OK so I have this £7.99 waterproof jacket..

Bustacapp · July 2013

I got it from Decathlon and it folds up into a small pouch. I keep it in my bag along with some overtrousers in case it rains because my windcheater isn't waterproof. It doesn't have any open seams for breathability yet claims it is brathable fabric. When I commute home I just wear the cotton short sleeve shirt I wear at the office as it will go in the wash when I get home. The thing is - when I get home and peel the jacket off I am absolutely drenched to the bone underneath it. Can this just be from sweat? It really is like wearing a bin-bag. I really don't want to have to bother with wearing some sort of long sleeve jumper to form a barrier between my sweat and the jacket, and would rather get a better waterproof yet lightweight jacket that maybe has some sort of lining that is more condusive to the distrbution of moisture on the inside. Can anyone make any suggestions? £20 is the most I want to pay.

supersonic · July 2013

Not known any fabric that is totally waterproof and lets sweat out. But cotton is a no no with them, you need a wicking fabric as cotton will cling to sweat.

jimmypippa · August 2013

Wot supersonic said.

My route home is uphill and my cycling shirt (wicking fabric) gets soaked by sweat most days.

On the downhill way to work, if it is cool enough, my waterproof jacket does keep me dry without too much sweat. But it uses a top of the range fabric - eVent, which is more breathable than most types of Gore-Tex and about equivalent to their best performing fabrics. I also have all the venting pockets open.

Long_Time_Lurker · August 2013

In general, you have the choice of 'boil-in-the-bag' or not waterproof when it comes to the cheaper end of jackets.
At the top end you may find something between the two - but they are way more expensive than £20.

At the moment, in this heat, I just get wet. In the winter, the boil-in-the-bag keeps me warm.
For anything in between, I have a windstopper (which is showerproof).

cookeeemonster · August 2013

you'd be lucky to get a waterproof 'but breathable' jacket for £100 - and even then it'd be in the sale.

but it depends on how far/fast you ride, how much you normally sweat and how cold it is and so on. Sometimes you can get away with the boil in the bag jacket...but it sounds like you're not.

I wouldn't wear anything in this weather, even a £300 waterproof, it's way too hot and you're better off getting wet from rain than sweat

chris_bass · August 2013

with the weather at the moment on rainy days i just wear a long sleeve baselaer under my jersey (short sleev so i look cool 90s style!!) and that is all i need really, i get wet but its not cold and dries off pretty quickly once the sun is out again.

richk · August 2013

Unless it's properly raining, I find not bothering with my waterproofs leaves me drier...

alan_sherman · August 2013

Breathable is a waste of time on the bike. You sweat. And when it rains the humidity outside the jacket is high so there is no humidty gradient for your warm sweaty air to permeate through the jacket. Outside air is warmer then inside air, so the jacket fabric is cool. So your sweaty humid air will condensate to water on the inside of the jacket. You get wet.

Great business thought flogging breathable jackets.

I have a cheap race cape that is not 'waterproof' but does cut the wind chill and packs up small into the back pocket. I also have a communter flouro waterproof goretex jacket that the other half bought me at great expense. It is ok to commute on days when it is cold and likely to rain. Or when it is really lashing down. I ride slower to stop sweat buildup.

With cycling when it rains you get wet I'm afraid.

chris_bass · August 2013

I think if it were more socially acceptable, cycling naked would be your best bet!! I find my skin to be both breathable and waterproof!!

probably just one for the warmer days and quieter roads though!

dilemna · August 2013

Chris Bass wrote:

I think if it were more socially acceptable, cycling naked would be your best bet!! I find my skin to be both breathable and waterproof!!

probably just one for the warmer days and quieter roads though!

Show off.

dilemna · August 2013

£7.99 for a bin liner .............. you've been had.

Gore-tex is the most breathable waterproof fabric on the market. New Gortex Pro just launched 28% more breathable than "old" Goretex plus a lot more durable. However for cycling I would not wear Gore-tex or similar breathable fabric unless it was cold or very wet. In warm weather you will just boil in the bag. For Gore-tex to work best temp needs to be below 15C. However better would be a windproof shell which is a lot more breathable, still has good water repellency but not waterproof. This is a lot more breathable and lighter than Goretex, eVent, Hyvent, Textapore, etc.

chris_bass · August 2013

dilemna wrote:

Chris Bass wrote:

I think if it were more socially acceptable, cycling naked would be your best bet!! I find my skin to be both breathable and waterproof!!

probably just one for the warmer days and quieter roads though!

Show off.

I didnt say it would be pleasant to look at!! but would help with the getting wet scenario!

unixnerd · August 2013

Whetever you buy make sure it's very breathable in the arm pits, one of mine has mesh there and it helps a lot.

chris_bass · August 2013

i made the mistake of wearing my waterproof this morning, weather forecast had terrential rain due for the morning and it looked pretty overcast and drizzling before I left so thought i'd put it on.

No rain came, was about 17 or 18 degrees the whole way in, head wind most of the way! needless to say I was more than a little clamy when I got to work!!

Bustacapp · August 2013

Chris Bass wrote:

i made the mistake of wearing my waterproof this morning, weather forecast had terrential rain due for the morning and it looked pretty overcast and drizzling before I left so thought i'd put it on.

No rain came, was about 17 or 18 degrees the whole way in, head wind most of the way! needless to say I was more than a little clamy when I got to work!!

Funny you should say that. I wore my non waterproof windcheater on the basis that although wet, it was not raining when I left the house. Within about 2 clicks the biggest downpour I've ever seen was unleashed.

edhornby · August 2013

I use a gilet with the neck open a little to vent, I find that it's the arms that get wringing wet with a jacket, as long as the wet and cold air isn't on my chest I keep warm

chris_bass · August 2013

Bustacapp wrote:

Chris Bass wrote:

i made the mistake of wearing my waterproof this morning, weather forecast had terrential rain due for the morning and it looked pretty overcast and drizzling before I left so thought i'd put it on.

No rain came, was about 17 or 18 degrees the whole way in, head wind most of the way! needless to say I was more than a little clamy when I got to work!!

Funny you should say that. I wore my non waterproof windcheater on the basis that although wet, it was not raining when I left the house. Within about 2 clicks the biggest downpour I've ever seen was unleashed.

looking out the window now it may have been a good idea!! still got an hour to stop though!!

Bustacapp · August 2013

surely this would keep me dry?

jimmypippa · August 2013

Bustacapp wrote:

surely this would keep me dry?

It depends whether you prefer getting soaked by sweat or rain.

Mr.Duck · August 2013

The hood won't stay up when you cycle along unless you pull it down tight, then you won't be about to see where you are going because it will be getting in the way of your eyes.

Get a dhb Minima S or a dhb Wisp. I have a Wisp. It doesn't really get any cheaper than that.

Bustacapp · August 2013

jimmypippa wrote:

Bustacapp wrote:

surely this would keep me dry?

It depends whether you prefer getting soaked by sweat or rain.

I reckon it would be okay in the depths of winter?

OK so I have this £7.99 waterproof jacket..

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