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I'm in the market for a waterproof riding jacket with a hood but having never actually ridden with a hood I have some questions. Does wearing it up over your helmet cause it to catch the wind, constantly dragging it off the back of your head and do they restrict head movement and visibility. Can you actually get a hood under a helmet without going a size up on the lid and how comfortable/uncomfortable is it?
I'm asking because I was all set to go for the Endura MT500 jacket which I expected to use with the hood up over my Fox Flux but then I spotted a crazily good deal on the highly rated Altura Mayhem 2 which the only real issue reviewers have had with it is it's hood doesn't fit over trail helmets. I don't want to spend the extra on the Endura only to find that wearing your hood up over your helmet isn't practical anyway.
Hood over helmet, but only when you’ve stopped for mechanicals, a break or it’s properly rodding it down - the rest of the time I’d get far too warm not being able to shed heat through my head & helmet - but I run hot.
Have a look at some climbers jackets as they will usually have a hood big enough to go over helmets (and better designed) and often cheaper than bike specific jacets
If its really raining hard I use a Rab waterproof jacket (not cycling specific) with a helmet friendly hood that goes over the top. No problem with wind pulling hood down at all. Peripheral visibility slightly restricted - fine for offroad but just needs a bit more care looking over shoulder if riding in traffic. Never noticed a problem with movement-maybe a bit harder to look down but not an issue.
As sofaboy73. I’d run far too hot for a hood, try on the mt500 jacket if you get the chance , it’s a random shape I had to get the large and it feels short in the body but too wide. I lost a fight with a barb wire fence and endura deemed it unrepairable so currently on the look out for a new jacket,
I’ve had a few rab jackets (climbing ones) far better fit and hood room should fit a helmet as designed for a climbing helmet , I may demote one to my bike this winter
Ps. In winter I wear a headband to keep the wind out of my ears and rain running down my face, I ride all weathers , castelli viva therma are spot on
Another Rab climbing jacket fan here, usually bought out of season in some outrageous go outdoors deal
Columbia out dry here I find bike jackets to be poor value and features often poorly executed.
Hood goes under helmet if needed.
Edits broke again !
Wanted to add that I use the outdry when I simply must stay dry for a long period have various old cycling jackets that are varying degrees of waterproof and damaged from over the years that I use when enduroing or only out for a couple of hours.
Hood goes under helmet if needed.
Well and I DID respect your opinion. I usually nod when reading your comments is agreement but now you have gone right out of line. Dead to me.
It depends on the hood.
cant be doing with the hood not turning and looking at the inside of the hood when im trying to do lifesaver checks.
rarely stick a hood up anyway.
I used to always go hood over helmet but after my operation it is no longer an option.
Why anyone needs or wants a hood is beyond me. What do you think is going to happen when rain lands on your head? Its just a bit of water after all, my head is probably wetter from sweat in the summer than it would be from rain in the autumn.
What do you think is going to happen when rain lands on your head?
Run down the back of your neck?
Problem is, trailwagger, jackets have a big hole in 'em so you can stick your head out...
How has the Outdry jacket been? Needed a new jacket in spring and decided to buy one - just before the dryest summer in 40 years, so haven't really had a chance to assess it.
i cant recall water running down the back of my neck, worst thing about winter is that cold puddle splash of water/mud go up your lower back, bibshorts always in winter solved that
When it's absolutely tipping down having a hood over your helmet (!) is a proper treat.
Hardly ever wear a hood while riding, one lighter jacket it fits under the helmet (albeit badly) and the other bigger one it would have to be over. But of course I don't usually wear a helmet on the road and don't tend to go for long MTB days when it's tipping down so I rarely have cause to do either.
Snap Montgomery.
Packs small and looks like a blue bin bag that is all I can tell you for now. But the hood most definitely doesn't go over the helmet.
It's designed for hiking and running.
Why anyone needs or wants a hood is beyond me. What do you think is going to happen when rain lands on your head? Its just a bit of water after all, my head is probably wetter from sweat in the summer than it would be from rain in the autumn.
You must sweat like Ted Striker in Airplane. Can't beat a good hood for riding all day in cold wet winter rain.
When it’s absolutely tipping down having a hood over your helmet (!) is a proper treat.
Sorry i cannot see any jacket. also maybe some hoods over shoes would be a good idea.
Those are not shoes......
Outdry over a helmet?
Almost
Why has Zippy posted a picture of an empty garden?
Which model outdry though their is about 27.
No danger mines going over a large specialised prevail .Not even barely covering it it just doesn't go.
Outdry Ex Gold Techshell. One of the range that SportPursuit were/are selling at substantial discount. No opportunity to try it yet though.
MT500 here, and hood over lid, but only when stopped, taking a break etc. hate riding with it up ! (and my joystick bracket would probably rub a hole in it too)
Some excellent replies thanks everyone although I have now have even more options to consider. Yesterday it was just the 17 websites I was comparing between!
I used to use a ghastly flouro helmet cover (I know, I know) but that was before I finally started updating my kit to stuff produced this century (only recently retired my almost 25 year old Specialised Pry Babies). The downsides to the helmet covers aside from the hideous looks are they block the helmet vents and don't prevent rain down the back of the neck which I hate.
How do all the non bike specific jacket users find the lack of coverage around the bottom or do you just use waterproof shorts, something I'm also looking at adding to my cycling wardrobe.
I have altura waterproof shorts bur much prefer cut down lidl waterproof trousers.
How do all the non bike specific jacket users find the lack of coverage around the bottom or do you just use waterproof shorts, something I’m also looking at adding to my cycling wardrobe.
Do you really find that bike-specific jackets keep your butt dry? I know that's the theory, but in anything other than light drizzle, it's a fantasy. If you want a dry backside on a mountain bike, fit a Mudhugger rear guard is my advice.
Neither A hood should always be worn down and with no helmet. Sat evenly around your neck and shoulders, drawstrings loose and even length. This will frame your face and draw ladies eyes to you while also making you appear more fun, younger, fitter and slimmer than their husbands. It should only be ever be worn up to save your hair from being ruined in rain showers or to hide from psycho milfs or their disgruntled husbands (sunglasses also help with the latter)
MT 500 mk1 here( still going strong with periodic re-proofing ) ..hood over helmet if your riding involves you only travelling in a straight line with no corners to turn ..
I can't turn my head with the hood up and prefer to have a buff underneath my helmet in cold weather ..doesn't keep your bounce dry in rain ..but that doesn't bother me as long as my lugs are warm ..
Really like the Mk2 version of this jacket and it will be the one I buy when replacing what Ive got ..
Geex ..nice ( if ageist) advice ...but that doesnt work when you are a silver fox !