My favorite Pacific Northwest cycling jacket is being made again…
Winter is coming faster than I’d like to admit.
http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/product/1319/2866/mens-vim-hybrid-jacket
What’s awesome about it? The front is water and wind resistant and works well with the normal light showers that we get. The back is open wool which breathes well and vents really well. The weight is good for most of the winter in Seattle (I find it comfy from about 35 up to 55 depending on what I wear under it). It’s also great for cross country skiing.
I have two of these from previous years (the first was sold as the Breakaway, the second was sold as the Dash Hybrid). Then they stopped making them for a couple of years. This one looks similar to the ones that I have, but isn’t exactly the same. On the old jackets the inner lining of the front of the jacket is wool, while on this one it appears to be synthetic. I’m not sure if this means it will stink up more easily. The older designs also had a back pocket, this one has side pockets instead.
That’’s great news!
Here in Vermont, this jacket has proved itself incredibly versatile and super comfortable. Best cold weather cycling jacket I”ve used, by far.
The new iteration seems a bit different though. Do you know if the back panel is lengthened, as on the Breakaway/Dash Hybrid?
Also, I guess the new side pockets will be useful, but I did appreciate the slim, no frills, no flapping, design of the past.
A few more road-visible colors would be nice too. But all that said, I”m really happy they”re bringing this jacket back. I need another in a smaller size for non-layered Spring/Fall riding.
Thanks for the tip!
I totally set my eyes to scan for the “Waldo” wearing the jacket in the photo.
As summer closes I always wonder how I make it through the dark wet season. Some where in my mind I have imprinted that it really is not dumping all the time. And as soon as we turn the corner on Dec 22 it’’s enough to have hope again for camping in 4 more months.
John — I don”t know the specifics of this jacket. If you or anyone else wants to call Ibex and find out I”ll update this entry.
Andre — Dark/wet season doesn”t bother me too much. I certainly can”t complain about 2009, we were camping in April and I plan to be camping again in October. I tried to find a photo of me wearing the jacket, but it was already too warm in photos from our bike rides last spring for me to be using it much.
Alex, I chatted with someone at Ibex briefly about this jacket. She told me it is their update on the D.Hybrid and is intended to work for cycling as far as the fit is concerned. Available in red, black and titanium (whatever that is). They”re currently out of stock but are expecting a batch to land next week sometime.
$200 isn”t cheap but this is something I”ll wear a lot. I”m sure I”ll get one soon.
One potential issue I”m wondering about. The back panel doesn”t appear to drop down like the dash does. I have a Vim on the way — I hope it rules as much as the Dash does. I love that jacket. I noticed that there’’s no Dash pant this year, which is a shame, b/c that’’s a great pant — same deal, with the wind/rain front and wool on the back.
How’’s the sizing on these? I found a Dash Hybrid for sale online, but only in XL. I”m right between a L and XL depending on the clothing, especially if something is expected to shrink in the laundry.
L fits me well Jimmy. You can borrow it to try if you”d like.
Here is a similar one that I like a lot:
http://www.kucharikclothing.com/ultimate-wool-jacket-p-390.html?osCsid=5af16b6577e3822715a9cacfc26352f5