Tony, I haven't read the thread, but it sounds like you're looking for a race fit full zip. They're very comfortable riding and don't bunch up. I always have some stuff in my back pockets... no issues. Personally, I don't miss 3/4 zips at all. The fabrics are very cool. We have a good deal of up and down here as well, and yes, even hot weather from time to time.
^^^ This!
I only buy full-zip these days because I'm a guy who sweats a
lot (genetics!) and likes to be able to fully unzip on long, hot climbs. I'm a little bit taller than
@KevinF and have no qualms about pulling both hands from my bars to re-zip.
And yes, the race fit full-zip jerseys are the way to go. The cut on these has a far shorter front than back under the (usually safe for a racer-type) assumption that your riding position will be fairly low over the handlebar. If you ever see pro racers standing around in their kit, you'll see the fronts of their jerseys are often quite short, yet when they're in riding position the back side of the jersey covers things fairly nicely (notably with bib shorts - i.e. the only proper shorts to wear, per my experience).
I still own a fair number of 3/4-zip jerseys (even in race cut), but these days unless the jersey is
really compelling, it's only full-zip for me.
And speaking to
@cantunamunch's comment about shoulder mobility issues, that's such a valid point. Those of us with trick shoulders have a far easier time with donning and doffing full-zip jerseys.
I'm not saying that there isn't a market for 3/4-zip jerseys. Some folks find the cut more flattering, others like that the whole thing stays together for laundering, etc. And there are some out there if you hunt around, mostly in club/relaxed cuts.