Winter road jersey/jacket?

It’s 2 degrees outside and the black ice has cleared enough that you’re going out on your road bike for your usual 20 miles, what are you wearing on top? I’ve struggled with this conundrum a few times this year and today was yet another such situation, I went for thickest long sleeve base layer, morvelo thermoactive jersey and my bontrager waterproof jacket and boiled but at least I could unzip the jacket, don’t think I’d have been warm enough without it. I’ve tried it with just a morvelo gillet instead of the waterproof and wasn’t warm enough and I tried it with a morvelo fuse jacket and the base layer alone but it’s quite frankly utter rubbish and the sweat got cold and just stayed within.

Ideally suggestions which come in a womens version!

For the last few winters it’s been a long sleeve merino base (Rapha, reasonably light) with a Perfetto over the top. Sometimes throw a gilet over if it’s particularly cold. Buff as a neck warmer.

Thinking of retiring the Castelli as I need a refresh, pretty sure it’s something like its 7th winter, so possibly a Spatzwear Heatr and base if they get any stock soon.

Rapha pro team base layer

Sportful fiandre pro

Madison thermal hat

It was between 0 and 1 degree and raining it parts. I rode at tempo and was warm enough to neither freeze nor overheat.

warm base layer and LS gabba/perfetto with a shakedry waterproof in pocket in case colder/wetter than expected. And buff/thin hat for keeping me ears from freezing.

One of the Stolen Goat tops that I think Bioracer actually produce.

The Alpine perhaps.

https://stolengoat.com/product-category/womens/womens-jackets-gilets/womens-jackets/

With a base layer or two, skull cap and think leggings of course.

One of the Stolen Goat tops that I think Bioracer actually produce

Climb and Conquer was the old SG range, now replaced by the Alpine but Bioracer also do a couple of less jazzy (but cheaper) jackets using the same Tempest Protect fabric.

<li style=”text-align: left;”>Whatever the Castelli Alpha jersey is called these days

Endura Windchill. Good price and warm and snug with a base layer underneath.

I can just about get away with a light polartec alpha jacket and a merino top at that kinda temperature, assuming I’m not stopping. It is pushing the limits of it a bit, though. A little colder, and I’ll be in a Castelli Perfetto, like all the other people.

Long sleeve mid-weight merino base layer and Castelli Unlimited Perfetto.

Bought the Perfetto direct from Saddleback a month ago… Half price!

DHB softshell jacket and a suitable base layer (everything from mesh to full merino depending how cold it looks and how hard I’m riding ). Waterproofs tend to be too sweaty so just go for windproof unless it is actually raining. Also a softshell jacket can be unzipped easily ditching excess heat. Harder with loads of layers. The layering advice is useful if you want versatility and have somewhere to put the spares. When cycling I actually find a couple of thicker layers works best as you can control you temperature by unzipping a bit.

Fleece bib tights, buff/cap under helmet and suitable gloves (I get cold hands so will nearly always have full winters on).

No way is Perfetto and a base layer warm enough for 2 degrees. Perfetto is mid season shell. In these temperatures I would double up on the base layer (and make them wool) plus add an insulated gilet over the top of your Perfetto. A bit of insulation on the front goes a long way.  The gilet can then come off it the sun makes an appearance.

Yeah I use a Polartec PAS on colder days over mine, but previous years just a regular gilet has been enough.

No way is Perfetto and a base layer warm enough for 2 degrees.

4+ hours zone 2 training with temperature between 0 and 5 degrees and the occasional light shower. Perfetto and base were perfect. I guess we all feel the temperature differently. I do run warm and prefer to feel slightly cold I suppose.

Edit…

https://saddleback.co.uk/products/castelli-unlimited-perfetto-ros-2-jacket?variant=40301284458581

Blokes fit, but an even better price than I paid!   Castelli recommend for down to 4 degrees.

Rapha deep winter base layer with inbuilt neck warmer and windproof chest panel and either an insulated jersey (+3 +9 degrees) or plain jersey and then Rapha classic GoreTex  winter jacket (anything below about +4 ) . Half the time I get it wrong though when it’s windy and about +4 ish…

Rapha have their gore tex pro winter jersey down in the sale. Bought one in light blue. Under that I’ll wear a long sleeved merino base layer, over it I may wear a gilet or rain jacket. You need three layers rather than ONE great do it all jacket. For better value, merino base layer, core thermal long sleeve jersey and a matching core rain jacket will keep you warm and give options when the weather changes.

Three hours out in -2 to 0C this morning. Wore said base layer, club winter wind and rainproof jacket and club gilet all from le col. wasn’t too bad as the air was still quite dry. I also wore my new Rapha snood from son1. A buff is a must around the neck for me.

I use a Galibier Mistral Jacket with long-sleeved base layer for just above freezing conditions with light winds, works good for me. In stronger cold winds will add windstopper gilet. Have linked women’s version.

https://www.galibier.cc/product/mistral-5-foul-windproof-womens-cycling-jacket/

https://www.galibier.cc/product/mistral-pro-2-cycling-jacket/

I find this good down to freezing point, it has a sewn in fleece layer below the main front so you can unzip it without freezing your chest.

It was about 2*C and dry today, I went out in a cheapo decathlon SS base layer, SS Jersey, arm warmers, a buff round my neck and a Galibier Izoard Gilet.
I was a wee bit cold to start with (mainly because my Gilet, arm warmers and gloves had been stored in the unheated garage) but once up to temperature that was fine for a couple of hours.

I reckon that lot would be OK to ~0*C, I’d possibly wear a LS thermal base layer instead of the thinner job and arm warmers, and another optional layer would be needed (just a lightweight packable shell to throw on top) if it’s much colder or I’m going for longer…

I’m a big fan of gilets and layering, jackets more often than not just boil the wearer IMO/IME.

warm base layer and LS gabba/perfetto with a shakedry waterproof in pocket in case colder/wetter than expected. And buff/thin hat for keeping me ears from freezing.

This…

Filled my boots with cheap Castelli when CRC was in administration, am now a total convert!

OK so only paid £70 for my Perfetto, but would happily pay a lot more now I realise just how good it is…

I realised that all my riding in winter is slow/zone2 rides by myself or with a mate so I just went the whole hog and opted for one of those really expensive Spatz baselayers (Basez2 or something) and an Endura Primaloft jacket (they’re like a sort of road cycling version of a puffa jacket). I even add an Endura waterproof over the top of that sometimes.

I basically just dress for an outdoors cold cafe stop and wear that for the whole ride. I’ve never noticed becoming too cold because of sweat freezing on me but I’m much more suited to the heat than the cold so maybe that’s why.

Another Galibier Mistral softshell wearer here, paired with either a short sleeved thin merino base layer or a long sleeved thicker one depending on the weather.

Castelli Perfetto or Gabba LS, with a mid weight merino base layer. As others have said this kit is brilliant an an absolute bargain at some of the prices on Sadddleback atm…

I don’t really care how I look, especially in winter, when within 5 minutes from home the roads have caked me in mud and crap. And I’m certainly no skinny racing snake. So for me, winter bib tights, merino t shirt and a Buffalo top. If I’m too hot I can open the side zips, too cold I can zip myself up. No it’s not really waterproof, but when my legs and feet are dripping wet, what does it matter.

Bought a Castelli Fly Jacket for this winter and it’s amazing. Worn it on road/gravel rides between 2 and 7 degrees with different short sleeved base layers.

Would be fine for sub zero rides with a thicker base layer. Been too much ice on the roads here though so not tried it under 2 degrees.

It’s fully windproof and doesn’t seem to get too sweaty, even if I feel a bit too warm.

I personally prefer more, thinner layers I can peel on or off depending on conditions, rather than one ‘jacket to rule them all’.

I’m also a big fan of my Endura Jetstream which has a windproof front and jersey rear – definitely less sweaty when it’s not raining.

I’m also a big fan of a wee thin pertex top over multiple base layers.

I bought a Polaris Tornado windproof in the sale, similar to one I had 30 years ago  and lasted about 20! Windproof front and sleeve fronts and a nice Roubaix type lining. I wore it in the last snow and will be going out later in it, nice and warm without getting too warm, nice temperature control without too many layers. They did have lots of the smaller women’s sizes available – information still on the polaris-bikewear.com website but purchasing of old stock is via Ebay. Hope this helps.

I would wear a long sleeve base layer – I’ve got a really comfy one from Decathlon that fits like a second skin.

Probably a long sleeve jersey on top of that & then a Decathlon softshell.

Might also stick on my Lusso headband/ear warmer thing

I have one of these, too hot on all but the coldest of days, stick a base layer under it.

https://www.endurasport.com/windchill-jacket-ii-hi-viz-yellow/12922198.html

This thread is great! 🙂

Thanks for the Polaris tip from Wheelsonfire – I just grabbed myself a couple of bargains from their eBay shop 🙂 

And those Galibier jackets looks great burntembers & ransos & bazz. I’m definitely considering one of those.

Not to hijack, but I was wondering if any women can comment on sizing for Rapha, Castelli or any other recommended brands? (I’ve got my eye on a couple of s/h & Jan sale items)

I started a thread above asking about this before realising that Golfchick had already got this one going, which has been ace for providing loads of excellent recommendations… (So would delete mine, but don’t know how) But I’m just still a bit unsure about sizing, so any advice gratefully received.

(For context, I’m 5’3″ & ~55kg & a bug on my account means nothing on my profile is saving & is sadly stopping me from accessing the women’s forum)

Sorry, I’m a bloke, but can comment on sizing from a blokey perspective… I find Rapha kit to be about right (medium/large) whereas Castelli comes up a lot smaller and I have to go XL.

My wife is about 5′ 9″  (67kg) and usually 10 or 12 in women’s civilian clothing. She wears Rapha in a size medium; Gore in a 38, and Rab in a 10.

Another thing to consider is specificity: Rapha and Castelli (and others) offer kit in different “fits”. Some ranges are very fitted for super skinny builds, where others are slightly looser yet still close fitting. For instance, Rapha Pro Team vs Rapha Brevet. I look like a stuffed sausage in Pro kit but OK, I think, in Brevet!

I’ve tried various things on the road over the years and my goto is the Gore Phantom.  Women’s version half price here

I find it’s adaptable right though from autumn to spring.

It’s a windproof/showerproof (wind stopper membrane) front and arms but Roubaix back so breathes super well.  then vary the base layers underneath from a base layer t-shirt at c10-12, a thin merino 7-10 and thicker merino or double layer as it gets colder.

neckwear from none-buff-thicker buff.  Skullcap under helmet below about 5C.

At low temps I’m either wearing heavyweight 3/4 winter bibs or full length winter bibs which add more upper body warmth too.

No way is Perfetto and a base layer warm enough for 2 degrees.

+1

I rode yesterday in -1 in an Acteryx grid fleece base layer and a Castelli RoS Alpha Jacket.

https://arcteryx.com/gb/en/shop/mens/rho-lt-zip-neck-9425

https://road.cc/content/review/castelli-alpha-ros-2-jacket-mens-281295

Polaris have a stock sale on on their eBay shop. They have quite a few windproof soft shells for less than £20

I’ve a stolen goat softshell that I wear with winter bib longs/ base layer and buff in this weather.
It doesn’t say it’s waterproof, but it’s always kept me dry, and I wear it off road as well as on. It’s too warm for it at 10 degrees…

I wish it was cut a bit longer, on road it’s ok, as the winter bibs keep my back warm. Off road I end up with a gap between my pants and jacket that mud and water loves to get in. And yeah, I’ve got a mudguard too…

I made the mistake of buying an endura softshell that I thought would be made the same. It’s cut longer, but isn’t remotely water resistant. I found this out the hard way.. I’m glad it was cheap, the stolen goat one wasn’t, but was worth every penny.

For me – Rapha Core winter jacket is the basic outer layer from about 8° or 10° downwards. Windproof front and sleeves, breathable back. Possibly still a bit boil in the bag.

Under that I’ll have variations and combinations of old-skool long sleeve Helly, Morvelo SS mesh baselayer, Mountain Equipment Eclipse fleece. Add a 7Mesh Seton fleece gilet over the top if necessary, then accessorise with gloves of various weights, buff, roadie cap or skull cap.

If its wet, swap the Rapha Jersey for an Endura Pro-Sl softshell waterproof thing.

Normal bib shorts, unpadded windproof tights, woolieboolies, ancient MW80s look after the bottom half.

@midlifecrisismum. I’ve always been a small in Rapha, Endura or Morvelo (5’10”, 10st4, 36″ chest, 30″ waist), but Castelli is definitely a medium, and even then the sleeves are on the tight side for my pipecleaner arms.

Thanks All, torn between the castelli perfetto and just going for the alpha. I generally get away with my current wardrobe choice 5 degrees and upwards by varying the base layer but below it with or without wind and it’s a grey area. Worried the perfetto will just be another version of what I have really, though the wind resistence would obviously be better.

Nothing beats the lined shakedry goretex jacket for overall performance.

Bit weird for and colour but it’s great of you can find one.

Just got one of those gore infinium jobs for less wet weather. That’s good for mid temps.

I have an endura soft shell commuter style, it has various degrees of fleecy thickness and wind stopperiness. This with a thin weave vest thing and a thin long sleeve base was fine to -5 night commutes. Even at 30mph descents it was okay but I was pushing hard so pretty toasty.
Anything above 8 degrees and this top is too warm.

Thanks All, torn between the castelli perfetto and just going for the alpha

I have a perfetto, An alpha and an alpha light. No way would i be using the perfecto in mid winter. Not warm enough.

The alpha is phenomenal, I run cold and can wear it in freezing conditions with a thin base layer. The alpha lite is a good half way house. And probably the one to go for if you aren’t a lizard…it’s way warmer than a perfetto.