Decent waterproof jacket recommendations

Barrzy257

pretty much as the title says, looking out the window today I need a waterproof jacket! I don't mind forking out £100+ if needs must, just wondering what people use? I do a fairly short commute 5ish miles, but do around 3 20-40miler's a week and hopefully looking to build that up to longer distances soon. What I don't want is one which will keep me dry from the rain but get me just as wet from my own sweat! Also a few pockets on the back would be nice, and a decent fit. Any recommendations would be appreciated!
Cheers,
Barrzy257

fludey

I use 2 depending on what I'm doing, have a shower jacket that fits in rear pocket very thin and handy on windy days as well thats a dhb jacket from wiggle at £40. Then if I know I'm going to be riding in the rain I use my altura night vision jacket and that is great at keeping the water out and has zip vents on the back and under the arms so breathes well, think that was around £70 available in black blue red or high viz yellow.

Barrzy257

I also have the DHB jacket and use it for similar things. Was thinking about that A,tura, as the missus has been moaning about reflectors on the way home from work... :roll:

maxandpaddy

Altura pocket rocket £41.00 wiggle.

sloppyschleckonds

Rapha Stowaway

phiadad

+1 for pocket rocket

Secteur

pocket rocket has been out of stock for ages

Secteur

As above, I have two;

1) Endura pakajak which fits into back jersey pocket for unplanned showers on otherwise ok days

2) Altura Night Vision Jacket for when it's rainy the whole way

sungod

castelli legerro

very light, soft fabric, windproof, breathable, scrunches up small (takes up about a third of a pocket)

it's not waterproof, but unless it's a deluge it'll still keep you drier as there's not the boil in the bag effect of a full waterproof

sizing chart is based on chest and is accurate, but if you are more generously proportioned around the waist you may need to go up a size

Dan Ingram

What does everyone wear on the bottom half on a rainy day?

sungod

Dan Ingram wrote:

What does everyone wear on the bottom half on a rainy day?

same things as a dry day (bib shorts, unless it's cold/freezing in which case warmers or tights)

if it's really wet, might put on overshoes, but after while the water gets in anyway, so usually only wear them in winter - also depends on your shoes, mine dry out very fast, but if your shoes hold more water it's worth trying to keep as dry as possiblre

Monty Dog

I have about 6 bike jackets including Gore, Castelli, Assos, Northwave, Sugoi and Campagnolo which all off differing degrees of waterproofness. However, none are ideal and none can deal with the perspiration when working hard - the best fabric at the moment IMO is Entrant DT. Cut and fit makes a big difference - something that comes down over the backside and stays put but without being flappy. Pockets are superfluous - use the ones on your jersey otherwise they just add bulk and weight. TBH staying warm is more important than dry - I'd compromise waterproofness for breathability, fit and stowability as on the road you're generating lots of energy and heat.

pilot_pete

^^^ What he said.

IMHO a waterproof jacket is pointless. I came to the same conclusion when hill walking. If you perspire, the most breathable waterproof jacket in the world will not 'wick' the sweat out fast enough to keep you dry on the inside. I owned a top of the range Berghouse Mera Peak jacket in Gore Tex, with double thickness on the shoulders, and if worn when hill walking in the rain I found the sweat beaded all over the inside and the rain beaded on the outside. I was still wet through!

If you accept that you are going to get wet, then just get a close fitting, very packable windproof jacket is all that is needed. It's not the wet that reduces your performance, it's the cold/ windchill, which is worse when you are wet through.

PP

meanredspider

^^^^^^^^^^^^
What they said. Windproof rather than waterproof. I only carry a small packable (Montane Fetherlite) jacket in case I stop in the wet. I run hot and perspire plenty and any waterproof is going to end up boil-in-the-bag. I'm made of breathable waterproof material - I just need to stay warm.

jim453

Sat looking out of the window now.

There is no fabric yet invented that will keep you dry in this. Particularly if you don't want to sweat.

Forget it.

Wear something to keep the wind off so you stay warm and embrace the moisture.

My only other requirement is that whatever you wear does not soak in water and become heavy. Overshoes and innersoles in shoes are particularly problematic for this if it is raining hard enough.

rubertoe

i was thinking about getting a different waterproof - i have a boil in the bag at the moment and its just so uncomfortable inside the jacket i just dont bother to wear it!

i was thinking about an Altura night vison - but i dont think i'll bother my skin is waterproof enough.

I note alot of you guys are recomending Windstopper type jackets - i need one for the Winter - not worried about it being waterproof as i said but it needs to be warm and not to expensive so no rapha or Assos....

Any recomendations for a Warm windstopper.

jermas

I still think that a waterproof jacket is useful to own- especially in the colder months. Yes you get sweaty inside the jacket but if it's cold and really lashing it down give me a waterproof rather than windproof. I find a waterproof gilet is the thing to wear in summer when it's raining hard. But as mentioned above a windproof jacket is best for most other occasions.

thegreatdivide

Even though loads of websites have had it listed - but never in stock - for over a year the new Castelli Pocket Liner finally comes out next month and I'm giving it serious consideration. It's going to cost a fuxking bomb though - about £260 - but if it lives up to the hype it could have that waterproof vs. breathability problem sorted out. It looks pretty cool too. I'm going to invest in one of the Gabba jerseys too, then live on bread and water for the rest of the year…

http://blog.castelli-cycling.com/2010/0 ... onditions/

Peddle Up!

I've got three cycling jackets - a lightweight Altura, a very stowable Pertex slipstream and a more substantial Altura for days like yesterday when it just buckets down.

I recommend all three but would echo the comment that nothing will keep you dry. Water will always creep in somewhere and unless you're cycling at a granny pace you'll generate enough sweat to soak you from within. Keeping warm is what it's all about.

Monty Dog

For the earlier post regarding a warm windstopper jacket, try a Gore Tool. There is a Showers Pass jacket that has good reviews too - might get one as my winter commuter.

Barrzy257

Tried a load of jackets on today, of all I tried the Endura Windchill felt the best, I no BR reviewed it highly but does anyone else have experience of this jacket? Cheers