Jackets (and letting off a Rapha bomb)

gingernash

Hi,

Am looking for jackets at the moment. Are there any good ones which combine being a windstopper as well as waterproof? I gather that a wind and waterproof jacket will increase sweat levels.

Also been clicking around, is the Rapha Classic Softshell (which is down as wind and water proof) any good?

mrushton

It's water-resistant but it won't keep water out in a long deluge. It will keep the wind from chilling you if you get wet. It has good venting. FWIW Assos say their best waterproof stuff is only good for about 30 mins max. Anything waterproof will just boil you. The soft-shell is a great piece of effective and good looking kit but overpriced imo

sundog

If you're considering the Rapha product have a look at the new Shutt softshell

Garry H

Anything waterPROOF will also act as a windbarrier, eg Gore Tex or eVent. You will not find a jacket that will keep the rain and wind from coming in, as well as keeping you dry on the inside, it's all a compromise. The best I've tried so far (Used for winter mountaineering, rather than cycling) is the eVent fabric. For cycling, I just use a jacket that will still remain comfortable, even when wet. I use the Assos 851, but the Rapha one looks good as well.

APIII

The Raph soft-shell is my favourite bit of kit. So long as it's under 12-14degrees or so there is nothing better IMO. I've got the Assos jacket too which is good too but not as versatile.

tigerben

I have the soft shell - its okay for light showers but I also carry a fold up cheapy waterproof in back pocket for heavier showers...

I spent a long time looking for alternatives - that matched the spec without the Rapha premium - but failed and coughed up the cash.

In retrospect have no regrets as so far has given me 10 months almost daily service and still is in almost brand new condition. (It was a little hot & sweaty in summer though - even with the vents).

A few more reflective elements would have been nice.

TMR

gingernash wrote:

Hi,

Am looking for jackets at the moment. Are there any good ones which combine being a windstopper as well as waterproof? I gather that a wind and waterproof jacket will increase sweat levels.

Also been clicking around, is the Rapha Classic Softshell (which is down as wind and water proof) any good?

The Rapha Team rain jacket is, from what I've read, amazing. Quite expensive, but if you've spent 3K on the bike, you can't b*tch about £200 for a quality rain jacket which looks amazing and will last for yonks.

brucebanner

rapha; extortionately priced depreciating asset.

i wonder if anyone has done blind tests on cycle clothing. that is, compare unbranded clothes to see what's actually better.

Tony Mc

sundog wrote:

If you're considering the Rapha product have a look at the new Shutt softshell

Do youhave any idea whens it out, based on there other gear I'd be interested and I'm tight as a midgee a$$ hole with my cash

wildmoustache

I have never bothered with cycling jackets. Just ride harder. Seriously.

I can see if your pace is determined by a group then that can be a hard instruction to follow.

A gilet has its place ... compact and useful in a group when it's cold and wet and water is being kicked up.

But then again I don't suffer in the cold and wet in the way many people seem to.

I can't imagine ever going out for a solo ride in a jacket.

softlad

wildmoustache wrote:

I have never bothered with cycling jackets. Just ride harder. Seriously.

I can see if your pace is determined by a group then that can be a hard instruction to follow.

A gilet has its place ... compact and useful in a group when it's cold and wet and water is being kicked up.

But then again I don't suffer in the cold and wet in the way many people seem to.

I can't imagine ever going out for a solo ride in a jacket.

don't tell me - you go out in summer kit all year round..?

father_jack

I have a two types of jackets, one is non windproof, another windproof. Plus a waterproof one.

No way could you just have one thing for all year round. Hot, cool, wet, cold, and freezing cold types of weather.

wildmoustache

ok, i live in the south east where it is relatively dry, so don't ride much in the wet. that doesn't mean never, as you sometimes get caught out, are doing races etc. when it's wet.

In winter I ride in bib longs, a baselayer, a long sleeve jersey, gloves and a skull cap under the helmet. that is good down to about freezing. it's also less cumbersome and more aerodynamic than a jacket

it is clearly less waterproof, but that isn't an issue for me. I think a gilet plust LS jersey can cover the bases, but we're all different.

sundog

wildmoustache wrote:

ok, i live in the south east where it is relatively dry, so don't ride much in the wet. that doesn't mean never, as you sometimes get caught out, are doing races etc. when it's wet.

In winter I ride in bib longs, a baselayer, a long sleeve jersey, gloves and a skull cap under the helmet. that is good down to about freezing. it's also less cumbersome and more aerodynamic than a jacket

it is clearly less waterproof, but that isn't an issue for me. I think a gilet plust LS jersey can cover the bases, but we're all different.

That would have been nowhere near enough to keep anyone warm. Maybe you don't ride much in the cold either.

warrior4life

sundog wrote:

wildmoustache wrote:

ok, i live in the south east where it is relatively dry, so don't ride much in the wet. that doesn't mean never, as you sometimes get caught out, are doing races etc. when it's wet.

In winter I ride in bib longs, a baselayer, a long sleeve jersey, gloves and a skull cap under the helmet. that is good down to about freezing. it's also less cumbersome and more aerodynamic than a jacket

it is clearly less waterproof, but that isn't an issue for me. I think a gilet plust LS jersey can cover the bases, but we're all different.

That would have been nowhere near enough to keep anyone warm. Maybe you don't ride much in the cold either.

I ride in similar to above, Warm gloves and warm shoe covers and im ok,
As long as my head, hands and feet are warm and i have something windproof on my body (gilet) Im ok... Not sure of exact temperatures i've ridden in, very snowy and icy in the north east.

I do have a big endura waterproof jacket that i sometimes use for commuting but i only use it if im riding slowly, it just pisses me off if i want to go fast.

I have a few shell style jackets but they are all cheap and are HUGE even in my size, i sometimes use my girlfriends which as an extra small, its nice and tight on a 43 inch chest.

I would love to try some rapha or assos one day... Is it really worth the money?

Stellite

http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=C0574

I used one of these all last winter. Reasonably OK in the rain, wind proof, breathable .

clx1

Rapha Rain Jacket £190 or Rapha Stowaway £165, ignore the nay sayers, these are great pieces of kit and will last for years, they fit well and look good.

father_jack

£190 for a waterproof jacket? Are you having a laugh? Mine cost £30 and been using it for years.

arthur_scrimshaw

Endura stealth, waterproof, windproof and breathable. Nice fit too.

sundog

Tony Mc wrote:

sundog wrote:

If you're considering the Rapha product have a look at the new Shutt softshell

Do youhave any idea whens it out, based on there other gear I'd be interested and I'm tight as a midgee a$$ hole with my cash

Late September AFAIK £149

wildmoustache

sundog wrote:

wildmoustache wrote:

ok, i live in the south east where it is relatively dry, so don't ride much in the wet. that doesn't mean never, as you sometimes get caught out, are doing races etc. when it's wet.

In winter I ride in bib longs, a baselayer, a long sleeve jersey, gloves and a skull cap under the helmet. that is good down to about freezing. it's also less cumbersome and more aerodynamic than a jacket

it is clearly less waterproof, but that isn't an issue for me. I think a gilet plust LS jersey can cover the bases, but we're all different.

That would have been nowhere near enough to keep anyone warm. Maybe you don't ride much in the cold either.

I ride through the winter (admittedly the southern winter), including when there's snow on the groun. Keeping hands warm is important and always tricky in the cold so I'll admit good gloves are a must.

I've also been over the high pasees of the pyrenees in March for what it's worth ... .

gingernash

i think i might get the rapha soft shell and then a cheap waterproof to stuff in pocket in case the rain really hammers it down. speaking to rapha, they reckon you'd be ok in light rain for a while.

it will be a christmas treat!

timmyflash

wildmoustache wrote:

sundog wrote:

wildmoustache wrote:

ok, i live in the south east where it is relatively dry, so don't ride much in the wet. that doesn't mean never, as you sometimes get caught out, are doing races etc. when it's wet.

In winter I ride in bib longs, a baselayer, a long sleeve jersey, gloves and a skull cap under the helmet. that is good down to about freezing. it's also less cumbersome and more aerodynamic than a jacket

it is clearly less waterproof, but that isn't an issue for me. I think a gilet plust LS jersey can cover the bases, but we're all different.

That would have been nowhere near enough to keep anyone warm. Maybe you don't ride much in the cold either.

I ride through the winter (admittedly the southern winter), including when there's snow on the groun. Keeping hands warm is important and always tricky in the cold so I'll admit good gloves are a must.

I've also been over the high pasees of the pyrenees in March for what it's worth ... .

I'm debating buying the rapha jacket. Was riding through last winter (including days with snow on the ground) wearing a merino wool baselayer, short sleeve jersey, leggings. Things that suffered were my hands (now have winter gloves) and my feet (still need over shoes), which froze! Rest of me was fine once i got going.

The wool baselayer is just itchy as hell though, so hoping i can wear any sort of jersey on the bottom and rapha jacket on the top as more comfortable alternative. Bit concerned i may just sweat my nuts off though.. the dilema continues. It does look nice though.

softlad

there are other jackets that will do the same job as the Rapha for a lot less money - like the Giordana Bodyclone FR, Gore Phantom, Endura Stealth and a load of others that I can't remember. You people are talking about the Rapha jacket as though it's the only one out there....

timmyflash

I'm a sucker for marketing.

mrushton

softlad wrote:

there are other jackets that will do the same job as the Rapha for a lot less money - like the Giordana Bodyclone FR, Gore Phantom, Endura Stealth and a load of others that I can't remember. You people are talking about the Rapha jacket as though it's the only one out there....

The OP wanted to know about the Rapha specifically

Anonymous

brucebanner wrote:

rapha; extortionately priced depreciating asset.

i wonder if anyone has done blind tests on cycle clothing. that is, compare unbranded clothes to see what's actually better.

bruce, you don't even own a bike yet so how you can comment on this I know not!

However, assuming fit is the same then there may well be a few surprises. The thing with some kit is the attention to detail and quality of fit, it's the little details that make some kit worth owning...

softlad

mrushton wrote:

softlad wrote:

there are other jackets that will do the same job as the Rapha for a lot less money - like the Giordana Bodyclone FR, Gore Phantom, Endura Stealth and a load of others that I can't remember. You people are talking about the Rapha jacket as though it's the only one out there....

The OP wanted to know about the Rapha specifically

it wasn't directed at the OP...

brucebanner

I do own a bike.

and you can't disprove my statement that it's a depreciating asset.

And I really would like to see someone do a blind test on something expenience with something easier on the pockets to see if there's a difference or not.

NapoleonD wrote:

brucebanner wrote:

rapha; extortionately priced depreciating asset.

i wonder if anyone has done blind tests on cycle clothing. that is, compare unbranded clothes to see what's actually better.

bruce, you don't even own a bike yet so how you can comment on this I know not!

However, assuming fit is the same then there may well be a few surprises. The thing with some kit is the attention to detail and quality of fit, it's the little details that make some kit worth owning...

Stewie Griffin

Headband, base layer, ss jersey, spring jacket, winter jacket, merino glove liners, winter gloves, bib tights, merino socks & wished I had over shoes. That's what I wore for last winters evening rides & was still wondering what on Earth I was doing out when I could have been indoors. I'm quite clearly a big girls blouse.

timmyflash

Stewie Griffin wrote:

I'm quite clearly a big girls blouse.

+1