Winter Jackets!?

Guys and gals.

Can't find a dedicated thread, so thought I'd start one.

Erm, all my winter jackets are like swiss cheese due to offs and now have the thermal and water resistant properties of er, swiss cheese. I'm minted and have money flowing out of my windows at home, infact I use notes to keep the fires in my house burning, etc, etc, so was looking at the Rapha Softshell (not lightweight) and maybe the ridiculously expensive Castelli Insolito.

Maybe I need to get brough back down to earth, but I do believe in decent winter jackets (which I need for the racer as well).

Anyone got any usage under their belts of either of these or can recommend anything?

@ Spagetti Hoops - what was the jacket you were wearing last Monday at Souths Quasomething?

The best format for this type of thread is a list.
1: HTFU
2: Charity shop woollen jumper
3: Rapha softshell
4: Castelli insolito

1.Lidl
2.Aldi.

use a waterproof wash to restore waterproofness. just because you have money doesnt mean you should spend it wastefully.

although a nice jacket is lovely.

Ga2g

I'm minted and have money flowing out of my windows at home, infact I use notes to keep the fires in my house burning, etc, etc,

It is true what they say then Mr Pigfarmer, "Where there's muck there's brass!"

Guys and gals.

Can't find a dedicated thread, so thought I'd start one.

Erm, all my winter jackets are like swiss cheese due to offs and now have the thermal and water resistant properties of er, swiss cheese. I'm minted and have money flowing out of my windows at home, infact I use notes to keep the fires in my house burning, etc, etc, so was looking at the Rapha Softshell (not lightweight) and maybe the ridiculously expensive Castelli Insolito.

Maybe I need to get brough back down to earth, but I do believe in decent winter jackets (which I need for the racer as well).

Anyone got any usage under their belts of either of these or can recommend anything?

@ Spagetti Hoops - what was the jacket you were wearing last Monday at Souths Quasomething?

As you are sooooo well off I suggest you need someone to test jackets for you. Send me a Castelli Insolito and a Rapha Softshel and I will test them out and see wich is best.

Pearl Izumi Barrier jacket - does exactly what it says on the tin - actually, it doesn't come in a tin, but it's a good mix of thermal and keep you dry fabrics. And it has pockets.

I dont really bother with jackets unless it is pissing down
I find a combination of different layers is the best way
Normally on very cold winter mornings I have

Micromesh base layer
Merino Base layer
Reasonably thinck cycling jersey
Gillet (spelling?)
Windblocker

I find messing around with the different zips up/down gives me great control over my body temperature

Quecha.......Decathlons finest. £15. it's a nice fleece top, but by no means wind or water proof...For that i shall be spending £150 on a sweet ass camo Gore jacket i saw in Evans..... now i just need to find some money.

Decathlon is good, i'm sure you'll be able to find yourself a v. nice hiking jacket there for £60-£80. but they will all lack the cycling specific cut that i crave.....i hate getting a sodden ass crack when it's wet, due to lack of long back bit of jacket.

ha ha

i'd try rapha, assos, gore if money was no object.

i find 3 cheap layers also do the trick

i normally wear my ski jacket commuting over winter, which means i look all grimy on the slopes, oh well.

fine one of these;

skin it and wear it = warm for winter

but they will all lack the cycling specific cut that i crave.....i hate getting a sodden ass crack when it's wet, due to lack of long back bit of jacket.

just buy next size up innit...

the gore N2S jackets are very good, i wear a merino baselayer underneath if it's very cold.
i found them the most breathable of the windstopper jackets so i brought 2, one has zip off sleeves.
i found the thicker windstoppers like the endura stealth and other seamsealed waterproof ones just too warm for the south of england, fine for the mountains of the grim north though.

i have a windtex fabric top which is good too.
as for waterproofs E-vent or gore XCR. i found the cheaper fabrics just didn't perform very well.
currently using an endura venturi

i guess i generate a lot of heat as i tend to ride near my maximum a lot and find it hard to pootle around, i'm amazed at how people ride with waterproof jackets on when it's 10° + and not raining

I know this stuff is expensive but i'm done with cheap shit cycling clothing that lets you down

fine one of these;

skin it and wear it = warm for winter

Not sure how the local authorities would feel about that, let alone commuters, drivers etc. Although having said that I bet the HGV drivers would notice me in that!

I'm with you guys on the cut as well. The arse cover on the Rapha jacket is damn useful, for saving the jeans/(dare I say it) lycra. The Castelli jacket does have the ability of being an all year round jacket (sept summer) so is kinda cost-effective (or is that what they want us to believe?)

Base layer-wise I'm wearing the Icebreaker 200 and I find it seriously warm, haven't been in it this year yet and not sweated my hind off! 2 baselayers doesn't appeal to me!

HTFU!!
string vest FWIW!

i was hoping dogs would post a pic of that squirrel in the knitted gimp suit...

1.Lidl
2.Aldi.

+1

i was hoping dogs would post a pic of that squirrel in the knitted gimp suit...
?

However I'm privileged to have been brought up by a man obsessed with bikes and triathlons so I can use all his old gear. He has some awesome Polaris jackets, both gore-tex and wind stoppers. Also the "buffalo" gear he has is ideal for cycling in. I just wish he'd let me convert a beautiful old Bob Weston track bike he has hanging in the shed! :(

or

I'm still loving my Swrve softshell millwalkee hoodie, best winter bike jacket i've ever bought - wear it all the time off the bike as well.

However I'm privileged to have been brought up by a man obsessed with bikes and triathlons so I can use all his old gear. He has some awesome Polaris jackets, both gore-tex and wind stoppers. Also the "buffalo" gear he has is ideal for cycling in. I just wish he'd let me convert a beautiful old Bob Weston track bike he has hanging in the shed! :(

convert it into what?

Whats up with your posting Chan??? wtf!

As for the question in hand, anything goretex or hyvent, go for a shell and wear merino base layers, a la MikC, coz layering is the best way to keep warm & cool at the same time!

convert it into what?

A Bob Jackson maybe??