Best jacket for cycling to Paris/commuting

hugh1982
hugh1982 Posts: 40
edited August 2009 in Commuting chat
I'm cycling to Paris next week and need a jacket that is small and lightweight, but will also keep me fairly dry should the heavens open. I'm not a regular tourer so the jacket will spend more time in my saddle bag on the way to work - that said, there's no point buying it if it's no good for Paris.

I've heard good things about the Montane Featherlite (sic) range and some have suggested that windproof rather than waterproof is the way forward given the wicking versus boil in the bag qualities.

Anyone seen/got anything good up to c. £50???

Comments

  • MonkeyMonster
    MonkeyMonster Posts: 4,629
    http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... alp-x-9135

    I'm pretty sure you can get it for less. I have one and its the dogs danglies in basically all aspects.
    Le Cannon [98 Cannondale M400] [FCN: 8]
    The Mad Monkey [2013 Hoy 003] [FCN: 4]
  • daniel_b
    daniel_b Posts: 11,953
    The Montanes are very good, the featherlite ie excellent, but more showerproof than water proof.

    However they do one for a bit more wonga, Jetstream IIRC, that is about £50 I do believe.
    Od the Velo H20 maybe what you need - I have no experience of either, just going on reviews, and my own experience of the stock featherlite, I have a jacket, smock, and gilet, so you can tell I like them!

    CRC probably your best bet.

    Dan
    Felt F70 05 (Turbo)
    Marin Palisades Trail 91 and 06
    Scott CR1 SL 12
    Cannondale Synapse Adventure 15 & 16 Di2
    Scott Foil 18
  • londonlivvy
    londonlivvy Posts: 644
    +1 for the Gore Alp X jacket - totally awesome.

    I got drenched all the way to Paris last year in an inferior jacket and so spent the time checking out other people's jackets and working out who was still dry and therefore which jacket I was going to buy on return. The Gore jackets were the clear leaders. AND they fold up small enough to go in your back pocket. Buy one.

    NB I don't work for Gore.
    http://minxcompendium.blogspot.com/
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    I like the montane, it's good for about 45 minutes of heavy rain, then it will start to leak in places. It's also (as the name suggests) very light, and packs down to about the size of an apple.
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • TommyEss
    TommyEss Posts: 1,855
    I went into AW looking for a Montane Featherlite whatchamacallit...

    Walked out with a £156 Assos Climajet Jacket...

    Oops!

    Very happy with my Gore Softshell too - but it's too warm for this time of year.

    I've only had to use the Climajet once so far - on the Anthony Maynard Sportive - we had some pretty squally showers that day.

    Did what I needed and I didn't boil-up much.

    Fits in the back pocket well too... Pricey though...!
    Cannondale Synapse 105, Giant Defy 3, Giant Omnium, Giant Trance X2, EMC R1.0, Ridgeback Platinum, On One Il Pompino...
  • Aidy
    Aidy Posts: 2,015
    I like my Montane - fits neatly into my saddlebag amongst a few tools and stuff :)

    If you're going next week, then I'd've said it'll be fine. I think I'd want something a bit more substantial if it were more wintery.
  • hugh1982
    hugh1982 Posts: 40
    Thanks all. I'd love to have the Gore jacket but given it's three times over my budget, i reckon i'll have to skip that one.

    I've got some Japanese in me so I guess i could just carry my clear plastic brolly in one hand and steer with the other. No changing rings though i guess.

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