MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Riding more on the road now so looking for something windproof or at least windproof on the front and suitable down to 5/6 degrees C with a base layer (any colder and I'll not be on the road). I'm currently using a base layer, think running fleece and waterproof cycling jacket but it's clammy and the top layer is flappy.
Usual office based MAMIL shape with longer than average body, relatively shorter arms.
Tried some Van Rysel stuff but the arms are a big issue as they're both long/get bunched up and very skinny.
I'm not massively bulky in the arm department just a bit of gym/ sailing strength. No problem with close fitting but it needs some give/stretch it that's the case, which the VR stuff lacked.
Suggestions for products gratefully received. Bonus points for not being dark colours or cat sick brown.
I'm using a thicker base layer - Polartec Powergrid (or similar) with a standard Perfetto for rides at those temps. I do start with a thin gilet over the top but the temps are normally a few degrees colder then. As it warms up, shed the gilet and if above 6 - 7°C, zips start to open... 🙃
I have one of these and it's plenty warm enough and very bright for this time of year
Endura xtract Roubaix
As is often recommended on here, Galibier make some very good stuff at sensible prices. I bought one of these https://www.galibier.cc/product/mistral-5-foul-weather-cycling-jacket/ last winter and it was brilliant.
Re: Galibier jerseys
I, too, was interested in a Mistral but when I looked at their sizing charts, it appeared their target market is very "square" people ie with a waist approximately the same length as their back length.
Which may work for the OP, but I'm a long piece of string comparatively so I ruled them out. At least they had good sizing charts to check and the price seemed very reasonable!
I've got a Castelli perfetto convertible jacket and it's brilliant. Couple of vents at the sides that can be opened up if it gets a bit warm, and can whip the lower sleeves off too for a short sleeved t-shirt/gilet thing. Available in bright colours too.
Just picked up an Endura pro sl 3 season jacket at 65% off using the sale codes. Has a windproof fabric with a separate thin polar tech alpha gilet and great sleeve and chest vents. Makes tuning the layers/ venting to the conditions very easy.
Variety of base layers I can interchange, right up to a thin gridded fleece.
I've also got a pertex-alike Tog24 running windproof that is quite snug fit or an Endura thing that's really roady snug with a windproof front and jersey rear that's great at preventing sweat build up.
There's a number of very good deals on DHB jackets on the Evans website. I now have two of these jackets, one for a number of years and its been very good. While it could be argued they are not worth the RRP, they are definitely worth the sale price.
Bought an Endura Pro SL 3 season jacket in the recent sale. Comes with detachable PrimaLoft gilet - windproof panels, zips on forearms and large chest zips to vent. Impressed with it so far. Have an XL I need to return if any good to you - black though! Will sell for what I paid rather than the £210 is supposedly cost new
Rapha have a winter sale on at the moment, some decent prices for their Core range (the entry level kit but excellent, in fact often better value than the high end stuff).
Core Long Sleeve Thermal jersey can be had for £55 (half price) in some of the less popular colours. Likewise with the Core Winter Jacket, £100 instead of £150 in certain colours.
Second the suggestions above about a good base layer as well. Some of the walking ones from the likes of Millets work perfectly well for cycling and are about a tenth the price of cycling specific ones.
I recently bought the green DHB Aeron 3.0 jacket mentioned above together with the Bloc gilet for when it gets chilly and they work very well together.
The jacket is slim fitting but quite stretchy so not restrictive. As said the quality is decent but I wouldn't have paid £220 for it.
Thanks all. I'm good on a selection of base layers from various sources as they also go under wetsuits/dry suits so have a mix of cycling and watersports ones that are used interchangeably.
@rascal - thanks for the offer on the Endura one but 100% determined to avoid black for winter gear.
A position reinforced by having nearly been T-boned by some Muppet pulling off their drive the other week. I won't give the inept and aggressive drivers any excuses. Of course on this occasion my bike was orange, my top was bright red (fashion disaster I know!) and it was clear daylight. 🙄
I love the look of Rapha stuff but anything my size is really subdued colours. Even a vibrant blue seems to be out of the question for being in stock.
Got to find some bib longs as well as my Gore 3/4 are notably thin. January might hurt a bit.
Admin today tomorrow so will be checking out the options a bit better. 🙂