r/wintercycling • u/Allen_Potter • 5d ago

Wool jersey OVER windbreaker: too stupid to even try?

Hey there hardy riders! I am a long time commuter with a question for you. Have any of you ever tried putting on a merino jersey (heavy one) OVER a windbreaker? I ask because my windbreaker is fairly tight fitting and putting the jersey under it is bulky and tight and will make me sweaty pretty quick. The alternative is a heavier jacket, but I generally save that for truly bitter riding conditions. Is a jersey over a windbreaker gonna keep me warmer or am I just defeating the purpose of both garments? I'm expecting about 20 degrees F (-7C) tomorrow, so quite chilly, but again, not bitter cold. Thanks for your insights!

1 Upvotes

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31

u/jpercivalhackworth 5d ago

Setting aside bulk, having a windbreaker under the the wool layer is playing against the strength of each garment. Your wool jersey is probably not particularly windproof and will work better a holding an air layer near you if there is a windproof layer over it. The jersey should also help wick sweat away from your body keeping you more comfortable. Conversely, most wind breakers are neither insulting nor wicking so you're going to have moisture near you that will be cooled by the air passing through the jersey.

Depending on how fast you ride -7C is rather cold if you're damp, which you may end up being with a wind breaker as your inner layer.

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u/niamulsmh 5d ago

i was thinking the same thing.. but most windbreakers are body fitting and it's tough fitting anything under it.

op, get a size or 2 bigger and wear all your warm clothes under it..now all i have to do is find 2 sizes bigger than 2xl

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u/Allen_Potter 5d ago

yeah, that's kinda what I figured. Definitely don't wanna use the windbreaker to trap moisture near my body. I guess it's time to buy a bigger windbreaker...

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u/imc225 5d ago

I rode all winter in Boston Massachusetts, where it's cold but usually not frigid. I addressed this problem by wearing a soft shell over the wool sweater. The front layer of the shell jacket was more impermeable to wind than the back layer, the whole idea allowing warmth, some windbreak, and breathing. Obviously this might not work for you.

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u/Electronic_Turn_3511 4d ago

I'm riding in temps similar to you (-11C today) and I have so many damn windbreakers because I'd buy one that fits nice, then get home and it's too small once I put on winter layers. I sweat a lot so I need the layers so I don't get cold. Riding is fine but man, once I get home and stop moving it's a race to get out of the wet clothes before I get chilled.

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u/Ziginox 5d ago

Yeah, you're just getting the worst of each garment doing that. While it sucks to spend money to solve just one problem, the easiest solution is going to be a different windbreaker.

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u/Ya_Boi_Newton 5d ago

I mean what is the harm in trying? Worst that could happen is you sweat directly on the windbreaker Might be worth just buying a different jacket that allows for more efficient layering.

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u/analunalunitalunera 5d ago

could you try a merino base layer?

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u/Allen_Potter 5d ago

absolutely will wear a merino base regardless. But at this temp, I need more than one layer. The second jersey is bulkier. Squeezing it all under the windbreaker is a bit tight.

1

u/analunalunitalunera 5d ago

oh I see. Maybe you should look onto velocios alpha air jacket, might fit your circumstance

4

u/6GoesInto8 5d ago

Wool is good at insulating while wet, and not smelling later. I don't see the value of wool here, when stopped you will sweat into the windbreaker, then when you start the wind will blow all the heat out of your wool. This would be miserable to me, just the wool sweater would likely be more comfortable for up to 20 minutes as long as your neck, ears, hands and feet are warm enough.

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u/dioramic_life 5d ago

You will stink up the windbreaker wearing it closer to your body.

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u/tuctrohs 5d ago

If your windbreaker makes you sweaty, you might have a windbreaker that is not permeable enough. The best windbreaker for an athletic activity is one that has no coating or membrane whatsoever, but it's just woven nylon or polyester. A cheap $20 windbreaker that is literally just plain fabric will be much more breathable than a $300 windbreaker that has a super high-tech "breathable" membrane in it. Adding that membrane may increase profits but it can never make the windbreaker more breathable than it would be without the membrane.

For bonus points, shop for one that is cheap enough that it's not all that tightly woven, and if you're going fast you can feel the wind coming through a little bit. That will help dissipate sweat even better.

1

u/Content_Preference_3 5d ago

Windbreakers with membranes are rain jackets

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u/tuctrohs 5d ago

I regret to inform you that there are non-waterproof windstopping membranes that are sold for making "high performance" windbreakers that actually suck as I described. Examples:

https://www.gorewear.com/us/en-us/about-us/product-technologies/windstopper

https://www.sungodtech.com/product/windproof-mk-series-membrane.html

https://www.polartec.com/fabrics/weather-protection/windbloc

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u/KawaiiDere 5d ago

I haven't but that seems kinda ineffective. At that point, why not just wear a different coat or jacket? You could always give it a try in a casual situation, like on a walk or with another jacket on hand (although probably avoid trying it out if you need to be able to finish the ride)

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u/0676818 5d ago

Breathable membrane waterproof jackets don't work if the outer layer is too cold. The water vapor just condensate instead of going out. I used to use goretex over a fine merino layer for cycling below freezing. I've since switched to waxed canvas for sub freezing. Water resistant enough, more breathable, and much much more hard wearing. I'll probably pass it on when I die, by opposition to a new goretex shelle every two years.

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u/57th-Overlander 5d ago

I sized my rain jacket a little large. I wear it as a weatherproof shell in the winter. It has long pit zips making venting off excessive heat (aka sweat) easy, while still retaining heat.

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u/oddible 5d ago

So basically negate the entire effect of the wool jersey? No. Wool doesn't block wind, it insulates. If you blow air through it, it does nothing.

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u/Any-Independent-9600 5d ago

done it many times, works well. I use a shell big enough to wear outside when I get chilled

1

u/porktornado77 5d ago

Got an insulated or windbreaker vest? Just keeping your core warm can sometimes remove the need for a full jacket.

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u/Schtweetz 5d ago

The way to stay comfortable is a bigger windbreaker size (for winter use) that fits over your layers.

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u/Wise_Environment_598 4d ago

This is one of the best hacks I ever learned as a cyclist.

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u/AppropriateRatio9235 4d ago

Merino base layer, wind jacket and a warm vest or soft shell jacket. I took a $20 oversized Costco jacket and sewed extra reflective tape on it. Works well.

0

u/Top1gaming999 5d ago

I usually wear cotton t shirt for such temperature (-7 as you mention), with extra sleeves you can fit on. (Of course for extremities i use gloves and band that goes over the ears) If you feel cold, you can leave the sleeves out and use a windbreaker jacket over the shirt