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Winter jacket recommendation?

Hello all,

I'm opening this thread because I'm starting to be a bit desperate on my search for a nice fitting, warm winter jacket. I'm looking for a winter jacket that I can wear both on long rides and for my commute (12 miles each way). I'm looking for a jacket that isn't baggy and has a fit close to a 'race' one. So far I've tried the following jackets: Planet X Hydrocore (not warm enough), Endura Windchill II (didn't like the fit) and Galibier Colombiere (something warmer would be great, otherwise I'll need to stick with this one). 

Has anyone got some recommendations for me? I'd love to check them out. Also, I'm looking for something not too expensive but wouldn't mind paying more for a top jacket that ticks all the boxes.

Thanks!

Edit: forgot to include that I'm based in London and looking for a jacket that would serve me down to 0 or -3 degrees layering up with a long sleeve base layer and maybe another regular tshirt. 

 

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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31 comments

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kma55 | 6 years ago
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For a baselayer, the Under Armour Coldgear long sleeve tops are excellent, price is usually pretty good on Amazon.

As for jackets, I have a Santini Beta Windstopper and a Gore Power Active (not exactly a race fit) for when it's raining. Both have been fine at -3°c with just the Coldgear baselayer underneath.

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TonbridgeJon | 6 years ago
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Shout for the Rapha Pro Team. Warm and cosy, no problems with mine three years down the line. Probably should have bought black in hindsight!

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xade43 | 6 years ago
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Wow, thanks everyone for all the recommendations. I shall compile them all in a spreadsheet and start doing some pricing research! 

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StraelGuy | 6 years ago
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Another vote for the Stolen Goat Climb and Conquer. With a merino underlayer there are basically no temperatures you can't cycle in. It's seriously warm!

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terrycojones replied to StraelGuy | 6 years ago
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StraelGuy wrote:

Another vote for the Stolen Goat Climb and Conquer. With a merino underlayer there are basically no temperatures you can't cycle in. It's seriously warm!

Agreed!

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MrMajic | 6 years ago
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Keep an eye out for "last few" type deals if you can fit into a Castelli small (they don't seem much different to medium in my experience). I've got the Castelli Raddoppia which was £79.99 from Merlin. Includes retroflective coatings, lovely and warm (too warm for 9  degrees or so and up) and shower proof. It's replaced my Alpa so far this season. I'm beginning to think that if it's cold enough for the Alpha jacket there'll be ice so I should take the car!

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MoutonDeMontagne | 6 years ago
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Another Reccomendation for the Castelli Alpha. When living in the SE I never bothered carrying a waterproof when using it as it shrugs off most things, and have used it from between 10 C (Bit warm) to minus 5 air temp quite happily.

The best bit is the insulation is only on the bits where you need it, i.e. chest, shoulders and tops of arms, allowing heat to vent under the arms and the fin vents down the back. I also like that when climbing, you can unzip it all the way, but the sewn in inner jersey  means the icy wind doesn't then attack your chest, but allows a bit of cool air in. Down south in the cold I wore it with a normal thin merino or synthetic LS baselayer, now in Sscotland if its cold I wear it with a Castelli Flanders or Icebreaker merino baselayer. 

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gunswick | 6 years ago
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Gabba LS (now called perfetto), dhb long sleeve turtle neck merino base layer. Done. -9c worked fine (Scotland).

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don simon fbpe replied to gunswick | 6 years ago
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gunswick wrote:

Gabba LS (now called perfetto), dhb long sleeve turtle neck merino base layer. Done. -9c worked fine (Scotland).

Don't people feel temperatures differently? I'm happy wearing 3/4 bibs and Gabba (occasionally without arm warmers) throughout what passes for summer. Some people complain like fuck once the temps get higher than 30 degrees.

Funny old world.

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terrycojones replied to gunswick | 6 years ago
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gunswick wrote:

Gabba LS (now called perfetto), dhb long sleeve turtle neck merino base layer. Done. -9c worked fine (Scotland).

I have the Gabba too, and also wear it with a LS merino. But clearly warmer, at least for me, is a Stolen Goat along with their arm warmers. I've only been out in -7C in that combo and found it great.

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londoncommute | 6 years ago
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If you did want the Mavic jacket then Cycle Surgery have at least one small in their Bishops Square store.  They've bounced round in price to a stupid extent (think DFS or PlanetX.....) and I got one for the absolute bargain price of £27 but as it was too big, I returned it there:

 

https://www.cyclesurgery.com/p/mavic-men-s-ksyrium-elite-jacket-N1110656...

 

They did have some in store, marked up at £30 which is less than the above online price.  Maybe give them a call.

 

If not, I've got two spare unused small jackets I should clear out at different ends of the poshness spectrum if you were interested.   A lovely Sportful Bodyfit Pro Windstopper Jacket for the weekend and a much cheaper Aldi Crane winter softshell for the commute?

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Richbeck | 6 years ago
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Etxeondo summum if you can find one.

 

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Richard D | 6 years ago
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Although I hate recommending expensive kit if something cheaper fits the bill, the best winter jacke I have used is the Castelli Alpha.  With a thin base laye I can wear it when it's as warm as ten degrees; with a better base layer it will cheerfully go down to temperatures where I stop riding due to fear of ice.  And the best part is that it never feels too cold or too warm, and never gets clammy.

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ricardito replied to Richard D | 6 years ago
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Richard D wrote:

Although I hate recommending expensive kit if something cheaper fits the bill, the best winter jacke I have used is the Castelli Alpha.  With a thin base laye I can wear it when it's as warm as ten degrees; with a better base layer it will cheerfully go down to temperatures where I stop riding due to fear of ice.  And the best part is that it never feels too cold or too warm, and never gets clammy.

Good to hear - I have it on good authority that Santa will be putting an Alpha RoS under the Christmas tree for me. It sounds as though I - er, I mean he - has chosen well laugh

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jacknorell | 6 years ago
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For proper cold weather the Castelli Espresso jacket works for me down to freezing with only a long sleeve merino base layer.

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xade43 | 6 years ago
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Thanks everyone, I've got a decent list to go through now. One more thing, has anyone tried the SPECIALIZED ELEMENT SL ELITE JACKET? Link below:

https://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Specialized/Element-SL-Elite-Jacket/A4R7

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LastBoyScout replied to xade43 | 6 years ago
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xade43 wrote:

Thanks everyone, I've got a decent list to go through now. One more thing, has anyone tried the SPECIALIZED ELEMENT SL ELITE JACKET? Link below:

https://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Specialized/Element-SL-Elite-Jacket/A4R7

Yes, I've got one of those.

Very close fitting and the wrists are quite tight to get on. Loosk good on and has good neon yellow on the back and backs of the arm for stretch/venting/visibility.

Problem is that it has a little too much stretch panel on the back of the arms, which isn't windproof - it's good for visibility, fit and breathability, not so good for keeping the cold out. Best for spring and autumn - needs a close-fitting LS thermal under it for anything else, really.

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Stratman | 6 years ago
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I’m a Castelli fan - LS Gabba (now called Perfetto) and LS baa-baa base layer does me down to about 0C.  Below that the Alpha jacket with a SS baa-baa or the LS if it’s really cold.

I do tend to run hot though 

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fenix replied to Stratman | 6 years ago
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Stratman wrote:

I’m a Castelli fan - LS Gabba (now called Perfetto) and LS baa-baa base layer does me down to about 0C.  Below that the Alpha jacket with a SS baa-baa or the LS if it’s really cold.

I do tend to run hot though 

I sold my gabba - was freezing in it in the rain in the summer ! Just shows we are all different !

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DoctorFish | 6 years ago
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Stolen Goat Climb and Conquer.  It keeps me very warm down into the negative temperatures.

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philhubbard | 6 years ago
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I've been riding the Sportful R + D light jacket for the last few months and I must say I've been blown away, been commuting in a tshirt and this down to around 0degrees, and so far have ridden down to -2c with just a long sleeve jersey underneath.

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xade43 | 6 years ago
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Thanks for the furthe replies, they're very helpful. The DHB Aeron Softshell is definitely a contender. I've got a few things from DHB and really like their fit just didn't want to spend over £100 in a jacket I wasn't sure it'd be warm enough so thanks for the testimonies. 

@risoto: thanks for suggesting the Craft Siberian jacket, are you referring to this one? See below: 

http://www.directcycling.co.uk/product?ProductID=16116&Category=cycling&...

Also, I do like the Endura Windchill II but I'm not a tall neither a big guy and the Small size is just a bit too long and baggy for me plus the jacket won't be used only for commuting. For reference, on DHB sizing I'm normally a size XS. 

Again, thank  you all for your comments and please keep 'em coming if you have good recommendations! 

 

 

 

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risoto | 6 years ago
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For really cold weather (below 5c to -5c) nothing beats the Craft Siberian jacket. For 5-10c I actually use the Endura Windchill II which I find fantastic and don't understand you don't like, especially for commuting where a race fit is not relevant unless you race to work to beat records...

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arckuk | 6 years ago
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I'd second the DHB Aeron softshell jacket recommendation, I've had one for a couple of years, it's the warmest thing I've got whilst still being stretchy enough to be tight fitting but comfortable, a bit breathable and a bit water resistant: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-full-protection-softshell/ . I get quite cold easily, but it happily keeps me warm down to 3 or 4 degrees with a DHB long sleeve merino top. If it's going to be cooler than that, I put a gilet over the top.

The other winter jacket I'd recommend is a la Passione winter jacket, see here: https://www.lapassione.cc/collections/man-collection/products_jackets which are very nearly as warm, not quite as stretchy, but a little more stylish.

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xade43 | 6 years ago
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Thanks turnerjohn! I do need a Small one tho. Also, if anyone wants to sell a winter jacket in decent condition do let me know! 

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turnerjohn | 6 years ago
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I have a brand new with tags red Mavic Kysrium Elite in uk medium if your interested PM me  1

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xade43 | 6 years ago
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Thanks all for you recommendations. I just met a chap on my commute who was wearing a Mavic jacket. I believe it was a Mavic Ksyrium Elite jacket and really liked the cut. He also mentioned it's very warm and fairly waterproof. Going to give it a go! Cheers. 

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fenix | 6 years ago
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Dhb aeron pro softshell. Really nice and warm.

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LastBoyScout | 6 years ago
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jaysa | 6 years ago
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If you like the Galibier Colombiere, how about using that and adding several baselayers? It's harder to get the fit/waterproofing/arm length/detailing etc. right on the outermost layer than the innermost. Plus layers are more versatile...

I'm with you by the way - like my Galibier Mistral jacket  1

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