Cycling UK Forum

Hello all,

I am in need of a warm, but most importantly breathable winter jacket.

When I was a kid, I had a brilliant Lusso thermal jacket, which we actually still have (some 25 years later) that my wife uses. It's too small for me now.

I am a warm fella when I'm cycling. I was out today in -5 conditions. Clear, not snowing, bit of a headwind. With just a thermal base layer, a long sleeved jersey and a vented waterproof jacket, I got very sweaty on a 32km ride. I keep my extremities warm, but only had a pair of non-thermal tights on my lower half over my base layer.

I need something that wicks away the sweat. I don't need it to be water proof or wind proof as it's not going to rain and it's not windy.

I can't justify spending too much on it, so happy to go with eBay suggestions for random jackets if they've worked out for you!

Thanks in advance.

Quite happy with my Planet X Carnac long sleeve cycling jersey. Nice Roubaix-style fabric (smooth on the outside, fleecy on the inside), comfortable, wicks well. It's not windproof but you aren't bothered about that. I'd normally add a gilet or a light windproof top when the weather gets cold. My only problems with it are the shortage of reflective material on the back - just a small tab on the collar - and the red colour that I bought is a slightly faded tint. From your post I suspect you'd start to find it too warm to wear when the temperature rises to around 10 degrees C, which is the temperature where I find it ideal when paired with a thin baselayer. It's currently a pretty reasonable £32.99, but this being Planet X the price will rise and fall frequently. https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CLCALSJMR ... ing-jersey

AndyK wrote: ↑10 Dec 2022, 7:33pm Quite happy with my Planet X Carnac long sleeve cycling jersey. Nice Roubaix-style fabric (smooth on the outside, fleecy on the inside), comfortable, wicks well. It's not windproof but you aren't bothered about that. I'd normally add a gilet or a light windproof top when the weather gets cold. My only problems with it are the shortage of reflective material on the back - just a small tab on the collar - and the red colour that I bought is a slightly faded tint. From your post I suspect you'd start to find it too warm to wear when the temperature rises to around 10 degrees C, which is the temperature where I find it ideal when paired with a thin baselayer. It's currently a pretty reasonable £32.99, but this being Planet X the price will rise and fall frequently. https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CLCALSJMR ... ing-jersey

+1 for that, i have the same in the same colour even and find it pretty good over just my bibs and long sleeve base layer. You might find it okay as is or add a lightweight gilet/jacket over for a bit more insulation. I've been out today like that, i was quite cosy, it got down to -2c, avg 0c, i was dry when i got back. I've got Goretex jackets and i often end up warm but a bit damp as the material doesn't work so well in cold damp conditions, IME.

I’ve used a Buffalo cycle jacket for years (30) . You don’t wear anything else under it, too warm above 3C, if you are pushing on the pedals. Pertex outer and pile fleece inner, side zips for ventilation. Wouldn’t work well with a smoother fleece inner.

I think you need some degree of windproofing because even if the air is still, you're moving through it and so it becomes equivalent to wind. If the air is cold, it's going to feel a lot colder with the added windchill. If there are hills or slopes, then going downhill fast with little physical effort can get very cold (and going uphill slow with a lot of effort can get very warm even on a cold day).

I get warm and sweaty on the bike too but find that I prefer some windproofing with the ability to vent. The sort of overlap vent across the yoke of some waterproof jackets is next to useless in my experience but a windproof/waterproof jacket (with some breathability - not of the boil-in-the-bag type) with pit zips works well. I also find that a quilted gilet works well - loads of underarm ventilation whilst keeping the core warm and the ability to pull the front zip up and down as the gradient goes down and up. I use a cheap non-cycling gilet from Decathlon. No back pocket but useful and large side pockets. A fleece jacket of appropriate thickness under a quilted gilet can be very effective in fine but cold weather.

I also have a winter jacket from Aldis bought about 8 years ago so not available now but it has windproof fleece-lined front and arm panels and a thinner fleecy-lined back panel. It is good for cold weather but I can get a bit sweaty in it.

I can't recommend any specific jacket but for what you describe, I reckon that a non-cycling specific fleece jacket and quilted gilet would be up to the job and could be had for a budget price. Alternatively, if you want something cycling specific, I would suggest either windproof with pit-zips or roubaix fleece, like the Tudor Sports York jacket but at just short of £90, I wouldn't call it budget.

If you're really running hot then maybe have something extra to wear for the first five miles and when you stop - like a belay jacket, and just have the base layer and jersey underneath (or just bung a gilet on and zip up/down as required).


Edit: I've just looked at that Planet X roubaix jersey linked to in AndyK's post above - it looks rather good and at a budget price.

One option you have over there is to go to your local sports shop and go through the x-country skiing clothing. All right it won't be a cycling cut, but it is designed for vigorous exercise in sub-zero temperatures. I used to work in Finland and managed to keep cycling down to -25 or so by doing just that.
You'll then have the added bonus that when you want to hang the bike up you're ready to get out the skis.

It sounds like you need the equivalent of the nylon fronted cycling jackets of the 1980s and 1990s. Even though plain nylon without a membrane is far more 'breathable' than one with a membrane, it is still less breathable than no membrane. Hence those old jackets made of knitted acrylic or similar with a nylon front but just the uncovered knitted fabric on the back. The sleeves were often also nylon covered or part covered, but some jackets had sleeves of just the knitted fabric.

The nearest modern equivalent would probably be a roubaix type zipped jersey, like the Planet X one mentioned above, combined with a gillet with a mesh back. Ideally the area of mesh should be as large as possible. The front panel should preferably be plain nylon rather than a Windstopper type membrane. Such a product should be quite inexpensive because the materials are cheap. The big cycling brands are not interested in making them because they are not profitable enough, and you may need to hunt around for something suitable in your size. The ebay link below is the sort of thing I mean, but would be better without the rear fabric pocket to maximise perspiration loss from the back.

You probably also need to carry something that can be worn on top/instead of the gillet in the event of an accident or a mechanical etc., e.g. a compact windproof top and/or a compact insulated top (thin Primaloft type jacket).

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254311748043

I've had plenty of winter jackets, I like the castelli gabbas a lot and this year I've so far been wearing a sportful fiandre no rain jacket which I've had for about 10 years and is excellent although quite expensive about £100 when I bought it.

I picked up one of the following a few years ago for £20 and have to say it's almost as good. Warm fleecy lined with good wind resistence and breathability. It's not quite as good as the two above but not far off, particularly for the money.

https://www.d2dcyclingclothing.co.uk/pr ... ng-jacket/

However I note that the sizing is restricted as it's now old stock, the new version is here:

https://www.d2dcyclingclothing.co.uk/pr ... ng-jacket/

Alternatively, if there's a decathlon shop near you some of their cycling clothing is pretty good VFM and the van rysel stuff that I've used is excellent. They'll allow you to order it for delivery to a shop and if it doesn't fit you can return it.

Wiggle have the DHB winter jacket on offer