ALTURA Clothing - your thoughts

UPGRAYEDD

I have owned various bits and pieces made by Altura. I have always liked their design and style, but unfortunately durability has always been an issue for me. For example, my Altura cycling gloves came unstitched after a few weeks, as did my cycling tights.

At present, I am looking to buy a new waterproof hi-viz jacket and have been tempted by the Night Vision Evo. However, I am concerned that this too, based upon past experience will wear out ridiculously quickly.

Would appreciate your thoughts on Altura clothing, both good and bad.

Ta.

errorist

I used to be quite a fan of Altura for the quality/value of their stuff. However I've not been that impressed with the last couple of things I've bought from them.

I got some of their waterproof Hi Vis winter gloves which were not particularly warm or waterproof. Also came off on some ice not long after buying them and thought I'd probably just scuffed the gloves only to look down and see half the thumb had ripped off! Pretty poor as it wasn't much of an impact.

Also got some regular lycra shorts which were good at first but became slightly baggy quite quickly and the reflective logo came off after a few washes.

I'm looking for a new waterproof hi viz jacket too and have been quite tempted by the Endura Luminite over the Altura version.

Having said all that I still think they make some good stuff, I just reckon you need to do a bit of research into the item first.

pintoo

Altura and Endura seem to be pitched at the same level. Between the two, Endura seem to be better made. But that's only from my limited experience.

zoglug

Hmmm....maybe i should have read this before i placed my order. Ive just ordered the Altura Crosslite jacket for my commute to work, fingers crossed it will be as good as the reviews around have said it is!

father_jack

Seem fine for the price. Better than Aldi. I've got some Altura waterproofs no complaints. Think £25 for jacket, £30 for trousers. I'm not paying £200 for Assos I don't care if they're fantastic.

jordan_217

I've got an Altura Nevis jacket which I got free for subscribing to one of the various bike comics. I think I've had it about 4 years now. I've also got their waterproof Winter gloves.

Both the jacket and gloves keep the elements at bay and I'll be using them for another Winter. At this stage I can't justify replacing them as they work really well.

I know other people who use Altura's hi-vis commuter focussed jackets and trousers and they rate them highly too.

father_jack

Mates got a Nevis, I find it's a bit too thick and hot for waterproof jacket. Mine is thinner. Although if it's cold I'd wear a thin non windproof jacket.

Chris James

I've had a Altura Night Vision Windproof for the last couple of winters and it still looks like new ... except it has done the usual yellow his vis trick of developing a greenish hue.

Bobbinogs

I have bought a fair bit of Altura kit and it has always ticked the box. As per earlier post, the brand is fairly similar to Endura and both marques hit the middle of the market (better than the cheapo stuff, not as good as Casteli/Assos).

The progel bib shorts are fairly good for the money (IMO) and the Airstream stuff is generally very good.

I wore my Reflex in the lashing rain last night and didn't regret it. I did regret only remembering about fitting a mudguard when I was mid loop, doh!

twotyred

I've got a pair of Altura windstopper gloves which I've had for years and show no signs of wearing out. Also got an Altura Nevis jacket I use for mountian biking and again its performed well and has been hard wearing.

Sgt_Pepper

Most of the stuff i've got is Altura, the only problem i've had is, i recently bought 2 pairs of Ergofit Comp Bib Shorts but after 2 rides the pad came loose in one of the pairs and all bunched up at one end, the other pair have been great tho.
Won't put me off buying Altura in the future.

carrock

night vision evo waterproof- bit like wearing a reflective bin liner- you'll sweat buckets and be soaked from the inside out

But it will keep the rain out-

tigerben

I have the night vision jacket and I would second that it represents good value for money (and surprisingly shower proof). Quality wise it has yet to fail after c. 12 months.

When it does fail I will probably look to spend a little more next time to get something more breathable.

ddraver

Agree totally with the OP - To sum up, Altura can make great jerseys an shorts but can't make waterproofs! (Sorry to the new owner of a crosslite but mine, an tha attack 3/4 length shorts have lasted a season and are starting to get pretty leaky - my mates ones are nigh on useless now (yes, we looked pretty similar last winter... :oops: )

All my endura stuff is going great guns and I'm planning on using more of their winter wardrobe this winter.....

ilm_zero7

UPGRAYEDD
Arent Altura like the old fashioned image of M&S clothing? I would say the stuff I have is good, well made, reasonable quality, value for money, but not going to set the world on fire

perfect commuting gear for sure where practicality and value are perhaps paramount, but I have one item of theirs that stands out and thats the winter anatomically designed gloves - briliiant and by far the best winter gloves I have ever owned

PBo

zoglug wrote:

Hmmm....maybe i should have read this before i placed my order. Ive just ordered the Altura Crosslite jacket for my commute to work, fingers crossed it will be as good as the reviews around have said it is!

i hope you saw my posting in the 'bargain's' thread over in commuting before you ordered

bendertherobot

carrock wrote:

night vision evo waterproof- bit like wearing a reflective bin liner- you'll sweat buckets and be soaked from the inside out

But it will keep the rain out-

I don't totally agree with this. I did 20 miles last night, in the rain. I was warmer than without it and yes, around the forearms a bit of moisture. But it's really not all that bad.

PBo

bendertherobot wrote:

carrock wrote:

night vision evo waterproof- bit like wearing a reflective bin liner- you'll sweat buckets and be soaked from the inside out

But it will keep the rain out-

I don't totally agree with this. I did 20 miles last night, in the rain. I was warmer than without it and yes, around the forearms a bit of moisture. But it's really not all that bad.

I have yet to come across a jacket review - however expensive/hi tech - that SOMEBODY hasn't accused if being a bin liner.

Not saying they are lying, but we all have our own different sweat levels, and obviously nothing is perfectly breathable.....

zoglug

PBo wrote:

i hope you saw my posting in the 'bargain's' thread over in commuting before you ordered

Where is this bargains thread you talk of :? lol! I got it for £48 or something like that i believe, which is why i couldnt really turn it down after the reviews i read around the web! It is purely for commuting to work in so fingers crossed it will do its job well enough.

PBo

zoglug wrote:

PBo wrote:

i hope you saw my posting in the 'bargain's' thread over in commuting before you ordered

Where is this bargains thread you talk of :? lol! I got it for £48 or something like that i believe, which is why i couldnt really turn it down after the reviews i read around the web! It is purely for commuting to work in so fingers crossed it will do its job well enough.

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12670609

same price - off e-bay? same rationale as you.

It's just arrived and it's sufficienty overcast/threatening rain for me to take out this afto...

zoglug

ha ha ha!!! Yeah, i picked it up off ebay too, but hadnt seen the bargains thread! Thanks for the heads up on that thread, will be sure to check it out more often as i seek to fulfill my cycling obsession needs!

PBo

bah - weather really picked up so as to not really justify wearing it!!!

Looks good though.....

paul_smith_srcc

No such thing as a faultless product in my opinion, but I would say we get less returns at that price point than I have from any clothing company I have used over the years.

Paul_Smith
www.corridori.co.uk

jimmythecuckoo

The free one I got for subscribing to procycling a while back seems to do the job.

juankerr

I've an Airstream jacket which has suffered numerous offs when MTB'ing over about 5 years and it's still like new. Not the most breatable jackets though.