Advice on good waterproof gear

Skerryman

After getting soaked in a very cold spin this weekend I've decided to invest on some waterproof gear rather than suffer from borderline hypothermia again. Top priorities are a waterproof cape/ jacket and waterproof gloves. Just wondering if anyone can recommend anything, hoping not to spend more than €70 on the jacket and maybe €30 on gloves. Have been looking at the options below so far, but if anyone has other suggestions that would be great.

Jacket
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop ... t_2392.htm

Gloves
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=43466

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=67582

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/end ... e-ec025183

So basically any opinions on the above options or other options would be great.

huuregeil

Montane make some great stuff, and I have that exact jacket - however, it's not what I'd use for a long continuously wet ride because it's not breathable enough. Great as an emergency jacket or for dealing with the odd shower though. I'd spend a little more and buy something more breathable, maybe one higher up in the montane range. Gloves always get wet, no matter the design, I wouldn't overly bother spending cash here.

Monty Dog

Neoprene gloves are quite effective when its soaking wet - provided its above about 5 degrees. Very few waterproofs work effectively when riding hard as they can't deal with the water vapour and therefore you get damp and cold. GoreTex, Entrant DT or Event are the better fabrics to look for

Skerryman

Thanks for replies. Have the Pro Gel Team gloves linked below and they just didn't cut it the other day. Fingers were actually in pain they were so cold and soaked through. Those Chiba gloves look like they could be worth a punt, have heard mixed reviews about the Endura's. Spotted a jacket on Prendas, its a Santini 'Magic' Soft shell jacket, description says waterproof, could be worth a punt. Anyone got experience of Santini waterproof gear?

http://www.prendas.co.uk/details.asp?ty ... =3&ID=3015

Skerryman

I've narrowed my jacket choice down to the following three. If anyone has any feedback or experience of any of them that would be super. Looking for something to keep the rain out but not overly bulky

Castelli Squadra
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... ASTZJAC585

Montane Velo H2O
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=34916

Santini 'Magic' Softshell
http://www.prendas.co.uk/details.asp?ty ... =3&ID=3015

racingcondor

Gloves, overshoes and some decent wool socks make a lot of difference in the wet but I wouldn't bother with a rain jacket (you'll get wet from spray and sweat anyway).

Best answer I've found is a decent base layer and something wind resistant on your torso (gilet perhaps), still lets your skin breath.

I've found Seal Skins gloves work pretty well for me but I seem to have warmer hands than some. Couple of weeks back when it hit -2C I was warm enough but a riding buddy with the same gloves was suffering for it. Craft lobster mitts are a step up again in warmth though.

Skerryman

racingcondor wrote:

Gloves, overshoes and some decent wool socks make a lot of difference in the wet but I wouldn't bother with a rain jacket (you'll get wet from spray and sweat anyway).

Best answer I've found is a decent base layer and something wind resistant on your torso (gilet perhaps), still lets your skin breath.

I've found Seal Skins gloves work pretty well for me but I seem to have warmer hands than some. Couple of weeks back when it hit -2C I was warm enough but a riding buddy with the same gloves was suffering for it. Craft lobster mitts are a step up again in warmth though.

I had a Gore Windstopper Gilet over a long sleeve jersey but it just didn't cut it. Got soaked through, and it was pretty cold too so teeth were chattering with about 30km to go, not an experience I'd like again

BigLee1

Try getting something waterproof for your thighs, they are big lumps of muscle and imo benefit from keeping dry and warm. Waterproof shorts are a good buy altho mostly worn by mtb type folk I use cut down army goretex pants and they are great on a wet ride beit the commute home from work, 13miles ish, or out mtbing

StorckSpeed

Don't buy a cheap waterproof jacket and expect to ride 3-4hrs in total comfort because your not going to get wet. That's not going to happen. Cheap waterproof jackets generally aren't that waterproof and aren't that breathable so not only will you get wet you'll also feel really uncomfortable. If you must have a waterproof jacket for all your winter riding then buy a Gore-tex or Entrant one or the Endura Equipe Thermo jacket (make sure it has pit vents, they make a huge difference).
I wear a base layer, mid layer and Gore windstopper softshell jacket, this keeps me comfortable for hours of riding (down to -5deg) and will keep showers at bay without any discomfort. I also carry a Montane fetherlite jacket (which comes with it's own stuff sac, which you can attach to your seat with the velcro strap provided) I only use this when it's absolutely pi**ing down and have only used it 3 times in 2 years.
In my opinion it's much better to stay warm and comfortable than warm and dry, and the secret to staying warm is a hat. If your heads warm and your undertaking vigourous exercise then you will be warm.
I recommend these gloves - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pea ... gn=froogle
this hat - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=18464
and this jacket - http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/123643.html

Skerryman

StorckSpeed wrote:

Don't buy a cheap waterproof jacket and expect to ride 3-4hrs in total comfort because your not going to get wet. That's not going to happen. Cheap waterproof jackets generally aren't that waterproof and aren't that breathable so not only will you get wet you'll also feel really uncomfortable. If you must have a waterproof jacket for all your winter riding then buy a Gore-tex or Entrant one or the Endura Equipe Thermo jacket (make sure it has pit vents, they make a huge difference).
I wear a base layer, mid layer and Gore windstopper softshell jacket, this keeps me comfortable for hours of riding (down to -5deg) and will keep showers at bay without any discomfort. I also carry a Montane fetherlite jacket (which comes with it's own stuff sac, which you can attach to your seat with the velcro strap provided) I only use this when it's absolutely pi**ing down and have only used it 3 times in 2 years.
In my opinion it's much better to stay warm and comfortable than warm and dry, and the secret to staying warm is a hat. If your heads warm and your undertaking vigourous exercise then you will be warm.
I recommend these gloves - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pea ... gn=froogle
this hat - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=18464
and this jacket - http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/123643.html

Thanks for the info. All seem like good options but unfortunately the gloves and jacket are way out of my budget at the moment. Was also looking at getting a hat and had spotted the Endura Baa Baa Merino skullcap, slightly more expensive than the thermolite one, not sure if merino might be too warm though. Was thinking of maybe taking a punt on the Santini jacket I linked above, its made form Nextec Epic fabric which according to the blurb is 'lightweight, breathable, water-repellent, windproof - all packable in if you get too hot', and is within my budget and well marked down. Prehaps pick up the Montane jacket sometime in the near future as a backup for when its heaving down. Going to order a Craft Zero Extreme baselayer too which hopefully keep me toasty. Just not 100% sure whether I should get the Santini or Montane jacket at the moment.

Skerryman

BigLee1 wrote:

Try getting something waterproof for your thighs, they are big lumps of muscle and imo benefit from keeping dry and warm. Waterproof shorts are a good buy altho mostly worn by mtb type folk I use cut down army goretex pants and they are great on a wet ride beit the commute home from work, 13miles ish, or out mtbing

I usually wear legwarmers and bibshorts. I find my legs don't get that cold as their doing all the moving. Its the static parts above the waist that get really cold so a jacket to keep the rain out would hopefully sort me out there. Also I may get shunned for wearing MTB shorts over my bibs

huuregeil

The Velo H2O is similarly light and not breathable enough for sustained use. You want to be looking at something like the VelocityDT or, if oyu can stretch it, the Photon. I personally think it's worth spending the cash on a decent jacket if you spend a lot of time in the cold/rain, the breathability makes a massive difference to how comfortable you are and also how much (e.g. over what range of conditions) you can use the jacket.

tc345

From my (admittedly limited) wet weather riding experience it is better to have a windproof layer than a fully waterproof one. I use the Montane Featherlight when it's raining and it is only showerproof. However as long as i have layered well enough i can keep warm enough as my torso effectively stays out of the wind. My layering does include a good mid synthetic layer that keeps me warm when wet, similarly to merino.

Skerryman

Thanks for all the input folks. Went for the Santini Magic Epic Softshell (gotta be good with a name like that). Not expecting it to be waterproof, water-repellent will suffice. Gonna be worn mostly under a Gore Windstopper Gilet. So all in all decided to get the following items to bolster my defenses against old man winter.
Santini Jacket
http://www.prendas.co.uk/details.asp?ty ... =3&ID=3015

Endura merino skullcap
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=51319

Craft Zero Extreme Baselayer
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cra ... k-ec029844

Hopefully that will do for now. Was planning on getting new gloves, but gonna chance the cheaper option of applying a waterproof spray to my Pro Team gloves. Not holding out much hope of it working but can't do any harm and may buy me some time until my wallet recovers.

Hoopdriver

Hello

I was in the hunt for just such a thing for a long time too. It ain't easy. I wrote a (favourable) review of the Gore Fusion jacket just the other day on my magazine-style blog. If you're interested, here's the link:

http://my-bicycle-and-i.co.uk/2012/chas ... aterproof/

nferrar

Waterproof gear is pretty pointless IMO apart from an emergency rain jacket for a brief shower, gloves and possibly shoes/overshoes. The problem with waterproof jackets is none of them are breathable enough to cope with someone cycling at a decent pace so you just get wet from the inside. The key is to stay warm when you're wet so windproof stuff is best (more breathable so you don't soak through form the inside as fast and stay warm when wet). The only fully waterproof jacket I have (other than an emergency one) is the Endura Stealth and I haven't worn it since the depths of last winter as it's just too warm above 0c

NickintheLakes

nferrar wrote:

Waterproof gear is pretty pointless IMO apart from an emergency rain jacket for a brief shower, gloves and possibly shoes/overshoes. The problem with waterproof jackets is none of them are breathable enough to cope with someone cycling at a decent pace so you just get wet from the inside. The key is to stay warm when you're wet so windproof stuff is best (more breathable so you don't soak through form the inside as fast and stay warm when wet). The only fully waterproof jacket I have (other than an emergency one) is the Endura Stealth and I haven't worn it since the depths of last winter as it's just too warm above 0c

Yes you are right. Despite latest fabric developments and the ever increasing price of Gore etc jackets their breathability is rubbish. hence the need for pit zips and through pocket ventilation tunnels etc. As soon as a breathable jacket gets wet from the rain it can no longer shift any moisture from the inside. Only use is to keep the wind off and from getting you soaking wet from the rain.

huuregeil

nferrar wrote:

Waterproof gear is pretty pointless IMO apart from an emergency rain jacket for a brief shower, gloves and possibly shoes/overshoes. The problem with waterproof jackets is none of them are breathable enough to cope with someone cycling at a decent pace so you just get wet from the inside. The key is to stay warm when you're wet so windproof stuff is best (more breathable so you don't soak through form the inside as fast and stay warm when wet). The only fully waterproof jacket I have (other than an emergency one) is the Endura Stealth and I haven't worn it since the depths of last winter as it's just too warm above 0c

This is true to some extent, but it's a matter of degree, how hard you push yourself, how hot you run. But good modern fabrics are way better than older stuff. E.g. eVent which is great, in addition to a montane eVent jacket I have a climbing jacket in eVent that is the first I've had that doesn't have pit zips and I don't find myself missing them, because the jacket is so breathable and it runs a little cold. The montane is a world of difference from my old altura reflex, which was terrible and very hot despite boasting high breathability figures - go figure!

In other words, spend cash or not at all. I do agree that in some circumstances, getting wet and avoiding the wind is a better option.

bobgfish

Reagrding jacket. I have been most impressed with one of these.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-eq25-waterproof-cycling-jacket/

After 2-3 hours in torrenial rain I'm still fairly dry. It has good venting so not to hot. Rain tends to come up the arms a little as I like the jacket on the outside of gloves. (Feels more comfortable.) Not sure how it rates compared with the others. It's a little to bulky to stuff in a pocket.

jordan_217

The Craft Zero Extreme base layers are ace. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Get down to your local Aldi and see if they have any 'Biking' gloves left. Bought a few pairs last year as they were so cheap. Brilliant gloves, and not just for the money. Significantly cheaper (and better) than any other Winter gloves I've used.

racingcondor

Thought I should come back to add that although I'd recommend base layers and some wind proofing I do carry a Castelli Sottile in my jersey pocket in case I've got it wrong.

Changeable weather is a problem and it sounds like that's what happened to you, I know roughly what temperature band I'm dressing for and tend ot knock about 5C off if I know rain is coming.