Winter Clothing - Coat or Jacket

[Bill]

What kind of coat/jacket would you recommend (Manufacturer,Model)?
How warm does it keep you?
Do you feel constricted when wearing it?
Does it effect your riding experience/comfortableness?
Any other comments?

[JonB]

For me it's always (British) Army issue Gore-tex!

I tend to ride off road most of the time though. Doesn't get that hot, but it's defo water and wind proof so it keeps me at a pretty happy temperature (though I generally bimble up the climbs and then bomb down the descents, so if you're exerting a lot more energy on climbs and flats it may get a bit toasty. Doesn't constrict either, as it's one-size-fits-no-one like ALL army kit (not even the US army with their insane budget managed to get it right). I can wear it OVER my camelbak without it getting in the way!

The only downside is you may look very weird if you're a roadie, though if you're a tourer it won't be as bad. You should be able to get some from an army surplus shop somewhere. Oh and if you're an MTBer, crashing with it presents the problem of wearing camo in a (generally) wooded environment so your mates may not see you

[nfmisso]

"winter" here is really tough (not!) so a thin jacket and a light pair of gloves with any long trousers is plenty.

It ain't winter until the snow is knee deep - never is winter here.

[JohnV]

Most winters we can ride in sweats with maybe a long sleeve tee shirt underneath. Doesn't really get cold here too often, at least not what you guys call cold.