The last few days appear to have tested my trusty old waterproof cycling jacket to destruction. Any recommendations for a replacement? I am after something bright (not necessarily fluro-yellow), very waterproof and properly breathable. I don't mind investing a bit of cash in this as it will get almost daily use.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help
Waterproof Jacket
(17 posts)- Started 12 years ago by Morningsider
- Latest reply from cb
- This topic is
not a support question
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Posted 12 years ago #
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I've been happy with Altura.
Various breathability/price options.
You could spend less - or a lot more.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Can't remember if it's Altura or Endura I have, and it's drying with the bike in the work garage. It's a sort of khaki green colour, but the reflective strips are BRILLIANT when it gets darker. However, I'm not convinced of the durability when worn on a very regular basis. The lining inside has fallen to pieces - but still keeps me dry, which is the main thing I guess. But because of the lining, and general worn appearance, I'm looking at updating soon too!
Posted 12 years ago # -
I had an old Altura jacket which was great, got a new "night vision" one in grey about a year ago, may be a one off but it's not nearly as good as the old one, the wet seems to soak into the cuffs and it leaks into the front train ticket pocket and in very bad weather (like last night at about 2200) through the front and side zips.
It's not bad, but neither is it great.
Posted 12 years ago # -
That's what I've got! The Night Vision. Sounds a similar experience.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Does anyone know what happened to Freestyle, who used to make all the best cycling jackets 15 years ago? I still have my (ancient) Courier jacket which has been reproofed at least twice. I also use a 2005-ish Gore Path XCR jacket that still does the business, although the velcro on the cuffs and storm flap is pretty much useless now.
I bought the Gore simply because it fitted me better than every other one I tried on. Had I been Altura Nevis shape, I would probably have bought that instead. I like the idea of Gore Paclite, but it tends to work best with a long-sleeve baselayer on underneath to avoid feeling clammy.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Gore® Paclite™ works best with something very absorbent/hygroscopic around the wrists to avoid feeling sodden.
"...the wet seems to soak into the cuffs..."
Definitely seepage from outside rather than precipitation from inside?
Posted 12 years ago # -
Worth searching for Jeantex jackets on eBay/Amazon. They are a German brand, very high quality, various colour / style / price options. I picked up a red cycling jacket in Münster in 2007 and it's still going strong. My wife bought an orange/grey rain cape at the same time, so far so good. My son has had a jacket and a rain cape for 2 years and they're great. I also have waterproof trousers, shoe covers, helmet and saddle covers from the same company. All very good quality. They don't have a big distribution in the UK but you can find stuff online: not as much as a couple of years ago though.
Posted 12 years ago # -
@Winpig, Definately, I wasn't working that hard! Unfortunately i have long experience of knackered waterproofs and pouring rain :-(
(I used to work in the West Coast ;-))Posted 12 years ago # -
Thanks all for the advice. I agree about the night vision jackets, I bought one a few years ago but found the waterproofing to be very poor and reverted back to a years old Nevis. The newer Nevis seems to be of a far poorer quality and the experience with the night vision has put me off Altura jackets.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Plus too many Altura Nightvision Garments = The Amazing Cycling Zebra.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Freestyle have completely disappeared...
I'm looking to replace my ancient Freestyle Gore-tex jacket too (although unexpected tandem purchase has put that back a year or so!).
I considered eVent instead of Gore-tex, probably best represented by the Pace 3x3:
http://www.pacecycles.com/?page_id=132
Endura used to use eVent but now use their own, less breathable (purely going by the specs) alternative.
Finally almost settled on the Paramo Quito:
http://www.paramo.co.uk/en-gb/garments/detail/index.php?pgc=NIKWAXANALOGYLIGHTJACKETQUITOUNISEX
But wanted to try one on before spending so much (~£165 shopping around) - the fabric appears to be witchcraft and Tiso's have some of their walking jackets (but not the Quito) if you want a feel. The fabric is the only one to depart from the semi-permeable membrane approach and might just be breathable enough for our Scottish monsoon season.
Anyway, one for next year...
Robert
Posted 12 years ago # -
notice this on the bike chain fb page:
Its wet very wet so Just in case you forgot The Bike Chain sells bicycle specific garments designed to keep you dry. The Madison Stratus jackets is only £33.00 or for more waterproofness the Stellar has the MTec 500 fabric and is great value at £70.00. Oh yeah they come with a life time warranty as well!
Madison Stellar II Jkt Men X-Large YW - The Bike Chain, Online Cycle and Bike Clothing Shop
http://www.thebikechain.co.uk
Madison Stellar II Jkt Men X-Large YW: Light, breathable and waterproof, yet stylishly reflective, the Stellar is the ultimate commuter's jacket. With a technical cut for unbeatable fit, and hi-viz rePosted 12 years ago # -
At the topper end of the market -
http://www.rapha.cc/paul-smith-city-rain-jacket
Currently 43% off!!
Posted 12 years ago # -
I've used goretex jackets for years too and prefer the heavier 3 ply material as the inner protects the 'egg shell' material that Goretex is. The lighter jackets have a thinner outer and no inner material and it prone to wearing out. I have this:
Endura Luminite Cycling Waterproof Jacket
which has seen me through this year and has a nifty LED light in the pocket incase you forget your lights. The batery lasts ages.
Dave C
Posted 12 years ago # -
Goretex ActiveShell is the latest Goretex fabric, supposedly their most breatheable. Goretex ProShell (not quite so new), is less breathable but more hard wearing. I reckon you can get away with a less robust fabric on a bike compared with, say, hill walking.
eVent also meant to be very good fabric. Nikwax Analogy is very breathable but requires regular reproofing. It's also supposed to be warmer than other fabrics so good if you run cold.
Having a mesh liner on a jacket helps a lot to reduce condensation.
Posted 12 years ago #
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