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Any recommendations? Would like something to keep me warm and ideally visible - but maybe orange or red, as opposed to hi-vis yellow, and not too pricy.
Gore seem to have lots of windstopper options but nowhere (that will deliver to me, at least) has anything in stock.
I'm a fan of softshell jackets, not the best in heavy rain though. Being permanently skint i usually get one from Aldi when they're in stock at around £15.
I suspect most cycle specific brands do something similar, probably slightly better fitted and considerably more expensive. The challenge these days seems to be finding something not in black, which i must confess i find odd.
Bazz
The challenge these days seems to be finding something not in black, which i must confess i find odd.
Yeah, I see guys stopping for coffee at the same spot I go to, and they are head to to in black on black bikes. I get that it's a bit more forgiving to the MAMIL physique, but I'd very much prefer to be alive.
I have the Galibier Mistral Foul Weather Jacket and rate it. Keeps me warm without getting sweaty. Although the main colour is roadie black, it does have very visible details which help with the 'get me noticed' contrast.
Galibier kit is very good VFM in my opinion.
https://galibier.cc/long-sleeve-wear/
I'm a fan of Galibier kit.
Used to be a brand ambassador for Fat Lad at the Back - don't be out off by the name, great quality kit in a range of realistic sizes, their winter jackets (layered up sensibly) are nice and warm if not truly waterproof.
Polaris:
https://www.polaris-bikewear.co.uk/category-s/123.htm
I've got the Tornado softshell, it's a great bit of kit. Like everything from Polaris, it's just well made. decent, no nonsense stuff.
I got an orange DHB winter soft shell a few weeks ago. I like it so much i got a green deep winter version for the gravel bike. Recomended by lots of folks on here on a thread a few weeks ago.
The cafe du cycliste audax stuff is amazing. Spendy but feels like it will last a long time. I’d recommend the Zelie jacket and the Ingrid jersey. I was warm going out the door into sub zero with that combination.
+1 for Polaris. I have an AM jacket on Scotroutes' recommendation. I don't use it very often because it's very warm, but I did wear it continuously on a subzero all-day ride recently and was glad of it. Not a fan of the pockets however - worth looking at that with any jacket if it will bother you.
Have a look at Lusso. I have one of their softshells that is an extremely bright orange and is the warmest cycling jacket that I own.
Thanks all, some good options to explore.
Lusso stuff is good, I’ve got some no tights stil in regular use that I got in 1995/6.
They’re a bit crispy on the inside of one knee where I crashed on ice in the and the heat melted the roubaix material, but they didn’t rip.
I’m a fan of Isadore kit.
For winter road rides in this weather I’m in the Medium jersey, I carry a race cape in the event the rain comes in.
https://isadore.com/thermerino-jersey-cabernet-2-0.
I also have the below two items that I find better than a single heavier jacket...
https://isadore.com/long-sleeve-jersey-sulphur-spring-2-0
https://isadore.com/merino-membrane-softshell-vest-2-0
I got a Madison Roadrace Apex softshell jacket for Chrimbo, which fits the bill so far. 1/2 price on Freewheel at the mo. It was that or a Castelli something-or-other at 3 times the price.
https://www.freewheel.co.uk/madison-roadrace-apex-men-s-softshell-jacket-varcl906
I've worn it down to zero-ish a couple of times so far, and its just about warm enough for that with a thin fleece underneath. Not sure how waterproof it is - I'd expect not desperately.
Another option would be Endura Windchill - bit of a baggier fit, but equally warm IME.
Castelli Alpha ROS 2 here, bright red, warm down to below zero with a thin base layer, probs a lot lower with a thicker base.
Yes, it is a heap of cash, and I wouldn't wear it on MTB terrain but it works a treat here for cold lockdown gravel stuff.
I also have an Endura Freezepoint, which is MTB baggy styled and just as warm
I got the Madison jacket mentioned above before Xmas too and it's been my choice for pretty much every road ride since - I had to size up as my usual size didn't allow enough room for layers underneath. Mine had handled light showers OK but I wouldn't use it in anything heavy or prolonged.
Got given a stolen goat orkaan for Christmas. It’s great. On really cold days I put an extra paramo windproof over the top and I’m toasty
I got a Vaude insulated one cheap on Planet X, its lovely on the bike, totally the right shape for riding.
Turns out I have a Polaris Tornado. It's great on in cold day but not really could day. The arms A bit snug for me. This limits what I can get under it. I bought my wife one of these and i now want one
https://www.cyclestore.co.uk/endura_windchill_jacket_2-ID_81273?sv_source=google&sv_medium=cpc&sv_campaign= [campaign_name]&sv_term=[keyword]&gclid=Cj0KCQiA3NX_BRDQARIsALA3fILwDlp8GV2OJFbKMUiUVPGL5_LwRgQt5h8D_0VG00X_1H24ulUd-tcaAm1NEALw_wcB
The Endura Windchill is good too. I'm on my 2nd one. Once I lose some weight I'll be getting the Pro SL for next winter
I have an Endura Windchill jacket. This gets used for everything except proper rain, then it's the Rab Kinetic Plus with layers underneath. The Endura has been great, having armpit zips makes it usable in a much wider spectrum of conditions. And it's bright red - what's not to like 😉
Got a nice red softshell from decathlon in November, about 45 pounds. Very impressed.
Usual Singletrack recommendation.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/rcr-winter-softshell-road-cycling-jacket/_/R-p-311996
Following with interest ...
Keen on views/experiences of the Endura Pro SL Waterproof Softshell ..
https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Endura/Pro-SL-Waterproof-Softshell-Jacket/NMWZ
And also wondering whether anyone had experience with this, the Passione offering ...
https://uk.lapassione.cc/products/prestige-winter-jacket-orange
Cheers.
I've had a Gore Phantom for about 10 years! Still looks good. Needs an extra layer (and a base layer) when it's really cold (like now), but a top piece of kit.
I wanted to get one of the DHB £80 softshells after Christmas, but they were sold out unless I wanted to squeeze into an XS (not happening).
I ended up ordering the Decathlon one linked above by didnthurt. I would have preferred the orange colour of the DHB, but went for hi-viz yellow in the end.
It's not arrived yet but looks like a good option. They do a version which is £20 more called the 'Extrem' version. This seems to be the same, but has a zip-in liner to make it even warmer. I was tempted by that and, but when temps are low enough to need something like that I am paranoid about ice on the roads, so likely to jump on the turbo instead.
For really cold days I've got a Endura Pro SL Primaloft jacket (you can get them in black or orange).
If it's dry it's fine on it's own with just a base later but it's slim cut so also works well as a really warm insulating layer under a shell jacket if the weather is proper cold and wet.
Stolen Goat Climb and Conquer soft-shell is designed to be warmer than the Orkaan. The Nebula version is orangey and also has fluorescent stars on it. I can confirm that it is very toasty even in the steady rain that we had on Tuesday and I had a reasonably try torso at the end of a couple of hours in sub- 4 degree temperatures. The Shutt VR soft-shell gloves were not so resistant and left me with frozen thumbs.
My Decathlon softshell arrived on Friday last week.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/rcr-winter-softshell-road-cycling-jacket/_/R-p-311996Not actually ridden with it yet, but it feels like a decent top. Only thing missing is perhaps some pit-zips for ventilation
Sizing is a bit squiffy in my opinion. - I ordered Large based on their interactive size guide. For reference, I am a short-arse 5'6" and weigh about 75kg at the moment, 32" waist or thereabouts.
The zip on the large wouldn't meet by about 2" at my waist! Oh, how I laughed....the waistband is stretchy though so managed to get it done up, but it was way too tight. It was also tight across my shoulders/back & weirdly the sleeves around my forearms just below my elbow (my arms aren't very big, so a bit weird).
Swapped it for an XL - the sleeves are a little long, but otherwise fits really well - possibly a little loose for the proper aero-roadie styling nonsense, but fine for me.
Thought it worth an update, just in case anyone else is wondering about the sizing of these.
Despite everywhere seeming to be out of stock, I managed to pick up the Endura Pro waterproof softball in the Kingfisher colour for a bargainacious £100. Arrived today so not used it yet. Just feeling smug that I got such a bargain!
Had been given the Galibier Mistral foul weather jacket for Chrimbo but had to return it as the M was too short.
I've a well-used Endura Stealth.
I can wear it with just a base layer up to -10c (as it was this weekend), and it's also waterproof.
But it's mega-well used (and +10 years old) and been stitched up a number of times so I was looking for a replacement - that Endura Pro looks to be an equivalent.
First impressions of the Endura pro SL waterproof softshell ...
Its a slightly odd fit, fits ok as a Large around chest and waist and length, but a bit wider on the hips. I could probably have got away with a medium.
Seems very well made. Its a soft-shell rather than a softshell (if that makes sense), so lacks a fleecy/roubaix kind of lining that I'd assumed I'd get, and which seems common on expensive winter jackets.
Out in it last night, sub zero. Just a cheap polyester baselayer underneath and was spot on in terms of temperature. Would add another layer if pootling. No real sweat build up despite going quite hard. Can't report on waterproofing (but will no doubt have the opportunity in the coming days!)
Hi just bringing this one back to life, regarding the Galibier are they long enough? I’m quite tall in the torso, do they fit average or long torso’s better?
+ 1 Endura Windchill, got another one in the sale for £45.
Hi just bringing this one back to life, regarding the Galibier are they long enough?
Only have a galibier gillet Vs a jacket but it's well suited for my longish torso, enough so that I can get an Osprey Hip bag (with only water in) underneath it.
6,2" in XL size
Mounty
Where did you get the windchill for £45
Free Member
Hi just bringing this one back to life, regarding the Galibier are they long enough? I’m quite tall in the torso, do they fit average or long torso’s better?
I tried the medium Galibier, and found it too short at the front. Large might be better, but possibly too big for waist & shoulders. Seem to be out of stock anyway (when I last looked)
Mounty
Where did you get the windchill for £45
I got a black windchill from CRC about 6 weeks ago, I think they have increased in price since then
Windchill £53 here; https://www.triuk.com/Triathlon-Jackets/Endura/Windchill-Softshell-Jacket/382410
2 and a snip hours out in the snow and sleet on the road today and the trusty Buffalo cycleshirt kept me snug and dry. It’s not quite that awful neon ‘hello my name is Derek’ dayglo yellow but it is canary yellow if that’s your thing. Otherwise I’ve found the Assos Mille evo7 winter jacket has been very impressive through this most miserable of riding times of year.