Rapha wind jacket - how waterproof? (haters need not answer)

daysofspeed

ANyone got the Rapha WInd Jacket?

How does it hold up in a shower? 2 mins and soaked or ok?

weighing up Wind v Rain and thinking the wind will be more versatile.

Cheers in advance for any sensible answers

mikenetic

My mate has a wind jacket, I have the rain jacket. The wind will certainly hold off a shower or two, but it will give up in the end in the face of persistent rain.

I find the rain jacket pretty versatile. It'll stuff into a jersey pocket, and kept me dry through some torrential rain in Scotland when I did the JOGLE last year. Proper stair-rod/can't see/so hard it hurts rain. The cuffs on mine eventually soaked up water, but the rest of me was pretty dry regardless of conditions.

Hoopdriver

If by wind jacket you mean the softshell (I've lost track of their name changes) it is quite goid. I ave used one if the softshell riding jackets for sx years and love it. It is wonderfully breathable and will certainly hold off a shower quite nicely, and its dries well too. Great jacket.

Mccaria

I have both the wind jacket and the rain jacket. Most times I stuff a jacket in a jersey pocket it will be the rain jacket as it is not that much heavier and is better in the rain and warmer.

ShutUpLegs

I used the stowaway in torrential rain recently, kept me dry for an hour

daysofspeed

Ace replies, many thanks. Not sure it's made my decision easier. I reckon I'll go soft-shell/stowaway/wind and maybe get a cheaper "waterproof" later.

Got neither and the sale is irresistible.

galatzo

Got the Rapha Rain Jacket yesterday and it's pretty lightweight I'd say.
Can't comment on it capabilities yet.
I reckon the Rapha Wind jacket must be really lightweight as it's lighter than the rain jacket.
Not decided if I'm keeping the rain jacket yet as I have an Assos Climashutz gilet which I really like and would love to get the Climashutz jacket but it's at least £165 ! so I may make do with the Rapha rainjacket.
Certainly wouldn't pay the RRP of £190 for the Rapha Rain Jacket but as you said the sale is so tempting,

Anyone know if the Assos Climashutz jacket is as rainproof as the Rapha Rain Jacket or is the Assos more of a 50/50 rain jacket / wind jacket ?

Cheers

ajb72

I own both (ebay and Rapha London sale before etch haters start!). I'd have to say they are both great but serve different purposes.

The wind/stowway jacket is bar far the more versatile due to it's lighter weight. It's an awesome wind block for cooler weather and will withstand showers for quite some time. Anything too heavy or too prolonged and it will give in, but those rides tend to be less frequent than those with the odd shower I reckon. I get quite a lot of wear out of mine, far more than the rain jacket as I find that too warm unless the temperature is in the upper single figures or really nailing it down.

The rain jacket is awesome for the job it's designed for. Mine has never let any water in and the fact it is lined makes it more breathable in wet and humid conditions, although if it's warm out you'll still get sweaty. I have taken to wearing mine over thermal jackets in winter, meaning I didn't wear my softshell jacket at all last winter (so sold it).

If I had to pick just one, it would due the wind jacket purely due to the fact I can wear it for several weeks of the year.

mikenetic

Just want to make sure we're not confusing the softshell/rain/wind here.

The rain is really pretty lightweight, and is a single layer. I found that with appropriate layering underneath its very good, but under hard effort under warm conditions it will get a bit sweaty.

The softshell is a great piece of kit, but is really a late autumn/winter/spring outer for coldish conditions. That will shrug off a shower, but it will also let rain through in the end. It's great as a windstopper, and works really well with just a long-sleeve base underneath, or perhaps a jersey if it was getting down to not much above zero.

ajb72

mikenetic wrote:

Just want to make sure we're not confusing the softshell/rain/wind here.

The rain is really pretty lightweight, and is a single layer. I found that with appropriate layering underneath its very good, but under hard effort under warm conditions it will get a bit sweaty.

The softshell is a great piece of kit, but is really a late autumn/winter/spring outer for coldish conditions. That will shrug off a shower, but it will also let rain through in the end. It's great as a windstopper, and works really well with just a long-sleeve base underneath, or perhaps a jersey if it was getting down to not much above zero.

Think it might just you that's confused. The Rain Jacket is not a single layer, it is lined on all panels except the sides. Only the Wind Jacket (formerly the Stowaway) is non-lined. Both are indeed light weight though.

The softshell is a completely different kettle of fish all together, as you say.

daysofspeed

I didn't help re the confusion. Called the wind softshell but meant "former stowaway".

Hesitated and my colour of choice is gone - light blue. Navy v pink. Like the idea of being seen (read visible) but navy might be a bit less "there goes a Rapha wayne ker"...

I reckon wind would get more use, just that colour conundrum now!

daysofspeed

ajb72 wrote:

I own both (ebay and Rapha London sale before etch haters start!). I'd have to say they are both great but serve different purposes.

Was the London sale any cop? Was flat broke at time so didn't go. Noticed lots of post-sale gloves on eBay but not much else.

Got a country jersey, only had a cap & socks before hand, in this sale. Despite the puzzlement of "made in China" I love it.

Wily-Quixote

Do you mean you wear the Jacket? On a bike? What happens if it gets dirty?

I'm sorry I couldn't help myself..

meesterbond

Galatzo wrote:

Anyone know if the Assos Climashutz jacket is as rainproof as the Rapha Rain Jacket or is the Assos more of a 50/50 rain jacket / wind jacket ?

It's more of a 50/50 to be honest. A lovely bit of kit, really breathable, folds down tiny but definitely not rainproof. Shower-resistant would probably be a better term. To be honest though, I'm not sure a true 'rain-proof' top exists, at least not one which you'd want to wear whilst pedalling hard. I'm happier getting a little damp, but staying at a good temperature rather than being completely dry yet boiling up...

daysofspeed

meesterbond wrote:

I'm happier getting a little damp, but staying at a good temperature rather than being completely dry yet boiling up...

Exactly my thoughts. Don't fancy being dry on the outside only to sweat and get wet inside.

IME worst that happens, get soaked, get used to it, dry out quickly.

daysofspeed

Wily-Quixote wrote:

Do you mean you wear the Jacket? On a bike? What happens if it gets dirty?

I'm sorry I couldn't help myself..

I'll wash it mate, like you probably do your overpriced bike...

thegreatdivide

Rode my 26 mile flat route in the rain first thing this morning. It was 15C with a 5mph wind and I wore a thin long sleeve base layer under my Rapha Rain Jacket – no jersey. I normally do this route at a slow tempo for a bit of morning fat burning but I was short of time so upped the speed. The jacket managed to keep me bone dry and although it got pretty toasty on the inside it never got boil in the bag. I bought mine at the end of last year and used it through the winter as a top layer – it works a treat.

Also, given a choice between the Rapha Wind Jacket and the Gilet I’d take the Gilet any day. It’s much more versatile and the two back pockets are great for extra storage.

daviesee

thegreatdivide wrote:

Also, given a choice between the Rapha Wind Jacket and the Gilet I’d take the Gilet any day. It’s much more versatile and the two back pockets are great for extra storage.

Funny that. The first thing to get cold on me after hands and feet, are my arms.
Each to their own.

on-yer-bike

The wind jacket is not waterproof at all after its been washed a few times. It was once sold as a rain jacket until they brought the rain jacket out then it became a wind jacket. I think even the rain jacket might need reproofing after a while. The rain jacket is longer and it is not lined but the fabric is different from the wind jacket.
I use the wind jacket as others would use a gilet.

flanners1

It is showerproof, if washed with the Nikwax TX stuff. It is not waterproof. It keeps the wind out and keeps you warm. Great for Autumn and into beginning of Winter. It's a long sleeve gilet :!: :?:

northpole

The wind jacket is one of my favourite bits of cycling kit. For early morning nippy starts it provides a bit of warmth; it feels breathable so you don't tend to cook in it; and it provides reasonable protection from the rain. Folds up neatly and fits easily into a back pocket if the temperature climbs enough to warrant taking it off.

I do think you need to be careful when washing them - one of mine was 'killed' when I leant it to a friend. It was washed before returning it to me. I don't know if fabric softener or some other thing reacted but it ceased to function after that. Even soaking it in the fabric waterproofing stuff seemed to have no impact.

Provided you are careful with washing regime, I'd strongly recommend one - esp if you can get hold of one in the sale!

Peter

daysofspeed

Bagged the pink. Not here yet. Did a 100km today. Got drenched. Not sure anything would ave saved me bar a bus shelter!

Wily-Quixote

Rapha.... Pink..... Will your boyfriend let you wear it?