Winter Jacket with proper pockets

amc

I'm looking for Santa to buy me a new winter jacket.
I ideally want something soft shell, windproof and water resistant, something that can be worn everyday on a 13 mile commute and suitable for club rides and winter reliablity rides too.
I loved the Gore Cosmo windstopper but it doesn't have proper cycle jersey pockets for those longer winter rides. I don't know about most people but i need at least a couple of pockets for food, pump, map, wallet, phone, rain cape, etc etc.
I don't understand how these jackets can get top marks in the various reviews without having proper pockets. The Cosmo was a great fit but it would be £100 odd down the drain as i wouldn't have anywhere to bung my bananas and sarnis etc - the horizontal zip pocket is too small and fiddly.
It's the same with the Gill and Endura i tried on.
Ok rant over - the ones i did like were:
Gore Phantom (but no waste tighener to stop flapping and keep me warm)
Assos airblock (amazing fit, with pockets but looks a bit weird and of course the price).
I've not tried a Pace event yet but i'd appreciated any comments on the above jackets or suggestions for other ones to try.
Many thanks.

graeme_s-2

I recently bought an Altura Reflex Windproof jacket and like it very much. It has two proper rear jersey-style pockets, and then a third small zip pocket (fine for keys/mobile phone something like that). Only downside for me so far is it's a very warm jacket, but then I suspect I don't feel the cold as much as some.

portuguese mike

I've got an assos airblock and it's the best single piece of kit i have. it's very comfy, warm , windpoof and showerproof and has four deep pockets and a zip up pocket for keys etc.

it is pricey and you do look like captain scarlet (tho mines yellow) but i'd buy another definltely

Monty Dog

See if you can track down a Gore Tool - it's got three external pockets on the back, plus small zipped one as well as a zipped Napoleon pocket on the front. It's been replaced by a new model, but I'm not sure whether it's got the same number of pockets.

PeteinSQ

If you don't mind the way that the Foska jackets look (I know some people don't like them) they are good winter jackets. Very warm, pretty waterproof and with proper pockets.

robbarker

Alongside the usual assortment of Roubaix lycra, gore-tex and race capes, I have just splashed out on one of these:

http://www.hilltrek.co.uk/acatalog/Cycl ... acket.html

You won't have heard of them because they don't market heavily in the cycling press but for commuting/touring/audax/base training I can't imagine a more practical bit of kit.

If you've never come across Ventile before., be in for a pleasant suprise. II's the best kept secret in outdoor fabrics. It is very fibre soft-feeling cotton, but it is so tightly woven it's weatherproof.

A double-layered jacket is effectively waterproof, certainly sufficient for a few hours riding in steady rain. It's also completely windproof and as breathable as you'd expect normal 100% cotton to be.

It absolutely comes into its own on those cool drizzly days when you need to keep putting a cape on and the next minute, taking it off again, or in driving windblown drizzle that has a habit of finding its way into Gore-tex tops.

The only pain is the care - it's handwash in Granger's liquid soap only.

The Hilltrek one is handmade and I'm sure they'd make one to individual spec, but the cycling version does have lots of zipped pokets in sensible places, including big ones on your kidneys big enough for a cape (though you don't need one) or warm layer,and OS map. Colour choice is very limited - I have a red one which is probably the smartest.

You won't look like you're training for next years TdF, but if you match this with a good merino wool baselayer, you have a very cosy, comfy and pleasant outift.

I haven't found anything to beat Assos tights though :-)

mdg1157

Assos airblock (i've got the captain scarlet one!!) Toasty warm, totally windproof, and not too bad in the rain for short periods. Only worn a light helly hansen under it so far, but have never felt cold yet. oh yeah, has 4 really good size pockets. (matching tights coming for xmas I hope!)

Brian B

Another vote for the Assos Airblock. I only got mine this year and I think its the best piece of clothing that I own for cycling. It is pricey but as said above it comes with four pockets and keeps you nice and toasty.

robbarker

My Assos airblock fell apart. I must be unlucky!

cyclingfury

I go with Monty Dog. The Gore Tool is a superb jacket. It's cheaper than Assos and its performance is second to none. I wear mine all through the winter and wouldn't be without it. It's the best article of cycling clothing I ever bought - and I've bought plenty!

giant_man

Here's one if you're interested amc:

http://www.mikevaughancycles.co.uk/prod ... p553&rs=gb

amc

Thank you all very much. Looks like it's a choice between the Gore Tool and the Assos.

Gore Tool owners - do you know how the fit compares to a Gore Phantom, which was pretty good, or a Gore Cosmo, which was excellent. In an ideal world i'd like a tight elasticated, or with toggle, waste band. Seems like a good deal at £100.

I tried the Assos and it was a good fit - its just the extra cost and i think it looks a bit odd.

Anyone tried both?

munnser

another vote for the gore tool!! great jacket i also have the assos airblock, good jacket but i prefer the gore.

Ramblin Jack

Gore Tool. It has proven to be the best bit of clothing I have ever bought. I only need a thin base layer underneath. Always warm but never too hot.

http://www.thegorestore.co.uk/tool-jers ... -1001.html

Monty Dog

Gore jackets have a slightly bigger cut than Assos, which are a bit more fitted. The big difference between the Tool and the Airblock is that the Gore jacket is softshell front and back, with pit zips for venting, whereas the back of the Assos is just thermal fabric on the back. The Assos is great for fast paced training without stops, but isn't warm enough for really cold days or when you stop.

buddha

+1 for the Gore Tool.
Got mine from GB Cycles for a bargin £75 !
Although they're out of M and L.

fluff.

Hows about Endura Stealth: softshell, waterproof, windproof with a load of pockets.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... l%20Jacket

sward29

I recently bought a Gore Tempo jacket from Geoff Butler for £85 having previously used an Assos Airblock jacket. The Gore does not fit quite as closely as the Assos but that is because it is made from softshell material which is not as flexible as the Assos material.

I find the Gore Tempo jacket to be more showerproof and windproof than the Airblock as the Airblock only has the windstopper material on the chest and arms, and that the Gore jacket is warmer. I have only needed a long sleeved base layer on the coldest days so far this year which I have been impressed with. It also has three really deep pockets on the rear plus two on the side which is more than the Assos jacket. The neck is higher on the Tempo and it has a headband/neckwarmer incorporated into the collar which is a nice feature.

I tried a Phantom on but could not see when I would ever want to take the sleeves off as I already have a gilet so would highly recommend the Tempo if you can find one. Sigma also do them and they were happy to offer a price match to GB cycles but they didn't have the colour I wanted.

JonEdwards

Another vote for the Tool. Mine's coming up to it's second birthday and has been faultless.

I also have a Pace Event jacket. One big zipped rear pocket, Fit is no where near as close. (think baggyish MTB rather than streamlined road). A good waterproof, but not inherently warm.

amc

Many thanks again.
Looks like its a Tool then but before I take the final plunge, does anyone know anywhere is north London that sell them so i can actually try one on for size (as the Assos was a great fit).
Also anyone know what colours its supposed to come in. GB Cycles seem to have 'earth' colour only and I found another one elsewhere in black - ideally like something a bit brighter so not squashed by cars.

Mark Alexander

If you can re-mortgage the house...
http://www.rapha.cc/index.php?page=328

enough said

amc

As a postscript....I plumped for the Gore Tool and ordered it for a very reasonable £80 for Dale Cycles (all colours and sizes available). It's a great jacket but sadly had to send it back as the small was still a bit too big for me.
So ordered the Assos airblock (on sale off at Wiggle) and wore it for 1st time today - very warm and a brilliant fit.
I'd recommend either but usual rules apply - try before you buy.

amc

As a postscript....I plumped for the Gore Tool and ordered it for a very reasonable £80 for Dale Cycles (all colours and sizes available). It's a great jacket but sadly had to send it back as the small was still a bit too big for me.
So ordered the Assos airblock (on sale off at Wiggle) and wore it for 1st time today - very warm and a brilliant fit.
I'd recommend either but usual rules apply - try before you buy.

mrushton

Mark Alexander wrote:

If you can re-mortgage the house...
http://www.rapha.cc/index.php?page=328

enough said

or step up and just get the original soft-shell. Pockets/featuresgalore