Waterproofs.
dazza3512
Posts: 58
hi gang,looking for some recommendations for a full set of waterproofs sutable for long periods in the rain,i am using a freestyle goretex jacket at the moment and it does not take long before i feel wet,i know this may be down to persperation inside the jacket,but i would love to have a jkt and trs that keep me dry on my travels,any personel recommendations would be gratefully recieved,i am toying with the idea of a full set of altura night vision waterproofs,but would consider any.
regards :P
regards :P
He travels fastest who travels alone
0
Posts
The best you can hope for is to get a design that is highly vented with underam pit zips + an open back vent + a front with poppers so you can undo the zip without going all flappy-in-the-wind
Modern designs are not in your favour, back-vents are no-longer made and zips are now waterproof so poppers are not required.
The modern solution to poor breathability is a softshell, but these are not really waterproof for all-day, multi-day wet riding.
For my Norwegian tour I was expecting Scottish conditions: days of torrential rain at 10-15C and was not disappointed. I ummed and erred about packing my Paramo jacket; it is bulky in the bag and too warm for riding anything over 15C. In the event, it saved my bacon, keeping me totally comfortable, all day, in the worst conditions but drying off inside the tent within 10 mins. I also found it useful as an evening fleece-like insulated jacket.
Current Paramo jackets are lighter and less bulky than my old one. The pullover style is good for cycling but the zip front is easier to use inside a solo tent. They have hoods which are either removable or attached. The removable ones are better for riding but hoods are important for touring when off the bike.
On long days in the saddle in the countryside - as when I've toured through in Scotland and Northumbria and such places in late autumn (only time I could get away) and where wind is likely to be a factor - you need something else. I've found that a Gore Fusion (with pit zips open) and Endura 3/4 eVent shorts works very well.
I've yet to find good waterproof overshoes to fit my size 48 shoes, and I've all but given up on the idea of waterproof gloves, but the aforementioned combination of jacket and over-trousers has worked really well for me.
What exactly did it have going for it? The minuses massively outweigh the pluses.
there are plenty of jackets to choose from,i know just wondered if anybody had any specific recommendations from personal use.
so far= gore fusion-rab momentum-endura stealth -paramo ?
I've used them a lot for hill walking and mountian biking.
The plusses: if it is big enough to go completely over the bars and well down onto the front mudguard it won't flap, it allows your body to breathe, it keeps you dry well down below the knee and it is even reasonably streamlined. The minus: it has to be big enough to fit like that (in my case a 48" Stormcheetah, which doesn't exist any longer). In west and mid Wales where autumn and winter tend to be a bit wet and blowy it was my idea of perfection. If only I could find another one.
To put things in context, in a warmer climate I prefer not to clad myself in a waterproof if I can avoid it. In summer cloubursts I don't stop to put anything over a jersey. Its more comfortable without.
tahnks again :P