Waterproof jacket for touring

Ashley_R

I'm after suggestions/advice for a decent jacket that will double up on and off the bike for a 2 week UK tour this summer (LEJOG) to help minimise kit/space

I'm looking to pack as light as possible and have previously taken a lightweight cycling specific jacket and a Norhtface coat that is a bit bulky

Thanks

GyatsoLa

The Rab Momentum is a very good minimalist multi-use jacket:

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/reviews/ja ... 36578.html

Its made of eVent which I think is maybe the best material for a touring jacket (more robust than goretex), and it has excellent venting. As a 'multi-use' jacket its not really ideal for either cycling (a little 'loose' in cut) or walking (a little high on the waist), but it is a good compromise i think for touring. I used one for several months touring in the Rockies and it worked pretty much perfectly.

There are also some even more minimalist pullover type waterproofs on the market which can be very good - I have a Patagonia one I picked up in a sale a while back which is significantly lighter and more compact than the Rab, and just as tough and waterproof. But the Rab wins out for comfort and all its additional vents.

andymiller

Maybe also checkout what endura offer - I think they do an eVent cycling jacket.

Ashley_R

Like the look of the eVent, been looking at the sizing, I'm 6ft 4 and 32 in waist, 40 in chest and can't make my mind up between medium and large, worried that the medium might be too short in the arms, any advice??

spaghetti89

Check out www.montane.co.uk.

British made, very functional & lightweight gear, used their kit as a member of a mountain rescue team, and during my recent coast-2-coast across the USA.

deal

spaghetti89 wrote:

Check out www.montane.co.uk.

British made, very functional & lightweight gear, used their kit as a member of a mountain rescue team, and during my recent coast-2-coast across the USA.

which jacket did you use on your coast-2-coast? Did you get much rain and how did it perform?

GyatsoLa

Ashley_R wrote:

Like the look of the eVent, been looking at the sizing, I'm 6ft 4 and 32 in waist, 40 in chest and can't make my mind up between medium and large, worried that the medium might be too short in the arms, any advice??

Which brand of eVent jacket? With most, I'd reckon you are a Large. Better to go a little bigger for touring kit, IMO.

blorg

Wiggle's dhb range have an eVent jacket which I am very happy with. Light, small, waterproof, breathable. Very well cut for the bike although sizing is weird, I am 6ft 34 waist, 40 chest and take a... small. Not warm, at all, but that is what I was looking for, I use layers under for that. Hiked three weeks in the Himalayas with it, rain and snow, and it was good for that too, although a bit high on the front. Looks quite 'normal' off the bike too.

lastant

I took a Gore Path II on my LEJOG last year. Only had to wear it the once 'in anger' at the start of the trip, but used it later on once on Scottish soil to keep the chill off.

The fit is more race cut than casual but that means it doesn't flap around at all, and the colour is more lemon yellow than hi-vis which is probably worth mentioning.

Not the cheapest possible, but ridiculously light and rolls up to roughly the size of a pack of Rich Tea biscuits. Reckon if you found a suitable drawstring pouch you could cram it in and have it down to the size of an orange.

TIP: Evans / CycleSurgery will pricematch online stores. I picked mine up for c.£100 (RRP is £140) after matching, and got to pick it up instore rather than wait for delivery. Excellent for any returns should you require those too...

MichaelW

I've been looking for a touring, multi activity jacket for a while. I haven't found any one jacket with all the desired features:
Light colour but not lime green
Reflective stuff
Pit zips
High chest pocket, no need for rear pocket.
Built-in hood that folds into collar. Hoods are really useful off the bike but need to be out of the way on the bike.
Most hoods just roll up, held by a velcro tab; in hiking magazine reviews, a foldaway hood is considered a bug not a feature.

Cycling waterproofs are becoming more specialised so less use off the bike.
Rab and Montane come closest.
Regarding sizing, its always better to have extra room in a touring jacket rather than a close fit of a racing jacket.

iPete

lastant wrote:

I took a Gore Path II on my LEJOG last year. Only had to wear it the once 'in anger' at the start of the trip, but used it later on once on Scottish soil to keep the chill off.

This. Abuse mine on the commute but took it across Europe on tour, was needed on the chilly mornings.

It also (in dark blue anyway) looks quite smart off the bike and not too specialist. I'd consider this or a Montane featherlight, the worlds lightest waterproof (was anyway) at around £50 as far as I remember.

It certainly is race fit which helped me reach 50mph+ on the Alps :twisted:

lloyd_bower

I'd agree the Gore Paclite jackets are excellent though a tad expensive, but they do last and continue to perform.

If you want to go lighter try the Montane Lite Speed H20
http://www.jackson-sports.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=7118
great value, weighs barely 135g, defintely waterproof, it has a hood but no pockets - but do you need 'em cycling, if you've got cycling top on with rear pockets?

Axel_Knutt

I use a £15 Regatta job, at that price I thought I could treat it as disposable but it's still fine after 10 years. I used to use a Nikwax Paramo that cost ten times the price, but it was too big, too heavy, and leaked like a sieve. For windproof alone I use a Montane Velo which is OK, but it faded after just a month.

andrew_s

eVent is the best material, currently. Paclite is comparatively poor.
I'd look at Montane Stormrider or Endura Venturi

Gore are introducing a new fabric that should be at least as good as eVent, but it's not likely to be available until later.
Goretex Active Shell (not to be confused with Windstopper Active Shell). Note the 21 day delivery - Evans haven't got any and are relying on promises.

GyatsoLa

I agree with andrew_s about eVent. My experience of goretex is that its not robust enough for bike touring in muddy, dusty conditions, it loses its waterproofness/breathability too quickly and easily, and it doesn't stand up to multiple washes as well as eVent.

MichaelW, the Rab Momentum comes pretty close to what you are describing - I cycled most of the Great Divide using one and I'm quite happy with it.

MichaelW

I tried a RAB Drillium for fit and found that on my skinny body with long arms, the Med was too tight across the chest and armpits and the L had arms too long.
The Momentum seems to have a rollup hood that flaps around on the outside rather than folding up inside the collar.

priory

I have a rab drilium event fabric 3 +years old. Much recommended. 350g.
sizeextra large. I am 6ft 2 .5in with 34inch waist. I do not think a skin tight fit will be possible to find in rigid waterproof jackets for your shape unless you like them very short.

whether you need it depends on the weather and whether you will have opportunities to dry out.
I found it too warm for cycling in june zipped up so usually in warm weather I take a tiny aldi waterproof ( not nearly as breathable as event) and dxb bikesters and hope to dry off between showers.

TerryJ