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Windproof layers: what's best?

sanjuro

sanjuro

Rider
Joined
Jul 1, 2009
Location
Oaklamd
Moto(s)
GSX-R 1000
Name
Steve
I'm thinking about the best way to prevent windchill without buying a whole new jacket.

I've worn an uninsulated windbreaker under my perforated leather jacket, and I was good in the Bay Area 50 degree temps. I have a three-season jacket, I was thinking would a windshirt without a front zip improve my warmth.

For the absolute cheapest solution, would a sauna suit top, the kind which athletes wear to sweat off the weight, keep out the wind?
 
btw got me thinking about windproof layers is this vest from Fox, not cheap for $100.

61iXD2yvsfL._AC_UL1500_.jpg
 
I haven't tried this but I've been told that windproof golf pullovers work great. Some are thin enough to fit under moto jackets, stop the wind, and still allow for lots of upper body movement.
 
There are lots of light, windproof bicycle jackets out there - maybe one of those would work.
 
Windproofing only does so much. Below 50 degrees you need insulation.
 
I've been wearing my Duluth Trading Shoreman's Fleece windproof vest for years and it's been the best. They used to carry a full line of Shoreman's stuff and I have a jacket, parka, and a hat made from the stuff and it is all great. Have had it for years and still looks like it did when I bought it. This is the latest model vest, a little fancier than mine. No choice of color right now but can't beat the price. I'm going to order another one for me and my husband to keep just in case they drop the line...


https://www.duluthtrading.com/s/DTC/mens-shoremans-fleece-gridlock-vest-76251.html?color=KCC#reviews
 
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Joe_13 said:
Put the shell on the outside of your perforated leather.
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This is what I do. I have bought a standard rain coat in size XXXL and wear it over my jacket when I need the extra wind protection. It really makes a difference. Not that cool looking but keeps me toasty.
 
Wearing a XL waterproof shell outside of my Darien does the trick for me when I leave the house early in the morning. I remove and stow the shell by a 9:30am stop. By 11am, I remove and stow the neck gaiter.
 
I bought a rain jacket at Bi-Mart in the PNW in 2017. It is still my absolute favorite windbreaker and wet weather piece of gear. Both my Aerostiches are old and no longer waterproof. I believe it's a Viking Brand, it was $50, it withstood a crash with only some small tears and still works like a charm. It's really heavy duty, too. Like i said, I bought it for the rain protection but found that it's the best at wind protection.

Another, lighter layer I love came from Gall's and they still offer it:

https://www.galls.com/lawpro-flannel-lined-windbreaker

It's an absolute favorite piece of lightweight kit. I can jam it in a tailbag and have a solid layer to add if it gets chilly.
 
KLIM and be done.
Worked in iceland, supplement with a merino wool sweater under the Goretex shell or heated vest when needed.
 
two wheel tramp said:
I bought a rain jacket at Bi-Mart in the PNW in 2017. It is still my absolute favorite windbreaker and wet weather piece of gear.
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Back when I was a young punk (early ‘80s) I bought a one-piece rain suit from Bi-Mart to ride in. It was straight-up plastic, just thick yellow vinyl. The zipper wasn’t even a normal zipper. It was more like a zip loc bag closure.

That ugly thing kept me dry and warm riding year-round in Eugene for years. Absolutely waterproof, and completely wind proof. A layer or two of insulation underneath and I just didn’t care how cold and/or wet it was.
 
Tally Whacker said:
Back when I was a young punk (early ‘80s) I bought a one-piece rain suit from Bi-Mart to ride in. It was straight-up plastic, just thick yellow vinyl. The zipper wasn’t even a normal zipper. It was more like a zip loc bag closure.

That ugly thing kept me dry and warm riding year-round in Eugene for years. Absolutely waterproof, and completely wind proof. A layer or two of insulation underneath and I just didn’t care how cold and/or wet it was.
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So you're an old punk now? Ha!

That sounds sweaty as hell in the wrong weather but when the alternative is being soaking wet in the rain I'll take it.
 
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two wheel tramp said:
So you're an old punk now? Ha!

That sounds sweaty as hell in the wrong weather but when the alternative is being soaking wet in the rain I'll take it.
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I am an old punk now. In the last few months I’ve been to a bunch of punk shows- X, The Exploited, The Dickies and TSOL.




And yeah, that vinyl rain suit was sweaty as hell in the wrong weather, but as you say- sometimes it beat the alternative.
 
ocoas said:
It’s not the sweating I mind it’s the smell, especially the next time you need to wear it!
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Wow! Your post bought back a figment of smell memory about my yellow velcro closure rain suit from the 80s. Guess that's why outdoor rain suits all have a mesh opening on the back nowadays and no more PCV type material.
 
A couple years back I did a fly-and-ride with just a carry-on backpack. Arrived in 85F Connecticut wearing rally/desert gear, picked up a vintage H-D lowrider with no windshield, and headed west.

Contrary to the 70-90F forecast, the first taste of winter came early. It was cool and occasionally wet in the midwest but I pressed on, warming up while getting food.

In Sturgis at last, the big H-D dealer had plenty of stock. I got a rainsuit, heavy waterproof gloves, and continued west on I-90.

WY, Montana, crossing the Rockies, and the Idaho panhandle were tough. The first breath of winter, 30-40F fierce headwind for 500 miles, slapping my beaked dual-sport helmet around. 65 mph top speed into the wind in 5th. Everyone (including semis) passing me doing 80 (that's Montana for ya). Approaching hypothermia, noticeable cognitive impairment.

Near Missoula the vintage fuel line let go. I stared at the liquid in a stupor - hey, my bike is not liquid cooled. Called my local buddy, barely able to form words at this point. He realized I was close to the H-D (multi-brand, really) dealer in Missoula, and I rolled in there dripping fuel.

Straight to the front of the queue in Service, a few hours and much coffee later, the fuel line replaced as best they could since it was a pre-formed line and of course not available, I continued to WA. Made it in one piece, didn't even get sick, quite an adventure.

But that H-D rainsuit over the ADV summer gear sure made the difference between impossibility and major suck.

Of course, it would have been nice to have been more prepared, and if I were on a tour on my GS, I'd have the kitchen sink along. But this bike had no luggage provisions and nowhere decent to strap anything down, and I had just the one carry-on, so no tools of any kind either.

In sum, almost anything is doable with a bit of grit and determination. I wouldn't stress about a half hour 50F commute.

As someone mentioned, bicycle gear has some amazing options. I have skin-tight single layer Assos and Castelli windproof, waterproof gear that's good for 25F fat biking on (optionally) studded tires around here. Something like an intermediate weather bicycle layer under a riding jacket may well do the trick for that terrible Bay Area winter.
 
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