Softshell for autumn/winter

mtweeman
mtweeman Posts: 4
edited November 2016 in Road general
Hi,

I am looking for softshell with following features:
- no membrane,
- proper wind protection,
- breathability as good as possible,
- back part longer than front as it's supposed to be used on bike,
- DWR coating.

I think that Inov-8 Race Elite 315 Softshell Pro could be a good choice considering mentioned criterias.
Anyway, I'm interested whether you have any experience with this model? Inov-8 is actually not so famous brand in Poland, hard to buy in stationary shop as well. I'd like to know in particular if it's sweaty and if I will be able to ride with backpack in it without causing any damage to this jacket.

Any comments appreciated.

Comments

  • fenix
    fenix Posts: 5,437
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-full- ... 60709558uk

    Something like this ?

    dhb Performance level kit
    Windproof and water resistant
    Ultra warm brushed back softshell fabric
    Laser-cut back vent construction for breathability
    Full length, lock down YKK zip with chin guard
    Ergonomic shaped cuffs
    Wide silicone waist gripper to stop riding up
    Hi-visibility reflective binding on rear pockets

    I'd not worry too much about the DWR stuff - it wears off.
  • tenohfive
    tenohfive Posts: 152
    That Inov8 jacket is a running jacket. So don't expect rear pockets, much of a dropped tail. As far as I know Inov8 don't do cycling gear (they do some excellent running gear however.)
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    What do you mean by no membrane?
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • navrig2
    navrig2 Posts: 1,851
    bendertherobot wrote:
    What do you mean by no membrane?

    Presumably like Gore Windstopper
  • OnTheRopes
    OnTheRopes Posts: 460
    This ? http://www.wiggle.co.uk/castelli-alpha-jacket/

    or this? http://www.wiggle.co.uk/castelli-elemen ... ir-jacket/
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    Navrig2 wrote:
    bendertherobot wrote:
    What do you mean by no membrane?

    Presumably like Gore Windstopper

    Windstopper is the membrane.
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • Ibaz
    Ibaz Posts: 37
    I got one of these when they were on offer a couple of months back, I think with my British Cycling discount as well it was about £35.
    I can't fault it so far, the zip off arms are superb Its not been chilly enough to wear it with them on yet.

    http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... reId=10001
  • mrb123
    mrb123 Posts: 4,827
    Really pleased with my Gore Power Windstopper jersey that I picked up recently. It was half price from Wiggle although they only have limited sizes left now.
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gore-bike-wear- ... 60742983uk
    The cut is great, slim fitting with a long tail.
    Although it's very thin material I think it will be good for some quite low temperatures with the right Base Layer and arm warmers as the entire jersey is Windstopper. I've worn it this week out at 6am with temps in the low single figures and some wind and rain and it's been ideal.
    In that respect it's quite different from the Gore Oxygen Windstopper jersey I also have (and also rate highly) which only has Windstopper panels so is much more breathable and wearable in quite warm conditions but obviously has much less protection.
  • mtweeman
    mtweeman Posts: 4
    Thanks for replies.

    dhb sounds interesting, it's not so expensive as well. Do you use this jersey yourself? If so, can you share your opinion regarding breathability and so on? I've seen it's made from Windtex - strechy alternative to Gore Windstopper. However, it's still membrane. It's well known that Gore's WS is quite sweaty. Is Windtex membrane as well? From what I've found on the internet, it's really hard to find well-breathing membrane for softshell. Softshells made from Pertex for instance are promised to breath much better than any other membrane.

    I was also told on another forum that Inov-8 could be too short for cycling purposes, so maybe I will try something different. As I wrote above, dhb sounds promising. I'll wait for someone's opinion regarding breathability of it.

    I didn't even go much deeper into Castelli stuff - too expensive for my budget :D

    Regarding MrB123 post, after all things read about Gore's clothes, I really do think that Gore membrane is NOT something I'm looking for.
  • super_davo
    super_davo Posts: 1,228
    Windstopper shouldn't be "sweaty" when worn in the right conditions. Its certainly way less "sweaty" than waterproof membranes like Goretex.
    I won't break out one of my Windstopper softshells until it drops to about 10 degrees. Up until then I just wear a thermal Jersey. But at that point and below, they just make perfect sense, keep the chill off and not boil in the bag. Open up the front zip and you can lose heat very quickly.
    Perhaps what you really are after is a half softshell like a Sportful Flash or Alpe, where only the front is windstopper. I've got an Alpe and it's certainly very breathable- I just don't wear it much since I bought a Castelli Alpha jersey, which covers much the same conditions but is much lighter.
  • Garry H
    Garry H Posts: 6,639
    bendertherobot wrote:
    Navrig2 wrote:
    bendertherobot wrote:
    What do you mean by no membrane?

    Presumably like Gore Windstopper

    Windstopper is the membrane.

    A tight knit face fabric, as opposed to a membrane. Think Powershield rather than Windstopper. It 'breathes' better. This was, originally, the whole point of softshell.
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    Garry H wrote:
    bendertherobot wrote:
    Navrig2 wrote:
    bendertherobot wrote:
    What do you mean by no membrane?

    Presumably like Gore Windstopper

    Windstopper is the membrane.

    A tight knit face fabric, as opposed to a membrane. Think Powershield rather than Windstopper. It 'breathes' better. This was, originally, the whole point of softshell.

    Which rules out much of the "softshell" market as far as cycling is concerned.
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • Garry H
    Garry H Posts: 6,639
    bendertherobot wrote:
    Garry H wrote:
    bendertherobot wrote:
    Navrig2 wrote:
    bendertherobot wrote:
    What do you mean by no membrane?

    Presumably like Gore Windstopper

    Windstopper is the membrane.

    A tight knit face fabric, as opposed to a membrane. Think Powershield rather than Windstopper. It 'breathes' better. This was, originally, the whole point of softshell.

    Which rules out much of the "softshell" market as far as cycling is concerned.

    Correct. Which is a great shame.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    I've used the dhb jacket. Not been cold enough to use it yet this winter in the UK. It's good for cold weather and I can't remember it being sweaty. They also do a gilet in the same fabric if you want more breathability?
  • navrig2
    navrig2 Posts: 1,851
    bendertherobot wrote:
    Navrig2 wrote:
    bendertherobot wrote:
    What do you mean by no membrane?

    Presumably like Gore Windstopper

    Windstopper is the membrane.

    Exactly. He doesn't want Windstopper or similar.
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    Navrig2 wrote:
    bendertherobot wrote:
    Navrig2 wrote:
    bendertherobot wrote:
    What do you mean by no membrane?

    Presumably like Gore Windstopper

    Windstopper is the membrane.

    Exactly. He doesn't want Windstopper or similar.

    You can see how something being like Gore windstopper but not being like it because that thing is not what he wants might be a bit confusing ;)

    Perhaps he wants something unlike Gore windstopper
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,408
    bendertherobot wrote:

    You can see how something being like Gore windstopper but not being like it because that thing is not what he wants might be a bit confusing ;)

    Perhaps he wants something unlike Gore windstopper
    4515080-013_3000_3000_150204121025.jpg
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    Pfft

    women-s-bolero-white-black-1-louis-garneau-1027062-775-reg-045-1.jpg
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,408
    bendertherobot wrote:
    Pfft
    Pfft. That has sleeves and a zipped front to keep you warm.
    My suggestion is absolutely nothing like a Gore Windstopper.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • shamrock134
    shamrock134 Posts: 714
    New Rapha Classic Winter Jacket is Polartec Powershield Pro?

    http://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/classic- ... ct/SJK08XX
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    PBlakeney wrote:
    bendertherobot wrote:
    Pfft
    Pfft. That has sleeves and a zipped front to keep you warm.
    My suggestion is absolutely nothing like a Gore Windstopper.

    Pfft. Mine is a jersey, no membrane and again nothing like a Gore Windstopper. :x
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    shamrock134 wrote:
    New Rapha Classic Winter Jacket is Polartec Powershield Pro?

    http://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/classic- ... ct/SJK08XX

    Membrane
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • Garry H
    Garry H Posts: 6,639
    bendertherobot wrote:
    shamrock134 wrote:
    New Rapha Classic Winter Jacket is Polartec Powershield Pro?

    http://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/classic- ... ct/SJK08XX

    Membrane

    Constructed from a tightly woven fabric, rather than a laminate, like Windstopper. Less sweaty, in my experience of using it
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    Which is rather the point ;)
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • Garry H
    Garry H Posts: 6,639
    bendertherobot wrote:
    Which is rather the point ;)
    Indeed. But most people can't see past Windstopper
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    I need help too. Looking for one for late spring / early summer AND one for late summer / early fall.
  • Garry H
    Garry H Posts: 6,639
    dennisn wrote:
    I need help too. Looking for one for late spring / early summer AND one for late summer / early fall.
    Think you'd be better served with a long sleeved jersey/gilet combo for that. Unless you're in Alaska.
  • mtweeman
    mtweeman Posts: 4
    Hi,

    I've found really good reviews on Montane Featherlite Velo. I was able to find online shop on some UK website. Have any of you bought anything there? Website seems suspiciously simple for me.

    http://www.kmsevents.co.uk/mens-monmfev ... -1001.html

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