Winter jacket for Cape Town

[r0adrunner]

Looking to buy a Winter jacket to keep my training hours up in the coming winter months.

 

I am willing to spend a bit of extra money for a quality product that will last long. I think it should be wind proof and water resistant, I think water proof will get too hot in Cape Town. I will be using it with a undertop/insulation layer.

 

What have you guys found works the best? The crux seems to find one that is not too hot, or too cold! I have a first ascent semi-water proof jacket that I can always put over the jacket if it's really wet, and if its really(really) wet I have an IDT

 

Oh and it has to be sexy.

 

Last winter I just used my FA jacket(the lumo yellow semi-waterproof one, don't know the name) with an jersey + underlayer and then arm warmers and thick gloves. But i'd like a nice fitting jersey, and this year I plan on riding earlier with more work commitments.

[Madlight]

I bought a LOOK spring jacket last year, and it's the best jacket ever. Good fit, keeps the wind and rain out, but not too hot. Highly recommended.

[r0adrunner]

Bump

[Blackbeard]

I have a few Santini jackets. They really fit the bill.

[Google]

Gore. Enough Said

[DJR]

Vermarc - solid, really waterproof, goretex, supposedly breathable, expensive but worth it

[MaXiMuM]

I've just done a layering article for one of the SA fly fishing mags.

What I suggest might be slightly more expensive, but will work in all conditions and will be easily adapted to any condition.

On skin base layer with little or no thermal properties. This moves the moister away from the skin, primary function.

2 fleeces, 1 light weight, 1 med weight, wear both when it's cold.

Good quality breathable rain shell, GORE-TEX will always be your best choice, but they are pricey.

The shell will be the key, don't worry about it not being breathable enough, a good quality one will breath fine.

GORE-TEX breaths because, moister will always move from high temp / high humidity to low temp / low humidity. So the colder it is, the better it breaths.

There's more to it, but that will do the top fine.

No need for a thermal layer because you are generating heat.

Make sure they have 3/4 or full zips, up to trap heat, down to cool off.

Don't rely on a jacket by itself, they won't give you enough options.

Stay away from an all in one jacket. Those 3-in-1 jackets are never up to standard.

Legs are a lot easier because they will be working hard, get a warm polypropylene base, the better you buy the more versatile it will be. First Accent make a great one, but there are others cycling specific garments.

From my phone, sorry for any damn auto correct.

[Jacques Viljoen]

I got one of these Second skin foul weather tops it folds up some and fits in my cycle jersey back pocket and then base layer if it is cold

 

http://www.secondskins.co.za/ready-to-go-range/athletics-running/mens-running/foul-weather-top-detail.html

[DJR]

Agree with Maximum about the Polypropylene base layer. I use First Ascent and one of those and a cycling shirt under my Vermark shell jacket is usually all that is needed in the cold rainy Cape Winter mornings.

[Bicyclegear]

Bicyclegear.co.za are selling the Vermarc "Extreme" Winter jacket. It is a very light-weight jacket that keeps body warmth in and the wet out. Seams are sealed and it has reflective banding.

 

We previously stocked the Vermarc "Ventair", which proved to heavy and warm for our climate. The "Extreme" jacket is proved ideal last winter in South Africa come rain, wind or cold.

[canadonis]

I have a velotex jacket with some fancy high tec fabricate allows breathing but moisture is taken off the skin, really great water proof surface as well.

[alexwc46]

http://www.firstascent.co.za/shop/quantum-jacket/

 

Great value for money jacket. Folds up into its pocket. Worked very well this past winter.

[NicoBoshoff]

Bicyclegear.co.za are selling the Vermarc "Extreme" Winter jacket. It is a very light-weight jacket that keeps body warmth in and the wet out. Seams are sealed and it has reflective banding.

 

We previously stocked the Vermarc "Ventair", which proved to heavy and warm for our climate. The "Extreme" jacket is proved ideal last winter in South Africa come rain, wind or cold.

 

Can't see this on your website.

[Eugene Oppelt]

Castelli Gabba

 

The PROs swear by it, even if they're not sponsored by Castelli

Will mark out the branding

 

Cape Town can get wet wet wet

[Bicyclegear]

Can't see this on your website.

 

Here is the link - http://bicyclegear.co.za/product/vermarc-aquazero-rain-jacket/

[T-Bob]

Castelli Gabba

The PROs swear by it, even if they're not sponsored by Castelli

Will mark out the branding

 

It is the pro's for sure, look ant any of the images from the start of the Ronde and there are a lot of them being worn by teams who are not sponsored by Castelli.

 

In fact Castelli have just released a 'pro' version in a fancy box that comes with a black marker pen so you can colour over the logos... just like the pros!

 

I've got a Giordana jacket that is wind windstopper material, roubaix inner and water resistant and I've never worn it in anger as it's too damn hot. Couple of days I had it on last year it was unzipped and flapping. The FR-C jackets are nice.

 

Love gore-tex. Simply the best stuff, all my snow kit is gore and once you've had you'll know it's worth every rand, penny or dollar.

 

This year I think I'm going for a simple combo of under layer, good long sleeved jersey, windproof gilet and I've got a great breathable gore-tex shell that packs the size of a pea but it never rains in paradise...