Black stylish softshell jacket < c. £120 and durable...

QuickDave

I'm looking for a new men's windproof / softshell bike jacket with the following features (in order of importance):

1. Black and stylish design - I need to use it for walking the dog, going to the shops etc as well as cycling so neon colours/reflectives are out.

2. Price - ideally < £120 (but could go to £150 for something nice)

3. Durable - will last a few years and won't rip if I tumble!

I also like:

A) Packable - medium packable (e.g. anything between paclite and hardshell)

Drawstring or partially elastic hem, not fully elastic hem

C) Velcro adjustable sleeves not elasticated sleeves, or zippered at a push

D) Zipped pocket(s) not patch pocket(s)

E) Napolean pocket

Nice to have but not essential:

a) diagonal neck zip

b) minimal branding

My commute that I mainly need it for is only c. 2 miles if that helps - so though I tend to cycle hot I'm less interested in breathability vs waterproof.

I tried an Endura Stealth today and it's slightly expensive given it doesn't quite fit 3, B, C above. (And it occurs to me the Stealth design is quite old now and perhaps replacements would be coming along, though maybe there will be more sales..?) Finally, I'm not ready to look at walking kit yet as I need a bike-cut ideally.

Any recommendations and/or pratical experience would be great.

Thanks ever so much in advance!

on-oneplus26

Apart from the angled neck zip I think this ticks just about everything you asked for. Like mine.

http://www.yeomansoutdoors.co.uk/produc ... small.aspx

tompo

i bought one of these a few weeks ago.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/alt ... t-ec026245

Would appear to tick most of your boxes and is reduced from £99.99 to £39.99.

daviesee

If you are in London then maybe this :-

http://www.rapha.cc/summer-sample-sale-2011

jimmythecuckoo

http://www.dare2b.com/buy/brakeline-softshell-183171

thinbo

Montane Puma

I've had mine for a few years now and have worn it for summer and winter climbing, hiking, cycling, travelling, going to work/pub, in fact just about everything. There's a newer version out now, if it's anything like the original (it looks to be, the only difference I can see is that it's got 1 Napoleon pocket instead of 2 :-() it'll be the Mutt's nuts.

I think the only criteria on your list it doesn't fulfill is the diagonal zip one, although it does have a fleecy chin guard.

RRP£110 can be had for £77http://www.gear-zone.co.uk/montane-puma-2-0-jacket-pid4434.html


edit: on closer inspection, may not be quite as similar to the previous version as it's made from slightly different material (polartec windPro instead of Powershield), still worth a look i reckon

Berk Bonebonce

Get a jacket the same colour as asphalt ... and get killed.

thinbo

Berk Bonebonce wrote:

Get a jacket the same colour as asphalt ... and get killed.

this is why I don't use the afore mentioned Montane Puma for cycling anymore, I bought a bright yellow cycling specific Altura job. When I did wear it for cycling I wore a yellow gilet over it too.

pottssteve

Sower's Pass have some nice softshells....

QuickDave

I bought the Altura Summit this morning. Very happy, and good price too.

For those who are interested, Evans price matches their own web price in-store! I'm 6'0" and fairly slim, and a M size was fine.

Montane Puma looked good too.

Thanks for the suggestions all, especially tompo.

Now just to work out how to DIY affix a sillicone strip to the back to stop it riding up...

sloppyschleckonds

QuickDave wrote:

Now just to work out how to DIY affix a sillicone strip to the back to stop it riding up...

You're kidding?

QuickDave

I mean a silicone strip like on the Endura Stealth. I wasn't kidding but should I be? It could be done fairly easily I think.

Canny Jock

Shutt VR do a very nice winter soft shell which is worth a look.

http://www.shuttvr.com/shop/productdeta ... er-Jacket/

rowman

I must admin I almost knocked a fellow cyclist of his bike a few weeks ago. It was just starting to go dark and he was dresses head to foot in black. It's a case of fashion over sense?

sloppyschleckonds

Think Lidl are doing a cycle special next week

QuickDave

Hi softshell friends,

Sadly I left my Altura Summit on the train this morning ! Can anyone suggest a good value replacement that fits the bill per the above criteria ? It looks like the Summit is discontinued.

Cheers !

mamil314

Nice discipline! Why pollute forum with more threads if you can reuse one from 5 years ago!
Good luck with your search. Please, consider different colour, though.

eric_draven

Evans have had some decent deals on lately,was looking for one for my mtb a few weeks back

fenix

Yeah black is a stupid idea for cycling in.

cookeeemonster

Fenix wrote:

Yeah black is a stupid idea for cycling in.

Zero evidence for that, plenty of evidence that high viz doesn't work for two wheeled riders.

Learn how to ride on the road, use strong lights in the dark and even in daylight...support segregated infrastructure where relevant/you have the option.

fenix

I've enough evidence from my own eyes thanks. Black isn't very visible even in daylight. I've ridden past my training partner once when he was dressed as a ninja. I was looking for him and he was in the shade

Now imagine a driver who isn't looking for a cyclist. He's a bit hung over. His windscreen is dirty. He's distracted by the kids in the back.

Why would you wear black.

Something bright makes a lot more sense.

cookeeemonster

Fair enough but it makes no difference, always ride defensively as possible regardless and assume people haven't seen you (I don't often ride in black but anecdotally I've never noticed a jot of difference)

jgsi

Fenix wrote:

Yeah black is a stupid idea for cycling in.

Yup, I agree, driver shouted that although he could see me because I was a moving object, as I was in black jacket , he decided that he could get away with not seeing me as the law is on his side, so decided to knock me down.. he knew he'd get away with it.. the police, the courts , the insurers all believed him and now I'm bankrupt paying for costs, his car, his whiplash... in fact this is my last post as BT are about to cut the inter....

fenix

Yes nobody is going to hit you if they've seen you (well you'd hope wouldn't you) but you won't stand out as much in black on a dark or dull day. You can test this every time you cycle. You'll pick out bright cyclists ahead much further off than ninja cyclists.

So wear colours and assume drivers are out to kill you anyway and you'll be as safe as you can be.

Oh extra dim points to the cyclist I almost bumped into on a foggy morning. No lights. A grey rain jacket. In fog. Why???

Secteur

I'd rather get run over than ever wear neon / flouro.

Black, black, black for me.

Secteur

EDIT: having said that I occasionally wear an orange San Pellegrino jersey, but that's ok because retro is cool (neon isn't) and obviously everything else is black.

;-p

daniel_b

QuickDave wrote:

Hi softshell friends,

Sadly I left my Altura Summit on the train this morning ! Can anyone suggest a good value replacement that fits the bill per the above criteria ? It looks like the Summit is discontinued.

Cheers !

Ribble have some mental deals on Assos and Giordana kit at the mo.

fenix

Secteur wrote:

I'd rather get run over than ever wear neon / flouro.

Black, black, black for me.

Let's hope you don't get your wish. I've been riding 35+ years now and driving standards are only getting worse sadly.

arthur_scrimshaw

Kind of lost the thread due to the black vs flouro debate and not sure if the op has done a runner but I bought one of these
http://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/pro ... /id/729963
Allegedly sold for £250 now going for £99 on sports pursuit. Got to say I'm impressed with the quality and fit.

mrb123

Amazing really that the OP has survived since his original post in 2011 riding round in that black jacket.

QuickDave

Hi everyone

Many thanks for the replies which were very useful. I bought a madison zenith for £35 delivered. Very happy with it. Thanks again.