Which soft shell jacket for Autumn/Winter training?

Danny87

As the title suggests I need a jacket for windy / cold / rainy conditions. For training rides of no more than 4-5 hours in Autumn / Winter. I don't want a parachute, I want a fitted jacket. I don't want to spend more than £140.

I've seen so many now I've become blinkered and just can't deide :-S


1) Gore Bike Wear Xenon 2.0 AS Cycling Jacket

2) Gore Bike Wear Oxygen GT AS Cycling Jacket

3) Santini 'Taka' Gore Windstopper Lightweight Packable Jacket

4) Santini 365 Orbit Cycling Jacket

I'm pretty keen on the Gore jackets from reviews but what's the difference really between 1) & 2) ?
Also Santini have a good reputation and are very reasonable price wise..

Help please..

shamrock134

If you are after a softshell neither 1 or 2 fit the bill. I can't comment on the Santinis.

Gore Active Shell (AS) is more of a rain jacket type material that isn't particularly insulating/warm. It is windproof, showerproof and packable. The Oxygen jacket is also made from Gore-Tex so it is fully waterproof.

I have one of these and think it meets your needs more as a warm softshell but they aren't cheap... http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gore-bike-wear- ... ll-jacket/

The cheaper alternatives would be...
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gore-bike-wear- ... ll-jacket/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gore-bike-wear- ... ll-jacket/

bendertherobot

Madison Genesis Softshell.

Danny87

shamrock134 wrote:

If you are after a softshell neither 1 or 2 fit the bill. I can't comment on the Santinis.

Gore Active Shell (AS) is more of a rain jacket type material that isn't particularly insulating/warm. It is windproof, showerproof and packable. The Oxygen jacket is also made from Gore-Tex so it is fully waterproof.

I have one of these and think it meets your needs more as a warm softshell but they aren't cheap... http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gore-bike-wear- ... ll-jacket/

The cheaper alternatives would be...
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gore-bike-wear- ... ll-jacket/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gore-bike-wear- ... ll-jacket/

Apollogies it sounds like I don't need a soft shell jacket but more of the 'active shell' type jacket. Something that will keep the wind and rain out. I usually wear a long sleeve base layer and then an additional long sleeve jersey and am warm enough. It's more for when its raining on and off and in between which the wind is howling at 20+mph and your damp with 30 miles to go.. I'd like to wear a jacket on such a day and not have to worry so much about having to put on and remove, something I can out the door in and back through 3-4 hours later without removing in between.

Fredtheghost

Gore xenon , two winters later riding in all conditions with a thermal base layer can highly recommend. Although its not claimed to be waterproof it's taken some wet rides and came through with flying colours, completely blocks out the wind chill and yes it's expensive but I would by one every season if I had too, saying that I guess I have worn my at least 30 rides all over 50 miles and it still looks and feels like new