My lighter wool coat is not wind proof at all and is really a 40 degrees type of coat. :-/
I have a wind proof patagonia fleece that isn't really wind proof. It is warm and in the past I have worn it all winter long ( but that was when my kids were wee and I only wanted warmth. I also would arrive at preschool in patagonia fleece tights and Ugg boots and I assure you it was not my best look going on. Sigh.
I covet the patagonia puff coats- but I believe they are not wind proof. They are also quite pricey so if I were to invest- I want to know it will work on the bike and off happily.
Until then I was happy in the ski jacket again today. It has a fleece lining that zips out which is handy. After heated yoga I was very warm and the temps had risen just enough. I took off the outer shell and rode with just the fleece to the grocery store and back.
what about something from lands end? like the insulated squall parka? it's "technical" and warm but still nicer looking.
ReplyDeletenau makes some stunning looking jackets but they are not cheap. i do love all of my nau gear though (all acquired at the nau warehouse sales so way lower than retail price thank goodness)
http://www.nau.com/womens/categories/jackets//jackets/
or the ibex mad river jacket? http://shop.ibex.com/Apparel/Womens-Vests-Jackets/W-Mad-River-Jacket
jj- you always are in the know. LOVE Nau now. thanks!
Deleteooh ooh ooh- I really like the looks of the Nau stuff- I had heard the name but not really looked at them- I only wish they made more colorful stuff- I get it, they want stuff that's urban chic. But I try to walk the line between high viz and bike ninja. Lots of stuff on sale online now!
ReplyDeleteyes, now I want one of those jackets.... they would look good with a vespertine vest on though.... I am about to splurge my xmas money on one! ( vest, not Nau jacket)
DeleteI took a look at the vespertine stuff and thought it was kinda meh, looks great over a tank top, but I worry it would look really kludgy over a coat with a collar or anything like that...
DeleteI just did a bunch of embellishments, sewing and ironing on discreet reflective stuff on regular clothes this weekend- will try to post it soon.
you are prob right. Better than the real hi vis vest I have that is very clunky and hard to put on and off... I seriously am in black at night so I need something... I can't sew...
DeleteIf you can iron, you can add reflective tape to stuff :). Heck, for some things, if you can apply scotch tape, you can make it reflective (works better on hard stuff than fabric).
DeleteHave you tried a sam browne belt? I have one that was made for runners, but like this:
http://www.probikekit.com/us/raleigh-reflective-sam-brownie-belt.html
I get my Nau trench tomorrow- will let you know how it is- although I had to order a large, so it'll be too big for you- may be too big for me too, but that's what the measurements said I should order.
You're an inspiration. I rode to work in 45 degree weather here in SoCal this morning and thought I was going to freeze to death! I guess if you can handle it in the teens, I can keep riding when its around 50 degrees.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I think it is all relative. 45 is plenty cold in October or Nov for me. But feels wonderful come Feb or march. We've had a mild winter so far so it's been mostly 40's and 30's so those teens feel difficult to motivate in!
DeleteI have a North Face coat that is very sporty looking, but quite wind resistant and (very important for me) lightweight. Also waterproof and perfect to wear with multiple layers. I don't think you're into North Face style clothing...but maybe you are?
ReplyDeleteI am and I am not. I like sporty things- but mostly only if I am doing seriously sporty actions, you know? So if I am skiing, or running or snowshoeing- then I do it up all sporty. But unless the weather is just insane- I'm not an everyday North Face person.... back when I was in college and those patagonia pull overs from the 90's were the college students uniform ( pullover, jeans and hiking boots) I only wore mine on the slopes. Never walking around campus. Not b/c I was so stylish- I wasn't- I just preferred them for the actual sport. But as I said I am coveting the patagonia puffs. - I do really like all the bright comfy colors of sporty things....
DeleteMy Cannondale cycling jacket works at keeping wind out. With the addition of a sweatshirt underneath, it is good down to as cold as it has gotten in N Texas (15F last winter). It does, however, run afoul of the high vis Gestapo; being basic black. They run a bit big and I got mine off eBay.
ReplyDeleteI will have to check it out. My current reg winter coat is navy blue. I plan to get a hi vis vest thing so I'm ok with black.
DeleteI got my Nau trenchcoat yesterday, and wore it today. Although it is thin, and lightweight, I was plenty warm in it with a dress and a wool cardigan underneath (I'm told I run on the warm side though). The large is a little large, and the sleeves are really long for me, but it is perfect if I'm wearing a down vest underneath, whereas the coat I've been wearing is too tight for a vest underneath.
ReplyDeleteI love the styling, and the color (a purple grey) and I think the edgy styling would appeal to you.
Like I said, I got the large, which I'm sure would be too big for you- but you can try it on.
I was at a meeting and got compliments on it, and people were amazed that it was technical fabric.