Forum: bicycles.stackexchange.com
Tags: <winter><jacket>
Title: Looking for coat: shell front, fleece back
Question: Looking for a good fall/winter/spring coat. In my imagination it is: a hard raincoat type shell on the front of the jacket to block wind and fleece on the back to make it extremely breathable.  Looking to use it in Ottawa, Ontario in temperatures between +5C to -10C (although that is flexible, I wouldn't mind having to layer or figure out something cooler for warmer weather).    Bonus: It should also have some kind of reflective material.    Does this coat exist? Where can I find it?

Answers:
sents: text: Things like this are out there.
text: Look at the suppliers of mountaineering clothing as well as cycle manufacturers for innovative use of contrasting fabrics for ventilation.
text: I have an older model of this jacket: http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/mens-wind-shield-pullover?p=24991-0-425
text: It treats me pretty well--wind-proof front, but with fleecy breathable arms and back.
text: I believe that, in Canada, MEC carries Patagonia clothing.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/710/DC_CARR
score: 2
sents: text: Rivendell sells the MUSA Windshield , which covers the front of your torso.
text: This could be worn over a fleece base jacket.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/2869/con5013d
score: 2
sents: text: In Europe, it is sold by Decathlon .
text: You can order it here (I don't know if they deliver in Canada).
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/444/GvS
score: 1
sents: text: I am using an Endura Windchill .
text: Even though it does not fit your initial description, I have found it excellent for autumn/early winter use.
text: It has soft shell fabric in front, on top of arms and shoulders and even more breathable fabric in the back and under the arms.
text: I have worn it with a microfiber liner shirt and a thin merino middle layer at approximately 0 degrees Celsius with good results.
text: In slightly colder weather (around -5C)
text: I replace the base layer with another merino shirt.
text: I expect to wear it for most of the winter with merino+fleece layers underneath.
text: Water resistance is excellent, it does not get soaked through even after several hours of moderate rain.
text: At the same time it breathes very well as it does not have a hard shell layer.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/3053/espu
score: 1
sents: text: ski gear.
text: water prof, light weight, bright colors, and WARM.
text: my BURTON jacket even has a pocket made for an i-pod, and loops for headphone wires.
text: now how cool is that?
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/4155/michael
score: 1
sents: text: When I used to row I had the exact opposite top layer - a sleeveless gilet with a fleece front and a shell back (highlighting where water typically splashed up at you).
text: The gilet was long enough in the back to be able to be sat on while rocked over.
text: Given the hunched nature of the riding position when battling into a headwind in the rain, I've often worn this as the top layer on those inclement days.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/425/Unsliced
score: 0
sents: text: I love Ibex stuff.
text: I have a vest similar to this - http://shop.ibex.com/Outlet/Mens/Momentum-Jacket
text: I own numerous ibex items and I would highly recommend them.
text: Wool on the back and the front is wind/rain resistant.
text: In bright orange, it is highly visible and the $135 price tag for ibex is a steal.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/1068/john busteed
score: 0

Summary of the answers:
Coats with a shell front and fleece back do exist. It is worth looking at the suppliers of mountaineering clothing and skiing gear as well as cycle manufacturers for innovative use of contrasting fabrics for ventilation.  Endura Windchill and Burton manufacture such items and stores like MEC in Canada and Decathlon in Europe carry them.
This kind of clothing is available, often using contrasting fabrics in different places that may need more weather protection, insulation and ventilation depending on the activity, and offering pockets for electronics and other gear. Mountaineering and ski clothing can be useful. Recommended brands include Patagonia, the MUSA Windshield by Rivendell, Decathlon, the Endura Windchill, Burton and Ibex.