Road Trip- Jacket Suggestions

[dan88z]

I'm heading out in a couple weeks for a 10-12 day, loose agenda trip down to SC, then over to the NC/TN mountains, and following the mountain roads into VA, WV, into PA, and back to DE.

I'm working out my gear/packing list. I can't decide on what jacket or combo of jackets to bring. I don't want to over pack, but the last time I went on a long trip, I didn't bring a full coverage jacket since it was July, only a mesh with a liner, and suffered in some colder/damp weather. The other side of this is my Concours has a lot more wind protection than that bike had and I find myself more often too warm than too cold.  

My choices are like this:

textile touring type jacket- 3/4 length, supposed to be waterproof but I've never tested it (I have sprayed it with silicone, especially on the seams just in case).
Pros- wide temp range of coverage, high vis color, water resistant
Cons- too warm above 80, bulky to store when not wearing

mesh jacket that has a wind/rain liner
Pros- better for hot weather, layerable with rain liner and a fleece underneath, very comfortable
Cons- need too many layers if it's cold in the mountains, limited rain coverage due to jacket type

Kevlar mesh shirt- I'll bring this if I go with the 3 season jacket, so I have something for the hot weather. Probably bring it if I use the mesh too, it's a good under layer if it gets real cold

I also have some Frog Toggs I leave in the saddlebag in case it gets worse than a shower or steady light rain.

What do you guys think, how would you go if given these options?  

[ConPilot1]

Mesh jacket + pants---take the liners and a fleece

Thin poly wicking shirts-cheap at Walmart---long sleeve ones, they're more comfortable under a jacket. Three will do ya on a trip.
They rinse out quickly anywhere and dry in 15 minutes flat in the sunshine.

Frogg toggs or other rainsuit.

You're covered. It's summer on the East Coast. Only time you'll run into cooler temps is high in the mountains, in the early morning.


Make sure you wear and use a Camelbak with that mesh jacket.

[squeezer]

Connie's right. This time of year, that 3/4 length jacket is just extra weight and space.

I'll be riding through the Rockies in about 10 days and that's what I'm taking.

[dan88z]

Have the mesh pants, Olympia Airglide 3 with liner. I'll wear either some wicking warmup pants or these light fishing/hiking pants underneath, add the liner if it's cold.
Have the wicking shirts, already on the list (that's pretty much all I ride in)
Have the camelbak.

I've been leaning towards the mesh jacket all along, but that 6 hours of 50 degree damp/cold weather thru PA on the last trip keeps coming to mind. I was wishing I had packed my heavier jacket the whole time! Maybe I can see where I'm at once everything is loaded up and if there is enough room, squeeze the 3/4 jacket in.

[Cablebandit]

Mesh.  It doesn't really get COLD this time of the year.  If YOU get cold just toss the rain jacket on over it.

[Kramer]

Yep, ditch the 3/4.  You'll be dealing with heat a lot more than cool.

[Specter]

I have to go against the advice above and recommend the 3/4 textile. On a trip that long, you don't know what you'll get into, and the textile will be better in almost all of it. It will save you the hassle of rain gear, and most of these jackets have good ventilation options and removable liners. The hi-viz also stays pretty cool from the reflective lighter color. I've worn mine to 114 and been reasonably comfortable, as long as I kept hydrated. the trick is to let in enough air to let your perspiration be effective, but not enough to blast hot air across all your skin. You didn't mention the brasnd, but I've never had leaks with either First Gear or Joe Rocket. First Gear is my choice these days.

Mesh above 93 degrees will make you hotter, as the wind works like a convection oven. It also speeds dehydration. Wear good wicking underwear like LDComfort underneath and you're good for a wide range of temps.