Softshell Jacket with decent "shirt tail"

arlowood
arlowood Posts: 2,561
edited December 2015 in Road buying advice
Don't usually ride in rain by choice - so as a result I'm not inclined to undergo the faff of fitting mudguards.

However I often go out on roads where residual surface dampness means that the habitual wet a*se is an uncomfortable consequence.

My current softshell is only a cheapy from Aldi but does the business on dry days.

Any recommendations for a softshell with a decent "shirt tail" that will stretch down over the back of the saddle to provide the required protection.

Failing that if there is a suitably light rain jacket that fits the bill and will fold up sufficiantly to store in a jersey pocket, I might consider that as an alternative.

Sub £100 budget

Comments

  • Sounds like a clip-on rear mudguard might be a better solution? I realise it might spoil the aesthetic but IMO better than having the dirty stripe up the ass and back - and better for the laundry as well.

    I have used this in the past (I have now fit Raceblade Longs so no need), and it has done sterling work - no good for feet or frame, but that's not the issue here. It fits on and off in seconds, and given the price is hardly a gamble.

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/zefal-swan-road-rear-mudguard/

    Sorry, I usually roll my eyes when the OP has asked for advice on one thing and been told something else is a better solution, so forgive me! It's just an alternative solution.
  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,338
    http://ass-savers.com/ works pretty well, only takes a few seconds to fit/remove
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • If you're set on buying a sofshell then Rapha's has a decent cut and a drop down tail which give a bit of extra protection against splashes when needed.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    If you're set on buying a sofshell then Rapha's has a decent cut and a drop down tail which give a bit of extra protection against splashes when needed.

    Sub £100 budget?
  • Dorset_Boy
    Dorset_Boy Posts: 7,556
    http://ass-savers.com/ works pretty well, only takes a few seconds to fit/remove

    Your cheapest solution.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Pearl Izumi soft shells have long tails if you could find one discounted, or get something like an Endura Race Cape/gilet.
  • arlowood
    arlowood Posts: 2,561
    Sounds like a clip-on rear mudguard might be a better solution? I realise it might spoil the aesthetic but IMO better than having the dirty stripe up the ass and back - and better for the laundry as well.

    I have used this in the past (I have now fit Raceblade Longs so no need), and it has done sterling work - no good for feet or frame, but that's not the issue here. It fits on and off in seconds, and given the price is hardly a gamble.

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/zefal-swan-road-rear-mudguard/

    Sorry, I usually roll my eyes when the OP has asked for advice on one thing and been told something else is a better solution, so forgive me! It's just an alternative solution.


    Zefal Swan looks a good bit of kit but I already have a Topeak bag fitted under my saddle as well as my Moon Comet rear light attached to the seat post so not a lot of room to fit anything else to the seat post.
    sungod wrote:
    <span class="skimlinks-unlinked">http://ass-savers.com</span>/ works pretty well, only takes a few seconds to fit/remove

    Might be worth a punt as long as I can get it to fit. My Topeak bag is the sort that has straps that hook over the saddle rails - probably at the point where the ass-saver clips on???
  • Dorset_Boy
    Dorset_Boy Posts: 7,556
    Sounds like a clip-on rear mudguard might be a better solution? I realise it might spoil the aesthetic but IMO better than having the dirty stripe up the ass and back - and better for the laundry as well.

    I have used this in the past (I have now fit Raceblade Longs so no need), and it has done sterling work - no good for feet or frame, but that's not the issue here. It fits on and off in seconds, and given the price is hardly a gamble.

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/zefal-swan-road-rear-mudguard/

    Sorry, I usually roll my eyes when the OP has asked for advice on one thing and been told something else is a better solution, so forgive me! It's just an alternative solution.


    Zefal Swan looks a good bit of kit but I already have a Topeak bag fitted under my saddle as well as my Moon Comet rear light attached to the seat post so not a lot of room to fit anything else to the seat post.
    sungod wrote:
    <span class="skimlinks-unlinked">http://ass-savers.com</span>/ works pretty well, only takes a few seconds to fit/remove

    Might be worth a punt as long as I can get it to fit. My Topeak bag is the sort that has straps that hook over the saddle rails - probably at the point where the ass-saver clips on???

    the old style Assaver should fit fine.
  • norvernrob
    norvernrob Posts: 1,448
    The Planet X soft shell has a large drop down panel that velcros out of the way when not needed. It's also very cheap and fantastic vfm, I paid around £30 last winter.
  • Sounds like a clip-on rear mudguard might be a better solution? I realise it might spoil the aesthetic but IMO better than having the dirty stripe up the ass and back - and better for the laundry as well.

    I have used this in the past (I have now fit Raceblade Longs so no need), and it has done sterling work - no good for feet or frame, but that's not the issue here. It fits on and off in seconds, and given the price is hardly a gamble.

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/zefal-swan-road-rear-mudguard/

    Sorry, I usually roll my eyes when the OP has asked for advice on one thing and been told something else is a better solution, so forgive me! It's just an alternative solution.


    Zefal Swan looks a good bit of kit but I already have a Topeak bag fitted under my saddle as well as my Moon Comet rear light attached to the seat post so not a lot of room to fit anything else to the seat post.
    sungod wrote:
    <span class="skimlinks-unlinked">http://ass-savers.com</span>/ works pretty well, only takes a few seconds to fit/remove

    Might be worth a punt as long as I can get it to fit. My Topeak bag is the sort that has straps that hook over the saddle rails - probably at the point where the ass-saver clips on???


    £3 at Halfords at the moment...
  • northpole
    northpole Posts: 1,499
    Don't usually ride in rain by choice - so as a result I'm not inclined to undergo the faff of fitting mudguards.

    However I often go out on roads where residual surface dampness means that the habitual wet a*se is an uncomfortable consequence.

    My current softshell is only a cheapy from Aldi but does the business on dry days.

    Any recommendations for a softshell with a decent "shirt tail" that will stretch down over the back of the saddle to provide the required protection.

    Failing that if there is a suitably light rain jacket that fits the bill and will fold up sufficiantly to store in a jersey pocket, I might consider that as an alternative.

    Sub £100 budget

    All a complete waste of time - useless. For winter riding, fit and forget a black plastic SKS raceblade. Fantastic bit of kit and almost invisible dusk til dawn!

    Peter
  • jamie77
    jamie77 Posts: 102
    http://ass-savers.com/ works pretty well, only takes a few seconds to fit/remove

    I bought one of these & TBH it just didnt work ok if theres just a little spray on the road but in wet conditions it just doesnt work.