What MTB Jacket for £60??

winter_zombie
winter_zombie Posts: 291
edited December 2012 in MTB buying advice
Hello All

well now santa has gone i have a bit of cash to spend :wink:

im in the market for my first MTB Jacket

id like your views and guidence on whats a good jacket for my budget of £60

the jacket dosent have to be 100% waterproof as i do use a rain jacket, but i would like it to be warm and have a good windproofing. i wear full bibs all year with a base layer and a Decathlon Thermal jersey http://www.decathlon.co.uk/ls-jersey-5- ... #avantages

i now want to ditch the Decathlon jersey in favor of a proper MTB Jacket/Softshell

this is what ive been looking at so far
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/pearl-izumi-eli ... er-jacket/ Pearl Izumi Elite Barrier Jacket 39.99
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/altura-night-vi ... of-jacket/ Altura Night Vision Windproof Jacket
(i can get this for £42 via a friend)
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/altura-transfor ... ng-jacket/ Altura Transformer Windproof Cycling Jacket 59.49

from what i have read, most people say the Altura Transformer is a good jacket and so it the night vision but i dont know if they are suited for my needs.
so im now hopeing that some of you own one of the jackets and can tell me your views and if its worth it or something else thats worth looking at

thanks for your time 8)

Comments

  • mcnultycop
    mcnultycop Posts: 2,143
    Get one of these and spend the money you save on something else? I've got two of these, one for on the bike and one for knocking about in. They are superb.
  • mcnultycop wrote:
    Get one of these and spend the money you save on something else? I've got two of these, one for on the bike and one for knocking about in. They are superb.

    thanks, ive had a look but their not my taste. the plain black would of been ok but their all out of stock

    any other views/options ??
  • omegas
    omegas Posts: 970
    what is the jacket for ? commuting , trails, xc , Are you out riding all day ? do you want to be able to pack it away.
  • omegas wrote:
    what is the jacket for ? commuting , trails, xc , Are you out riding all day ? do you want to be able to pack it away.

    i ride xc and blue/red routes, i ride anything from 2 hours+ and i dont need it to be a pack away

    what do you think to the jackets i have picked so far? any good ??
  • just so you know i want to be ordering this jacket over the next few days, as im joining my local cycle club next week and i want to be kited up ready so i can go on a my first club beginners ride. :?

    thank you again in advance for your views and advise :)
  • stubs
    stubs Posts: 5,001
    I have one of these and it seems to tick all the boxes for you. Now got several items of clothing off these people and its tough cheap and works.

    http://www.cycle-clothing.co.uk/Products/202/speg-avert-mk3-wind-and-water-resistant-soft-shell-cycle-jacket.aspx
    Fig rolls: proof that god loves cyclists and that she wants us to do another lap
  • stubs wrote:
    I have one of these and it seems to tick all the boxes for you. Now got several items of clothing off these people and its tough cheap and works.

    http://www.cycle-clothing.co.uk/Products/202/speg-avert-mk3-wind-and-water-resistant-soft-shell-cycle-jacket.aspx

    hi stubs

    thanks for the advise/link. i have had a look but at 39.99 i could get the Pearl Izumi Elite Barrier Jacket

    but ive not had any advise from people as yet if any of my choices are any good or worth it.

    thanks anyway
  • stubs
    stubs Posts: 5,001
    Hi zombie Pearl Izumi and Altura is good kit and you wont go far wrong but check the fit some of it (but not all) is a bit roadie orientated and if your more of the rugby forward shape like me it wont fit. Basically its a try before you buy with both makes, I had the chance of a dirt cheap shop soiled XXL Altura night vision but it was too tight over the shoulders with a thick base layer underneath. Plus the jumps between sizes on some Altura is ridiculous a mate got a large Altura shorts and it was like he was wearing a tent. He went down to a medium and he couldnt breathe when he zipped up.
    Fig rolls: proof that god loves cyclists and that she wants us to do another lap
  • hi stubs

    thanks for the advise, i have phones my local bike shop sherwood pines and they dont do any of the stuff im interested in.
    so i have phones my local halfords and they do altura jackets (nightvision) so i gess i could try that on as a guide

    but apart from that its my local city (nottingham) and thats about 20 miles away, or in my case 1 bus and 1 train each way :(

    my plan was to buy it on line, but from what other forums ive read their dose seem to be lots of differance in how the jackets fit. god dam it :evil:

    Thanks again for your advise

    i'm very surprised i havent had more input from other forum members as this forum is always busy :!: :?:
  • stubs
    stubs Posts: 5,001
    I know its not helping you but Madison do some decent kit at reasonable prices. If you buy off Amazon or the big mailorder places like Wiggle, CRC and others they will do free returns or swaps if it doesnt fit. Basically I would say pray the rain stops go to the ride and ask to try on some jackets that the other guys have.
    Fig rolls: proof that god loves cyclists and that she wants us to do another lap
  • well ive had over 200 people look at this topic and only you "stubs" reply to me !

    is it the end of the world?? were is everybody ?!
  • zanush
    zanush Posts: 161
    edited December 2012
    I got an Altura night vision windproof jacket awhile ago and although not 100% waterproof they are quite good tbh. I bought it from http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=22064&categoryID=206 currently £34.99 with free delivery but if the sizes left are no good, they also have the polaris rush waterproof jacket for £34.99 http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=57338&categoryID=207 I have bought a few items from them and they are always helpful if you have to contact them plus delivery is usualy pretty quick.
    Boardman Fs Team
    Felt F95
  • zanush wrote:
    I got an Altura night vision windproof jacket awhile ago and although not 100% waterproof they are quite good tbh. I bought it from http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=22064&categoryID=206 currently £34.99 with free delivery. I have bought a few items from them and they are always helpful if you have to contact them plus delivery is usualy pretty quick.

    thanks for that, but their is only 3 sizes in stock, s/m/xxl but its still a very good price. nice find :mrgreen:
  • zanush
    zanush Posts: 161
    I'm lucky as i'm a shortarse and small fits me perfectly lol. They have the xxl in the polaris rush but what the fit is like i don't know.
    Boardman Fs Team
    Felt F95
  • zanush wrote:
    I'm lucky as i'm a shortarse and small fits me perfectly lol. They have the xxl in the polaris rush but what the fit is like i don't know.

    lucky you :evil:

    im a 43" chest 5ft10"tall 38" waist and a 35" arm, and im finding it hard to find a jacket i like in my budget in my size
    some makes say i need a large and others say xl/xxl why on earth they are all so different is beyound me.

    i just want something thats going to keep me warm with a windstopper, in black or red or blue. and if possible looks good. i may go for a altura transformer as they look quite warm and look great, if not il have to settle for a night vision jacket.

    my local evens cycles in nottingham told me today not to buy altura as its not that good and the transformer jacket has been discontinued. he told me to buy a endura softshell at £99 as its a great jacket. but as i told him before i only have a budget of 60ish pounds to spend. :evil: :( :roll:
  • zanush
    zanush Posts: 161
    I have a few bits of altura stuff and yes the quality is not as good as endura but it's not as expensive. The polaris rush might be worth a punt as it will be more waterproof and has taped seems as well. Bike gear is always expensive and i try to get stuff in the sales, i'm even tempted to get the polaris rush jacket myself.......but i already have a high vis waterproof + semi-decent aldi softshell and the altura nightvision.....must keep my wallet out of reach lol
    Boardman Fs Team
    Felt F95
  • well its now saturday afternoon and still no other reviews or input

    i gess everybody just thinks £60 is to low/cheap for a good jacket

    thanks to zanush and stubs :wink: for their input


    :roll: :|
  • Hi winterzombie,

    I recently bought one of these and find it brilliant - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sugoi-versa-convertible-jacket/

    It doubles as a gilet as well, having an unusual but very effective magnetic quick release sleeves, seen here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT234rJ8M_I

    It is very windproof and pretty waterproof too. It can be worn on or off the bike too. I'm very happy with my purchase - one of my best buys up to now. It has a feel of quality about it.

    Matt
    Canyon Nerve AL 7.0
  • amigomatt wrote:
    Hi winterzombie,

    I recently bought one of these and find it brilliant - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sugoi-versa-convertible-jacket/

    It doubles as a gilet as well, having an unusual but very effective magnetic quick release sleeves, seen here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT234rJ8M_I

    It is very windproof and pretty waterproof too. It can be worn on or off the bike too. I'm very happy with my purchase - one of my best buys up to now. It has a feel of quality about it.

    Matt

    thanks for that amigomat, ive had a look at them on wiggle and they only have large and i would need xl. the youtube video looks interesting and ive never seen a jacket do anything like that before.

    thanks for your time to reply :mrgreen:
  • Well just as a update to what i brought today

    EnduraConvertSoftshellevenssyslesNottinghamSunday30122012_zps615b1577.jpg

    i went to evens cycles in nottingham today to go and try on the altura transformer as the sizeing guide for the jacket was telling me i need a xl/xxl

    at first seeing the jacket it looked great, but after i picked it up and felt the quality i was quite surprised as it felt thin and cheap. :oops: :? i was fascinated to see the quality differance between this altura and a endura convert softshell jacket as i have seen loads of posts about how good they are and the quality

    so after picking one up straight away you can tell its a much better quality jacket and better meterial, this alone almost sold it for me before i even tryed it on :P the endura was more money by £25ish but trying the jacket on it just felt so much better than the altura, so with in 5 mins of having the endura jacket on i was sold. i did spend over my budget but the jacket just seems worth the extra money. i just have to make sure the girlfiend dosent find out how much i spend LoL :mrgreen:

    So Thank you to you all for your advise & Thanks to Evens Cycles In Nottingham Today for their help and advise 8)
  • CB75
    CB75 Posts: 49
    If your looking for a decent softshell dont just look at cycling specific clothing. Have a look at some of the outdoor shops. In particular Go Outdoors website and cotswold outdoors have some excellent softshells on sale just now and you should get something decent for your budget. A lot of these softshells will be suitable for biking. Hope this helps.
  • CB75
    CB75 Posts: 49
    Forget my last post as i was obviously too late as i see youve got one! But its worthwhile keeping in mind for the future! Time to get out riding now. Have fun.
  • zanush
    zanush Posts: 161
    Glad you got yourself sorted ;)
    Yes you do get what you pay for and it is unfortunate that bike gear is expensive and as CB75 has said don't discount non-bike orientated gear. I was looking in my wardrobe today and forgot i had a couple of softshells bought ages ago (before i got into mtb) that have a decent fit that i can wear.
    Boardman Fs Team
    Felt F95