Rapha Rain Jacket

spasypaddy

So my gore jacket has after 5 years of service given up the ghost (the zip isnt sealed any more).

How good is the rapha rain jacket? Is it as good as the gore?

This is the gore jacket in questions

the_fuggler

Can't give you a comparison as I've not tried the Gore jacket. The Rapha has been faultless so far though. Only downside would be it's going to be a bit boil in the bag for summer, but I guess that's the price of being waterproof.

asprilla

People rave about the Rapha Softshell but the Rain Jacket is one of the best bits of kit I own.

It's open vented on the underside of each arm, the armpit and down the sides. Water can get in here, but it means heat and sweat can get out. It's a hell of a lot cooler than any other jacket I've tried and I run hot.

meanredspider

As a rule I don't wear rain jackets - I don't believe they work - but if it's really cold and tipping down, the Assos ClimaSchutz is a nice jacket. But I don't really count myself as qualified to comment (like asking a veggie to recommend a burger )

il_principe

Forget Rapha. Get a Castelli pocket liner, or the lighter weight version. Or a Gabba.

I wore my pocket liner on a Brighton to London ride back in Feb. Torrential rain for the entire ride, my top stayed dry. It's made from a material called e-vent and is bloody magic. Not the most elegant looking bit of kit though.

http://eventfabrics.com

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/castelli-castelli-jackets-cycle-castelli-pocket-liner-jacket/castzjac595

asprilla

E-vent is just a PFTE fabric, like Gore Tex. E-vent breaths a little better, but there isn't that much practical difference between them.

I've got an Endura Venturi II e-vent jacket. Boil in the bag, even with the arm and pit vents open.

spasypaddy

the gabba is no good as i want to throw it on in emergencies.

The pocket liner is £250...

il_principe

spasypaddy wrote:

the gabba is no good as i want to throw it on in emergencies.

The pocket liner is £250...

The Muur is a 'cheaper' packable version http://www.castellicafe.co.uk/castelli-muur-waterproof-jacket?var=3762

IME the Pocket Liner was anything but boil in the bag, and I was pushing on hard for over 2 hours. Expensive, yep. But if I want functional kit that works, Castelli is always my first stop. Witness the likes of Stannard wearing a Gabba (rather than his Rapha) this season (along with half the pro peloton).

aleslie22

Base on the conditions and what everyone was wearing at Milan-San Remo i also recommend and castelli.

meanredspider

Yup - I bought an eVent jacket before I knew better (the Montane Stormrider) - it breathes better than most but that's not saying much. I also refuse to believe that any of these jackets "breathe" when wet on the outside - none of the science I did at school suggested that water was keen to move to where there was already a lot of water. If you're going to get wet when it rains, you my as well stay comfortable when it's dry.

spasypaddy

they are wearing the gabba rather than a waterproof over jacket though. thats the difference.

also need to take into account cost.

Gore = cheap
Rapha = £190
Castelli = £250 (for now)

il_principe

spasypaddy wrote:

the gabba is no good as i want to throw it on in emergencies.

What season is this for? If summer then I'd say just get wet... if Spring/Autumn then get either a L/S or S/S Gabba. If rain is forecast and it's not over 10 degrees or so, then the Gabba is my go to now.

spasypaddy

its mainly to carry with me on the commute during the summer and then on every ride in the spring/autumn/winter

meanredspider

But if I want functional kit that works, Assos is always my first stop.

+1


Seriously, I bought some Castelli shorts with that nano treatment - aye, right! Not only was the treatment hopeless but the pad is poor too (as confirmed by my butt on L2E)

il_principe

spasypaddy wrote:

its mainly to carry with me on the commute during the summer and then on every ride in the spring/autumn/winter

Just wear a Gabba for Spring/Autumn/Winter, and an el-cheapo for the commute. I have a ancient Montane in my bag but rarely bother with it. I know I'm a fanboy, but the Gabba is the most fantastic bit of cycle clothing I've ever owned.

spasypaddy

Il Principe wrote:

spasypaddy wrote:

its mainly to carry with me on the commute during the summer and then on every ride in the spring/autumn/winter

Just wear a Gabba for Spring/Autumn/Winter, and an el-cheapo for the commute. I have a ancient Montane in my bag but rarely bother with it. I know I'm a fanboy, but the Gabba is the most fantastic bit of cycle clothing I've ever owned.

i have the rapha softshell that does something similar... i might get a gabba come the winter though.


assos is good and all but i havent seen a packable jacket by them

meanredspider

spasypaddy wrote:

assos is good and all but i havent seen a packable jacket by them

meanredspider wrote:

As a rule I don't wear rain jackets - I don't believe they work - but if it's really cold and tipping down, the Assos ClimaSchutz is a nice jacket. But I don't really count myself as qualified to comment (like asking a veggie to recommend a burger )

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/assos-sjclimasc ... oof-shell/


ETA - a colleague has the Assos SturmPrinz and swears by it - he's skinny as a rake and does wear jackets. He's getting the knickers to go with it.

il_principe

spasypaddy wrote:

i have the rapha softshell that does something similar... i might get a gabba come the winter though.


assos is good and all but i havent seen a packable jacket by them

Problem is - the softshell doesn't do anything similar to the Gabba as I discovered to my cost on a rainy/sleety/snowy century this year. The Softshell got absolutely sodden, and then so did the 2 layers underneath, i nearly froze. 'tis why a purchased a Gabba!

Don't get me wrong - Softshell/Winter jersey are great in the cold and dry, but any persistent rain and they reach their limits pretty quickly. To be fair, if I'd checked the forecast properly that day I wouldn't have headed out anyway.

Edit - what about the Sportful Hot Pack No-Rain? Heard great reviews of the standard hot pack. I understand from @jonginge that pretty much everyone was wearing one at the start of last year's Marmotte...

meanredspider

Il Principe wrote:

Problem is - the softshell doesn't do anything similar to the Gabba as I discovered to my cost on a rainy/sleety/snowy century this year. The Softshell got absolutely sodden, and then so did the 2 layers underneath, i nearly froze. 'tis why a purchased a Gabba!

Don't get me wrong - Softshell/Winter jersey are great in the cold and dry, but any persistent rain and they reach their limits pretty quickly. To be fair, if I'd checked the forecast properly that day I wouldn't have headed out anyway.

As an Assos fanboi, I openly admit, I wear my Airjacks in all conditions in the cooler months and I just adore them - doesn't matter if it's snowing, sleeting or pissing down, I stay lovely and warm.

spasypaddy

meanredspider wrote:

ETA - a colleague has the Assos SturmPrinz and swears by it - he's skinny as a rake and does wear jackets. He's getting the knickers to go with it.

Thats now on the list, how waterproof is it? can you ask?

Il Principe wrote:

Problem is - the softshell doesn't do anything similar to the Gabba as I discovered to my cost on a rainy/sleety/snowy century this year. The Softshell got absolutely sodden, and then so did the 2 layers underneath, i nearly froze. 'tis why a purchased a Gabba!

Don't get me wrong - Softshell/Winter jersey are great in the cold and dry, but any persistent rain and they reach their limits pretty quickly. To be fair, if I'd checked the forecast properly that day I wouldn't have headed out anyway.

Edit - what about the Sportful Hot Pack No-Rain? Heard great reviews of the standard hot pack. I understand from @jonginge that pretty much everyone was wearing one at the start of last year's Marmotte...

So the gabba can go on the winter shopping list!

But a softshell + a waterproof outer is an added layer of warmth!



Im not even sure why i started this thread im sure i'll end up with the gore as money talks...



oooh sportful is cheap! but only 8000mm whereas gore is 28000mm

meanredspider

spasypaddy wrote:

meanredspider wrote:

ETA - a colleague has the Assos SturmPrinz and swears by it - he's skinny as a rake and does wear jackets. He's getting the knickers to go with it.

Thats now on the list, how waterproof is it? can you ask?

Here's what he sent me by email a few weeks back

"The SturmPrinz Stuff is brill. I recommend going for the troos if the jacket is anything to go by. The first waterproof jacket I have had that has absolutely no drag!!"

He's also told me he's stayed bone dry in it. He's tiny and skinny so gets cold easily. He's also unbelievably quick up hills - 240-odd KoM's and he's 54 I think.

spasypaddy

thats a great review.

will check prices out

List is as follows:
gore
sportful
assos
castelli
rapha

vermin

I have a Sportful Hotpack and it's excellent and packs up properly tiny. However, I prefer my Santini 365 transparent for its perfect cut - it's the best fitting piece of cycle clothing I've ever tried. It's cheap (relatively) and more or less waterproof.

http://timwiggins.blogspot.co.uk/2013/0 ... acket.html

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... t-11-45633

daviesee

spasypaddy wrote:

So the gabba can go on the winter shopping list!

But a softshell + a waterproof outer is an added layer of warmth!

I can safely say that a Gabba and long sleeve base layer is sufficient down to -5.

And, it is much, much more breathable than my Gore Oxygen which gets boil in the bag at anything above cruising pace.

onemoresolo

Now added a Castelli Gabba and nanoflex arm warmers to my buy list, damn this place.

meanredspider

onemoresolo wrote:

Now added a Castelli Gabba and nanoflex arm warmers to my buy list, damn this place.

My experience of nanoflex is poor - I wouldn't bother with it again.

itboffin

FYI
Sportful & Castelli are the same company

daviesee

onemoresolo wrote:

Now added a Castelli Gabba and nanoflex arm warmers to my buy list, damn this place.

I was referring to the long sleeve version of the Gabba. FYI. 8)

gabriel959

Have you had a look at this spasypaddy http://www.goreapparel.com/gore-bike-we ... pe-jackets

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/cate ... t-12-46128

I have one and it is great and you can get it for around £90 when on offer. And it packs really small.

spasypaddy

so having done some research of my own today, i'm probably going to replace my gore jacket with another one.

That xenon is nice gabriel, but i havent really got the need for a windstopper like that.

tetm

spasypaddy wrote:

they are wearing the gabba rather than a waterproof over jacket though. thats the difference.

also need to take into account cost.

Gore = cheap
Rapha = £190
Castelli = £250 (for now)

I've got a 10% off code at Rapha you're welcome to, drop me a PM with your email address. I've got the Rapha rain jacket and it's absolutely awesome.