Waterproof jackets

sdpaylor

I have been looking for a waterproof jacket to get me through the winter. I have trawled websites, forums and blogs. Why is it I can't find any information as to just how well waterproofs actually keep water out?

I'm looking to spend less that £80 preferably. I'm looking for a 100% waterproof jacket that is also windproof and warm. Something that will get me through the British winter time basically (not a small challenge I realise!). Can anybody help?

TheRevOlutionary

Totally waterproof? They will keep water in as well as out, so if you sweat anything like I do, you may prefer windproof and something of a compromise.

Endura Laser has been recommended a few times and is only £40?

Karrimore? Paramo? Fox?

scoobasteve

I've used an Altura Nevis for a while, pretty good at keeping the water out in moderate rain and quite breathable, most importantly quite light and comfortable and well lasting, I've even used mine for running in!

xcracer

Can anybody recommend the Race Face Aquanot/Atlas jackets?

switchback18

I know it's over budget, but the only thing I've found that actually breathes is the Endura eVent - I sweat loads, but this one breathes even when you cool down a bit. I only mention it as I've found cheaper ones to be a bit of a false economy - they don't always last that well, and when I've come to re-proof them it doesn't always do the job. But I've had the eVent for about 2 years so far & it works like new still.

Paramo stuff is brilliant for walking in, possibly more breathable than the event stuff, but it's too warm for me to cycle in, as it works on a layer system, which allows moisture out but traps way too much warmth for me when I'm riding.

grantway

Switchback18 what is your set post ?

Anonymous

looks like a gravity dropper, as for waterproof coats, dont expect to stay dry in one.

they stop water gettingin but in my experience, unless you buy something for a couple of hundred quid are rarely as breathable as they claim.

switchback18

Grantway, both bikes have a Gravity Dropper Descender post, bit like the Maveric/Crank Bros post, for instant height adjustment, but more reliable. If you buy one go to Riverside Cycles, they're way cheaper than Chain Reaction who've just started doing them (don't think they liked my reveiw saying that, never appeared!). And they do all the sizes, CRC only do one.

grantway

Thank you very much for that switchback18

May I ask what hight adjustable one you have as there are
a couple of options.
Just want to make right choice

switchback18

I use one that's a 4" drop top to bottom, but it also drops just 1" at the top, so you get a choice. The one on the HT is just a straight 4" drop. The way to be sure, is to drop your saddle to wherever you'd put it for steep tech stuff, then measure the difference between there & an efficient pedalling height. I find extra 1" position handy - I want it higher for say fireroad than more tech stuff where I still might want to be seated, then right down for the fun stuff.

Sheepsteeth, I find the eVent jacket is about as breathable as they get, works for me & I sweat a lot when riding. The figures are supposed to be almost the same as Goretex XCR, but in use, it's way better as it doesn't need body heat to work, unlike most fabrics.
I've not seen a bike jacket for a couple of hundred, I think the eVent is about £150 retail, but it's usually discounted

Anonymous

to be fair i havent used an event jacket so it looks like they might be pretty good. i was reffering to price in as much as general outdoors equipment. good breathable and waterproof kit tends to be v expensive.

switchback18

Yeh, take the point, the thing I've found is like you say, you have to pay for quality.
But you can also pay a fair bit for stuff that doesn't do the job.

I went for the eVent after reading reviews, but didn't expect it to match up to the hype. It's one of the few things that does I think, along with merino...

shin0r

I've never had any "waterproof" jacket keep me completely dry when doing sport, at any price. Even the expensive goretex stuff isn't that breathable when you're working hard. The only thing that has been near perfect is my barbour wax coat, but that's not ideal for biking!

I'm also loathe to spend a lot of money on something that will become instantly ruined the moment I fall off. Now I packa a cheapo Aldi jacket for when it really hammers it down, apart from that I just stick with a t-shirt and sometimes a base layer.

Anonymous

shin0r wrote:

I'm also loathe to spend a lot of money on something that will become instantly ruined the moment I fall off. Now I packa a cheapo Aldi jacket for when it really hammers it down, apart from that I just stick with a t-shirt and sometimes a base layer.

amen to that,my top tip is to not even venture out if the weather looks like i might need a jacket. i am such a girl! (sorry to any of the girls)

TheRevOlutionary

Cycle Surgery are doing the eVent for only £119!

I am tempted, but it's still out of my budget really

Surf-Matt

I have both ends of the spectrum - an Altura Nevis and a Night Vision and at the other ened a non cycle specific but very impressive Finisterre Storm Track (£250 RRP).

Use the Alturas for almost all cycling needs and I don't want to kill the Storm Track (it's made for surfers for after a surf but also works really well on a bike/climbing/walking).

The Alturas do the job really well - breath well, keep the rain out and can just about be worn off the bike without looking a muppet.

The Storm Track wins on waterproofness (it's a great material called NikWax Analagy), breathability and lightness but I'm not 100% sure about how robust they are.

What I'm trying to say is that the Altura nearly do the job of a jacket many times the price. But the expensive one does look a lot better. And has pockets.

Northwind

Mine is a german army surplus goretex jacket with the lining cut out, so all that's left is the shell and the goretex. Absolutely spot on... It's not warm but then that's what layers are for. £25 from Camden Even has a massive hood designed for putting over a helmet, though bike helmets are a bit smaller than army ones so it's a bit loose Only real downside is that it's massive when packed. I've got one of those Aldi's raincoats to go in a bag when I don't want to carry around the goretex one.

Course, forest camo's not ideal for the old "be safe be seen", for some reason army jackets lack hi viz...

TheRevOlutionary

Oh boy, there's a guy on eBay willing to sell me an eVent for £110. Is the Nevis as good a bang for the buck or is it worth getting the eVent because it's just 'better'?!

Thanks guys 8)

Surf-Matt

I'd honstly say that the Nevis does everything you want it to do - and is probably more durable too. Worth looking at the slightly higher specced Night Vision too - the reflective bits are worth having.

I replaced one after a crash - which ripped one arm off. But the replacement has lasted ages.

TheRevOlutionary

ignore.

TheRevOlutionary

Am fairly convinced I want an eVent jacket now, I am quite a 'warm' cyclist and overheat after only 5-10mins, so ideally need something that provides good waterproofing but also breaths well.

The Endura is plush with fleece collar and plenty of pockets/reflective bits, but is the Gill still available? And the Pace any good, considering it's fairly basic?

Any other suggestions?

Broonster

TheRevOlutionary wrote:

Am fairly convinced I want an eVent jacket now, I am quite a 'warm' cyclist and overheat after only 5-10mins, so ideally need something that provides good waterproofing but also breaths well.

The Endura is plush with fleece collar and plenty of pockets/reflective bits, but is the Gill still available? And the Pace any good, considering it's fairly basic?

Any other suggestions?

I'm going for the Endura eVent myself, being a big sweather an' all that!

I believe that eVent is the most breathable waterproof fabric on the market, better than Gore-Tex, or so I've read......

OwenB

I've got a Nevis, and it's been pretty good, it's well and truly ripped now though after a good old fashioned over the bars incident, but it's still wearable until the weather turns even nastier.
Can't see me ever wanting to pay too much for something I'm only going to rip when I have a spill so it'll probably be another Nevis when the time comes.

robertpb

Matt,

The Gill is now the dhb Wickham eVENT Waterproof Jacket from wiggle £99.99 same price as the Pace.

Making them more minimalist gives them better breath ability, no extra bits of pocket etc to get through.

TheRevOlutionary

Went with the eBay chap in the end. Endura eVent for £110 and even beat him down to £110 including delivery 8) will let you know more once ive got it. Also got some Regatta waterproof trousers at the weekend, light and breathable, for £9...im ready for winter, is winter ready for me?!

TheRevOlutionary

Broonster wrote:

TheRevOlutionary wrote:

Am fairly convinced I want an eVent jacket now, I am quite a 'warm' cyclist and overheat after only 5-10mins, so ideally need something that provides good waterproofing but also breaths well.

The Endura is plush with fleece collar and plenty of pockets/reflective bits, but is the Gill still available? And the Pace any good, considering it's fairly basic?

Any other suggestions?

I'm going for the Endura eVent myself, being a big sweather an' all that!

I believe that eVent is the most breathable waterproof fabric on the market, better than Gore-Tex, or so I've read......

Do you have yours yet? I could maybe give you the link for the guy selling them in eBay, provided its genuine he owns a cycle shop near to me, so will be able to go see him face to face if anything's suss!

guilliano

Without spending over £200 I don't think you can beat the eVent from Endura. I'll be investing in the jacket and trousers for the Strathpuffer in January.

littleandy0410

I use an Altura Nevis, seems fine. Had it 18 months, and has survived without any rips from me faling off so far!

MBR are giving one away with annual subscription at the moment. If you read the mag anyway, it's a free jacket! If you need the jacket anyway, then it's a year's free reading!

TheRevOlutionary

robertpb wrote:

Matt,

The Gill is now the dhb Wickham eVENT Waterproof Jacket from wiggle £99.99 same price as the Pace.

Making them more minimalist gives them better breath ability, no extra bits of pocket etc to get through.

You replied to my post knowing my name...how?! Do I know you, or do you know me?! :?

apreading

ITs on your profile

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/profile ... e&u=460373

Broonster

TheRevOlutionary wrote:

Broonster wrote:

TheRevOlutionary wrote:

Am fairly convinced I want an eVent jacket now, I am quite a 'warm' cyclist and overheat after only 5-10mins, so ideally need something that provides good waterproofing but also breaths well.

The Endura is plush with fleece collar and plenty of pockets/reflective bits, but is the Gill still available? And the Pace any good, considering it's fairly basic?

Any other suggestions?

I'm going for the Endura eVent myself, being a big sweather an' all that!

I believe that eVent is the most breathable waterproof fabric on the market, better than Gore-Tex, or so I've read......

Do you have yours yet? I could maybe give you the link for the guy selling them in eBay, provided its genuine he owns a cycle shop near to me, so will be able to go see him face to face if anything's suss!

Nope, haven't bought it yet. Still raking around for a good deal somewhere! Whilst it's a slightly different type of jacket (not waterproof), I did see a rather sexy Gore Bike Wear jacket at the weekend in a camo style (Gore Cosmo I think it's called). It's been thrown into the mix a bit and, at around the same price, I reckon it might be warmer that the eVent jacket, although it's 'water resistant', as opposed to 'waterproof'.

Decisons, decisions..... :?