ALDI/Crane winter cycling jacket

mcvw

Hi,

On Weds (29Oct) I tried the jacket out that I'd bought a couple of weeks ago. It was an overcast, dry day and I had a short sleeve base-layer (Planet X pro 365x) on underneath.

On returning home (after my ride: 15miles in approx 50mins) I removed the jacket and my forearms were wet with sweat. Plus the lower 3-4 inches of each sleeve of the jacket were literally soaking (you could almost wring them out). I hadn't noticed/felt being too hot or cold during the ride so I was pretty shocked at this.

I've never had similar occurrences with my Garneau jacket which I've worn in both colder (and warmer) conditions. I know the ALDI jacket is considerably cheaper than the Garneau one, but there's no point me having a jacket I'm not going to wear - and I've still got the receipt - so I think it'll be going back.

Anybody else have similar observations?

Thanks,


Mike

diamonddog

I have this jacket and only wear it when temps drop a lot lower than they are now, worn mine with just a base layer at -5 degrees so I think it is a bit overkill at the moment, just my opinion.

luv2ride

Had a similar experience this morning with a OneTen Pioggio jacket which uses eVent material. Wasn't raining during first part of the ride, but it did hammer down for the last 45 minutes. Didn't feel wet but when I took it off when I got home my forearms were very damp (I had just worn a long sleeve Helly Hansen base layer underneath with a short sleeve jersey, then the jacket). I'm convinced it was moisture built up from working hard during the first part of the ride, and the eVent fabric couldn't quite cope with it. It was probably still a bit warm to be wearing that kind of kit to be honest, hence the damp arms.

mcvw

Hmmm... I appreciate it might not've been cold enough, but my Garneau jacket (same type as the Crane/ALDI) performs far better in the same conditions.

Not sure now whether to keep it for proper cold days, or return it and put money towards something more suitable?

Bordersroadie

The Aldi jacket has windblocking material, great for proper cold weather. As has been mentioned, even in freezing conditions and a short sleeve base it's warm enough. In warmer weather you will sweat in it.

It's not an issue of inferior gear - my similar spec (but very expensive) Gore softshell windstopper cycling jacket performs almost identically to the Aldi one but at six or seven times the price!

sloppyschleckonds

You are buying budget clothing, what do you really expect!?

Anonymous

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

You are buying budget clothing, what do you really expect!?

The earth obviously.

curto80

It might be budget clothing but that doesn't mean it's bad. This last week has been unseasonably warm - the Aldi winter jacket is not designed to be worn at 18mph in 14-15 degrees.

porker33

Keep it, it's always handy to have in the colder months.

Not only that, but if you tear or lose another jacket, you can't just go to aldi and buy another cheapy as their stock is not continuous.

I have one myself and it works well enough when it gets colder.

mcvw

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

You are buying budget clothing, what do you really expect!?

I'm way removed from being a cycling clothing snob

My issue was whether, "it didn't do what it said on the tin". However, if it's better suited for colder temperatures then I'll hang onto it and see how it handles more suitable climes.

Thanks for the comments.

ilovegrace

Far to warm for a winter jacket yet.
Still wearing summer gear plus arm warmers and light gloves.
Even for my morning/evening commute my light Sportfull jacket is more than adequate.
regards
ILG

cougie

Nothing wrong with the Aldi jacket but it's just too warm for that at the moment. Ignore the haters - they've not used it. I've rapha Aldi and assos kit - I really rate the Aldi jacket in the cold.

chippyk

Too warm at the moment for a winter jacket. Was 12 degrees today and I was warm in a SS jersey and a gilet with a SS base layer and arm warmers.

What did you expect it do that is didn't btw?

IIRC from last winter, I was out almost every weekend and I think my Aldi winter jacket came out once or twice. Keep it, I find having a spare set of kit useful, I often meet my family at a cafe for lunch on a long ride and more than once they've brought dry kit when it's been lashing down. I hate being soaking wet and cold starting after a cafe break with 2 or more hours to go.

keezx

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

You are buying budget clothing, what do you really expect!?

I expect sweat when riding with any winter jacket at 15 degr.

cougie

You know I said yesterday it was too warm for a winter jacket ? Can I change my mind today ? Brrrr.

Is it too much to ask the weather to be a little more consistent please ?

homers_double

Are we talking about the lightweight rain jacket for a tenner?

I've used mine on long cold descents but wouldn't want to actually ride in it, it doesn't breath at all.

secretsam

This is the thick one made of stuff like they make wetsuits from, yes?

Good to hear it's nice 'n' toasty, as I've not used mine yet! Tried it on one ride and nearly died of heat exhaustion

I've a feeling we're due a "proper" winter so will save it for that

matt-h

cougie wrote:

Nothing wrong with the Aldi jacket but it's just too warm for that at the moment. Ignore the haters - they've not used it. I've rapha Aldi and assos kit - I really rate the Aldi jacket in the cold.

I also have have Rapha and Aldi and the only similarity is the fact they have sleeves and a zip. The Aldi is nowhere near the Rapha - thankfully, considering the price difference.
My Aldi one also used to give me damp arms, as did my Club jacket. The Rapha does not.

What is the problem with this forum in admitting its cheap and works to a price point rather than comparing it to something way more expensive.

Matt
*Edit. i will add, it is great value

fleshtuxedo

My £200 assos jacket does exactly the same thing if it's too warm - sweat condenses against the wind proof material on the front of the sleeves. I don't wear it at anything over 4-5deg c, so I don't wear it much.

giant_man

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

You are buying budget clothing, what do you really expect!?

I totally agree, you're not going to get something breathable as well for £17.99 or whatever it was.

cougie

Maybe I'm not very sensitive then but I'd be hard pushed to tell you what jacket I was wearing based just on feel.
FWIW the Aldi jacket is a much safer one - much more reflectives. You hardly get any on some expensive jackets - but you're not going to get something reflective on a jacket costing £250 or so. Not when they have to sponsor pro teams and photo trips to exotic locations to have beardy riders lookingn moody. ;-)

johngti

mcvw wrote:

Hmmm... I appreciate it might not've been cold enough, but my Garneau jacket (same type as the Crane/ALDI) performs far better in the same conditions.

Not sure now whether to keep it for proper cold days, or return it and put money towards something more suitable?

I wore mine this morning and wish I hadn't! Temp was around 6-8 degrees and I was melting by the time I'd got to work. I also say keep it - it's going to get cold soon...