Advice on layering with mesh jacket for cooler weather

[Guest]

Hi everyone.

I have a jacket I purchased online, fits ok, has armor, and is a mesh armored jacket meant for hotter weather.
(Makes sense since when I purchased it from ebay the former owner was in Hawaii).

Since I live in Ohio and temperatures get just a little bit colder than Hawaii and I don't have the cash for a second jacket, does anyone have any suggestions for layering ?

I tried a fleece under the jacket but the wind cut through it.

I was thinking maybe a windbreaker might help.

any ideas other than the obvious (Get a different jacket, moron) ?


thanks


sean

[Crankthat]

I use old or newer snowboarding jackets.
Some days leather that has no armour.
Just about anything wind proof that will not flap around or sail at highway speeds.

[Buffalo Bill]

Try any wind breaking jacket OVER the mesh, just stop the air from blowing through it and it'll be ok.
A rain jack will stop wind blowing through.

[Dogma]

Eventually, you're going to want a serious rain suit, one made for riding (can withstand high winds and long enough to not leak in the middle, I use Tour Master). Jacket and pants sets are somewhere in the $80 area, and they make an awesome windbreaker. With just the rain jacket over the mesh jacket and a heavy shirt, I can ride comfortably down to about 60°F. Lower for short trips through town. Lower than that and I need to get out the heavy gloves and maybe wear some pants under the mesh pants. I use MX knee and shim armor, which makes a good wind break for the legs (foam knee pads in the mesh pants move around too much). To go below 50°F, I need the rain jacket and pants, Jeans under the mesh pants and armor, a heavy shirt under the mesh jacket, balaclava and well-insulated gloves. That's still on the cold side, so I think heated gloves or vest would be the next step for me. A fairing or windshield would change all that, too, but I can only tolerate the windshield as a cold-weather tool.

I hate liners that zip into or onto mesh gear. They're a pain to use, they only sort of work, and they make the gear not fit well.

The good thing about rain gear is that it's made to go on over your armor, and it goes on as easy as putting on another jacket. I recommend trying it on with your gear, since I have no idea how to size it otherwise. You're in Hamilton, so I'd recommend going to see the guys at Sport Tour (map). That's where I bring my wheels to get tires ($25 to mount, if you bring just the wheel), and most of my recent gear buys have been there. Also, there's no telling what kind of interesting bike you'll see in the lot.

[gsgeezer]

Also check out: www. cyclegear.com.
I checked out there booth at recent event in NYC. They are quite helpful and the prices are good. They have layering gear on sale now. I also have used raingear over armored mesh. It does work fine, too.

[salty_monk]

Get something windproof over the top of it. At that point the mesh acts as an air spacer and functions as an insulator. Put plenty of thin layers underneath it. A balaclava under the helmet makes a huge difference to whole body temps too.

[mrbill5491]

With my Tour Master air intake mesh jacket, I'll install the rain liner to break the wind off and use the cool weather line under it, Worked a lot better then I gave it credit for. . I also had a tshirt and heavy long sleeve cotton shirt on as well. It was nice and toasty in the low 40s with it all that on.

[Notz]

"Get something windproof over the top of it" - "A balaclava under the helmet makes a huge difference to whole body temps too."
As salty_monk said is sound advice. That and a warm pair of gloves make a world of difference in cold weather riding.

I have a box of windbreakers earmarked for goodwill, you're welcome to them as you're in Ohio and not too far away.
PM me anytime you want to stop by and take what you need.

[GS1150Pilot]

And make this your base layer.

http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=34422266&gclid=CjwKEAjwuuy4BRCvs43g9fX9mz4SJACiYydPBF0bNWzZ5oDWwIqTS3QDqV2AlJi7mwJpLUv5gIHyVxoCU97w_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds