Jackets - Endura Stealth 2 v Altura Night Vision Evo

rodgers73

After getting a bit too wet out on a sportive this weekend I decided that the Aldi jacket is best left for commuting and better times of year. I'm going to upgrade my waterproof to either the Altura (sensible price) or the Endura (pushing my budget quite a bit).

The sensible option is to spend within my means but I wondered what would my extra £80 or so buy me if I went for the Endura? Is it worth the bother or is it simply gilding the lily?

I want something that will keep me dry all day long regardless of how heavy the rain gets.

Grill

I like the Stealth, great jacket for the money. The Altura stuff is fine, it's just thinner with uber-baggy fit (I'm under 70kg so not good for me).

pkripper

I have the stealth and I rate it very highly, very highly indeed. It's actually too warm to use it at the moment, as it gets too hot for me above about 5 degrees.

Something to consider is layering generally though - I wouldn't want to rely on my stealth to be waterproof for a whole day in the rain - it may well be, but other softshells i've had have eventually given up. You could do a lot worse than maybe get a packable montane jacket and a gore / pearl izumi / giordana et al softshell for warmth, and then just chuck the montane on when it tips it down. Realistically, how often are you going to ride in the pissing rain?!

arthur_scrimshaw

I used to be a big fan of Endura stuff, but now wouldn't buy their gear. I had a stealth jacket for about two years, sent it back when it was a year old because the ends of the arms became soaked after 30 minutes in mild rain conditions, Endura tested it and said it was fine. The gripstrip on the tail started perishing after six months and now the logos have started peeling off. I've had similar waterproofing issues with their gloves. I would recommend Gore over Endura any day.

dynamicbrick

Had an Altura Night Vision Evo for several years now.

Decent enough, with some gripes;

1) It's very baggy (presumably to worn over not-cycling-jackets by commuters) which is great until you get into a headwind, then it's just a ruddy great airbrake. Also, anything you put in the breast pocket ends up banging on the left leg due to the bagginess.

2) The zip on the back pocket isn't waterproof - which is a pain because it's the best place for wallet/phone.

3) It isn't a hydrophobic shell - so when it gets wet it stays wet. Not a problem unless you're riding in winter, when that wet jacket turns into a massive heat exchanger when you clear the rain.

4) The side vents work well, but the rear vents do not. You get some really odd hot-spots with it (well, I do).

5) It doesn't - or didn't when I bought it - include a hood.

Conclusion - a good bit of commuting kit, but not really designed for road bike use.

rodgers73

Sounds like a lucky escape there then! That's pretty much the opposite of what I wanted.

Pigeons in flight

Arthur Scrimshaw wrote:

I used to be a big fan of Endura stuff, but now wouldn't buy their gear. I had a stealth jacket for about two years, sent it back when it was a year old because the ends of the arms became soaked after 30 minutes in mild rain conditions, Endura tested it and said it was fine. The gripstrip on the tail started perishing after six months and now the logos have started peeling off. I've had similar waterproofing issues with their gloves. I would recommend Gore over Endura any day.

Gore products are superior to Endura's...and so are the prices. In most cases, you get what you pay for. I have a had a couple of pairs of 3/4 bibs from Endura and got fed up with them when the stitching came away after about 18 months use.

arthur_scrimshaw

Pigeons in flight wrote:

Arthur Scrimshaw wrote:

I used to be a big fan of Endura stuff, but now wouldn't buy their gear. I had a stealth jacket for about two years, sent it back when it was a year old because the ends of the arms became soaked after 30 minutes in mild rain conditions, Endura tested it and said it was fine. The gripstrip on the tail started perishing after six months and now the logos have started peeling off. I've had similar waterproofing issues with their gloves. I would recommend Gore over Endura any day.

Gore products are superior to Endura's...and so are the prices. In most cases, you get what you pay for. I have a had a couple of pairs of 3/4 bibs from Endura and got fed up with them when the stitching came away after about 18 months use.

I'd agree you get what you pay for in most situations but not with Endura, my stealth jacket was £160 which is on par with Gore stuff. I think their pricing is comparable.

bluesparx

I've had a stealh for two full winters (worn every day from october to marchish) and found it pretty amazing at keeping the water out, letting the sweat out, and being really warm (the vents usually stay open except for a week or two in january) However, once the waterproofing goes, it is gone and although it can be reproofed, the breathability is lost turning it into any other waterproof jacket where you get the boil in the bag effect. So I am not sure it is worth spending all that money on something that lasts for two seasons. I am still wearing it now though. I love the quality, the seams, the zips, the fit. I just feel cheated that I no longer have a breathable jacket.

loismustdie

I also have a Stealth - used it throughout last winter. It's excellent, no issues with quality. It kept me dry through an hour long downpour. It is, though, very warm and it's only on the coldest days you'll really need it. I'm disappointed to hear about the waterproofing/breathability issues others have had, although I've not encountered them yet.

msherry21

Great thread!!

I have been looking at an Altura Night Vision Evo jacket for the past week and this thread has just swayed me to possibly go for the Stealth! I do prefer the Evo for the increased visibility but the Stealth seems to be the better jacket, decisions, decisions. What's The equivalent from Gore? Are there any other better jackets to think of for winter cycling?

Cheers, Michael.