Best packable, lightweight and breathable rain jacket?

menthel

Yesterday by pearl Izumi jacket got overwhelmed on the way home. It's mainly a light wind proof and water resistant jacket so the torrential stuff yesterday defeated it. So what out there would actually have kept me dry?

Rapha rain jacket? Castelli pocket liner? What else? Would be used for commuting and longer cycles where necessary. I have gabbas for when I know it's going to rain and am happy with the pearl Izumi for emergency windy/drizzle but want something I can have in a pocket when heavier stuff is possible.

goonz

Rapha Hardshell but you will boil in a bag so will be wet anyway. Castelli Gabba as I had on in last nights torrent works very effectively and is basically a jersey and jacket in one. Kept me fairly warm and reasonably dry although it even soaked pretty bad.

In my experience depending how much you sweat, a windproof is better than a rain proof as you simply sweat buckets. I use the rapha city wind jacket which is surprisingly water resistant and if you keep what you have proofed with nikwak etc then you shouldnt have a massive issue.

I've also heard the Castelli pocket liner is supposed to be very good too but is also very expensive.

menthel

Thanks- I already have a LS and SS gabba and use them when I know its going to be raining. To be honest I should have done yesterday but my hangover stopped me from thinking.

My one of these:
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... earzjac213

is perfectly good in light rain and for keeping warm if the weather turns but is no good in a heavy downpour, hence the rain jacket/pocket liner question. Anyone use one of those? Or have something similar that will handle heavy rain like yesterdays?

menthel

Ooh, http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/cate ... -13-47723/ looks good.

goonz

I've read on the other forum even the rapha rain jacket cannot cope with heavy downpours.

elbowloh

goonz wrote:

I've read on the other forum even the rapha rain jacket cannot cope with heavy downpours.

I've heard the rapha jackets are rubbish and that sky don't use them due to them being rubbish, but rather use another make, with the logos removed/covered.

Could be bollox though?

drlodge

I think jackets are useless, you just boil in them and get wet anyway. Getting wet isn't the issue so much as keeping warm.

I prefer to wear a gilet that keeps the worst off my torso, while still allowing my upper half to breath. Arms get a bit wet but I've never got really cold.

goonz

elbowloh wrote:

goonz wrote:

I've read on the other forum even the rapha rain jacket cannot cope with heavy downpours.

I've heard the rapha jackets are rubbish and that sky don't use them due to them being rubbish, but rather use another make, with the logos removed/covered.

Could be bollox though?

No its true. They use the Castelli Gabba and it really is worth throwing everything else away for.

Not only Sky but in a few races last year it was common knowledge that pretty much the whole peloton was wearing the gabba with logos removed.

They have released a limited edition version which comes in a box with quotes form pro riders and a permanent marker pen as a spoof based on this very thing.

pblakeney

In my experience the Gabba is perfect for when it is cool but we are getting to the stage when it is too warm.

Of all the jackets I have used in the summer the choice seems to be; get wet from the rain, or wet from sweat. I have settled on a wind proof to keep light showers at bay but breathable.

I shall keep an eye on here for someone supplying the answer to nirvana.

drlodge

PBlakeney wrote:

In my experience the Gabba is perfect for when it is cool but we are getting to the stage when it is too warm.

Of all the jackets I have used in the summer the choice seems to be; get wet from the rain, or wet from sweat. I have settled on a wind proof to keep light showers at bay but breathable.

I shall keep an eye on here for someone supplying the answer to nirvana.

I just did...its called a gilet ;-)

menthel

I have ordered on the the pearl izumi jackets in to the Evans local to work as it was down to £79.99. Will give it a look over and go from there.

pblakeney

drlodge wrote:

PBlakeney wrote:

In my experience the Gabba is perfect for when it is cool but we are getting to the stage when it is too warm.

Of all the jackets I have used in the summer the choice seems to be; get wet from the rain, or wet from sweat. I have settled on a wind proof to keep light showers at bay but breathable.

I shall keep an eye on here for someone supplying the answer to nirvana.

I just did...its called a gilet ;-)

A gilet is possibly the best current solution but it is not perfect as your arms will get wet and/or cool.
Possibly the best, but not nirvana.

goonz

Use merino arm warmers, will keep you warm even when wet.

vermin

No-one mentioned the Sportful Hotpack?

ctc

+1 for the gilet. I also find all jackets boil in the bag, and I've tried a few...

If it's heavy rain I don't go out, unless I'm commuting back, and then I have a windproof that keeps enough off for me to get home.

meanredspider

I don't believe ANY jacket is (can be) breathable when it's covered in water.

The Rapha CITY rain jacket is very good at keeping you dry but is too flappy for road riding. I use the Assos transparent thing to help me stay warm if the heavens open. It's got lots of breathing panels where the rain will be least likely to hit so it doesn't boil me. The downside is that it doesn't make a great jacket for staying warm whilst fixing a flat. A friend uses the Assos SturmPrinz and adores it (he got the knickers too) but you're looking at over £500 for the pair.

Just MTFU and get wet Your skin is lightweight, waterproof and breathable!

vorsprung

There are two schools of thought

1) Water proofs do not work for keeping you dry. Either they leak/ let water pass through or are so impervious that you get wet from sweat from the inside out

2) Breathable water proofs do actually work. They can block water from the outside but let out excessive sweat

If you are a cheapskate then 1) is definitely true. I have tried many water proof coats and none that were less than £100 worked

If you are really going for it and if it is raining properly then you are going to be damp. There is no system for pumping water away from your core into an already wet atmosphere. So the best option in this case is to just get wet and try and stay warm. Gilets and warm warmers are good for this. This style of clothing also works for dry and cold; it's cheap and it's lightweight: so it's popular.

The other approach is to ride at a lower rate of work and have a good breathable coat. Gore Bikewear, Showers Pass, anything made of eVent and Paramo have all been good for me. Be careful not to get a hill walking insulated coat, do try and get a high energy activity or cycling specific coat.

Despite what I've said above. A cheap coat can be useful. On a short ride, in light rain and lower rates of work: like many commutes.

DrLex

Where are the audaxers to mention a rain cape?

il_principe

Castelli Muur. Pop a Gabba underneath for really wet days!

Wrath Rob

Bin bag, with a few holes cut in it. Cheap, totally waterproof, gillet style construction and if you get the holes right, breathable too.

Next problem ?

menthel

Picked up the pearl Izumi, seems comfy and light and looks more waterproof than the light jacket. Will have to wait for a wet day!

PBo

There is no system for pumping water away from your core into an already wet atmosphere. So the best option in this case is to just get wet and try and stay warm.

oooh! what's that branch of science called, biomimicry?

How about a jacket coated with glucose. The rain on the outside dissolves the sugar, and the water is pulled away from the core throught the mebrane via osmosis!!!

although the concentrations of salt in the sweat may cause problems, as I guess this sets up a conc gradient in the wrong direction.

Maybe a salt/sugar spray that you reapply before going out? Then, if you bonk or get cramp, you can just lick the jacket also.....

Next, more complicated, we would need some energy source for active transport hmmmmm

bigmitch41

My Endura Helium ticks all the box's, lightweight, breathable and gets great reviews. kept in its own stuff sak in the bottom of my pack until its needed, big thumbs up from me!

menthel

Well the pearl izumi fared absolutely fine this morning. Waterproof and not particuarly boil in the bag. Seems perfect for the commute and cheaper than the other options I would have gone for. And the shade of blue is rather fetching too!

Longer rides and audaxes will almost certainly see me deploying wet and warm tactics as I have before though, I think. Stick a gabba on the top and let the rest look after itself.

goonz

Had my gabba this morning. Does the gabba need reproofing at all?

Water doesnt bead off at all but seems to soak in. Doesnt get soaked but does definitely get damp. Is that right?

menthel

goonz wrote:

Had my gabba this morning. Does the gabba need reproofing at all?

Water doesnt bead off at all but seems to soak in. Doesnt get soaked but does definitely get damp. Is that right?

Don't think you are supposed to reproof. I think you are supposed to use a cool iron or cool tumbledry to refresh its waterproof abilities. I have not done mine yet so perhaps someone who has can confirm.

pblakeney

There is a whole thread on the Gabba here - viewtopic.php?f=40042&t=12939097&p=18637633&hilit=GABBA#p18637633

If I recall correctly then there should be some info in there.

indyp

The MCipollini light-weight wind jacket is awesome and weighs just 63g! It's only shower proof though but great to pull out when needed then stored in back pocket/rucksack.....and as it happens, there's one for sale in classifieds which is suitable for someone with approx 43" chest

luv2ride

goonz wrote:

Had my gabba this morning. Does the gabba need reproofing at all?

Water doesnt bead off at all but seems to soak in. Doesnt get soaked but does definitely get damp. Is that right?

Water beads off mine, but then it hasn't been washed yet. I also have a Sportful No Rain Fiandre jkt which stopped beading after a couple of washes. Sportful's UK distributor offered to replace, but suggested / recommended using Grangers XT Proofer spray after washing.

itboffin

Yep the gabba will need retreating after a couple of washes

itboffin

First outing for the sportful hot pack 5, not bad actually for the money a tad sweaty by the end but definitely fine for commuting.