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Reading current reviews it seems testers look upon jackets with hoods as a good thing ? 2 Madison jackets I’ve got with hoods that go over a helmet . Despite cinching them down tight the first descent you do they just fly off , if by some fantastic chance they do stay put try looking left or right with one up 🙄 One of mine the hood rolls up and is stashed with poppers . Sounds good ? Not really so bulky it gets snagged on the back of my helmet 🙄
Very much form over function . Just a couple of suggestions, why not make a smaller hood that goes UNDER the helmet and also make it removable? 🤔
Dunno... seems mostly pointless to me... if i'm riding, i'm sweaty... hood just keeps sweat in 🙂
I'm too much of a pinner so they act as an airbrake and slow me down so lesser riders don't feel too bad. 😉🤣
Jokes. No idea, annoying flappy thing on a bike.
They're just wind brakes IMO, don't own a single cycling jacket with one.
Useful in the café or carpark or when punctured. That’s about it IMO
I have jackets with and without, and I don't notice much difference in use.
I only use the hood when I'm out on the hill in bad weather, e.g. stopped on top of Helvellyn.
And maybe under the helmet when it's sub-zero.
It's easy.... a mtb jacket with a hood can be used as a 'normal' jacket, so you have something you can use off and on the bike days.
why not make a smaller hood that goes UNDER the helmet
if your helmet fits with it, it probably doesnt fit without it. See also, unable to look left and right.
but in general, I agree with you.
I'm on the lookout for a soft shell type jacket. Dont need or want waterproofness* or a thick fleecy lining, just want a windproof shell type thing to go over a merino T, for southern woodland winter riding.
Bike coat options seem to be "road style" with big rear pockets, or "mtb style" with hoods which as you point out are useless**.
*alerady have a waterproof. sweat is an issue, plus an unwilllingness to machine wash it.
**well not useless, they have their place. Some big all day mountain epic, the sort of thing where you have a massive bag (which you can put your coat in), some sandwiches, map and compass and all that. Its probably quite nice for that. But I want to ride 2-4 hours at a fairly high level of exertion, in the woods, single digit temperatures, at worst a light drizzle, definitely some puddle spray.
Useful in the café or carpark or when punctured.
It's an interesting point thou having an extra layer available when things go wrong is handy.
I won't buy one without a hood. It ultimately doesn't get noticed when riding and I'm glad I have it when I stop for snack or faffing in the carpark. Or just to wear as a normal jacket when not on the bike.
Pissing about on the woods for a couple of hours up and down? Waterproofs of any kind are broadly pointless and hoods a complete waste of time.
Unless you're one of these folks who stands round gassing for hours at the top of every fire road, in which case over helmet hoods are brilliant and should be deployed like a dropper post, up on the up and standing round, down to go down.
6hours across the top of a wind blasted Moor in the sleet when only the hardiest of fell runners and the occasional pheasant can be seen above miles of ankle high Heather Just-Riding-Your-Bike (tm)? Waterproofs need a hood.
Over helmet under helmet doesn't really matter.
(I use one of those little elastic hair band things to tie mine up if needed. Anyone with young females* in the house will have a million they can give you each week after removing them from the washing machine filter.)
*other children may produce the same, I have no experience of this.
I’m on the lookout for a soft shell type jacket. Dont need or want waterproofness* or a thick fleecy lining, just want a windproof shell type thing to go over a merino T, for southern woodland winter riding.
Rab borealis tour would fit your description of wants.
I have an Endura waterproof with a hood that gets worn on really grim days. The hood is quite rigid so doesn't flap about but it does catch all the mud flicked up by the back wheel. I have to remember to empty it out when I get back to the car 🙂
Another thing , minus the hood should be cheaper as well ?
I have jackets with hoods and jackets without hoods. If it's manky day and I'm away from ready access to a car park, the hooded jacket wins. The hood doesn't get in the way when I'm riding and is very, very handy if I have to stop for any length of time or the weather turns really shitty. Under the helmet works fine, but then I don't wear a full face helmet so I can see how that might not work for everyone.
I’m on the lookout for a soft shell type jacket. Dont need or want waterproofness* or a thick fleecy lining, just want a windproof shell type thing to go over a merino T, for southern woodland winter riding.
Enduro, i've got 3 of them.
Don't get it either. I've got a hat on as it is....& if it get's cold then it's a buff on under my lid. It's easy to get as sweaty as a improperly dressed brit in a naked skandi sauna anyway so why pull up a hood that's going to make it worse?
Amazingly the hood stops you getting a cold wet head.
Which is nice.
My latest riding jacket has a hood but it is tucked away, not been horizontal rain yet so not needed to use it whilst riding. I did, however, buy a size up in the jacket to make sure the hood fitted over my helmet - it does but is snug.
I'll hopefully get to try it over the next few months on teh bike but it works well as a hood when not wearing a helmet...but then I don't like a tight fitting hood, so don't mind a bit of give.
Whilst riding, it is tucked away as I don't fancy something billowing around behind me - too many other noises that give me the heebie jeebies...
Rab borealis tour would fit your description of wants.
Yeah but that's not a cycling jacket. It would have to be:
1. Long at the back and short at the front
2. Cut very thin for stick people, and
3. Double the price.
Otherwise, fits the requirements.
they seem like an odd idea to me, too.
even more odd is the trail hoodie. a jersey/fleece/jacket with a hood. even on really cold days i find air moving around my neck great for keeping me cool.
i blame ebikes.
edit
6hours across the top of a wind blasted Moor in the sleet when only the hardiest of fell runners and the occasional pheasant can be seen above miles of ankle high Heather Just-Riding-Your-Bike ™? Waterproofs need a hood.
Over helmet under helmet doesn’t really matter.
now i understand.
I ****ing hate hoods on jackets and really look forward to the day when the pendulum swings back again and manufacturers stopp fitting them.
6hours across the top of a wind blasted Moor in the sleet when only the hardiest of fell runners and the occasional pheasant can be seen above miles of ankle high Heather Just-Riding-Your-Bike ™? Waterproofs need a hood.
Bullshit.
They need a good ( preferably elastic) drawstring round the neck that can be pulled nice and snug to stop water dribbling fdown the neck.
Far better than some poxy hood/ neck tube rubbish that just scoops up all the rain hitting your face and directs it down your chin, down your neck and soaks the whole front of your chest.
Rab borealis tour would fit your description of wants.
+1 they're brilliant. Just right with a short sleeved thermal for when it's not so cold. Packs up to almost nothing, thus leaving a full 34.9995 litres of space in my rucksack for all the other crap
Far better than some poxy hood/ neck tube rubbish that just scoops up all the rain hitting your face and directs it down your chin
Can I suggest that maybe the draw string round your neck would be better used on the front of the hood?
(also how tight does that drawstring need to be to stop water running down your neck? Can't say I fancy that, sounds like the sort of thing that gets tory MPs into Guinness adverts)
I like a close fitting jacket with no hood, then just wear a hat under the helmet (waterproof if it's foul). Then a neck gaiter if it's proper artic weather - but would have to be sustained sub zero otherwise I'd overheat.
Just a couple of suggestions, why not make a smaller hood that goes UNDER the helmet and also make it removable? 🤔
We've an Altura jacket that does that.
Not made any more.
https://blog.cyclestore.co.uk/altura-nightvision-cyclone-jacket-review/
I love a hood! As a woman with long hair, I get really cold shoulders from the water running off my hair. Hood really helps keep the worst of the rain off and means I don't get so cold/damp. I have a newish Gore rain jacket with a hood that goes under the helmet and to be honest I regret buying it - taking your helmet on and off all the time between showers is just too annoying. I have a soft shell with an over helmet hood and its great to be able to flip it up when needed, whether riding, or faffing. Especially on longer or multi-day rides.
I **** hate hoods on jackets and really look forward to the day when the pendulum swings back again and manufacturers stopp fitting them.
Nah - long live the hood!
Hoods and helmet lights are not that compatible! 😲
They are if the hood is under the helmet
taking your helmet on and off all the time between showers is just too annoying
Much as I find it annoying I do find it much more helpful to get fully undressed, helmet and all, before I shower.
Amazingly the hood stops you getting a cold wet head.
Which is nice.
Yup, like to have a hood, especially one that can draw tightly over the helmet so it doesn't blow off and still gives enough free material for easy left \ right neck movement. Also good as a windbreak when it's cold regardless of rain or no rain. When not needed just tuck down inside the jacket so it's as if it's not there. What's not to like.
Just a couple of suggestions, why not make a smaller hood that goes UNDER the helmet and also make it removable?
i think there were concerns that helmets wouldn’t work properly if worn over a hood.
making the hood removable would make the jacket more bulky and less packable as a result
Much as I find it annoying I do find it much more helpful to get fully undressed, helmet and all, before I shower.
It's certainly important to wash under your helmet regularly.
Much as I find it annoying I do find it much more helpful to get fully undressed, helmet and all, before I shower.
lucky you! i just don’t have that much time these days
I've found my hood useful when it's been properly peeing it down otherwise the rain just gets in through that big hole at the top of your coat. If it's not raining that badly then I won't even have a waterproof on.
Hoods are for when you’re not riding…
Hoods are for when you’re not riding
This.
They're basically only useful when you're standing around doing nothing...
Oh, realisation dawns 🙂
Hoods aren't that useful if you're only 10 minutes away from your car. A bit more useful if you're 3 hours from the nearest public road.
The assumption is that everyone wears a helmet. Whilst I wear one for a trail centre ride or when out on local singletrack, I don’t tend to wear one for bikepacking or long rides in the hills… so I find a hood pretty useful at times.