Breathable Jacket

I mostly use an Arc'teryx Incendo Hoody trail running top - was also available as a straight jacket without hood - suits me as it's very breathable, has mesh under-arms for extra ventilation and has a close-cut, athletic fit, so no billowing. Expensive, but works. No longer available as such, but there's an updated Incendo Air version that's very expensive - Arc'teryx is good kit and sometimes available on Sport Pursuit at 50% or so of retail where it makes more sense.

You need to be looking at fabric quite carefully. Manym windproof materials like classic Pertex aren't very breathable because they're very, very closely woven and also calendared, which means they're run through heavy rollers at high pressure and temperature to flatten them, tends to make them look smooth and very slightly glossy. Stuff like the Arc'teryx jacket use fabrics that sacrifice a small amount of ultimate windproofing to retain better breathability, tend to have a more matt finish, which is hard to describe, but quite distinctive.

I have no idea which, if any, bike-specific tops have similar characteristics though, outdoor brands tend to use higher tech, though often more expensive, fabrics, so you might be better off looking there or at trail-running brands. Something like a Rab Borealis lightweight softshell might also work, but has a hood.

My thread on this topic is about 9 months old now. Loads of good advice there, including BWD.

I ended up with the Rab Borealis. Its great! Very breathable. I steam noticeably more in cool weather than prior jackets. The weave has a little bit of thickness to it which makes it a bit warmer on still days too stretchy so it pits over elbow pads nicely too.

You can get one without the hood which is the borealis tour.

something made from gore infinium.

i've got a 7mesh cypress which is a very roadie/gravel fit but works really well for most conditions other than really heavy persistent rain.

I'd second the Rab Borealis! I've had a bunch of lightweight windproofs over the years from Patagonia, Montane, Arcteryx and the Borealis is way better than the others in terms of breathability. I run hot so I prefer less windproofing and more air flow, plus the stretch woven fabric on the Rab seems a lot less prone to damage than the pertex style of the Houdini, Squamish, etc.
The hooded version is actually pretty good on the bike as it doesn't fill up with air when the zip is done up all the way, it also fits nicely under a helmet in winter. Didn't realise there was a hoodless version, might pick one of those up too!

Best thing about Rab gear is it's very well made so lasts for years. It also has quite long arms so fits well on the bike. The sizes are also quite generous, medium is a nice loose fit on me and I'm 180cm tall at 80kg, ideal for mtb. Rab also tends to have minimalist designs with no big logos and comes in fairly mooted colours. Is generally much cheaper than the equivalent higher end bike brands like Gore or 7Mesh (I'm a big fan of both but can't justify some of their RRP's) but with similar quality.

something made from gore infinium.

had to look on their website, this seems to be the modern equivilent of my jacket from about 8 years ago which does exactly what you describe.

£200 now though, sure mine was £80, possibly on sale.

My default answer is Omm Kamila smock.

I have a:
Old Tog 24 'Pertex like' top with zip off arms and mesh sides - it has been superb. Throw a bit of Nikwax on it and it is good to go in light rain too. It is properly windproof, but with the side mesh pretty good at dealing with moisture - and of course you can remove the arms. Short in the body.

Newish Scott tail running windproof - ace cut, longer all over, long arms bright colour. But, I dislike the hood being there and it really isnt breathable enough - it seems to have a layer on the inside, not a membrane more a treatment, and I think it is this. Ace for properly cold days though. No venting.

New Endura Jetstream. It looks like a roady top. It has oddball sizing. But it is ace on grey, damp or windy days. It is windproof front and arms, with fabric back. It just doesnt get as sweaty as the other two tops. I am sold on the 'windproof front & much more breathable back' concept - but might look at another brand in future.

As above, you want a lightweight softshell jacket (not pertex).

There are always plenty on discount, I'd order a few and see which fit well and feel like the right weight of fabric.

I'd usually look at CRC, Freewheel, Start Fitness, Decathlon, Sport Pursuit etc.

The Rab looks good, how is the durability? Just thinking as I ride with a back pack (plus the potential of crashing).

Thanks for all the replies so far! Found it hard to find reviews online to compare different jackets so real people's experiences are super helpful.

I use a rab vapour rise (VR) alpine jacket, really breathable and has a liner that wicks sweat away really well. Reasonably wind resistant, had a DWR when new but it wears/washes off. They do a ‘ridgeline’ version which is thinner material (lighter) and doesn’t have a hood.

Is generally much cheaper than the equivalent higher end bike brands like Gore or 7Mesh (I’m a big fan of both but can’t justify some of their RRP’s) but with similar quality.

no one pays RRP for the high end brands, do they? I've got a fair bit of arcteryx, patagonia and 7mesh gear and I've never paid full price, and rarely more than 60% RRP.

The Rab looks good, how is the durability?

I've had mine about 6 months but it still looks like new. Wear it most days at the moment for both commuting and MTB riding. All my previous windproofs would get little rips (some big ones too) from either coming off or catching on branches, etc.

The fabric on the Rab is super stretchy which helps stop it catching, and it's the sort of fabric that will probably just get little pulls rather than tearing. It's slightly heavier than the pertex style, but not noticeable when it's on.

Yeah, I've found it less snag prone and pretty tough.

I've got a Rab Sawtooth jacket that pretty much fits this description, although I mainly use it for hillwalking. I've had it 8 or 9 years I think and no problems with the durability of the fabric.

Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody is very good, showerproof, windproof and breathes well. Nice feel on skin too. Minor issues are that the fit is bit baggy and hood needs fixing with piece of string.
Have to say that price was right- a shop was selling them at 69 Euros, MSRP is almost 3x or something like that.

I've ordered the Rab, hoping the fit will be ok.