Which winter jacket to buy?

[lane]

What exactly do you want? A waterproof or a warm layer? To keep warm I have a DHB softshell it is windproof and showerproof but a reasonable price. For waterproof I have a cheapish Polaris jacket keeps me dry but isn't the best for breathability. If money was no object the waterproof layer would probably be a showers pass elite 2.5. For a warm layer I can't see the point of paying more than I have for what I have.

 

[vickster]

Sport pursuit have some half price Rapha...as long as you're an XXS!

 

[MartinQ]

Here are 4 jackets I am considering, not sure which one is most suited to current weather
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/castelli-womens-alpha-ros-2-jacket
https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/womens-pro-team-winter-jacket/product/WJW01XXBLK
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/assos-uma-gt-ultraz-winter-jacket-evo
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/assos-womens-uma-gt-winter-jacket

As above, ~£200 for a jacket on a limited budget wouldn't be my option, but ...
If it's for this weather, be prepared to have an off (black ice) which can write off the jacket, as vickster refers to.

 

[fossyant]

Pretty low end though, the 100 range?

Just an example - I bought an Urban one that was £50 and it's one I use with just 1 base layer in weather like now.

If the OP lays out £300 now on one jacket, she'll likely need more kit, and that's a huge budget chunk gone. What works now, might not when it's 10c.

 

[vickster]

Sigma in Kingston have a good range of mid to high end kit. You’re in West London...why not take a ride down there next week and try some kit on?

 

[vickster]

As above, ~£200 for a jacket on a limited budget wouldn't be my option, but ...
If it's for this weather, be prepared to have an off (black ice) which can write off the jacket, as vickster refers to.

She doesn’t actually say she has a limited budget though? £300 is pretty excessive for even a wealthy student though!

 

[vickster]

personally, I seek out kit on sale, rarely pay full price if ever...then I can get two or three times as much stuff

 

[Mark pallister]

Here are 4 jackets I am considering, not sure which one is most suited to current weather
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/castelli-womens-alpha-ros-2-jacket
https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/womens-pro-team-winter-jacket/product/WJW01XXBLK
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/assos-uma-gt-ultraz-winter-jacket-evo
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/assos-womens-uma-gt-winter-jacket

I’ve got the alpha Ross and can’t fault it ,it’s v breathable ,warm and waterproof which is v hard to find
you can buy cheaper but not better

 

[Anonymous1502]

personally, I seek out kit on sale, rarely pay full price if ever...then I can get two or three times as much stuff

Quality>Design>Quantity

 

[Anonymous1502]

What exactly do you want? A waterproof or a warm layer? To keep warm I have a DHB softshell it is windproof and showerproof but a reasonable price. For waterproof I have a cheapish Polaris jacket keeps me dry but isn't the best for breathability. If money was no object the waterproof layer would probably be a showers pass elite 2.5. For a warm layer I can't see the point of paying more than I have for what I have.

Being warm is the priority if it is warm+waterproof then it is the full package.

 

[Anonymous1502]

Then get the Shutt VR one plus spend the other £150 on a pair of good winter bib tights plus overshoes / winter boots. I can't say where they're made but it's in Italy ...

I have Assos bib tights already I don't need anything else, I don't need winter boots or overshoes right now.

 

[vickster]

Quality>Design>Quantity

Yep I buy quality but when reduced best of both. This is the worst possible time to buy winter gear!
I bought my reduced Endura winter jacket in the August heatwave

 

[Anonymous1502]

As above, ~£200 for a jacket on a limited budget wouldn't be my option, but ...
If it's for this weather, be prepared to have an off (black ice) which can write off the jacket, as vickster refers to.

I never said I had a limited budget, I said I am willing to pay for good quality and nice design.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Quality>Design>Quantity

I would disagree with that. If a jacket is poorly designed it doesn’t matter how good the quality of materials or sewing.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Being warm is the priority if it is warm+waterproof then it is the full package.

Actually it’s not. A warm and waterproof jacket can be used in fewer circumstances. A prime example of this are paramo jackets. Great at what they do, but it’s got to be cold and wet for them to excel when cycling.

Then when it not cold or it’s not wet they are far from ideal. Just like a waterproof jacket for cycling is a poor choice except in heavy rain. You’ll get wetter and colder from condensed sweat then you would from a wind proof rain resistant outer with fast wicking inner layers.

In order to stay dry you have got to balance water ingress against water egress. The latter needs to exceed the former. Many waterproofs are great at ingress but rubbish at egress.