Wet wet wet - waterproof jacket?

RufusA

Seeing as this summer is rapidly turning in to Autumn, with no sign of the rain letting up, I think it's about time I stopped pratting about and got myself some reasonable cycling specific wet weather globber.

Top of the list is a waterproof jacket for commuting.

I'm looking for something that is waterproof, versatile, long enough to cover my backside, and won't leave me feeling like I've been hours in a steam room. Should also be tough so can cope with 2 years daily use and abuse.

Nice to haves would be reflective bits for night-time. Something that doesn't sound like crumpling crisp packets when you move, or feel like you've got clammy wet bags strapped to your [bare] arms. Would also be good if I could use it all year round, and had a waterproof pocket or two!

What's the perceived wisdom as to what is best for commuting, and also what would meet most of the criteria but be the "value for money" option.

Many thanks - Rufus (still wet).

Jacomus-rides-Gen

Personally I detest waterproofs, because I get just as wet through sweat. My all weather (ok, maybe I'll don a softshell jacket when it snows I only wore it 3 times last year) is arm and leg warmers, my jersey and a Gore gilet. But that only comes out if its properly raining, or very cold.

I don't mind being wet as long as I'm a stable temperature.

lateralus

+1. I found a wtaerproof jacket just turned me into a mobile sauna.

JustRidecp

Jacomus-rides-Gen wrote:

Personally I detest waterproofs, because I get just as wet through sweat. My all weather (ok, maybe I'll don a softshell jacket when it snows I only wore it 3 times last year) is arm and leg warmers, my jersey and a Gore gilet. But that only comes out if its properly raining, or very cold.

I don't mind being wet as long as I'm a stable temperature.

I hear you Jacomus. I've got plenty of expensive lightweight jackets that I use for mountaineering and find them useless when cycling. I find that even eVent and Paclite leave me in a sweaty mess - Same with my ME softshell and reserve them for all but the very coldest weather. From all activities I do wheather it be cycling, running mountaineering or climbing even with the best kit, you'll invariably get wet wheather it be sweat or water - the important thing - as you said is not to get cold.

I find a good baselayer works very well. I use a lifa in autumn and spring and an Icebreaker in the cold winter under my jersey. These are both designed to do their job when wet, esp the icebreaker. Arm and leg warmers are a godsend too. I think I may ditch the softshell altogether this winter and get a gilet to protect the core of my body from bad windchill.

xio

I've got a Gore jacket - it's windproof, the back zips out (to leave a mesh back) and the sleeves zip off to leave a gilet. It aint properly waterproof for all the above reasons but it keeps most of the crap off and is showerproof without being sweaty.

Shadowduck

I can't speak from personal experience, but I've heard some good things about Altura's Night Vision jacket, might be worth a look if you do decide to go down the waterproof route. As a matter of fact I'm on the verge of ordering one myself.

I can live without waterproofs in light rain but when it comes to a wintery deluge I find it keeps me relatively cool and non-sweaty even in the non-breathable ultra-cheap pac-a-mac I use at the moment. I'm obviously not pedalling as hard as the people who get wet through with sweat!

Ben_H

If you're determined to buy a waterproof - my advice is spend a little more money and get a proper breathable one - over the years I bought 2 cheap ones - and now I never wear them. Finally spent a bit more cash and my third jacket (Gill) is excellent and I never get too hot in it.

Having said that I don't start wearing it until it gets cold as well ! Way to warm at the moment for me to think about wearing a waterproof.

Ben

this is the one I have http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=9938 a bit of a steal for £39.99

ddraver

CRC have got some serious offers on at the moment!!

Hairy Jock

Altura Nevis great jacket.

donnie murdo

Howies make some excellent jackets for cycling and they have a sale on at the moment.

Check here:

http://www.howies.co.uk/section.php/8/0

overmars

lateralus wrote:

+1. I found a wtaerproof jacket just turned me into a mobile sauna.

+2.

I have one and it weren't cheap either. Unless it's rain of Biblical proportions, I'd rather go without.

Flycatcher

I'll second the Altura Night Vision. Does everything the OP asked about. I've got one in yellow but I think the black looks really smart and may have to get one!

A - W

I have a gill something or other, very nice and can be worn off the bike also. Really nice, light wind and water proof.

pompey

I've had the Gore Cross paclite jacket for about a year now - very impressed, after sweating horribly in an Altura Nevis for a number of years. It's very lightweight, and you can just screw it up into a ball without affecting the waterproofness so you only wear it when you really need it - otherwise you can carry it in a pocket.

And although I'll concede that you do still get sweaty, it does a very good job of getting a lot of moisture out.

Also, 20% off at wiggle, though they seem to be out of stock at the moment.

Jimbosome

Santa bought me an Endura Event jacket last year. No sweat. It really worked for me.

fluff.

Endura Event works for me as well, dry inside and out.

trailtrash

Night Vision here too - big zippable vents down both sides stops inside getting as wet as outside, zip pocket on back and reflecty bits. Tempted to get one of the Foska jackets with the reflective skeleton design though, just cos it looks cool!