cross-posted from: https://feddit.de/post/4891794
So I recently got into this community and as Winter is slowly approaching I am looking to buy and keep following items for quite some time:
a jacket: should keep me warm enough to around -5°C but as I cycle my commute should keep be too warm on its own, it does rain a lot (snows less often) so that should be kept in mind as well
a pair of shoes that fit the same criteria mentioned for the jacket.
Also, my budget for both items is not too high (~100€) per product.
If this does not fit any rules for posting, please tell me so & if this is the wrong Subreddit tell me too :)
I would also definitely second using a standalone rain jacket. Even the best rain jackets are going to end up holding some humidity in depending on how hard you bike, so you want to be able to go without a rain jacket when you can.
When you aren’t wearing the rain jacket, you want to be wearing something that acts as a decent windbreaker. The warmest sweaters don’t work too well when you are on a bike moving fast. Puffy jackets are nice cause they pack down small, and generally block wind well. Like mentioned above, down doesn’t work as well when wet, and synthetic fill is cheaper anyway. You can get a puffy jacket used to save some money. I’m not too convinced that one brand’s synthetic filling is better than another’s, just get something with a decent amount of filling, and wash the jacket according to the instructions to help fluff it up.
For an actual waterproof layer, I wouldn’t try to get used, unless it looks in really good shape. When the membrane on the inside of the jacket starts to break down, there’s nothing you can do. Just get something preferably 2.5 or 3 layer. Look in my comment history for an explanation of what that means. Armpit zippers are going to be really important. I’m not sure what brands are available to you, but try to find a brand that’s been around for a while that’s not really trendy. Patagonia makes good stuff, but it is expensive, and you can get a jacket made from materials that are just as good for 1/3rd of the price. Quickly googling European brands that might work, I found there’s eu standard 343:2019 that rates the waterproofness of work clothing. Something with a 4/4 rating looks like it would be good. I was just looking at engelbert Strauss. No clue if they are actually a reputable brand, but seems cheap and effective.
For shoes, it’s a bit harder. I just wore boots when I had to bike in winter, but I think using gaiters is probably the best way now. That way you could wear whatever shoes you like, but keep water and wind out. It’s nice to keep any road grime off of your shoes and lower pants.