Recommendations for packable wind/chill jacket (not rain)?

[pdmtong]

Been using a PI optic. Besides the rapha stowaway, what is out there in the category of light packable jackets?

The optic price is good. great piece for ever-changing bay area micro-climates. just wondering what else people like...

[fogrider]

for the bay area, go with a vest, a thin polypro long sleeve base layer, and arm warmers. just pull off the sleeves when climbing and if you get hot in the afternoon, the vest should fit into the middle rear pocket and the arm warmers should fit into the side pockets.

[EpicMonk]

I do a lot of bike packing, so space is limited.

I use a Marmot Precip jacket for my adventures in bad climate. It packs down small.

My 2 cents worth!

-Chad

[Charles M]

GORE xenon and wind...

the wind is here (at bottom)

wind and exceptionally packable

http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=7324

The Oxygen is at their site.

waterproof... and very packable.

http://www.gorebikewear.com/remote/Satellite/MenJackets

I like these because they pack realy well and breath... I use em more than the Assos climajet. pretty much better in use in every way...

[AngryScientist]

gore is the shee-ite.

[Ken Robb]

I also use a Marmot that is designed for hiking and other activities but works great on the bike too. FWIW I feel ok on my bike in "regular" clothes as well as "bike" stuff but I don't feel like wearing most bike clothes off a bike. The styling of a lot of bike stuff is too fussy for my taste (or lack thereof).

[Clydesdale]

I have been very happy with Showers Pass jackets and service. They are a great compnay in my experience. I have one of their lightweight jackets and one of their heavier rain jackets and have been completely staisfied with both.

[fiamme red]

This windbreaker looks pretty packable:

http://shop.outlier.cc/shop/retail/packable-heat-windbreaker.html

I have no idea about its quality.

http://outlier.cc/images/packableheat/06OUTLIERPackableWheelie.jpg
http://outlier.cc/images/packableheat/11bOUTLIER-Packable-SaddleStash.jpg

[jlwdm]

Been using a PI optic. Besides the rapha stowaway, what is out there in the category of light packable jackets?

The optic price is good. great piece for ever-changing bay area micro-climates. just wondering what else people like...

What kind of light packable jacket? Wind protection, water resistant, breathable and/or waterproof.

The light, packable, breathable, wind protection and waterproof jackets are elusive. Throw out waterproof and breathable and they are a dime a dozen.

Rapha now has a rain jacket that tries to meet all of the requirements. Just like Gore, Assos, Sugoi and others. If you read reviews on line you can find great reviews and terrible reviews on all of them.

When Showers Pass goes to packable their jacket is not as waterproof.

How long are you going to be in the rain?

Jeff

[kinofaucet]

I bought an Orca Lite jacket on Bonk for $40.

Its on their sister site department of goods for $62.

If you ever see it on bonktown again, its a great jacket for $40.

[pdmtong]

What kind of light packable jacket? Wind protection, water resistant, breathable and/or waterproof.

The light, packable, breathable, wind protection and waterproof jackets are elusive. Throw out waterproof and breathable and they are a dime a dozen.

Rapha now has a rain jacket that tries to meet all of the requirements. Just like Gore, Assos, Sugoi and others. If you read reviews on line you can find great reviews and terrible reviews on all of them.

When Showers Pass goes to packable their jacket is not as waterproof.

How long are you going to be in the rain?

Jeff


should have been more specific...wanted for wind/chill protection (not rain)

thanks all for the suggestions so far

[gdw]

do you know anyone who has basic sewing skills? If so, it's easy to make a 3oz water-resistant windproof jacket. You just need about 1 1/2 yards of 20-40 denier nylon, a number 3 or 5 zipper, some elastic or lycra for the wrists, and nylon thread. Use your old PI jacket to make the basic pattern and tailor it to fit perfectly. The project will take an evening and cost from $15-30 depending upon where you purchase the fabric.
http://www.owfinc.com/Fabrics/NylonWoven/Ripstop.asp
http://thru-hiker.com/materials/breathable.php
http://www.backwoodsdaydreamer.com/apps/webstore/

[buldogge]

My PI Elite Barrier convertible (to vest) jacket packs pretty tight.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00280N0GG/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B003BLOU5G&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0YXPT42JVF9D2W6PGFEN

How small a space (saddle bag?) are you trying to fit it in??

-Mark in St. Louis

[HankHornbuckle]

Greetings from Atlanta. I've never needed anything more than the Stowaway with the appropriate weight and type of jersey beneath for cold and light rain. Had the Classic Softshell, but returned it, as it proved to be overkill. The Stowaway is composed of a fabric that truly is breathable, blocks wind well enough for me, and the whole thing disappears into a jersey pocket when not needed. Although it will not protect in a downpour, I generally try to avoid the combination of cold and rain. I don't mind cold, and I don't mind rain, but the combination is usually enough to keep me in.
Had I to do it over again, I'd have gone with the bright orange rather than the black. I also have the Gilet and it works great with armwarmers as far as quality and versatility.
:::HH

[draper]

The Sugoi Helium is a great windbreaker.

[Steve in SLO]

How about a related question: Anybody know of windjackets that have elastic sides/stretch panels to encourage a more form-fitting profile? I have broad shoulders and a relatively narrow waist and have a heck of a time with fit. Most seem to either flap around the gut or are too tight in the shoulders.

[Ken Robb]

Yo Steve, Wait a few years and your problem w/fit corrects itself. ;)

[Steve in SLO]

Ken,
:beer:
I'm actively working on that process.

[happycampyer]

should have been more specific...wanted for wind/chill protection (not rain)

thanks all for the suggestions so farIf you just want wind/chill protection, you might want to take a look at the Campagnolo light TXN convertible jacket. It has a wind-protective front, mesh back with pockets (nice to have), and the sleeves are removable so you can wear it as a vest as well. It's not as packable as some of the other options mentioned.

I have an older version, called the C545 (http://www.campagnolosportswear.com/jspcampagnolosw/iframeproduct.jsp?worldid=37&lang=en&filter=-1&collid=5&acc=-1&prodid=360), which has three pockets. What appears to be the newer version has a different number (C524 (http://www.competitivecyclist.com/product-apparel/2010-campagnolo-sportswear-raytech-light-txn-convertible-jacket-c524-7745.html)) and has two pockets, but otherwise has the same features (and looks nicer, imo).

[harryschwartzma]

This (http://www.assos.com/en/19/singleProduct.aspx?cat=6,19,28&prod=147) Assos vest is very nice. I have one and its not incredibly breathable but it packs up very small and the stretchy side panels make for a tight non-billowy fit. I find a full jacket becomes too sweaty too quickly

[Birddog]

I have a Campy Raytech (Textran) jacket similar to what HappyCamper describes. Mine has a single back pocket into which you can fold the jacket. It has convertible sleeves, extra breathing material in the pits and stretchy side panels. I've had it a few years and don't remember the exact model, but I'm pretty sure Campy still makes a similar jacket. It has a wide temp range when layered too. It's one of my top 5 best all around cycling clothing purchases ever.

Birddog

[rwsaunders]

do you know anyone who has basic sewing skills? If so, it's easy to make a 3oz water-resistant windproof jacket. You just need about 1 1/2 yards of 20-40 denier nylon, a number 3 or 5 zipper, some elastic or lycra for the wrists, and nylon thread. Use your old PI jacket to make the basic pattern and tailor it to fit perfectly. The project will take an evening and cost from $15-30 depending upon where you purchase the fabric.
http://www.owfinc.com/Fabrics/NylonWoven/Ripstop.asp
http://thru-hiker.com/materials/breathable.php
http://www.backwoodsdaydreamer.com/apps/webstore/

You've just given me an idea for my daughter....will report back.

[Pete Serotta]

Hincapie and SHowersPass is very nice and functional.

[Lewym]

Hincapie and SHowersPass is very nice and functional.

Showers Pass double century is waterproof (as much as anything can be), windproof and highly packable. Seattle-tested. But no pockets - that is the one downside.