Windproof or waterproof Jacket?

mastermosher

Hi, my altura Nevis jacket has finally given up the ghost.
Now I do not know if i need a windproof or waterproof jacket. I obviously need a jacket that keeps me warm in the winter, but also lets me sweat and not boil, as well as being waterproof. Is it a case that both types of jackets have some degree of each element.
Any advice would be appreciated.

MrChuck

Leaving aside cost for a moment, I'd go for a windproof/soft shell that I'd expect to wear 95% of the time and a waterproof to go in bag/pannier for those (actually quite rare) occasions when the windproof won't do it.

This is all a bit subjective though- I borrowed a mate's Nevis and found it unbearable for any sort of distance at any sort of pace, but a lot of people think they're the dogs.

tsenior

waterproof jackets are windproof.

i sweat alot and wear one of these when its dry as the breathability is best i've ever used; wouldent say its even water resistant though!

http://www.rab.uk.com/clothing/vapour-r ... cket---91/

wordnumb

tsenior wrote:

waterproof jackets are windproof.

This.

mastermosher

Thanks for the prompt replys.
You have confirmed my thoughts. Ican do some distnace in the Nevis. Although not a true waterproof, you can still be wet and warm (ohh err).
I have no real budget just that It must be good quality.
What are people wearing.
I was looking at Endura and Gore (sharp inhale of breath) today.

wordnumb

I used to commute wearing a Nevis, never let any water in, never needed any care. Good jacket, though the venting's not much cop if you wear a backpack.

.blitz

Went in TK Maxx the other day for some socks and came out with a Regatta Isolite 5000 jacket. Bikey but not roadie cut (could possibly wear it for non-biking activities but then again...) XTR grey with orange trim, windproof, waterproof/breathable to 5000 mm/hr or something like that, stash hood, thumb loops, shockcord, mp3 pocket, zip garage, pit zips, discrete reflective piping, all the usual sh*t, £25.99

They also had a killer black-and-green Monster Energy stylee soft shell by a German-sounding company absolutely awesome £75 reduced from £250 (as if) but couldn't afford it

Or put it another wayI didn't want to spend £75 on a jacket that will be reduced to £35 in a few weeks if no-one buys it in the meantime

mastermosher

That sounds good Blitz. Just don't have a tk Maxx near me.

trebor127

I bought a Regatta soft shell from Costco...Seems to do the job quite well..and only 19 quid with V.A.T

Rob

Stevo_666

There's 2 ways I handle this, depending on what the weather forecast is:
1. Forecast say more likely to stay dry-ish than p1ss down: windproof jacket and one of those compact waterproofs that pack into the size of a tennis ball in the bacpack just in case.
2. Forecast says likely to rain: take waterproof jacket.

Done.

ollie_lucas1985

Im always faced with this dilema as i sweat like a fat lady in a plastic bag!.. So I went out and purchased a windproof base later (£30 ish) and now i am just saving for a goretex waterproof jacket that is small enough to fit into my camelback.. this way I can be warm and just wear my jersey for the "fresh days" and then pull out the gore when its abit wet!!

Oh and just to add I currently have a softshell jacket, it is somewhat waterproof but a) hot (even in the rain) b) cant get it small enough to fit anywhere!! and c) on the heavy side if your not wearing it!!

kopite1979

ollie_lucas1985 wrote:

Im always faced with this dilema as i sweat like a fat lady in a plastic bag!..

Yep.. that`s me! ( not the fat lady, the sweating bit)
I`ve got a Gore Goretex jacket which packs down smaller than my fist BUT, as good as it is at keeping water out, it dosen`t let moisture out very well. Goretex paclite isn`t very breathable when exercising alot, I`ve bought a RAB Event coat for mountaineering and it`s much more breathable and just as wind/waterproof so it might be worth going for an Event material

mastermosher

Thanks Kopite. I was looking at other activity jackets with a better mositure wicking element.

Broonster

Depends on what time of year you'd be wearing it, but over the autumn/winter period I reckon a windstopper soft shell type jacket ticks all the boxes.

I have a Gore Bike Wear Contest II SO Windstopper jacket (£87.99 on Wiggle) - keeps me warm (but not overly), breathes well, keeps the cold air/wind out and sheds rain pretty well too.

Probably cheaper jackets out there, but I'm a recent convert to the 'you get what you pay for' camp. The quality of Gore products really is top notch, although you pay top dollar for the pleasure!

Anonymous

I've got a fantastic Endura waterproof jacket. It's fairly heavy duty, so only really for winter use.
However, it breathes so well that I actually steam when I've stopped for a breather on a cold day :shock:

mastermosher

What Endura jacket was it Yeehaamcgee?

Shaggy_Dog

I have the Endura Venturi II which is one of the most breathable waterproofs on the market. I hardly ever wear it. My Gore Xenon windproof softshell or Endura Windchill half waterproof/half thermal lycra jersey are both almost always the better choice.

In defence of the Venturi it is a fantastic waterproof, it's just that I go fairly hard and sweat quite a lot.

chedabob

Just to keep everything in one topic, I'm looking for a winter jacket too. I was all set on this (http://www.cyclesurgery.com/mens-attack-extreme-jacket//bikes-components-bikewear/fcp-product/2625), but now I've got a feeling I'm going to be freezing in the middle of winter. Thoughts?

Shaggy_Dog

chedabob wrote:

Just to keep everything in one topic, I'm looking for a winter jacket too. I was all set on this (http://www.cyclesurgery.com/mens-attack-extreme-jacket//bikes-components-bikewear/fcp-product/2625), but now I've got a feeling I'm going to be freezing in the middle of winter. Thoughts?

If don't push yourself too hard (cardiovascular-wise) and want to stay dry it will do the job. If you want to stay warm and fairly dry or push yourself quite hard then try one of these http://www.endura.co.uk/Product.aspx?dept_id=123&prod_id=218

Anonymous

mastermosher wrote:

What Endura jacket was it Yeehaamcgee?

Haha, busted. I can't remember, it's in my camelbak at the mo.
I was hoping I could edit my post and add it in before anyone noticed. But I forgot!
I'll have a look in a minute when i go make a cup of tea.

chedabob

Shaggy_Dog wrote:

chedabob wrote:

Just to keep everything in one topic, I'm looking for a winter jacket too. I was all set on this (http://www.cyclesurgery.com/mens-attack-extreme-jacket//bikes-components-bikewear/fcp-product/2625), but now I've got a feeling I'm going to be freezing in the middle of winter. Thoughts?

If don't push yourself too hard (cardiovascular-wise) and want to stay dry it will do the job. If you want to stay warm and fairly dry or push yourself quite hard then try one of these http://www.endura.co.uk/Product.aspx?dept_id=123&prod_id=218

Would that be enough, or should I get something completely waterproof to carry in my bag?

Anonymous

Right, after much headscratching, and googling, it turns out, my Endura jacket is probably a "Flyte" jacket, in black.
It doesn't actually say on it anywhere, but I'm almost certain that's what it is.
It is impossibly waterproof, I mean, it's damned well near impermeable, but it also breaths astonishingly well.

Shaggy_Dog

chedabob wrote:

Shaggy_Dog wrote:

chedabob wrote:

Just to keep everything in one topic, I'm looking for a winter jacket too. I was all set on this (http://www.cyclesurgery.com/mens-attack-extreme-jacket//bikes-components-bikewear/fcp-product/2625), but now I've got a feeling I'm going to be freezing in the middle of winter. Thoughts?

If don't push yourself too hard (cardiovascular-wise) and want to stay dry it will do the job. If you want to stay warm and fairly dry or push yourself quite hard then try one of these http://www.endura.co.uk/Product.aspx?dept_id=123&prod_id=218

Would that be enough, or should I get something completely waterproof to carry in my bag?

Debatable. It's not a fully waterproof jacket. The back and underneath the arms are not a waterproof fabric at all and the seams on the waterproof front and tops of the arms are not taped so will let in water there. On the other hand it is very, very breathable so you won't be getting wet from your own sweat. The Flyte jacket that Sheepsteeth mentioned is quite useful because it packs down very small (for a proper waterproof) and doesn't weigh much so wouldn't be too intrusive in your camelbak. On the other hand it is a million miles away from a Windchill in terms of breathability. If funds don't allow for both a softshell and a waterproof then I'd buy the softshell as I'd say only one in 20 times I would actually be better off with my waterproof than one of my softshell jackets.

One other thing. If a jacket claims to be waterproof, it's very waterproof, completely waterproof, 100% waterproof. The waterproof ratings of jackets are way, way, way, way more than anyone would ever need in the real world, what matters most is breathability and the fabric's ability to bead away water droplets as opposed to "wetting out" which is when a layer of water coats the surface of the fabric, trapping in water vapour from sweat and rendering the breathability useless. That's why you get wet, not because the jacket has lost it's waterproofing but because the sweat created from exercise can't go anywhere. This is why most cyclists prefer a windproof jacket because they are more breathable.

Broonster

Shaggy_Dog wrote:

I have the Endura Venturi II which is one of the most breathable waterproofs on the market. I hardly ever wear it. My Gore Xenon windproof softshell or Endura Windchill half waterproof/half thermal lycra jersey are both almost always the better choice.

In defence of the Venturi it is a fantastic waterproof, it's just that I go fairly hard and sweat quite a lot.

+1 on this too. I also have a Venturi jacket (don't think it's the Venturi II though - the one I have is made of eVent fabric). But I pretty much always wear my Gore softshell now.