Packable rain jacket/Gabba

PeteinSQ

I've got a rapha softshell and although it's great if the weather is cold and dry or just a bit drizzly but if it gets really rainy you get soaked.

I'm the kind of cyclist who won't go out if it's definitely going to rain but I want to be prepared for if I unexpectedly get rained on. I've had various packable jackets in the past that have all been rubbish - not at all waterproof. So what I want to know is which of the premium packable jackets is the best? I don't have an encyclopaedic knowledge of them all so the ones on my radar are the rapha rain jacket and the castelli pocket liner.

Finally, is the Castelli really a good alternative? Would you wear it on a day when it might rain but you're not definitely expecting it to or would you be too hot?

LegendLust

If you're wanting a proper waterproof jacket then the Gabba aint for you. It's not waterproof only water repellent - and work on the basis that if you're working hard then it will keep you warm even if you are wet through. I don't think it will pack away either

mercia_man

I have recently bought a Sportful Hotpack 5 and am very impressed. It packs up in its own back pocket to the size of an apple, is really well cut (as long as you have a typical slim cyclist build) and doesn't flap about in the wind too much. It's the sort of jacket you would wear until you warm up or for sticking on to avoid wind chill on a mountain descent. Breathability is OK as long as you are not pressing on hard. I would suggest buying one size up.

What really surprised me is the level of waterproofing. That nano construction seems to work. You can see the water beading on the surface. On my first ride with it, I got caught in a torrential shower. The rain was so heavy it was runnng down the road like a river. I spent around 30 minutes in the rain and my shorts and socks were completely saturated. I had to wring them out when I got home. My upper body was dry.

You do pay a lot of money for such a tiny bit of lightweight nylon, but the Hotpack is otherwise perfect if you are looking for a highly packable emergency rain and wind jacket for day rides and sportives.

flasher

Any jacket that's properly waterproof won't breath well enough to get rid of your sweat, so you'll get wet from the inside anyway.

But if you insist anything made from Goretex paclite is probably best, but what do I know I have a Rapha rain jacket because it looks good

cookeeemonster

Flasher wrote:

Any jacket that's properly waterproof won't breath well enough to get rid of your sweat, so you'll get wet from the inside anyway.

But if you insist anything made from Goretex paclite is probably best, but what do I know I have a Rapha rain jacket because it looks good

Based on a single (mostly non rainy) test ride at 12 degrees in my rapha rain jacket I can confirm it's a lot more breathable than my gore path goretex one, which I couldn't use above 6 degrees without getting utterly soaked in sweat.

I was still wet with the rapha of course (I was delibrately testing its limits and refused to take it off!) but it felt noticeably better. Also bought the gabba a couple months back (both in sales) and I've not been so impressed with its breathabilty so far. I run hot and assumed the rapha jacket would be for under 8/9 degrees and the gabba for above that (with normal jerseys above 13/14 or so) but the gabba had me overheating a fair bit even at 11 degrees.

Need a few more months of proper testing to be sure though - so dont take my word for it...I'm just a little bit disapointed at the moment though. Should also point out this 'testing' is for my 50 minute each way commute rather than long hours on a sportive etc

stueys

Rapha rain jacket is pretty good. I've been out for 3 hrs in torrential rain and spray, it kept me dry. It's the most breathable, waterproof I've tried but you do need to accept that total waterproofing will impact breathability. It's pretty darn good though and nicely packable.

flanners1

I'm the reverse, just sold my Rapha Softshell having recently bought and ridden in a ss Gabba, I think the Gabba is the 'holy grail' of cycling garments, did a ride the other day which was about 7 degs, drizzle then rain and a bit of wind with temps then up to 12 degs the Gabba was superb it kept me warm when cold and cool when it warmed up. Other garments I have had are a bit 'boil in the bag or have left me feeling cold. Having got the ss Gabba (had the Nanoflex arm warmers) I have just ordered the Gabba Convertible 'jacket'...if I was the guy who used a Remington I would have bought the Company; I think the Gabba is that good (showing my age there). Simply put the Gabba is a must for UK cyclists especially with the warmish/wet Autumn/Winters we are having more of. When it is really cold I have a Campagnolo Full Textran jacket, with a Craft baselayer that has been used for sub zero MTB commutes; far too hot for 5 degree road rides. Let's face it the black ice is a no no for roadies, having had a club mate break his hip I give the sub zero/freeze thaw days a miss and hit the rollers anyhow. There is no do it all UK cycling garment for Autumn/Winter/Spring but the Gabba is up there for the accolade. People bemoan the price (it is steep, but there are deals) I have the Rapha Wind Jacket (been renamed I think since I bought one) and quite frankly for £180 it's quite simply pants.

domc21

An alternative is the rapha race Cape. It's packable and waterproof.

It's a great for when riding, I love mine

PeteinSQ

I've ordered a long sleeve gabba because I think it ticks the boxes I want ticking. In summer I can cope with getting wet and the various not very good packable jackets do a reasonable job of keeping me warm in these circumstances.

I reckon the gabba plus an underlayer could well be just the job for autumn/spring/winter rides.

cougie

Gabba is OK for spring and autumn I reckon - but its not a winter jacket.

apreading

cougie wrote:

Gabba is OK for spring and autumn I reckon - but its not a winter jacket.

That depends on the person - I would say the opposite, only for the coldest days in Autumn/Spring and right through winter apart from those odd days when it is sub-zero. Obviously in winter that does depend on what you have underneath but with a heavier weight merino long sleeve base, I find it toasty.

PeteinSQ

cougie wrote:

Gabba is OK for spring and autumn I reckon - but its not a winter jacket.

I've still got the softshell which is fine if it isn't chucking it down. If the temperature is below zero I can't really cycle where I live as many of the roads aren't gritted.

cougie

Just looked back at the last time I used my Gabba.

Started off with light rain and it was 12 degrees or so.
An hour later and it had got torrential. Road was flooded so spray coming up off the road. Stupidly I was only in my shorts - I hadn't taken my knee warmers.

Rest of kit was thermal base, Gabba SS and Nanoflex Arms with mitts, and a cap under my helmet.

I was fine setting off but after I was wet through I was starting to shiver. We had to find a cafe to warm up - and it took two coffees. Once the rain had stopped I was fine and it ended up being 15 degrees and sunny so I'd have taken the arms down if they weren't so secure.

So for me at least - the Gabba is more Spring/Autumn than it is a winter jacket.