Winter jackets 2018

[gerryc89]

Hello all,

I'm in London and commute 2hrs per day (1hr each way) and then do 3/4 hrs on a Sat/Sun. I'm mostly looking a new winter jacket this for the commute. I can keep different base layers in work to handle slight changes, but I'd really love one jacket for rain, hail, cold, wind and so on. At present I'm sometimes using rain jacket, sometimes not, sometimes and gilet and sometimes not. I'm looking at temperatures of 0-10 degrees Celsius.

I've been looking at the Castelli Alpha Ros and the Q36.5 Termica. Does anyone have any real-world feedback on either? I'm fairly confident that the Castelli will be adequate, but since I got a pair of 36.5 shorts, I've been very intrigued by the rest of their kit although there aren't many reviews since they're so new.

I used Assos for years, but have got a bit fatigued by their complex range, but am definitely open. Any other ideas would be much appreciated!

[kode54]

yeah, Assos naming system is a bit confusing. there are so many variables like Mille and Cento fit...then temp range, like Bonka and Habu.

regardless, since Assos introduced their profBlack line, i went back and bought a few jackets. the Bonka jacket has a technical fabric that i like over Rapha's winter gear.
wear it with a shell for rain and a base layer for temp adjustment. a few of my buddies use Castelli, but had some issues with zippers or seams.

Gore makes the shake dry jacket shells...which look pretty interesting in wet climates.

[TonyM]

I have used since last winter a Castelli Espresso 4 (Castelli says from -5 to +10C) and it is good actually. However not as good as my Assos Bonka (Assos says from -6 to +6C) and Assos Habu (+6 to +14C) jackets. The fit of the Assos is really more race oriented compared to the Castellis Rosso Corsas and the textile doesn't feel so thick and heavy. The advantage of the Castelli Alpha Ros and Espresso is that they are maybe a little bit more water resistant and cheaper. BTW I use the Castelli and the Assos jackets only with a base layer underneath which I choose depending in the temperature and the effort that I will make (no effort and very relaxed merino otherwise Castelli or Assos base layer 3.4 or 4.4)

[gerryc89]

Thank you @TonyM and @kode54! Very helpful.

TonyM - can you point me to the exact Bonka jacket? Sorry... still struggling with the range. Interesting points re. zippers - exactly the same issue with me. one of the reasons why I'm concerned...

Leaning back to Assos....

[kode54]

the newer Bonka jacket material is pretty interesting. when its cold out...it closes the weave and blocks the wind. when you generate heat...the weave tends to open and let the heat and moisture regulate itself.

i had a previous version of Assos jackets and they are not like the latest versions. the Bonka itself is thinner for a winter jacket...but with the proper base layer and and shell, you can get down into some low temps.
i ended up getting a profBlack version since i'm not a fan of the graphics on the sleeves.

[Conza]

I'd really love one jacket for rain, hail, cold, wind and so on.

What fit do you want? How far is the commute?

I had no winter gear; and moved to Melbourne (from Brisbane). So big drop in temp. Suss'd all the winter kit out. I went riding with this the most:

https://www.rapha.cc/au/en_AU/shop/pro- ... ct/TRA01XX

Anything above 11C; got too warm. I used merino baselayer if pushing below 6C.

Had wicking one as well.

Rainjacket for over the top if real cold, and also wet.

[TonyM]

Thank you @TonyM and @kode54! Very helpful.

TonyM - can you point me to the exact Bonka jacket? Sorry... still struggling with the range. Interesting points re. zippers - exactly the same issue with me. one of the reasons why I'm concerned...

Leaning back to Assos....

Hi,

These are the one that I use. As I said very effective and not thick at all so that you don't feel wearing a winter jacket at all.

Assos says the Bonka is made for -6 to +6C (I actually use the Bonka jacket only up to +3C as I use the Habu as from +4C)
Here the jacket
https://www.assos.com/ij-bonka-6?gender ... SD&lang=en







and here the base layer that I use underneath.
https://www.assos.com/ls-skinfoil-winte ... SD&lang=en





And Assos says the Habu is made for +6 to +14C (I used these combo on last Saturday with +2 to +4C without any problems)
Here the jacket (in black; other colours available)
https://www.assos.com/ij-habu-5-ltd?gen ... SD&lang=en







and here the base layer that I use underneath.
https://www.assos.com/ls-skinfoil-early ... SD&lang=en

[nemeseri]

If you are commuting in 5-10 C, I can highly recommend the Castelli long perfetto (formerly long gabba) jersey. With proper baselayers and outer layer you can go down to 2-4 C during intervals. You can get it fairly cheap compared to the other jackets mentioned in the thread.

I second the rapha pro training jacket. You can use it in lower temps than the perfetto or skip the outer vest / jacket. I own both, but somehow I reach for the perfetto jersey if it's damp and cool.

Third option: I do not own this jacket, but I've only heard good things about it.
https://velocio.cc/collections/mens-jac ... -es-jacket

[ico]

For commuting I would suggest you the MILLEJACKET_EVO7 It is roomier than its previous version IJ ShaqUno I wear and I can tell it is perfect from -2 to max +5 with Craft winter base layer. https://www.assos.com/mille-jacket-evo7 ... UR&lang=en

[TonyM]

If you are commuting in 5-10 C, I can highly recommend the Castelli long perfetto (formerly long gabba) jersey. With proper baselayers and outer layer you can go down to 2-4 C during intervals. You can get it fairly cheap compared to the other jackets mentioned in the thread.

(...)

+1 on the Perfetto long. A good jacket up to +3C for me without intervals but with a merino base layer underneath.
However much thicker than the Assos Bonka/ Habu jackets.

[TonyM]

For commuting I would suggest you the MILLEJACKET_EVO7 It is roomier than its previous version IJ ShaqUno I wear and I can tell it is perfect from -2 to max +5 with Craft winter base layer. https://www.assos.com/mille-jacket-evo7 ... UR&lang=en

+1 on the Assos Mille jacket if you want to have something roomier than the Assos Bonka, Habu or the Castelli Perfecto long.

[Jhomewood]

Check out 7Mesh. They’re a Canadian based company in one of the wettest parts of the world. They have many cleaver details and design features. Cycling cut is great, you can’t even feel them on you.

[TonyM]

Check out 7Mesh. They’re a Canadian based company in one of the wettest parts of the world. They have many cleaver details and design features. Cycling cut is great, you can’t even feel them on you.

+1.
7Mesh has good products also!
And yes British Columbia, especially Squamish, are quite rainy....

They however use the same textile from GoreTex, eVent etc... as other manufacturers like Castelli. The cut, the branding, the quality of the seals are the main difference with some other manufacturers.

IMHO only Assos is very different as they have their “own” material/ textile.

[jfranci3]

That's right, buy a jacket with a high end shell material. The jacket will be a LOT more flexible. I have a PI softshell jacket that has about a 5deg temp range. If they aren't using a branded 3rd party shell material, like eVent, or listing their breathabillity numbers, it's probably junk. A crap shell will block the wind, but keep the humidity in; a good shell will like most of the humidity out; and a great shell can keep the humidity lower in your jacket than the outside and won't saturate easily.

https://besthiking.net/comparison-shell-materials/
http://www.paddypallin.com.au/blog/all- ... f-fabrics/

[dolophonic]

Those assos jackets are So ugly !

Rapha pro team jacket .. great bit of kit and low key .