[Closed] Help me: warm winter jacket for cold, dry, often windy days on the bike

My current favourite is the Polaris AM Enduro jacket. I wear it with a thin (short-sleeved) baselayer and top it off with a waterproof if conditions demand. It's so good, I've ended up with one in each colour. In the latter case, it'll get damp from sweat but it is wicking enough to take quite a bit before feeling clammy and it will dry off if I remove the outer shell jacket.

Gilet is a good option over the top too. A waterproof one will keep your back dry when the ground is wet but it's not actually raining.

https://www.polaris-bikewear.co.uk/AM-Enduro-softshell-mountain-biking-jacket-p/pol01-5313-p.htm

Endura MT500 Full Zip. Down to about 2 degrees C I wear just a single base layer with it, below that I'll add a mid layer too.

Endura Synthetic base layer, oblig club jersey, Endura Stealth II jacket. Good for all but the very coldest days and even then would just add an extra, long-sleeved jersey underneath.

(It's a real shame they stopped making the Stealth, but you can still pick them up here and there. Recommended.)

A windproof jacket with big zip vents and whatever thick base layer or thin fleece underneath. Cold dry and windy often seems easiest to dress for, vents work well when it’s windy, everything breathes better when it’s dry, and you don’t need to keep the rain out. I’m liking my Paramo Enduro windproof jacket for this (not the fullbore waterproof jacket they sell which is many times the price and much warmer and heavier).

Gore Phantom jacket (the one with the zip off sleeves) and tailor the base layer to the conditions.

spoilt for choice youth.................  ;o)

https://fatladattheback.com/mens-cycle-wear/technical-cycling-jackets

Gore Phantom jacket (the one with the zip off sleeves) and tailor the base layer to the conditions.

This, most versatile bike kit I've ever owned, by a country mile.

Exteondo softshell and a Craft base. The Exteondo is a lot like a Phantom (but better...)

I have a Phantom too. It's MUCH warmer/heavier than the Polaris so gets used a lot less. I've also never/rarely taken advantage of the zip-off sleeves, mostly because when I want bare arms, the body is too warm.

Thread title makes me think "thick soft shell", probably with a long sleeved synthetic baselayer underneath. I only really wear merino when it's freezing or below, as the sweat thing's not an issue then.

If you're medium and like turquoise drop me a line, I've got a nice posh Scott winter softshell I never wear now.

Cheers all. Chaka, deffo not a med, but a kind offer thanks.

will take a look at Polaris, that seems pretty good. How is it for sizing?

Ton - you know me too well! 😂

+1 on the Endura MT500. I wore mine on a long gravel ride there on Sunday. Started off with a touch of frost, about 2 degrees, ended up about 10 degrees by midday. A LS Endura base layer, MT500, gilet for first hour. Never too cold, never to warm thought the 3 hrs of the ride.

I’ve just got a buffalo jacket do loads of different styles wicks very very  well

I'm wearing a DHB softshell hoody, cheap as chips right now, looks smart, is pretty good as far as water resistance goes, and is windproof.

Hi following from Scotroutes recommendation I had a look at polaris enduro wind stopper. Polaris are having a pretty g ood sale and that jacket is down to £30 from £90

I sold my Phantom, found it way too hot

My cold weather biking jackets (assuming no rain) are a mountain hardwear super chockstone and a rab vapour rise alpine lite. I layer up underneath depending on the conditions.

Also works teamed up with a breathable gilet (like polartec alpha or 100wt fleece)

Ah bugger. Polaris jacket ordered, be rude not to at that price!. Cheers Colin!.

Never found phantom too hot, but I tend to wear it as a top rather than a jacket. Great for running in too.

Castelli alpha ros.

I use an older version of this - truly brilliant jacket,

https://www.howies.co.uk/black-friday/mens-trackie-phantom-jacket.html?colour=628

Is the polaris totally windproof and how sweaty is it?

Planet-X Magma with a variety of base layers for me, add a gillet if needed. Does the job well, though make sure you size up as they’re snug.

Gore Windstopper.

Is the polaris totally windproof and how sweaty is it?

It’s fairly windproof on the body. I found the need to put a waterproof jacket over mine this week to block a bitter northerly wind more effectively. I doubt any one garment can be warm going down hill and not sweaty going up

Best bit of kit this time of year is a neck buff to warm the air up before you breathe it in.

Polaris are having a pretty g ood sale and that jacket is down to £30 from £90

I'm not convinced it's a £90 jacket but it's a steal at £30. I have other stuff from Polaris and I'd say the same about it -great value at their (regular) sale prices. Neoprene gloves are another thing I'd recommend.

Why do you want to warm the air up?. Genuine Q, never heard of, or considered that....

Why do you want to warm the air up?. Genuine Q, never heard of, or considered that

Because sucking freezing air into your lungs isn’t what they’re designed for. Likely to trigger wheezing and all sorts of unpleasantness.

How does that work? I guess possibly when you exhale it warms the fabric of the scarf and moisturises it, then when you inhale, some of that warmth and moisture is transferred to the inhaled air. Maybe.

I’ve just got a Paramo Velez adventure smock (the lightweight version) and it works a treat with a thin base layer. It’s waterproof but feels more like a soft shell. Added bonus that of it rains I’m sorted too 🙂

I have also just ordered the Polaris jacket.

How does that work? I guess possibly when you exhale it warms the fabric of the scarf and moisturises it, then when you inhale, some of that warmth and moisture is transferred to the inhaled air. Maybe.

Basically you trap a pocket of warm moist air around your nose and mouth. A thin buff works well. Thick fleece things will be too stuffy.

Gore Windstopper.

Indeed

Because sucking freezing air into your lungs isn’t what they’re designed for. Likely to trigger wheezing and all sorts of unpleasantness

Really?     Most people seem to manage breathing cold air without any of those symptoms. :]

+1 to Gore Windstopper, I think it's the Phantom jacket I've got, it's got removable sleeves.

+1 to using a buff or facemask to cover mouth and nose. Cold air in your lungs isn't a problem per se but you are cooling yourself from within by continually refreshing that volume of air. What you are doing by using a buff is moving the heat exchange from your lungs to the front of your face.

Don't use jackets as much these days as insulated gilets work so well. Try a £20 'Forclaz' synthetic insulated gilet from Decathlon. Brilliant kit.

Added to a decent jersey, base layer and hat etc as needed. Waterproof over the top if wet. Works out much less clammy and warmer/more adaptable when needed than any softshells I've used, keeps my core warm but doesn't overheat easily.

Paramo velez smock. I’ve had it for donkey’s years, but a good wash and re-proof and it’s as good as new again. Too warm for cycling in most of the time and doesn’t cope with extended heavy rain as well as my rain jacket, but it’s great for those cold dry (or snowy) winter rides.

Another recommendation for the Polaris soft shell here, I've picked up a couple when they're on offer. They do get a bit sweaty but because of the fleece lining they don't feel clammy like a hardshell. I wouldn't go out in proper rain in it, mind.

i have been using one of these; great price, windproof, waterproof, no sweat on the inside, underarm zips, very comfortable to ride in, stormproof great sleeves to get gloves under, hood massive and could be cut out as its bulky. Just make sure you have enough lights about you as its camo!

I rode for an hour in solid rain and no leaks

https://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/french-army-jacket

Another vote for the Rab VR Alpine lite - never found bike specific jackets to be as good as the stuff for mountaineering.

Is the Polaris jacket all windproof material? I have the Endura Windchill jacket, and get a cold back as it isn't.

+1 for the endura stealth 2 jacket. Under Armour cold gear base layer and a buff round neck/ over mouth and nose. Keeps me warm enough but not overheating. I have a Gore jacket that’s years old and  has an inflating tube that allows you to blow up various compartments but it’s boiling in anything above freezing.

On my road bike I wear a Gabba with a couple of thin layers underneath and am always comfortable up here in Scotland through winter. Hands are a bigger issue.

On the MTB I have a OneTen equivalent to the Gabba which was heavily discounted on CRC a couple years back. Has a silver lining across chest and fore arms for added wind resistance.

I use these both all year round with varying base layers. In winter it’s usually a thin base layer mesh T-shirt, then an old Nike dry fit T-shirt , with a Helly Hansen long sleeve base on top. The Gabba or OneTen over it all. When it gets to spring I drop a layer or two.

https://www.cyclesurgery.com/p/gore-bikewear-men-s-phantom-2-0-windstopper-soft-shell-jacket-N1134131.html?colour=3651

Phantom jackets for £60 in small and medium (an extra 20% is knocked off when you put it in the basket)

Going back to the Polaris kit on sale, there is a quite nice windproof gilet on sale at £15

https://www.polaris-bikewear.co.uk/AM-Apex-Mountain-Biking-Gilet-p/pol01-5853-p.htm

Really?     Most people seem to manage breathing cold air without any of those symptoms. :]

That’s because most people are equipped with a nose that warms and humidifies the air. If you’re belting along on the bike sucking in air through the mouth this doesn’t apply.

I think they call them mouth breathers? 😀

Realistically rebreathing a few cc's of air inside a buff along with a few litres of cold air, further chilled by the evaporation of moisture from your buff isnt going to have much positive effect, all<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;"> you end up with is a wet buff.</span>

Buffs as a skull cap or to keep the wind off your neck on the other hand is indispensable when the temperature drops below zero.

@thisisnotaspoon - whatever the mechanism it is surprisingly effective. Last week I was working above Saddleworth and it was chuffin' Baltic - Wednesday morning's snow line was just above where I was working. Pulled the buff I was wearing around my neck up over my mouth and nose and within half an hour I was too warm (same level of effort as before). I spent the rest of the day moving the buff over then away from my face to keep me in the right temperature band.

Ride in the Arctic in the winter and taking several buffs is standard practice - you keep rotating them as the moisture from your breath freezes up. Of course in this instance they also serve to keep your skin from freezing in the severely sub-zero temps.

I live in my 7Mesh Strategy Jacket this time of year and just tailor my base layers to suit. It’s made from various forms of Gore WindStopper and heavy rain aside it deals with everything, nothing seems to phase it. So good I got another on sale from them recently as it’s that good, the pockets on the back are genuinely useful too. Definitely one of the best investments in cycle clothing I’ve ever made. The 7Mesh Recon is also really good, is even cheaper at the moment (£80 down from £200-Ish on their site) and is a bit more casual if you want the same performance with a more casual look/fit.

I just got a MT500 Jacket for £129.99 fit is excellent unfortunately not been out in it yet but was so impressed with fit.  I tried in store ended up getting small as medium to baggy on me.

^^^ my reference to the MT500 was to the jersey, which, coupled with a gilet is good to sub zero. I do have the MT500 waterproof jacket too - an awesome piece of cold weather kit IMO. Also have an Endura Windchill, which I often wear on cold dry nights rides.

Thought I'd pitch back in with an update: Ton knows I am not a small fella, so I went for a fat lad at the back 'Jacksey'. Whilst I was there I also got a new pair of thermal bibs, they had a very good Black Friday promotion. (also nice to be in the middle of the size range for a change!)

All I can say is: it's absolutely excellent. Windproof front, fleecy back and provides a spot on balance between warmth and breathability. The pockets on the back are huge and V useful, wee zippy pocket for keys is easily accessible. Easy to layer up underneath and its got a great range of motion so you don't even know its on.

So much better than wearing a waterproof coat (which was my default as it kept the wind off), which generated coldness through sweatiness.

It's perfect, thanks all for the multiple inputs.

FWIW, the bibs are also superb, warm, great fit (long enough), and very comfy pad.

How this works is largely down to how hot you run.

For the conditions you describe, I'd stay away from membrane jackets, (gore windstopper or otherwise) go for a woven windproof like pertex of Berghaus air foil. They have loads more breathability, are shower resistant and still windproof.

Generally, I find merino good, but it's fragile, and more importantly it sags, holds onto its moisture and is horrible against the skin when it gets wet, even if it does keep you warmer than wet synthetics, against your skin it won't feel like it, and it won't wick moisture like a synthetic base layer either.

So. Synthetic base layer with a light merino mid and a woven windproof.

This setup is way more versatile than just the conditions you describe. Personally I often find the windproof with the synthetic is often sufficient down to about 3 or 4 degrees.