Good rainproof jersey with excellent breathability ?

Serious Cat

One that fits nice and snug and doesn't flap around like a sail in the wind and also offers great breathability so the rider isn't literally steam cooked when riding uphill. Not looking to spend a huge sum and thankyou for any input.

FatTed

Castelli Gabba
but its loads of money

luv2ride

I managed to pick up a Craft Elite Weather jersey half price just before Xmas, seems very similar to the Gabba short sleeve (wind and water resistant):
http://www.probikekit.co.uk/sports-clot ... tAod2UIA0Q
There do not seem to be many left in stock in the uk, but certain more will come in during the spring. Mine was 55 quid, so a lot cheaper than the Castelli. I also see that Sportful are extending their range of light weight, water and wind resistant Fiandre and No Rain jerseys and jackets in 2014 - not sure when they'll be shipped to the uk though...

MattC59

What level of rain proofing do you want ?

I've got a Santini Aquazero and it's superb in showers, water just beads up on it. Otherwise, it behaves like a long sleeved jersey.

chadders81

Gabba is the awesome and Sportful NoRain stuff is almost identical - same fabric.

Anonymous

What would you call a huge sum?
How much do you want to spend?

src1

I've got a Gabba jacket and although I really like it, it's not waterproof. It's really designed for fast riding in intermittent rain/light drizzle, in prolonged/heavy rain you'll get wet.

I like eVent jackets best, they're not cheap and you'll still get sweaty when riding hard. Gore make good jackets, but again you're looking at over £150. Cheaper jackets tend to be less breathable, but vents can help. How about something light and packable you can take off when it stop raining? E.g. something like the Altura Pocket Rocket waterproof?

Garry H

SRC1 wrote:

I've got a Gabba jacket and although I really like it, it's not waterproof. It's really designed for fast riding in intermittent rain/light drizzle, in prolonged/heavy rain you'll get wet.

I like eVent jackets best, they're not cheap and you'll still get sweaty when riding hard. Gore make good jackets, but again you're looking at over £150. Cheaper jackets tend to be less breathable, but vents can help. How about something light and packable you can take off when it stop raining? E.g. something like the Altura Pocket Rocket waterproof?

Do you know of any deceny eVent cycling specific jackets?

Anonymous

SRC1 wrote:

Gore make good jackets, but again you're looking at over £150

The Gore Phantom is reduced from £149 to £101 at Evans Cycles until Monday (£112 + extra 10% off they are currently doing).
The fabric is wind and water proof (so waterproof apart from not having sealed zip).

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gor ... t-ec040399

Its a jersey and it also ticks the excellent breathability box too.
Arms come off making a windproof short sleeved jersey so can be used most of the year in the UK.

£87 will get you this if you want a racier fit with breathable (but not waterproof) back panel.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pea ... t-ec053157

The Gore comes up a little big (IMO) and I would guess the Pearl Izumi a little small.

src1

The Phantom doesn't have taped seems, I'd suggest it'll have similar waterproof qualities to the Gabba.

I've got a Vaude eVENT jacket, but they don't seem to make that any longer, a quick google came up with a Castelli one (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/castelli-pocket-liner-jacket/) but that's £250!

This could be useful for you: http://www.triradar.com/gear/best-cycli ... jackets/1/ among other jackets, they review the Gabba.

t4tomo

They are a bit marmite in styling (pun intended) but foska winter jackets are ace.

http://www.foska.com/cycling-jackets

warm windproof and as water resistant as you get and pretty breathable. I ridden in mine in some fould weather and only got a bit wet on the underside of the arms where the fabric is a bit different and more breathable.

note they are full on winter jackets though - not a pack and fold waterproof.

smidsy

You could read this - only a few days old
viewtopic.php?f=40013&t=12956114#p18708328

Anonymous

SRC1 wrote:

The Phantom doesn't have taped seems, I'd suggest it'll have similar waterproof qualities to the Gabba.

I've got a Vaude eVENT jacket, but they don't seem to make that any longer, a quick google came up with a Castelli one (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/castelli-pocket-liner-jacket/) but that's £250!

This could be useful for you: http://www.triradar.com/gear/best-cycli ... jackets/1/ among other jackets, they review the Gabba.

I said it didn't have taped seams.

Not really sure what 'rainproof' means though. Sounds less of a requirement than waterproof to me and therefor the Phantom (or Gabba) would fit the bill.

Also do not know OP's budget so kept it to £100, but I do know he said a jersey (not a jacket) which the Phantom is (unlike some of the suggestions).
Would agree that it has similar qualities to the Gabba, but the Gabba is about 66% more expensive.

Might be better off with the phantom plus a cheapish waterproof gilet (which he might already have) in one of the pockets to put on when it pours down.

The Phantom holds up well IMO and he is going to get wet eventually even if the zip is taped.

keef66

I have a Phantom softshell and a fully waterproof / fairly breathable Goretex Paclite Path jacket.

90% of the time I choose the Phantom because it's warmer, more breathable and copes with drizzle or a light shower. It isn't waterproof though, so taping the seams would be pretty pointless.

The Goretex jacket is still impressive if it's properly raining, and I can tell how much moisture it's let out by the condensation along the taped, and hence impermeable, seams.

'orses for courses.

Anonymous

The windstopper fabric of the Phantom should be waterproof, so taping the seams would make it a waterproof garment.

Anyway, like you I mainly wear the Phantom.
I think it sounds the kind of thing the OP is after, but he was not very specific about cost or use.

Brian B

Luv2ride wrote:

I managed to pick up a Craft Elite Weather jersey half price just before Xmas, seems very similar to the Gabba short sleeve (wind and water resistant):
http://www.probikekit.co.uk/sports-clot ... tAod2UIA0Q
There do not seem to be many left in stock in the uk, but certain more will come in during the spring. Mine was 55 quid, so a lot cheaper than the Castelli. I also see that Sportful are extending their range of light weight, water and wind resistant Fiandre and No Rain jerseys and jackets in 2014 - not sure when they'll be shipped to the uk though...

Does not look as good as the Gabba though!

Anonymous

Brian B wrote:

Does not look as good as the Gabba though!

Bit of an understatement :shock:
Arms are quite short too.

I would love a Gabba but not keen on black and the hi-viz/red one gives me a headache.

maddog 2

Phantom is a jacket not a jersey, although taking the arms off may qualify... and more of a MTB cut too. Try the road jackets (Xenon, Oxygen) if you want a roadie cut jacket.

I run standard jerseys then just put on a light shell if it starts to rain (Gore AS at the moment)

smidsy

maddog 2 wrote:

Phantom is a jacket not a jersey, although taking the arms off may qualify...

Nah that makes it a Gilet not a Jersey.

Anyway I think jersey can be ignored here, I believe the OP wants a waterproof top (not specifically a jersey).

Of the list on the triradar review pages the Sportful (£200) looks ideal, but as always these things cost more than you would like (or have) to spend.

Anything under £100 is going to be more of a compromise.

Anonymous

It has rear pockets so is a long sleeve jersey with detachable arms (tounge out smiley).

The OP is oddly missing from this thread lol
Without knowing what his budget is, what he wants from the top and how non flapping he considers flapping, its hard to recommend anything.

The Phantom is not MTB (although I agree you could wear for MTB), its more of a road top if you get the correct size IMO.
It has a longish tail and monkey arms.

I have a large which is too big now so have just bought a medium. The large will probably be for MTB only now TBH.

Its just an amazingly versatile garment and for £100 its a bargain that should be in most cyclists wardrobe.

Agree that something that cost £100 might be a bit of a compromise, but the phantom ticks so many boxes its not much of a compromise and probably £150 cheaper than the non compromise options.

izza

Same ideas/wants as OP - just ordered one of these

http://road.cc/content/review/107811-ma ... pex-jacket

keef66

Carbonator wrote:

The windstopper fabric of the Phantom should be waterproof, so taping the seams would make it a waterproof garment.

Anyway, like you I mainly wear the Phantom.
I think it sounds the kind of thing the OP is after, but he was not very specific about cost or use.

This FAQ from Gore's own website:-

"How is WINDSTOPPER® fabric different from GORE-TEX® fabric?

WINDSTOPPER® garments are windproof and breathable. While water resistant, they are not waterproof. GORE-TEX® garments are waterproof, breathable, and windproof. Both fabrics are extremely durable."

My experience with the Phantom vs the Path suggests they are spot on with that description. I confess I'd expected a bit more beading / run-off; maybe it needs a tech-wash / reproofing / tumble drying?

Anonymous

keef66 wrote:

Carbonator wrote:

The windstopper fabric of the Phantom should be waterproof, so taping the seams would make it a waterproof garment.

Anyway, like you I mainly wear the Phantom.
I think it sounds the kind of thing the OP is after, but he was not very specific about cost or use.

This FAQ from Gore's own website:-

Q/ "How is WINDSTOPPER® fabric different from GORE-TEX® fabric?

A/ WINDSTOPPER® garments are windproof and breathable. While water resistant, they are not waterproof. GORE-TEX® garments are waterproof, breathable, and windproof. Both fabrics are extremely durable."

My experience with the Phantom vs the Path suggests they are spot on with that description. I confess I'd expected a bit more beading / run-off; maybe it needs a tech-wash / reproofing / tumble drying?

Spot the clues 8)

If its not beading you need to re-proof

Garry H

keef66 wrote:

Carbonator wrote:

The windstopper fabric of the Phantom should be waterproof, so taping the seams would make it a waterproof garment.

Anyway, like you I mainly wear the Phantom.
I think it sounds the kind of thing the OP is after, but he was not very specific about cost or use.

This FAQ from Gore's own website:-

"How is WINDSTOPPER® fabric different from GORE-TEX® fabric?

WINDSTOPPER® garments are windproof and breathable. While water resistant, they are not waterproof. GORE-TEX® garments are waterproof, breathable, and windproof. Both fabrics are extremely durable."

My experience with the Phantom vs the Path suggests they are spot on with that description. I confess I'd expected a bit more beading / run-off; maybe it needs a tech-wash / reproofing / tumble drying?

Meh, doesn't tell you anything. They both use the same PTFE (or is that PFTE?) material as far as i understand. What you need to know is why they're different. ie why is Gore Tex waterproof and Windstopper not waterproof. Could be just down to the fact that one is taped...

I have the Oxygen and it's a very good jacket. I don't bother with "waterproof" at all.

My one gripe is the lack of alternative materials in cycling garments. Everybody uses Gore textiles. Whereas in mountaineering clothing there's a lot more variation.

Anonymous

Garry H wrote:

My one gripe is the lack of alternative materials in cycling garments. Everybody uses Gore textiles. Whereas in mountaineering clothing there's a lot more variation.

Would have thought its because Goretex is the most breathable and cycling requires max breathability.

Why is it a gripe though? What variation would you like?

Oh, its PTFE poly tetra fluoride ethylene I think. Like the thin white PTFE tape you use in plumbing.

keef66

I get the impression from reading lots of (sometimes contradictory) Googled articles that the expanded PTFE membrane in windstopper has fewer but much larger pores. Which explains why it's more breathable and less waterproof.

Off to find the sachet of Nikwax stuff I got in my last sportive goody bag!

luv2ride

Carbonator wrote:

Brian B wrote:

Does not look as good as the Gabba though!

Bit of an understatement :shock:
Arms are quite short too.

I would love a Gabba but not keen on black and the hi-viz/red one gives me a headache.

The arms on the Craft Weather jersey come down to the elbow so same if not slightly longer coverage than the Gabba short sleeve. It is thin though (but great at cutting out wind).

I've just also got a Gabba long sleeve for colder temperatures as it's a little thicker and offers better all over protection than the Craft. Originally got it in yellow, but returned as too tight (medium), them tried a large (too flappy), went back for medium but in black and it fits like a glove now (have lost 4 lbs since Crimbo but black don't half look more "forgiving"). I've heard it said that the fit of the Gabba can vary depending on what factory made it so not sure if that's also a factor?

Sigmasport are doing the Gabba long sleeve at £149 with code FINAL10

Garry H

Carbonator wrote:

Garry H wrote:

My one gripe is the lack of alternative materials in cycling garments. Everybody uses Gore textiles. Whereas in mountaineering clothing there's a lot more variation.

Would have thought its because Goretex is the most breathable and cycling requires max breathability.

Why is it a gripe though? What variation would you like?
.

Nah, it's because gore tell you it's the most breathable. Anybody that's used eVent would tell you otherwise.

It's a gripe because I've used materials such as polartec power shield and know that there are better materials out there. Unfortunately marketing works, and Gore have a huge marketing budget. Not saying that gore is bad, just that I don't think it's the best.

andrew_s

There are several varieties of Goretex, and they aren't all the same. All are properly waterproof, and they have varying degrees of breathability, with the most breathable being Goretex Active shell, moving through Goretex Pro and standard Goretex to Paclite.
Windstopper is not fully waterproof. If it rains enough, you will get wet. This includes the Phantom. "Enough" may only be 3 or 4 minutes in a downpour, or 45 minutes in fairly light rain.

The most breathable fabrics are Goretex Active, eVent, and Polartec Neoshell. All are expensive, so you are looking at jackets in the region of £200.
eVent is available to manufacturers in an unbranded form, so some "own brand" fabrics could be eVent. For example the Endura Venturi jacket (eVent) morphed into the Venturi II "PTFE protection" at about the same time as eVent became available in unbranded form.

Garry H

andrew_s wrote:

There are several varieties of Goretex, and they aren't all the same. All are properly waterproof, and they have varying degrees of breathability, with the most breathable being Goretex Active shell, moving through Goretex Pro and standard Goretex to Paclite.
Windstopper is not fully waterproof. If it rains enough, you will get wet. This includes the Phantom. "Enough" may only be 3 or 4 minutes in a downpour, or 45 minutes in fairly light rain.

The most breathable fabrics are Goretex Active, eVent, and Polartec Neoshell. All are expensive, so you are looking at jackets in the region of £200.
eVent is available to manufacturers in an unbranded form, so some "own brand" fabrics could be eVent. For example the Endura Venturi jacket (eVent) morphed into the Venturi II "PTFE protection" at about the same time as eVent became available in unbranded form.

That's really good to know about the endura jacket.

There's also a lot of unbranded gore tex stuff around, or there used to be anyway

ricky1980

if you want complete waterproof and breath-ability then you are after Geotex or similar materials.

But to be fair, i really don't think the breathability will help you much if you are dedicated enough to go out in pouring rain, i.e. you are training or doing hard work. therefore you are going to be oozing the wet stuff, so chances are you are going to get moist under the jacket.

I think all of the softshells are not waterproof but they are certainly all or almost all are wind proof which is the more important point, cos that keeps you warm rather it helps to retain the heat you generate yourself. some have fleece liner some have roubaix liner some have nominal liner...up to you how warm you want to get. But they are definitely not waterproof. you have to get a jacket that is Gortex or similar to get waterproof. alternatively is to pack a rain jacket. that has a range of price from cheap piece of plastic to mid-ranged membranes to Gortex or similar material.