Looking for advice on what to wear on a daily commute with a 10ºC range of temperatures.
So, at 7am its 14ºC, dark and with a lot of wind. At 6pm it can go up to 24ºC and windy.
So far, I managed to get away with wearing linen shirt + merino cardigan + linen overshirt: I was warm during the morning and during the evening I would unzip the cardigan and the overshirt and, thanks to the wind and the transpirability of the fabrics, to not be hot.
However, for the last couple of weeks, the temperature dropped hard and it’s not longer enough. I tried some windproof parka, but during the morning it’s cold. With a merino sweater under it, the mornings are warm, but with the parka I’m missing the transpirability and my arms are sweating.
I’m looking to invest in an outer layer that would allow me to maintain a similar setup now and into the winter (with thicker inner layers) when I’m expecting at most 10ºC less. Any advice on what to look for? Im not looking for a specific piece, but I would be able to spend around 200€, but can go higher if needed.
Are removable middle layers the only way forward? I’m mainly looking for alternatives due to logistics. I would have to bring an extra bag and do not trust myself with storing clothes that I actually care about in bags.
Some pieces that I’m looking at is a thick wool overshirt (69% wool, 31% nylon, poly lining) and hoping the wool helps me with the wind, and a mixed suede + cotton jacket (50/50 leather/cotton), but I’m scared to pull the plug in case they dont end up working for this.
12 Replies
I recommend Patagonias Torrentshell as an outer layer. It is wind proof and has zippers under the arm pits for ventilation. You can also easily pack it in a bag if it gets to warm. I sometimes have a similar situation to yours and I usually wear a shirt, a thin wool sweater ( from uniqlo), a denim jacket, and the Torrentshell on top. When it’s extra cold I pack a merino wool scarf. Everything packs up pretty well and fits in my backpack.
So what target temperatures are you looking at? Does 10C less mean 4C in the morning and 14C in the afternoon, or 4C in the morning and the same 24C in the afternoon? Are you spending significant amounts of time outdoors or do you just need to commute in and then spend the day indoors? How's the evening commute?
Love my torrent shell but you need a layer underneath for sure. Sleeves run long too
Fleeces work really well too without a lot of bulk as an insulating layer
Patagonia better sweater is a good option
I’m into backpacking and such and that’s usually my system.. a fleece mid layer, down outer layer if it’s colder. And a shell for wind/rain if needed
Fleece lined pants are nice too lol
The temperature will be as low as 4C-14C, but will usually be above that. I just need something for the commute, will be staying indoors otherwise. The evening commute will be windy and usually with some sun, won’t be with rain
At which level of wind do you usually need the shell when wearing fleece?
Follow-up. Is your commute a lot of standing and sitting around, or are you active (walking / biking)?
Mainly passive, barring when I have to run when I’m late to the train
Got it
Okay, so, here's my opinion. Standing around, 4C is pretty cold, especially if there is wind. To block that out, you basically need one of three options:
- Something so thick it's both warm and fairly wind resistant
- A shell of some sort that mostly blocks out wind, and an underlayer of some sort that keeps you warm
- A combination of the above via layering
Keep in mind that depending on how hot/cold your body runs, and the top layers you choose, this can apply to pants as well.
The fleece is pretty good itself. Usually only wear the shell if it’s raining
For an example of 1: think overcoat. Especially a longer one, which keeps your legs fairly warm. You stand around or walk in your overcoat, it's warm and thick enough that the wind doesn't blow through. The problem can be that if you come back home and it's like 15C, an overcoat is pretty warm. Some overcoats have removable inner layers that are essentially built-in layers, but if you remove them you need to then carry them.
Honestly a Patagonia better sweater, Patagonia nanopuff and Patagonia torrent shell 😂
Good lightweight layering systems
For all weather and will keep you warm pretty cold
Not the best fashion though tbh
It’s techgear
For option 2, there are shelled jackets of various sorts, including things like ski jackets. They do a better job keeping the wind out and therefore can use less insulating material, resulting in less weight. Some of these look, like Bread said, quite tech-y, like ski jackets. I personally use a leather jacket with a (synthetic, unfortunately) fleece underlayer for this, it keeps we quite warm. A little bit oversized and you can huddle into it or layer under it pretty effectively, or more fitted does a better job of keeping the wind out, there are options. Just a leather jacket with no underlining can work, depending on the leather, or an underlining that's quite thin can work too, again, depending on the setup. I find that these are easier when it's not truly cold, because you just unzip them or unbutton them and let the front fly free as you go home, and 15C isn't too warm. Usually. Lots of options here as well
For option 3, well, layering is probably the best way to get the job done, but the awkward or annoying part is that if it's hot you gotta take the layers off, and as you go home that just means carrying one or more layers because it's too warm.
Overall kind of generic advice I know
My own personal preferences for this exact problem are as follows.
1. Leather jacket, lined. Warm down to ~4C and when unzipped fine up to about 15C, even 20C if I just feel cold that day.
2. Wool field jacket or chore jacket, with a flannel shirt underneath, or a light sweater over a normal cotton shirt, keeps me warm as long as I don't just sit there for an hour in 4C weather. Big fan of some leather gloves to add onto this because my fingers getting cold kind of affects my whole mood. Open jacket is enough to be comfortable at higher temps, though as it gets to 15C I'd probably take the jacket off; being light and easy to carry (versus, say, a big ol' overcoat) makes it easy enough.
3. Same as 2, except replace field jacket / chore coat with a thick sport coat (usually a woolen, whether tweed, flannel, etc, or a thick worsted.) Depending on how it is cut, this could run a bit cooler (think 2-button), which means thicker shirt or light sweater or sweater-vest etc underneath, or if it has functional buttons going up (even a storm collar) it can be worn a fair bit warmer.
If you're looking at things like overshirts / light jackets like in (2), go find them in person. Some look like they may work online but obviously will not once you hold them, or vice versa.
Thank you all 3 for your help!