Winter softshell/jacket choice

belgiangoth

I am currently running with a Garneau Winter Softshell, the temp is good but it is not waterproof. I am looking at the Endura Stealth and the Rapha (light) Softshells.

Anyone know how water resistant these are? Is the Rapha light just a less thermally lined version of the Softshell or is it less water/wind resistant as well? (Less lining would be good since it would mean I could regulate with layering and use in warmer weather).

Anyone have a thought on comparable breathability?

gematkinson1

i have a rapha light softshell. fine and dandy for a light long shower, but moderate to heavy rain and it will soak through on the arms.

having said that, keep it topped up with a dwr spray and it will be fine. But be under no illusions its not water-proof.

Another thing on the plus side is it dries extremely quickly, even in the cold....

gematkinson1

and i think its lesser lined in response to your last question.... its literally just the thin layer of outer. I use mine layered with a baselayer and its brill. also nicely wind resistant too.
Check their clearance section out, i got mine for £110 rather than full whack

peanut

£110 for something with no lining not waterproof or windproof mmmmmm that sure is a bargain

sorry Gem but I think we cyclists are being ripped off with clothing

belgiangoth

I thought the softshell was windproof and water resistant.

Lining is a disadvantage if you have the layers below, they restrict the garment from summer use.

belgiangoth

gematkinson1 wrote:

i have a rapha light softshell. fine and dandy for a light long shower, but moderate to heavy rain and it will soak through on the arms.

having said that, keep it topped up with a dwr spray and it will be fine. But be under no illusions its not water-proof.

I can cope with wet arms if it means extra breathability, but if I'm soaked throguh all over it's another matter ...

Rich-Ti

belgiangoth wrote:

I thought the softshell was windproof and water resistant

Water resistant and water proof are two very different things.

I just got a Sportful Aero Race Jacket which is remarkably thin (verging on flimsy!) but amazingly warm. The fact that it's so thin means that layering up is really easy (I had two thin layers on under it today and was almost too warm at times, but I could easily wear a gilet or proper waterproof over it if I needed a bit of extra protection) and also means it's probably a good 3-season jacket (i.e. autumn, winter, spring).

8)

mwo

I agree with Gem the light softshell definitely isn't waterproof. My experience is that it's not just the arms that saturate, I've had the whole thing soak through. You will get wet, but it will normally keep you warm.

The classic softshell is made of a heavier version of the same fabric - neither is lined - it is more waterproof and warmer, but the heavier material means it's less breathable. I only use it when it's really cold or heavy/persistent rain.

Never tried an Endura Stealth, but the reviews say it's waterproof, so if you want a waterproof jacket it's probably a better bet than the light softshell.

16simon

I've got the Endura Stealth... lovely quality jacket, very warm (you'll only need a baselayer underneath) and fully waterproof. Looks good too, I've worn mine to the pub and it doesn't look out of place.

peanut

16simon wrote:

I've got the Endura Stealth... lovely quality jacket, very warm (you'll only need a baselayer underneath) and fully waterproof. Looks good too, I've worn mine to the pub and it doesn't look out of place.

the jacket might not have looked out of place but I'm betting they noticed you walk to the bar in your spd's !...

What colour did you go for / I was thinking of buying one of these myself

Anonymous

I use a Gore Tool windstopper.
Even in freezing temperatures all I wear is that and a base layer.
It's also good because if it gets warmer then there are decent vents to open up.
It looks pretty cool too

gematkinson1

fair enough, it might not be what you can call a bargain, but £60 off retail is over a 1/3 off.

we might be getting ripped off with clothing but its the same with everything else in life, you pay more for certain marques of electronics, or shoes or even what supermarket you shop in.

I bought the jacket knowing it wasnt going to be fully waterproof, i have a cheap altura one that does that job nicely. i bought it for a 3 seasons commute jacket, as i dont facy wearing a bright yellow jobbie to meet my non cycling friends hehe (im privvy to lots of teasing). I think that although rapha stuff is well expensive, but i like that its wearable in everyday life too.

If you are looking for something that you can cycle in downpours in, dont get the softshell, but for light showers to bright winter sun its very nice, the cut is superb also.

peanut

know what you mean about dayglo yellow jackets. You look like a Council highways officer
I'm just a old scrooge . I think a black plastic bin liner is too expensive lol

DaSy

I have the Rapha Softshell (not the lightweight), and love this jacket. It ends up getting worn almost year round, I wore it in Spain last year in the Sierra Nevadas and it had enough venting to make it bearable at the bottom of the valleys, and zipped up to be warm and windproof at the summits and on the descents.

It even worked with just a baselayer in a blizzrad at the top of Ventoux in April of this year. It is such a practical jacket, and the price is comparable to other jacket of the same quality, ie Assos Fugu etc.

You'll get no Rapha bashing from me, if you can spare the money then it is great looking and performing kit.

peanut

looks like a bit of humble pie is in order

Heres an excellent review of the Rapha softshell. Looks like they have thought of everything.
http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/article.asp?UAN=379

Monty Dog

Castelli Espresso for me - thought I needed a change from the ubiquitous Assos crowd and nobody takes anyone wearing Rapha seriously do they?

wilwil

I have a Rapha classic softshell but haven't tried it in the rain. However I have heard that fully waterproof jackets make you hot and sweaty and that it really doesn't matter if you get a bit wet providing you stay warm.

The fit is great and all you need is a merino base layer under it. The so called reflective piping is not very reflective and the jacket is black, so if visibility is an issue, save your money. I can also confirm the light version is just slightly thinner and doesn't have a mud flap. I actually don't know why they bother making it.

I think Rapha is a bit of a rip off and I doubt it performs as well as Assos, but it appeals to my taste and I'm not keen on polyester next to my skin.

gematkinson1

wow went out today in my softshell and it was colllllddddddd!

breathable is good for mild weather but what i wouldnt have given for a boil in the bag this morning :-)

peanut

gematkinson1 wrote:

wow went out today in my softshell and it was colllllddddddd!

breathable is good for mild weather but what i wouldnt have given for a boil in the bag this morning :-)

I just come back as warm as toast in my 'boil in a bag' £19.99 cheapo jobbie. :roll:
Mind you I live in the SW .....I hear that its a bit chilliwillie in the bits above London

16simon

peanut wrote:

the jacket might not have looked out of place but I'm betting they noticed you walk to the bar in your spd's !...

well, this was london, lots of people mixing bike gear with normal clothes so it didn't stand out that much

peanut wrote:

What colour did you go for / I was thinking of buying one of these myself

i went for black... good in darkness due to all the reflective stuff on it but i feel a bit vulnerable in overcast conditions. my friend got the red and matched it with a buff worn around the neck... i think it makes him look like an art student

wilwil

gematkinson1 wrote:

wow went out today in my softshell and it was colllllddddddd!

breathable is good for mild weather but what i wouldnt have given for a boil in the bag this morning :-)

what were you wearing underneath it, or shouldn't i be asking?

Fat Head

NapoleonD wrote:

I use a Gore Tool windstopper.
Even in freezing temperatures all I wear is that and a base layer.
It's also good because if it gets warmer then there are decent vents to open up.
It looks pretty cool too

these are very very good jackets. my xl is a bit too loose on me and I only wear it on the MTB but this made a great winter insulating layer for the road bike too. i see gore dont make them anymore but their top end windstopper jackets are basically the same jacket renamed. never had a poor piece of gore clothing IME.

wilwil

Monty Dog wrote:

Castelli Espresso for me - thought I needed a change from the ubiquitous Assos crowd and nobody takes anyone wearing Rapha seriously do they?

Why don't they? How seriously do you want to be taken? I don't take overweight middle age men wearing multi coloured pro team kit seriously, they look like dorks. I have some Castelli bib tights which are ok but I have ordered their bib shorts and jerseys and sent them back because they were crap.

italiaandyf

I have an Endura Stealth, and wore it today on a 3 hour club run, with a just an HH Warm long sleeve base layer underneath, in the wind, rain, sleet, and at one point very cold icey rain, and the jacket was fantastic - I was dry, the jacket kept the rain out, wind out, and at the tea stop I was only slightly damp inside from my own sweat. Next time there's weather like today it's the jacket I'll be wearing.

DaSy

Monty Dog wrote:

Castelli Espresso for me - thought I needed a change from the ubiquitous Assos crowd and nobody takes anyone wearing Rapha seriously do they?

I've always let the persons cycling dictate how seriously I take them, but I suppose if their preffered brand of cycle clothing is your datum for ability I'm sure it works for you....

maddog 2

another Gore fan here. I use a Phantom jacket on all but the really cold days - anything above freezing basically. With just a sleeveless or long-sleeve base in most cases.

Very comfy, very breathable, showerproof, reliable, hard wearing, etc etc.....

gematkinson1

wilwil wrote:

gematkinson1 wrote:

wow went out today in my softshell and it was colllllddddddd!

breathable is good for mild weather but what i wouldnt have given for a boil in the bag this morning :-)

what were you wearing underneath it, or shouldn't i be asking?

lol, i was wearing a baselayer, a rapha longsleeve top and my softshell!

i think the windchill and snow factor didnt help :-)

I should have worn my windtex thermal top, but as usual i made the wrong choice! i always panic and think im going to overheat then end up freezing.

The turn in temp has prompted me to buy some proper overshoes now!

nferrar

Hmm interesting to read the recommendations for the Endura Stealth, I was all set to buy one then read a few things saying they weren't very breathable. I still can't decide between the Endura Stealth and Event, I initially favoured the Event but after checking it out in a shop it's not packable so the Stealth looks more promising.