Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

This is a taste thing if you ask me. I personally like a nice flexible brushed lycra. Maximum comfort and breathability. But you have to accept getting wet. Which I dont mind. So long as its not silly cold, my effort will warm the moisture. I find the waterproof stuff less warm, and less comfortable.

But if its under 5C out, its best to aviod getting wet. So for uber cold stuff I have PI Amfib bib-tights. Which are really water/windproof, with a subsequent reduction in flexibility, and breathability.

This is why I'm going for the merino knee, and arm warmers. They wont protect me in the slightest against wind or rain. But I'll still be warm in them even when wet. So for me they offer a broader usage range.

My Devold mesh merino vest arrived yesterday. Probably a little thick for a UK base-layer at 190 g/m2. But really soft, and extremely breathable. I'm going to stock up on this material for winter I reckon. Going to get a T-shirt, a long sleeve, and some tights.

Nothing will stop you getting wet on the bike- not when it's really raining. Just worry about staying warm in the rain

I agree. Things change at lower temps but avg temp was 16* yesterday in the wind and rain. There isn't a waterproof I own that'd not boil me in that so... I just got soaked (and smiling).

I detest cycling in the rain, but running in the rain is bliss.

Cool Story Bro

Nothing will stop you getting wet on the bike- not when it's really raining. Just worry about staying warm in the rain

True enough. But under 7/8C you dont want the water constantly swapping out for new ice cold stuff. So the strategy of attempting to keep the water out becomes the correct one, wether it actually works or not. So long as it slows the ingres down.

I was out in a dry 2C night before last, in brushed lycra tights, merino t-shirt, and a softshell. I was really comfortable. Same clothe 2 days earlier in a 4C hale/rain storm, and I was fecking freezing. Really unhappy TBH.

Its always like this for me in Autumm. Takes a while for me to get my HTFU on.

I detest cycling in the rain, but running in the rain is bliss.

I love fine misty rain for running. Its like having a personal assistant running next to with a cooling water spray. Pure luxury.

Softshell is great though.
Rode last winter in snow in softshell and baselayer only. As long as you keep moving you keep warm.

I then carry a goretex jacket. And if rain gets bad I wear this over the softshell. Dry and warm. Keeps the softshell material dry which is important.

I looked at the harshell yesterday in sigma sport.

Nice jacket, but I don;t know when I'd wear it. Only when it's going to stay subzero or raining for the entire ride. And that doesn't happen much in the UK! Good construction if you want an all day cold/wet jacket though.

^^ good to know.

I'm hoping it'll be the go-to outer layer for cold sundays.

Yeah.

Worth saying. The ones I looked at didn't have the part that is sewn into the jacket and goes over your hands, to keep the jacket under your gloves.
If they're all like that, I wouldn't by one. One of the best parts of a winter jacket. Keeps the jacket from riding up your arms and water seeping in. Essential oversight if so. But I know some of the softshels don't have it and some do.

can't decide betw rapha rain jacket and gore oxygen

My bodyclone softshell has a inner elastic sleeve end, which goes under the gloves, and zip on the end of the outer sleeve to tighten it down over top of the gloves. I find that more comfortable than a thumb hole.

That sounds clever.

Seems to work. But then I'm wearing an XXL, and I have very short arms. So I guess the problem of the jacket riding up my arms is pretty mute.

I've always hated the thumb loop things on my softshell - the seams end up under contact points and rub rub rub. They do stop draft though.

The whole area between the thumb and forefinger is a pressure point for me. I'd rather not layer there. Plus if you're a fat dwarf why bother. Its not like I've ever owned a jacket where the arms are too short.

Nothing will stop you getting wet on the bike- not when it's really raining. Just worry about staying warm in the rain

Dan is an expert here

Nap time, getting a bit of interwebbing done?

When you back at work, I need lunch buddy.

'hic

^^ good to know.

I'm hoping it'll be the go-to outer layer for cold sundays.

If its just cold and dry the winter jersey over a baselayer is more than enough imo.

Its a very good jersey that.

Dan is an expert here

rule #9

(although this morning I did a rollers session and got the tube to work instead of riding there in the rain. Been soaked too many times recently)

Though shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour?

Or is it the one about oxes?

rule #9

(although this morning I did a rollers session and got the tube to work instead of riding there in the rain. Been soaked too many times recently)

You live in Great Britain, you should be used to it by now.

I am. I have to have dinner with my family tonight - didn't fancy changing out of wet lycra in the restaurant toilet.