waterproof cycling jacket

[tripstobaltimore]

Well winter is coming up faster than expected...

This winter I want to get a really good cycling waterproof (im happy to pay $$$ for the best quality) - Needs to keep me warm and dry for long rides in heavy rain.

Any suggestions? I'd prefer to get off of probikekit/wiggle etc, but if someone can recommend a store in Adelaide worth checking out then I'll do that as well.

Cheers

[Redbull]

Buy them from the UK sites.

At this time of year they are coming out of winter so usually have winter kit on sale. I bought a jacket from ribble last year for about $70 - about a third of the local price.


Lusso Jacket

Really good jacket and I'm glad I bought it. Its actually a bit too warm for a lot of Perth weather though, but really handy when the days are cold and wet.

[silkishuge]

I use a Netti one. Can't remember the name of it but it retailed for ~$200. Highly recommend it for keeping me warm and keeping the rain water out.
http://www.cyclingsports.com.au/Detail. ... KJ3D3_Y806
I wore this Netti jacket with Katmundu thermals and regular bike jersey which did a great job of keeping me warm even at -7deg C 70 minutes of commuting through winter. However, it will not keep you dry because you will be dripping like a wet fish from your own sweat. Now I live in Sydney and the weather is much warmer here so I don't usually wear it unless it is pouring down in buckets.

J

[queequeg]

Well winter is coming up faster than expected...

This winter I want to get a really good cycling waterproof (im happy to pay $$$ for the best quality) - Needs to keep me warm and dry for long rides in heavy rain.

Any suggestions? I'd prefer to get off of probikekit/wiggle etc, but if someone can recommend a store in Adelaide worth checking out then I'll do that as well.

Cheers

I have an Endura Gridlock Jacket (nice Red Colour); http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=9268

It is as waterproof as you going to get. I have ridden with it in torrential rain and not a single drop of water has come through. At the current asking price of $67, it is an absolute steal. I think I paid $80 for it last winter (off Wiggle), but they don't seem to stock the Endura products anymore.
Like all Waterproof jackets, yes it breathes, but you are going to sweat in it. There is no avoiding it. The big difference is you will be warm rather than dripping wet with icy rain.

[Baalzamon]

How are these jackets for sweating? I've got a waterproof one but it not very nice to wear when you start to sweat and then you freeze. I'm want to upgrade as well, will be used on commutes and touring.

[Aushiker]

Hi

I have a Berghaus cycling jacket made out of Gore-Tex Paclite material and have it good for the past two winters here in Perth. I would consider a Paclite jacket again when I due to purchase a replacement jacket.

Regards
Andrew

[Richard.L]

I dont mean to hijack or anything but is there such thing to keep your legs dry?

Wow didn't know jackets range up to $500

[Aushiker]

I dont mean to hijack or anything but is there such thing to keep your legs dry?

Hi

No need to hijack the thread as there is a current one on this very topic here.

Regards
Andrew

[il padrone]

I can recommend the Showers Pass Elite 2.0 jacket. Very light, highly breathable, pit-zip vents and openable sleeves. Its eVent fabric is more waterproof than Goretex and lots cheaper.



They make some cool looking touring overpants as well that I may get hold of for this coming winter. Their gear is made for Portland, Oregon weather - one of the wetter cities in the USA, and one with a very active cycling culture.

Oh, and the jacket only costs about $US220.

[ryan]

I saw a really nice rain jacket in Kathmandu today; back pockets similar to a jersey, reflective tape, and minimal branding. Link:

http://www.kathmandu.com.au/Mens/Jackets_&_Vests/Rainwear/12007/Lite_Ace_Jacket_Mens_v2.html

It's not padded so might not be the warmest jacket, but seems quite good for the QLD climate. It could be brighter though...

[cp123]

I have a good Mont one.

http://www.mont.com.au/index/catalog/product/016 It has a big hood too.

[Aushiker]

I saw a really nice rain jacket in Kathmandu today; back pockets similar to a jersey, reflective tape, and
It's not padded so might not be the warmest jacket, but seems quite good for the QLD climate. It could be brighter though...

Hi

Is it a cycling jacket? Looks more like it is cut for normal wear/walking.

Personally for those dollars I would go somewhere else.

Regards
Andrew

[Redbull]

+1

Cycling jackets have longer backs on them. Stops road spray getting all over you and keeps your lower back warmer.

[il padrone]

Cycling jackets have longer backs on them.

Plus ventilation openings (eg. armpit zips), a double-ended front zipper, longer sleeves with a wide opening wrist and velcro closures, bright colouring and reflective tape/piping. Also no hood is often the best way to go. Hoods and helmets often do not mix.

One of the best substitutes for a hood when cycling is the good old plastic shower cap. When fitted over your helmet it may be quite a daggy look, but the damn thing works really well at keeping your head dry while still allowing some ventilation to avoid over-heating.

My son with his shower cap in action

[Chaderotti]

I'm scared of over heating in a water proof jacket, but scared of freezing to death in a windproof jacket!

[Richard.L]

I'm scared of over heating in a water proof jacket, but scared of freezing to death in a windproof jacket!

Buy a wind proof and water proof?? then dress to suit the weather conditions?

[Chaderotti]

I'm scared of over heating in a water proof jacket, but scared of freezing to death in a windproof jacket!

Buy a wind proof and water proof?? then dress to suit the weather conditions?

If only I had that sort of money in the bank

[il padrone]

All good quality waterproof, breathable jackets are also extremely windproof as well. The breathable fabric allows you to dry off when you stop when you do overheat on a climb, and good ventilation openings help to give air flow to cool you.

You will not get cold in a windproof (eg Gore Windstopper) jacket. They stop the wind that will cool you down. I have a Ground Effect Draft Dodger full Windfoil jacket that I hardly ever use while cycling (except for 5 degree winter days) as there's no air flow and I just get too hot in it. Their Frosty Boy is much better - Windfoil on the front of the torso and arms, regular fleece on the back and sides, so you get more ventilation. Frosty Boy is my favourite and most versatile cycling top.

[edit]Hey, 4000 posts

[Redbull]

Cycling jackets have longer backs on them.

Plus ventilation openings (eg. armpit zips), a double-ended front zipper, longer sleeves with a wide opening wrist and velcro closures, bright colouring and reflective tape/piping. Also no hood is often the best way to go. Hoods and helmets often do not mix.

One of the best substitutes for a hood when cycling is the good old plastic shower cap. When fitted over your helmet it may be quite a daggy look, but the damn thing works really well at keeping your head dry while still allowing some ventilation to avoid over-heating.

My son with his shower cap in action

Dude, making your teenage son wear a shower cap on his helmet.

He's gunna love you - right after he calls social services and reports you for child abuse




On another note


Evans Cycles have just sent an email advising an extra 15% of all winter clothing at the moment. Variety of stock on sale.

[il padrone]

Dude, making your teenage son wear a shower cap on his helmet.

He's gunna love you - right after he calls social services and reports you for child abuse

Yuk, yuk!

Nah, he's an adult now, he makes his own choices and is rather taken with the silliness of the shower cap. There's a bit of the Monty Python in the lad

[Redbull]

well then at least make it an interesting one, not one thats been nicked from the last motel you stayed at

some thing like this sharkie one




but maybe its cool now and I'm so old "Damm young people these day......."

[Richard.L]

hahaha looks stoned. There are reflective yellow ones on wiggle but maybe expensive?

[wombatK]

So would glad-wrap on a helmet look dorky too ? TLL swears by it for his boots, so maybe it would work on a helmet. And Pete's son doesn't seem to have his boots covered - could kill two birds with one stone here.

Cheers

[il padrone]

And Pete's son doesn't seem to have his boots covered - could kill two birds with one stone here.

Yeah, but you gotta love his rainlegs. While they look like they belong in the G-L Mardi Gras (chaps for bikers), they do work very well and keep the legs better ventilated and cooler.

[KRG]

Bought a PBK Polaris Neutron jacket. Works a treat and looks the goods. Currently $81!!! Would buy another one in a heart beat. After buying a Mavic for north of $400 and then having a spill (in the wet of course) and losing half of it to the bitumen the price of the PBK is spot on. Crashes happen and jackets may repel water but not friction with the road. Even a small, slow crash could become super expensive if you knick your elbow on the deck.