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Hi Chaps,
My Mavic waterproof is ace in the rain, but as a general riding top it gets proper sweaty - even with the XL zip front mesh, and four vents.
As anyone found a good jacket which isn't too warm, and breathes quite well for climbs?
I've now found myself just wearing a base layer and a tech t-shirt, while most others are in full waterproofs.....
Cheers
Ricks
If it's not raining you'd be much better off in a windproof rather than a waterproof. IMO non-membrane Pertex types ones are the best for breathability by a long way but a lot of people swear by Gore Windstopper.
If you want to stick with a waterproof allrounder then eVent fabric is good, but it's pretty spendy. And you'll probably still get sweaty in it if it's not seriously cold.
Either my Gabba or my Castelli Confronto for proper rain.
I was in the alps last summer, and found a factory outlet for a company called Vertical Raidlight. I bought one of their 'membrane' jackets as it was discounted from something like €150 to around €50.
I have been unreservedly delighted with it.
Mine is orange, but I think this would be the equivalent model and it is both windproof and waterproof:
Holy crap! White isn't a colour I'd want to be running, that's gonna be a lovely shade of brown in no time at all, and that's so not enduro.
Other colours are available!
Montane Dyno, not fully waterproof, as no taped seems, but is fine even in heavy downpours. It's also really breathable.
Another plus is it doesn't look too bikey, and is acceptable down pub.
The problem with "waterproof jackets", especially for cyclists, is that you don't wear a hood.
Therefore you are getting wet inside your jacket no matter what.
So how about a vapour rise? At least then you stay warm?
I have a Marmot jacket made of Goretex Active Shell - it's amazing. Really light and I don't overheat.
Montane Dyno, not fully waterproof, as no taped seems, but is fine even in heavy downpours. It's also really breathable.
The Dyno is nowhere near waterproof - it's just a wind-resistant (not as windproof as normal pertex) softshell.
I would try some of the Gore stuff if you can afford it.
The problem with "waterproof jackets", especially for cyclists, is that you don't wear a hood.
Just got a Madison Addict and it has an enormous hood designed to be worn over the helmet, it even has a little pocket in the lip of the hood to tuck your helmet peak into and a bungee thing to adjust the fit.
Haven't had chance to try it out yet, every time I've ridden lately it's been dry! But it looks a quality bit of kit.
Don't confuse "breathable" with "not hot"- all breathable does is help the sweat get out, it doesn't stop you sweating so even a very breathable, heavyweight jacket will still see you sweaty.
Personally, I rate gilets... Keep the core dry, let the arms be radiators, nobody really cares if they've got wet arms unless it's cold at which point I can wear my impreviously waterproof, breathable but hot ultra-jacket.
^^^^^this gillet and arm warmers are the best. Keep clothing tight anx if it gets wet at leadt it wont get freezing.
Just got a dhb thick gillet for winter great for keeping the core warm.
Montane featherlite smock - best bit of gear I've bought. I do run very hot though. So good I've just moved from event (goretex before that) to pertex (both rab) for my "proper" winter jacket. Pertex with a good dwr coating is as good as it gets for me 🙂
Gore Alp-X 2.0 GT AS works for me:
Another +1 for gilet. Every waterproof jacket I've had (breathable or not) makes my arms sweat. Not a nice feeling. I've always preferred to ride wet and then get changed afterwards. If it's additionally really cold and windy then I will go full jacket but try and limit big climbs or take them slower to save overheating.
One of the lightweight paramo jackets with the great big pit zips
Anything with a membrane will not be as breathable as something without gore windstopper is a membrane so no more breathable than other membrane clothing. Your best bet is getting a softshell or pertex jacket with a dwr coating. It will not be fully waterproof but will deal with showers and light rain. It will need washed and reproofed more regularly than a membrane jacket to stay water resistant compared to a membrane jacket. Something like the endurance mt500 Jersey is ideal but many others are available.
I've been using a Salomon Fast 3 ski jacket for the past 3 years and it's great. The under arms aren't waterproof but they dry quickly and this makes the whole thing a lot more breathable I reckon. I wear it every winter, it's warm enough without being too much. Mine is starting to lose its waterproofness a bit now though, but for 3 years of pretty much constant service apart from maybe a month or two a year in our "summer", I'm not complaining. And it was only about £60, way better value than mtb branded tat.
army goretex jacket, simply the best most breathable and totally waterproof jacket I have ever owned, and in the middle of winter when everyone else is miserable cold and wet WHO CARES if you don't 'look enduro'? Lol
cheap as chips too 🙂
try a few on to get the best fit tho.
I highly recommend the buffalo windshirt.
Another vote for a gilet.
But isn't the real problem wrong base layer and wearing too much generally?
If it's the sort of temperature where you wouldn't think of wearing a jumper, then put on a hard shell, you're going to get hot and sweat, end of, regardless of what magic properties your super material jacket has.
I also think the fact hardshells are windproof is an issue too, no air flow to cool you down, wheres a jumper or something lets air flow so you don't get too hot and sweat.
Isn't the real trick, well i say trick, common sense really, dress for the temperature, not if it's raining and wear stuff that is warm and comfortable when you do get wet.
Baselayer and a Paramo Fuera smock kept up with DWR. Wets out eventually, but can be used with the sleeves rolled up and chest zip unbuttoned. I wore it for a full lap of Mabie in a biblical downpour, and while I was indeed wet under it as expected, it stayed remarkably comfortable. For cold dry days I find it ideal, but you do benefit from a decent baselayer under it to keep everything unclammy.
Fuera is a baggy fit, so if that bothers you Bora is a slimmer fit but much the same function.
Dyno is waterproof enough to make water bead and run off, the only area water does get in is through the seams.
I know this as I have one and have been out in heavy rain a few times.
I use nikwax wash in stuff to keep topped up, otherwise it does let water soak through.
But isn't the real problem wrong base layer and wearing too much generally?
Nope. I've been wearing a technical t-shirt, and a very very thin baselayer - so a wicking base, and a slightly thicker outer which wicks well too. I don't wet out with just my base layers on. As soon as I put a goretex waterproof on, I start to boil. I'm fine riding without a jacket, but it's not particularly nice getting covered in mud on your base layers and then ending up cold when you stop as you're soaked.
I'm generally happy at around 10 degrees in just a t-shirt
Popped into Tiso today and picked up a Rab Exodus. Had a good chat with a chap who uses his for ski touring, and apparently it's incredibly breatheable, it's pretty light, thin, but feels very tough - and is stretchy.
I get the idea of a gilet, I have one already but I'm not a fan of warm core and cold extremities.
Popped into Tiso today and picked up a Rab Exodus
Looks interesting. Let us know how you get on with it.
Endura convert for me, use as a gilet if it's a bit damp stick the sleeves on if it starts to pee down.