Fleece vs insulated jacket

[BikeFreak]

Hi,

For the last 20 years I have used a standard fleece as my insulating jacket when biking. With my windshell I can make different combinations. However, the fleece ist quite bulky. Are there any modern products out there who can replace my fleece? My concerns are overheating when I use an insulated down jacket (very compact pack size) due to an inner and outer shell that of course cannot be removed since they are an integral part of that jacket type.

I love my down/synthetic jacket in everyday life when things are not high intensity.

Are some of you using shelled synthetic/down jackets when biking at high intensity - or only when resting in camp?

Lucas

[davidbonn]

I use insulated jackets or heavy fleece jackets as warm layers to wear when I am not active.  Or sometimes when sleeping on a chilly night.

I only use down in very cold and very dry conditions and don't take it if I am not 100 percent confident that I can keep it dry.  So usually that either means super cold ski days when it is below zero and I need a layer to throw on when I stop or on winter trips to Alaska.

In most bicycle travel situations I carry a Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody.  It is light (around 12oz) and packs pretty tiny.  It is not super warm for an insulated jacket but about as warm as most fleece jackets at less than half the weight.  For me this is something to wear to keep me warm when I am not on the move.    There are also jacket variants that have a front zipper.  The good thing about the jackets is they always have enormous interior pockets -- I'm talking pockets you could stash a hot water bottle into.  Or a fistful of wet gloves and hats and shirts.

Some of the Alpha(tm) fleece products from various manufacturers (look on Garage Grown Gear) are much lighter and much less bulky and a lot less windproof.  I haven't used them as active wear but sometimes take them as an insulated top on warm-weather trips.  Again this is not really an active wear item but just something to wear when I am stopped or in camp.  These products are a bit spendy (though not as spendy as Patagonia products!) and you have to be fussy with them.  But they are incredibly light and pack small for their insulating value.

If you look on Sporthill's website they sell a lot of clothing for nordic skiing and trail running and a bit for cycling.  But a lot of their nordic skiing clothing is a good fit for most cycling, in particular in cool conditions.  Some of their fancier jackets (which are much less expensive than the offerings in the previous two paragraphs, on the average) might be a good fit for what you are looking for.  And some of their active tops are a bit thicker than a base layer might be but not quite as thick and bulky as fleece.  Their stuff is often on sale as well.

I'd say in general a good fit for the problem you are trying to solve is some of the "soft shell" products that various companies make and sell.  Sometimes at astronomical prices.  The fanciest Sporthill jackets and tops are in that category as well.  What I'd recommend (but I have a metabolism like a nuclear reactor, especially when I'm active) is to go for the lightest versions you can get away with.

[dkoloko]

I do not use fleece on trips. My combo for spring, fall is a bicycle vest (minimal insulation) and a shell pullover that is also rain wear.

[davidbonn]

I do not use fleece on trips. My combo for spring, fall is a bicycle vest (minimal insulation) and a shell pullover that is also rain wear.

Where are you riding?  And are you camping or credit card touring?

Having noted that, vests often have an enormous effective warmth to weight ratio, almost as good as an ultralight wind shell.

[dkoloko]

Riding fully loaded, camp, cook.

[canalligators]

Don’t forget about wool.  It doesn’t compact down as much as down, but is good insulation over a wide temp range, say freezing to ~50F/15C.  Also breathes well and retains warmth when wet.  My wool/poly insulating jacket and merino jersey are valuable parts of my kit on long tours. 

But I may be more concerned with warmth than bulk, compared to your needs.

[ray b]

If one can afford down and keep it dry, lightweight down jacket and pants are nice for sleeping in the mountains (or recently, on my late November trip through MO and the Arkansas Ozarks and Ouachitas). One can wear them to start the ride on cold mornings until warmed up. (And right -  try to avoid sweating in your down "sweater.")

[natethegreat]

I like classic zipped biking jackets of lined fleece with a windproof front and cuffs. It it gets cold you can add extra layers under it a bit.
The zipper allows you to adjust the warmth.

Sometimes you can find cheap knock offs at LIDL masquerading as Ski Jackets for <20$. (LIDL even sells bike seats sometimes).

[davidbonn]

While riding (for all but the most viciously heinous cold conditions) I find that a short-sleeved base layer, a long-sleeved base layer, and a wind shell is plenty enough to keep my core warm.

When it gets colder I might upgrade that long-sleeved base layer to a very light fleece sweater.

Buffs and sometimes a helmet liner or skull cap make a bigger difference than another insulated top.

Outside of that fleece or an insulated jacket aren't things I'd ever wear while riding.  Those are items worn during long stops or at camp, especially on chilly mornings.

[ray b]

I guess important to distinguish between self-contained touring (i.e., packing the warmer layers and lugging them up hills) or day trips.

If packed size and mass don't make a difference, then instead of down, I run a Bouré vest over a Bouré long sleeve medium weight jersey. If really cold or snowy, I put a Gore windstopper and/or Showers Pass jacket over the whole affair. Legs get similar treatment, though a little less.

With touring, the medium weight jersey, vest, and Gore layer give way to some combination of summer long sleeve jersey, down sweater, and POC ultralight rain/wind jacket. (I know - that last is an investment, but it's so light, and packs so small.) This allows for an extreme temperature range of comfortable riding with minimal weight and space in packing.