Softshell jackets, talk to me
Comments
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onthefells wrote:I also have a Rapha lightweight softshell but despite a fair bit of use I think softshells are a complete waste of money and here's why.
If its dry you don't need em...a long sleeve jersey with a base layer is nearly always plenty warm enough and when not a lightweight gilet over the top is all I need.
If its wet they aren't waterproof so you get soaked during a heavy downpour.
Finally and probably the biggest reason...you can't take em off or if you do you can't get em in your jersey pocket.
So I'd spend my money on a lightweight waterproof that fits in your jersey pocket that can be put on and taken off if needed.
It's funny but I have exactly the opposite view - but only if it's cold enough to guarantee you're going to be wearing it for the whole ride. It keeps the wind out in a way that a my jerseys don't really seem able to do, so I stay warm, but it doesn't drip condensation after 10 minutes like a gore-tex jacket and it's also warmer. Should it rain, then the water comes through eventually, but not in great quantity, so I don't end up much (if any) wetter than if I'd worn the gore-tex jacket. And I stay warm.
So in winter, for me, it's the outrageously expensive gore-tex paclite which gets left behind. Although it still gets plenty of wear in spring and autumn when it's too cold to just put up with the water, but too warm for the softshell.0 -
I have an endura, softshells etc. But my latest seems to be outstanding. An OMM Vail jacket, stretchy fabric, totally waterproof and worn with a suitable base layer - very breathable. It also folds down to a size easily stuffed into a jersey pocket. Have a look at,
http://www.theomm.com0 -
red dragon I had one of their Kamleika jackets for fell running. the gelanots fabric is excellent, doesn't feel like a waterproof but it is, but it has a hood as that is a requirement for mountain marathons so not much use for cycling. the vail jacket is exactly the same but without the hood. i ended up selling it as I lost weight and it became too baggy.
I'm not sure they do the Vail jacket anymore but I think you can still pick it up in certain places. I know they are launching a new smock and jacket but I believe they both have hoods. their kamleika pants are excellent as cycling over trousers as they feel like a softshell not a waterproof.0 -
giant mancp wrote:The problem with softshells is there doesn't seem to be one which does it all: waterproof, breathable and packs up very tight. 2 out of 3 seems to be the equation.
It's because they're not waterproof that they are softshells- think soft in terms of levels of protection. The tradeoff between waterproofness and breathability is the reason they exist, as a compromise that will keep you comfortable most of the time- as I see it anyway!
It's for that reason that IMHO things like the Stealth aren't really softshell at all- if they're no more breathable than a waterproof, why not just wear a waterproof and a base layer and a have a bit more flexibility?0 -
stealth kept me toastie and dry today in 10'c and some sharp showers. Only had a baselayer underneath, bring on the frost!0
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MrChuck wrote:giant mancp wrote:The problem with softshells is there doesn't seem to be one which does it all: waterproof, breathable and packs up very tight. 2 out of 3 seems to be the equation.
It's because they're not waterproof that they are softshells- think soft in terms of levels of protection. The tradeoff between waterproofness and breathability is the reason they exist, as a compromise that will keep you comfortable most of the time- as I see it anyway!
It's for that reason that IMHO things like the Stealth aren't really softshell at all- if they're no more breathable than a waterproof, why not just wear a waterproof and a base layer and a have a bit more flexibility?
I see your point and you are right, it's just a shame there isn't one jacket which does it all; keeps you warm, is completely waterproof, and is highly breathable ...0 -
Endura Stealth's make perfect sense to me, if I'm headed out and I know it's either going to be very cold or wet (or both) I'll wear the Stealth and it's not let me down yet. Sure if it's fairly warm but with a chance of rain then you're better off with a windproof top and a packable rain jacket in a pocket, I have that combo to but last winter I used the Stealth far more.0
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I bought a Stealth today. I'll use it commuting, road riding and mountain biking. Kept me bone dry this evening in a fucking downpour, didn't over heat and it's not that cold today.
Hoping it will do me from now through til end of winter.Not climber, not sprinter, not rouleur0 -
blimey - have I wandered onto the 'expensive jacket owners club' forum by mistake...??
For less than half the cost of an Endura Stealth or one of those Rapha jobbies, I have two Lusso jackets - a Jura and a Windtex.
Jura is great for autumn, with a short sleeve base layer underneath. The WIndtex comes out for colder winter days, is thermal lined and windproof. Neither is waterproof, but so long as they keep you warm it's not really relevant. Besides, if it looks like rain, stuff a rain cape in your back pocket.....0 -
i'd rather just wear the stealth, thanks. why have 3 jackets when 1 will do?0
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a_n_t wrote:i'd rather just wear the stealth, thanks. why have 3 jackets when 1 will do?
how many short sleeve jerseys do you have..? You can only wear one at a time..
there's nothing wrong with wearing the right kit for the right conditions - I'm just trying to point out that it is eminently possible to be properly kitted up in winter without spending £150 on a single jacket...0 -
softlad its also very possible to ride around on a bike that costs £200 but lots of us ride round on ones that cost thousands
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onthefells wrote:softlad its also very possible to ride around on a bike that costs £200 but lots of us ride round on ones that cost thousands
true - but £200 bikes don't generally perform as well as £1000+ bikes.
My point is that there are cheaper jackets that will still perform as well as those costing £150 or more...0 -
Bought a Madison 3-layer softshell that seems to do the same job as the Stealth. Lots of pockets, pit zips & reflectives; taped seams & zips & its claimed waterproof.
£72 post free from Chain Reaction (IIC). Very pleased so far; did 40 miles yesterday with just a base layer underneath and temp was perfect.___________________
Strava is not Zen.0 -
softlad wrote:My point is that there are cheaper jackets that will still perform as well as those costing £150 or more...
If I want to spend £150 on a jacket I will, thanks. It does everything i want so it's priceless. I've wasted enough on inferior products before.
Its windproof
its waterproof
Its warm
its pretty breathable, more so with the pitzips open
and it looks and fits great.
Have you tried one? How do you know cheaper jackets perform "just as well"?0 -
a_n_t wrote:If I want to spend £150 on a jacket I will, thanks.
I never said you shouldn't. Of course you can blow £150 if you want - and good luck to you. Others may want a cheaper option...a_n_t wrote:Have you tried one?
tried plenty of winter jackets over the years - so long as they fit well, are thermal, breathable and windproof then they will almost certainly do the job in the middle of winter. The only variable is the price....0 -
Rapha Softshell jacket on special offer !!!!!!!!!!! £130.00
Seems like a lot of dosh but is really the biz
Last Winter I did most of my dry/damp rides with only a long sleeve base layer and a very nice highly visible red Rapha lightweight Softshell jacket.
I had Pearl Izumi windproof jacket, but ended up feeling like good old boil in the bag after a while.
Buy a good jacket.
You know it makes sense 0 -
@softlad - you can't compare a fully waterproof semi-breathable jacket with a windproof one, they do a different job.
For windproof softshells I have an Altura Nightvision, Pearl Izumi and a Gore Phantom - I actually like the Altura one as much as the Gore one (despite it costing half as much) so I'm not all about spending money on expensive jackets. None of them do what the Endura Stealth does though.0 -
nferrar wrote:@softlad - you can't compare a fully waterproof semi-breathable jacket with a windproof one, they do a different job.
For windproof softshells I have an Altura Nightvision, Pearl Izumi and a Gore Phantom - I actually like the Altura one as much as the Gore one (despite it costing half as much) so I'm not all about spending money on expensive jackets. None of them do what the Endura Stealth does though.
fine - but the only point I've ever tried to make here is that it is possible to stay warm and dry in winter without blowing £150 on a jacket...
The OP wanted opinions on the Endura Stealth - plus any alternatives....0 -
I didn't "blow" any money on the stealth, it's worth every penny. [and it was only £135 btw]
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