the best compromise.

Julie Hochstadter said:

What's up with some waterproof bike jackets not having hoods? It's fine when I'm on my bike with my helmet. but not cool (well wet and sometimes cold) when I'm walking and its raining.

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Permalink Reply by Julie P. on December 1, 2008 at 5:09am

I got an Ibex jacket off www.steepandcheap.com for like $80 and it RULES. Waterproof, breathable, wool lined, flexible and thin, perfect for fall/spring and add a midlayer for winter. I actually wear it to work the pit for Ben - it withstands a pressure washer and keeps me dry, plus the mud just flakes off after it dries, I haven't had to wash it yet!

I'm done getting rain jackets - I've switched instead to "soft shell" waterproof ones. Totally awesome.

like this:
http://sac.gearattack.com/items/9596

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Permalink Reply by Jamie on December 1, 2008 at 5:29am

I have a few different jackets. my favorite is by Rapha (classic softshell). it's spendy but incredibly well made. anything that blocks wind up front and vents out the back should be suitable though. I wore it on my ride this morning so I know it's good for winter riding.

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Permalink Reply by E A on December 1, 2008 at 7:09am

Have you looked into the Endura brand of jackets? I got mine 2+ years ago at Rapid Transit.
It is waterproof, breathable, loose for layers, velcro bands, front chest pocket and rear zippered pocket, reflective piping, pit zips.

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Permalink Reply by Ali on December 1, 2008 at 10:41pm

I'll throw in my 2 cents here as well...If you are looking for a real nice all weather jacket also look into sailing jackets...I am a sailor as well as a biker and if its really shitty outside I'll always don my sailing gear because I know it will keep me warm, dry and comfy. They are made to be waterproof and believe it or not sailing has a lot in common with biking as far as elements participants are exposed to. Brands I would look into are Gill, Henri Lloyd, Musto and Helly Hansen. You can get great deals now too because sailing season is over and a lot of stores have closeout sales. There is a West Marine store on North Avenue that you should definately stop by and look.

-Ali

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Potter on December 3, 2008 at 3:02am

Hi! Here's my first post/reply... I can only offer a tip for a WINTER jacket, so this doesn't really meet your spec but, still, maybe there's something in the concept that you can use...

I sweat up in the winter when riding in anything synthetic that's meant to stop wind. Waterproof would totally not work for me when riding below 40degF. So I guess I don't see your mission as being an easy one in terms of one jacket for year-round action.

But for just winter riding, I have a great tip!

--Take a thick Woolrich Shirt-Jac and sew canvas panels to the front then slice the armpits and slice across the back. The resulting jacket will break the wind and NEVER get sweaty! It's ***100%*** breathable---which is a HUGE thing for me (anyway) in the winter. To me, so far, only wool and canvas can truly cut winter wind acceptably. This jacket works GREAT from 45-15degF with underlayers.

A bonus is that it only costs about $15 via the thrifts. (If you pick the colors right you might get off with hardly any geek-points.)

Here's a link to a pic and more info, stories about this jacket: http://www.outyourbackdoor.com/article.php?id=565

By the way, I'm a Michigander but I know some Chi folks and I provide Rapid Transit with some bike culture books/zines, as well as Quimby's. I publish the "Out Your Back Door" indie outdoor culture mag/site---1000+ articles on a huge range of DIY outdoor action! --with a major Great Lakes emphasis.

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Permalink Reply by J on December 3, 2008 at 3:37am

I will echo Julie's comment re: Ibex jackets. I have the Pingo, which is a reasonably weatherproof softshell exterior with a thin wool lining. The upside is it's very stylish and off the bike you don't look too sporty -- but it lacks some of the things you're looking for (reflective piping, hood, etc.) Depending on your layering, it's versatile between 0-50f I'd say. I don't know of a Chicago area shop that stocks these, but several shops do carry Ibex and can order them.

http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/ProductDetail.php?GID=1177&VID=140...

The Nau jackets are also nice, but beware that the recycled softshell material is only waterproof for a handful of rain rides. I have the Acoustic model and had to recoat it, and now it's waterproof again. Extremely soft hand, and very breathable, 20-60f. But they do have a range of designs in subdued fabrics with or without hoods, etc. These are available at Connect and Uncle Dan's.

http://www.nau.com/mens/categories/jackets/

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Permalink Reply by T.C. O'Rourke on April 17, 2009 at 8:24pm

So... after many months hemming and hawing and then waiting for the end of the season clearance prices, I have finally purchased my jacket.

What happened, to be honest, is I undertook a MI/IN/IL cycling trip and accidentally (?!) left my jacket at home. After a train ride of much ridicule we arrived in Ann Arbor and I hit the town, searching with a new found urgency.

Former AA residents in our party suggested Bivouac, an independent outdoor goods concern. There I rapidly tried on numerous garments, including models by Patagonia, Mountain Hardwear, North Face and Marmot.

I settled on the Arc'teryx Alpha SL Jacket in the Coffee Bean color (very dark grey/brown).

http://www.arcteryx.com/Product.aspx?Mens/Cycling/Alpha-SL-Jacket

It’s a 100% waterproof, extremely breathable shell made from Gore-Tex PacLite material. It weighs next to nothing, has two front pockets, an oversized hood that fits over my helmet but does not block peripheral vision. It’s a cycling cut with a longer back and sleeves, Velcro cuff adjustments and pit zips. It has very high quality seams & zippers and a boss little logo.

Total with tax was $270. The MSRP was $300, but the friendly gents enticed me with a 15% discount. This was more than I originally intended, but it appears I will be working outside quite a bit more, regardless of the weather. I further rationalized it in terms of finally being done with the ordeal of selecting a replacement. All this aside from the fact that I was going to freeze my ass off if I didn't possess outerwear on this trip.

A few members of my party were familiar with the brand and had only good things to say. One immediately recognized the quality. The following day I recalled that a courier friend wears the same brand, likely the same model. These things reinforce my positive feeling about the purchase.

The only drawbacks I see are:

The hood does not detach, stow, stuff or roll up in anyway. It has interfered with my over the shoulder glances a few times. I haven’t yet experimented with possible solutions/modifications.

It’s very dark with no reflective piping. I’m pretty religious about using lights, so this is pretty much a non-issue. But every bit of reflectivity helps.

My last jacket had a light mesh liner, which kept the Gore-Tex material off my skin and added some warmth. This one is really the absolute minimum shell, not sure if I'll be needing an extra layer in the winter. However, it may be cooler in the summer and a bit more versatile.

Thus far I am quite pleased. I shall report back on its performance in the coming months.

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