[Closed] Winter kit for road - windproof or not windproof...?

Personally, I think the key bit of winter roadie kit is a wind roof gilet, closely followed by some good arm warmers.
I know you asked about jackets, but let me explain.
The gilet gives any warm jersey a windproof body, but keeps it breathable enough you don’t soak with sweat. The arm warmers can be worn on their own, rolled down when warm or even under a jersey if it’s really cold.
All this means the jersey choice is less critical and it’s easier to deal with changeable weather.

My windproof is a gilet/arms zip off - already converted to that. That is why a windproof front panel on jersey and legs is appealing...particularly living in such a hilly area.

I almost always wear a windproof in winter. If it's raining then it's water/windproof.

If you've no mudguards then consider what's happening with spray up your back and into your arse too.

My favourite bibs are some Endura with the Stealth fabric on bum and shins. They don't make them now though.For jackets I have some Gore Windstopper and a couple of Polaris AM softshells. Depending on temperature I might add an additional shell on top of these.

At least a windproof gilet, ideally a Gabba/Perfetto or similar. I have these in gilet, short sleeve and long sleeve versions. Covers all the bases combined with various base layers and a lightweight rain jacket.

Upper body - Just get a long sleeve Perfetto. Mine will be going on in a few weeks once the temps drop into single figures, and I'll be wearing it until March/April. Just wear more/less underneath as the temperature dictates. There is a reason that you see endless amounts of roadies in these over the winter - they just work. I think I own 3 of them now...

Lower body - I can't bear windproof tights until the temperature starts approaching freezing. They just don't stretch enough. Even then I prefer tights which have double layers of lycra to protect from spray and give extra warmth. Stuff like Sportful Fiandre.

Upper body – Just get a long sleeve Perfetto

+1

Awesome top, perfect balance between water proof / wind proof / not plastic bag.

There is a reason that you see endless amounts of roadies in these over the winter – they just work. I think I own 3 of them now…

Yep round here it's bar far the #1 top you see in the cooler months on roadies.

I got an endura wind-chill jacket. It's excellent, I only ever needed that and a base layer and I was plenty warm enough.

The wind chill gloves are very good too, although I took them off when they were a bit damp once and they took bloody ages to warm back up again.

A cheaper alternative to the Perfetto/ Gabba is available from Galibier. I have the short-sleeve version (Sentinel?) and combined with a base layer, arm warmers, roubaix shorts and knee warmers, I'm comfortable down to about five degrees, which covers the majority of non-summer riding. A shout out too for Lusso knee and arm warmers.

Always been a fan of a windproof gilet. Last winter I got caught out and ended up with mild hypothermia, my new go to cold weather layer of choice is an Endura primaloft gilet - windproof front and breaths nicely at the back:

https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Endura/Pro-SL-Primaloft-Gilet-II/NMZ3?

Generally just wear a decent long sleeve jersey underneath and it keeps me reet in most weather. Packable rain jacket in the back pocket just in case it gets too grotty.

Bottom half I tend to avoid full thermal tights unless it's really cold. I would like to get some bibs or knickers with a bit of windproofing though.

I've got a Galibier Mistral which is their version of a Perfetto. I'm afraid in reality its not a patch on the real thing... It doesn't stretch as much, it's not as breathable, isn't cut as well, and the pockets are in a weird place. Its consigned to my winter commuting wardrobe.

My favourite bibs are some Endura with the Stealth fabric on bum and shins.

Very similar to my Scott ones that are falling apart at the seams. Ahem.

Here in Scotland you can be excused for thinking maybe a drysuit would be best.

@matt_outandabout I've just got a pair of these, I've not worn them yet as it to warm but the fit is decent and they're a bargain.

And as for the Endura Winchill, it's a nice jacket but my older (5-6 years) version is a very boxy fit and I don't wear it anymore.

Highly recommend the Endura FS260 Jetstream and the Perfetto. The Endura just edges it for me plus its a UK brand

Because of this I am looking at Endura FS260 Jetstream

I've got this. I've worn a lot of outdoor kit over the years but I've never been anywhere near as impressed with anything as I have with this. It's quite windproof but not absolutely so, which is the perfect amount for cycling. The fit is great (on me) with broad enough shoulders, and it's stretchy enough to put more layers underneath. It's superb.

+1 Perfetto

For me, it's a Castelli Gabba, Tutto Nano or similar, with varying baselayers according to temperate.

Then a gilet (Endura FS260 Pro) as needed, and for proper rain, a Castelli Idro Due shakedry jacket.

Warm, windproof, very breathable, no build-up inside and, in the shakedry, entirely waterproof.

I've often put the shakedry on after my jersey has got quite wet and found that the jersey has actually dried out by the end of the ride, in spite of being under a waterproof. The Shakedry fabric is incredible - boil-in-the-bag it is not!

BTW - Perfetto is more or less a slightly thinner Gabba, so i agree with those who rate the Perfetto..

Upper body – Just get a long sleeve Perfetto

Yeah, this. My experience of windproof-fronted gilets is that they're great for alpine descents etc, not so good if there's an icy blast up your tail / armpit / wherever. I layer a DHB Polartec Alpha gilet under my Gabba if it's really cold.

Also, road cycling, ime, tends to be a relatively steady effort, so you don't get the sort of peaks and troughs in energy production you do with mountain biking or running, though people vary, so breathability is slightly less of an issue.

I don't know if they still exist, but Gore used to do bib longs with Windstopper front panels that worked well in cold and dry conditions. No idea if they still make them, a mate crashed mine to death on some dreary sportive 🙁 The replacements aren't quite so good. Windstopper leg-warmers work okay as long as they fit well enough to prevent them working their way down.

But I think a lot of this depends on how hot you run and the terrain you ride. Lots of long downhills and long climbs harder to deal with than relatively flat.

Something from Ground Effect? My Baked Alaska is my most worn bit of cycling kit. And their stuff is bombproof.

@fathomer - Pearl Izumi (with pad) pair is in my basket...

@molgrips - thanks, that sounds great.

@stevenmenmuir - agreed, but when I can get UK stock Endura or Pearl Izumi that are very similar with free returns/size swap, it's not a sensible choice to order from NZ. My brother is head to toe in Ground Effect and Macpac these days, living in Auckland...

Endura FS260 Jetstream

I have had one of these for years. It's my go to spring/autumn riding top. With a couple of base layers and this on top it will also go down to quite cold temps. Very versatile.

The other nice thing about Endura is it's cheap. I've been buying up road kit and I go for Assos and Endura and the top end Endura is as good functionally and better made and specced than the entry level Assos, and it's cheaper.

but Gore used to do bib longs with Windstopper front panels that worked well in cold and dry conditions.

I had some Gore leg warmers like that, were one of my most used pieces of kit, but finally fell apart and haven't found anything like them since.

The other nice thing about Endura is it’s cheap. I’ve been buying up road kit and I go for Assos and Endura and the top end Endura is as good functionally and better made and specced than the entry level Assos, and it’s cheaper.

I've found Endura's quality to be very hit and miss. Fortunately they have a generous warranty policy.

I would love to support a local company but when the quality is poor or inconsistent at best then I'm out. The Ground Effect stuff I've got has been true to size and not needed returned for any reason. But I get your point.

I too will be buying Endura for first time in about 5 years due to some properly poor design and poor quality control.... Better be right this time.

I’ve found Endura’s quality to be very hit and miss. Fortunately they have a generous warranty policy.

It wasn't very generous the last time I had dealings with them. I gather they're now owned by Pentland Group though, same as Berghaus, so maybe things have improved.

Because of higher road speeds, windproof jacket almost essential when it gets cold - also helps in dealing with road spray. I find that windproof leggings are often too clammy / inflexible and much prefer a thicker, thermal tight. I’ve also got a Shakedry Insulated jacket - complete game changer, waterproof with Alpha insulation means you stay dry too. I’ve got 4 or 5 other windstopper jackets - Castelli and Gore of varying thickness/warmth depending on how cold it is.

I know it’s been said like a hundred times but Perfetto, literally the only jersey I’ve worn over the last 3 winters and will be soon be making it number 4

My Gore bib shorts and tights have windproof crouch panels which I like.

A windproof gilet with a mesh rear works well too.

I bought a Galibier Roubaix long sleeve jersey last year which is perfect for road/gravel type riding especially around the 10 degrees mark.

I ripped my sleeve a bit earlier this year so might get another in orange.

It wasn’t very generous the last time I had dealings with them. I gather they’re now owned by Pentland Group though, same as Berghaus, so maybe things have improved.

They replaced a two year old waterproof with a broken zip. On the one hand, the zip is laughably flimsy, on the other, they sent me a new one FOC.

I'm not a fan. Any kind of wind or waterproofing will have you sweating a bit. That's usually fine if you're out for a quick spin and straight home. It becomes a problem when you stop - sub-zero temps and damp skin are not a good mix.

Much prefer some thicker layers to keep me warm but still let enough air through to keep me dry. For me, that's generally roubaix bibs, a baselayer or 2 depending on temps, and a roubaix jersey.

Windproof gilet is good to have, mostly for long descents. I'm sometimes guilty of putting one on first thing in the morning, not fancying embracing the cold, but then I'm always regretting it when I'm sweating on the first climb.

What's Endura sizing like these days?

I'm 34" waist, 33" inside leg.

43" chest.

6' and a smidge.

I'll thinking large still like all my tops and shorts..but maybe xl...

I'd say probably L for you then. I'm 5'6, 40" chest, 32" waist and 29" inside leg. I have some Pro-SL bibs (medium) which fit just right, a Pro-SL l/s jersey (large) which is a bit long in the body for me, and a FS260 s/s jersey (large) which is ever so slightly long and a bit roomier round the chest than I'd ideally like.

Pro-SL is a race fit, FS260 is more relaxed. I probably should have gone medium for mine.

I’ve found Endura’s quality to be very hit and miss.

Me too in the past. But now it's a different game, this stuff is nothing like what I was buying ten years ago.

Re sizing I can't advise - L fits me well but I'm a touch smaller than you Matt. I always buy two of everything from Wiggle then use the free drop-off system to return one.

I have actually had the tape out this morning. I am 35" waist it now seems.

Guilty of a bit of 'me too'...

Default: Perfetto top (was Gabba but whatever the thicker long sleeve jobbie is currently marketed as). I then use a variety of base layers (thin, thicker or grid) plus a thin gilet depending on temps. Roubaix bib longs and a thin Windstopper Beanie plus thin, thicker and/or Primaloft gloves. If it's set to rain, I use a Sportful Fiandre Neoshell jacket that's much like a Gabba but more waterproof. Very breathable and stretchy - no sign of boil in the bag.

As in the hills, layers are our friends...

Another vote for the Perfetto (I also have long, short and gilet) but if it's not that windy (I live in the flat lands of Lincolnshire) then I go for my Castelli Transparente jersey, it's the same wind stopper front and front of sleeves as the perfecto but with a roubaix material everywhere else, I find it helps with cooling to have the improved breathing on my back (I do run pretty hot and sweaty though)

Me too in the past. But now it’s a different game, this stuff is nothing like what I was buying ten years ago.

I was talking about a two year old jacket...

The stupid thing is, it was a really nice jacket: breathable, good fit, lightweight. All they had to do was fit a decent zip rather than a miniscule bit of plastic crap. The replacement (which is a newer and current model) has exactly the same problem.

Windproof for me. You can always unzip a bit if yo want some airflow. I like softshells as they give some protection against rain while being very breathable

I always run cold tho

I’ve also got a Shakedry Insulated jacket – complete game changer, waterproof with Alpha insulation means you stay dry too.

What do you make of it, seen it on their website, but unsure as to whether I'd use it. I also don't like the all black, same as tarmac, colour scheme.

I've just ordered their basic shakedry to try as an emergency waterproof to throw over something brighter coloured if it pisses down...

Shakedry is fantastic, much more breathable than standard Gore-Tex and ace to carry as well. An insulated Shakedry sounds like it'd be too hot for me. I rarely wear baselayer+Perfetto+Shakedry as it's usually too much so combining 2 of those layers loses a lot of flexibility for me (in a typical UK climate)...

 typical UK climate

Does this exist?

Errrm, largely maritime climate. Wet, windy not too cold (usually). As opposed to -30°C, very cold dry snow (for example).

The problem I have with shakedry jackets is that they all seem to be black.

The problem I have with shakedry jackets is that they all seem to be black.

Likewise, Rapha did do a coloured one in team colours for RCC members, but it sold out and they haven't repeated it. I was hoping to get one, but have plumped for their standard black one, as it's all they have now.

https://bikerumor.com/2020/11/09/exclusive-rapha-pro-team-gore-tex-jackets-game-changing-shakedry-color-visibility/

A lovely pair of Endura Windchill bibs turned up today. Windproof shin, thigh and crotch to bum. Feel very comfy seem well built. I went XL, as I am in Galibier and I might have squeezed in a large, but it's only the calves that feel a bit slacker.

I've also gone full roadie with a rather fleecy lined pair of overshoes. Kinky. But hopefully warm feet.