New waterproof jacket time - your recommendations please

Have used my MT500 for hiking once and it's far from a perfect hiking jacket, but it sufficed and I was surprised how far I could cinch the absolutely massive helmet hood down

Gore last far longer than MT500 in my experience.

I wouldn’t go back to Endura, having had two of them delaminate, and had a Gore jacket last longer than both of them put together.

...it’s far from a perfect hiking jacket...

Should I take that as a 'it's a good jacket and you could use it for both but ..' recommendation?

Should I take that as a ‘it’s a good jacket and you could use it for both but ..’ recommendation?

Definitely better as a biking jacket, as that's what it was designed for

Not had it long enough, or had a Gore to agree or disagree with Kramer's comment

When I bought my first MT500 I liked it so much I bought another one in Orange for my commute. Both delaminated after a year or two.

I sent a MT500 to LSR for retaping the hood & shoulders last week, and they basically condemned it as gubbed due to delamination. "Put the money towards a new one". To be fair, it was probably 6 or 7 years old but hadnt had a particularly hard life.
Hence watching this thread with interest.

I’ve a refuge and while I think it’s the nutts nuts (the ass flap  is a genius touch) it won’t take an OS map. Their customer service is stunning too - they sent me a free hood to patch a previous refuge that I’d torn in a crash.

I have an MT500 and have found it to be pretty disappointing.   I was sat in the grandstand at Fort William when the deluge started at the world champs.  I threw it on over a t-shirt and within about 20 minutes I could feel water penetrating through.  I have re-proofed it a number of times and it never seems to bead as well as it did when it was brand new.  It has some nice features, the vents and the hood are good but for the price I don't feel it does its primary job very well.

Big big 'yes' to Showers Pass stuff.  I've got 2 of their bike jackets  (the 'elite 2.1' for commute + mtb, and the 'spring Classics' for being a roadie (as it packs down smaller so I can still get it in (large) a Jersey pocket).  Really happy with both, just feel well made and 'quality'.  Had them just over 2 years so far. Still seem like new.

I prefer riding without a hood (just don't like the restriction on vision and hearing) but the 2.1 has the option of a add-on hood.

The other alternative, if you're those way inclined, may be a Paramo jacket. I've been using a 'Velez Adventure Light Smock' for general waterproof duties,  which may be worth a look ? It's quite light weight, and  really comfy. (I've not ridden with the hood up on it though - as per my dislike of hoods when biking).   My best mate and riding buddy swears by his - he's been using one for mtb and quite a lot of walking (unless the weather is truly filthy when walking) for nearly 10 years now.

I've a Montane PacLite Plus for the sorts of raining all day rides.

Pros

It's very waterproof, the hood is very adjustable, as are the cuffs, has hand pockets at least, two way zip, your can cinch it down snugly, it's pretty robust. It's not teeny-tiny but rolls down pretty small.

Cons

like all jackets with hoods what happens at the neck when you do the zip up all the way can be uncomfy or just irritatingly in the way, and you do end up either rolling it down, or unzipping it a bit, The hood doesn't have a tie down, (grrrr) it does (like all of them I suppose) get a wee bit warm, and doesn't have any cooling zips. It's pretty roomy/boxy for a medium. It doesn't have the big map pocket that you're looking for

It does everything for me from commuting to hiking, and does it well enough that I'm not actively looking for another jacket.

I've been getting quite a few ads for Revolution Race - heard good things about their trousers but their waterproofs look fairly decent too?

Anyone got an experience of them

I got a Gore Endure a few months ago and it's been ace! Was kept very dry today on the commute from Sheffield to Chesterfield using it today, and equally was very breathable over the summer when pedalling a RocketMAX up climbs in Samoens. The cheapest I found it was on SportPursuit - it took a little while for one in medium to come up so had to keep checking for a week or so. Think they only have it in ultramarine blue.

The other alternative, if you’re those way inclined, may be a Paramo jacket

I’ve a Paramo jacket I use for winter walking. Like it. But too bulky and way too hot for MTB for me these days.

Thanks for the details on your Showers Pass choices.

Revolution Race

I’ve a couple of pairs of their trousers. Hadn’t noticed they did waterproof jackets. Hesitant as the reason I have 2 pairs of their trousers is that the returns process was totally brexited for me.

Paramo seems a good idea.
no DWR AFIK

I’m still using an ancient Buffalo Teclite “shirt” which I like a lot l, I didn’t like their bike specific one so I put up with loose sleeves - I get hot so often switch to the unlined Buffalo “shirt” https://www.buffalosystems.co.uk/products/curbar-windtop/#:~:text=1%20Review&text=I%20was%20looking%20for%20a,it%20without%20a%20base%20layer.

Buffalo are a great concept  -  The MountainRescue guys use em  (Super 6 Shirt I think)

My Showers Pass jacket wetted out fast from new. So stops breathing and gets wet inside. Nice design and well made but the DWR is not good.
Really - DWR isn’t durable anyway now the nasty chemicals have been banned.
But this jacket isn’t even sufficiently water repellent.

My Endura MT 600 seam tapes soon fell off. It was a gift. Endura just didn’t want to know and insisted I go to the dealer. Of course I couldn’t. Wouldn’t buy their waterproofs again.

If you have have Goretex then Gore is probably best. Their warranty seems great. Sweet protection are ok too but may not have the features you want.

bloody DWR needs redoing SO often it’s crackers.

Years ago I had The North Face’s first bike jacket. 2 later laminate.
It delaminated.

I sent it in to claim on their “lifetime guarantee” they said it had lasted past its lifetime.

I wonder what a lawyer would have said about that! I noticed they stopped selling laminated bike jackets back then.

laminated fabric is a pretty crap idea overall imo.

Any one tried the Keela saxon jacket, i know its not full of pockets etc but look like a good light weight waterproof?

I have a Gore cycling one that has been good over the last three years. I've worn hillwalking in the snow and it was great. But typically with Gore, they tend to update their line up every year so mine doesn't exactly match what they currently sell.

When this one wears out, I'd look to get another Gore one.

20% at the mo.

. https://www.gorewear.com/en-uk/endure-gore-tex-jacket-mens-100816

IME to minimise your jacket from delaminating from your sweat, rinse the jacket in just water regularly, wear a long sleeve top/base layer with it.

Buffalo are a great concept

For some things I reckon. 20 years ago I bought a super 6 and I wore it maybe once or twice to cycle in. Anything other than Z2 type steady riding in the very cold, and I'd probably pass out through overheating, and the tech-lite just felt to vulnerable to me to wear just by itself next to skin.

I had a Keela Saxon. Loved it, very underated jacket it think. Great hood. Not the best fabric, got about 3 years from it. Good value for money. Would buy again.

Revolution Race cyclone?

https://singletrackmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/rockrider-st-700-rain-jacket-review-70-brilliance/

I've got one and it's a great biking jacket. It's tough, waterproof and cheap enough use in winter slop. It's not really cut right to double up as a walking jacket but at £70 it leaves plenty from your budget to get a dedicated one.

One other think about Endura. BUYER BEWARE !

They  were totally **** to try to deal with when a waterproof I had of theirs  fell apart with a foot long seam opening up into a big hole because it hadn't been stitched properly - or in fact at all  (the material on one side of the seam felt  the needle - was folded and tucked under a seam so lasted a few of few rides before literally 1/2 the length of the arm seam opened up.  They showed complete distain for me as a customer who'd bought thousands of £££ of their products previously, asking for this clear manufacturing defect to be repaired. Lied, saying it couldn't be fixed. TOTAL BS.  Alpkit sorted it for me in their repairs dept without any drama and for only a few sheckles. Polar opposites in terms of customer service

You've been warned !

I've just got an endura singletrack II waterproof jacket delivered for 85 quid from some shop in germany called alpine trek, yet to use it though but initially it seems good quality, guess time will tell. I've been using their Singletrack pants since spring though and had no issues with the quality of them, if anything they've been really durable.

Problem with me is I usually need a 3xl as biking clobber tends to run tight for fitting and endura is one of the few companies who continue to sell 3xl biking gear.

Thanks for the info so far.

Looking like a choice between the Showers Pass Refuge & the Gore Endure. Both about the same price with discounts (STW 20% on Showers Pass, 15% with Gore first order ?).

Showers Pass looks like a more multipurpose jacket and the Gore one more cycling-focused (as you'd expect I suppose). Seems like a trade off of features against weight and bulk.

Some differing experiences with Endura. I've had a few pairs of their shorts & zip-off trouser/shorts. Old ones lasted ages. New ones seem a bit more fragile on the stitching and seams. I'm sure it's manufacturing rather than trying to squeeze a bigger body into the same sizes.

I was recommended one of these:

Link

Very pleased with it. Folds up small enough to store in a backpack too.

Another vote for "not Endura". Got an MT 500 II jacket, after not particularly heavy use it's delaminating and the "welded" (glued) napolean pocket has fallen apart. Also the hood stowage solution is rubbish!

I like both the Gore Endure and the Showers Pass Elite 2.1 from what I can see. But the Gore doesn' have any venting zips and the Showers Pass doesnt come with a hood (you can buy one seperately which doesnt fill me with confidence that it will be well designed!)

Any Endure users that can convince me I dont need vents on it or Elite users that can vouch for the hood?

I had an Endura MT500 and it was good for a few months until I stupidly lost it, I took it off mid ride and strapped it to my pack at Afan and it wasn't there when we stopped. I retraced my steps but couldn't find it.

It was quite warm (and I run hot) so more for winter than summer showers but it remained waterproof after 5 or 6 wet outings. I will more than likely get another before winter.

I did try the decathlon one mentioned above but the arms were too short for me, I also tried an Altura nightvision which looked good but the sleeves were too skinny to wear with elbow pads.

So based on OPs earlier comments you won't agree but I'll still say it, 😊

Love my paramo ciclo especially for all day or multi day rides, especially in the shorter day months.

And talking buffalo, last year I got the alpkit copy. Absolutely love it. Wore nothing underneath, amazing

In summer IMO just get something light and CHEAP. It's generally warm rain. If its not I take the paramo.

How does that decathlon jacket size up?
40 inch chest.

Also the hood stowage solution is rubbish!

I didn't know the MT500 II even had hood stowage tbh

I've got a 7-Mesh Skypilot and it's fantastic - Gore paclite, a great on the bike fit and I wear it walking as well.  For frequent wet-weather winter use I'd probably look at their heavier weight Copilot jacket. They're expensive but have good sales periodically.

Bought a Showers Pass Refuge.

Great help from Fraser at Showers Pass when my STW discount code wouldn’t work.

Ordered late afternoon Friday. Arrived yesterday. Neat thin cardboard box parcel. Jacket looks good. Might get to try it out in today’s rain, er yay!

Thanks for the many suggestions and experiences shared.

“How does that decathlon jacket size up?
40 inch chest.”

Mine is a large. I’m about a 43” chest and 33” waist (buy medium/large tops, small/medium bottoms) and it’s a good fit on me, quite neat on the hips with a fair bit more shoulder room. Surprisingly slender sleeves but I’m used to Paramo jackets with big ventable sleeves.

Not sure it’s really the perfect winter jacket if you live in the south and run warm and spend a lot of time in the shelter of the woods but other than that it’s pretty good. Am going to try it for commuting!

Paramo seems a good idea.
no DWR AFIK

Paramo relies on regular reproofing to keep the outer fabric repelling water and the inner, liner stuff working. It doesn't work the same way as a membrane-based jacket, but still uses a DWR treatment and relies on it heavily to work properly. I find Paramo too warm for biking outside full-on, deep winter conditions, sub-zero or close to it basically but ymmv.

My take, fwiw, is that bike jackets aren't generally great for walking/hiking - the hoods tend to be limiting - if they fit over a helmet they tend to be a hard to adjust/floppy fit on a bare head and often there is no decent peak either. Most walking jackets won't have a hood that'll sit over a helmet, because walkers don't wear helmets, but shells aimed at climbers are often/usually/should be helmet friendly. And then there's fit.

I tend to wear bike- or hike-specific jackets for this reason, though random circumstances meant I recently ended up wearing an ME Makalu mountain jacket on a mountain bike for a couple of hours. It wasn't great on a bike, too bulky, a little loose, but it was okay I guess and was a far better mountain walking shell than any of my bike jackets.

Basically you're compromising somewhere, you need to decide where is my take.

Also, Paramo loses its waterproofing when dirty whilst most jackets just lose breatheability - when I need a waterproof is when I’m getting covered in mud, and I want as little washing hassle as possible after a muddy ride. I’m quite a fan of Paramo waterproofs for everything apart from MTBing!

Similar experience here with the MT500. I really like(d) the fit and design of it and although I bought it for riding I use it for just general out and about too. More in fact. But, it's delaminating now and heavy rain now soaks through in a short time. Email issues mean I don't know its age but I think <2 years of fairly light use. Shame, especially given it's a fairly weighty fabric.

I have a suspicion the Endura Singletrack may have much better longevity - I have the overalls and they seem to be doing fine, albeit much less tested so far. A more rubbery sort of material, so perhaps a lot less breathable.

Has anyone managed to bring their MT500 back to life?
I sent mine away to Grangers and I’m still not happy with it.
No beading whatsoever.

Not fully waterproof but this Gore Lupra goretex infinium jacket looks like a decent winter option https://www.gorewear.com/en-uk/lupra-jacket-mens-100853 , with the sale and the 20EXTRA code it gives you almost £100 off rrp bringing it down to £91. All colours and most sizes across the board. I’ve just taken a punt on one.

I'm after a waterproof jacket and I wandered into alpkit, jackets on the peg there £220! I raised my eyebrows and left. Do you really need to spend that much to get a truly waterproof jacket? Been reading that it needs to have over 20k mm of hydro something. Can anyone recommend a long jacket with a hood for hiking with a rating over 20k for less than £100?

@jekkyl I think there was a decathlon waterproof breathable coat recommended earlier in the thread that fit that budget.

Lots of companies, Alpkit included, have sign up discounts, frequent sales, and some have STW subscriber discounts. If you’re in no rush and have your eye on a particular item look out for these.

Like many things, beyond a certain threshold the gains are incremental.

I got to test the Showers Pass Refuge in some fairly heavy rain yesterday.

It is waterproof.

It is breathable. Fairly warm weather despite the wind and rain (maybe 16C) plus brisk walking it got a bit sweaty with the vents shut.

The hood is OK for walking. Cinched down it fitted securely enough on my head in stiff gusts of wind. It has no stiffener on the peak so a bit floppy. As it is a zip on/off hood its coverage around the face is limited.

Seems like a great compromise so far and what I wanted.

Pick any two:

• Waterproof
• Cheap
• Durable

I bought an Alpkit waterproof jacket last summer - it's OK and still waterproof 12 months later. It does feel a bit too lightweight and I cannot see the waterproofing lasting another 12 months; I expect it'll start to fail and leak this winter.

I am however prepared to be pleasantly surprised.

Not fully waterproof but this Gore Lupra goretex infinium jacket looks like a decent winter option https://www.gorewear.com/en-uk/lupra-jacket-mens-100853, with the sale and the 20EXTRA code it gives you almost £100 off rrp bringing it down to £91. All colours and most sizes across the board. I’ve just taken a punt on one.

cheers for this, looked at the positive reviews on line and also taken a punt (especially as it now has 25EXTRA code!)

wear a long sleeve top/base layer with it.

This for sure.

I've owned a few high end waterproofs and basically it seems that the less you wash them the better! Rinsing mud off etc. but just avoid getting sweat or oil (or midge repellent, or sun cream 🙄) on the inside.

I have no real faith in DWR and even less faith in tumble drying the jackets to re-activate the DWR, it seems far too risky and no matter how careful I've been I've seen jackets delaminate after one or two careful/low temp tumble dries.

Get Gore, wear a base layer, try to avoid wearing it as much as possible (I keep mine rolled up in a back jersey pocket so I can take it on and off as quickly and easily as possible).

Those Endure jackets look great!

Get in - 25% now!!! Went too soon, still a bargain! They just sent me a code for £50 off £200 spend on full price if anyone is looking at the Endure jacket. THANKYOU50 valid until 1st Oct. Not sure if it’s linked to my account but worth a punt if you’re buying anyway.

@jekkyl I had the Alpkit Balance jacket and would not recommend it. Was OK for about a year but after that it was basically like wearing a cotton shirt. The last straw was when I was camping and took my kid to the toilet block about 100m away - put the jacket on dry and jogged to the toilet and back but the return journey was enough for it to soak through and me need to change my t-shirt.

Assume this is down to the DWR expiring although I had reproofed it in Nikwax, but even with the DWR off you'd expect the membrane to keep out a couple of minutes rain. Replaced with a Goretex based jacket.

My decathlon jacket is arriving today. Thankfully Cornwall is supplying rain for me to try it out next week.

Gore Lupra goretex infinium jacket looks like a decent winter option

But Infinium is not waterproof.

Water resistant yes - and a fantastic material for the right job (Infinium gloves are the dogs - and I fancy a Gore Phantom Infinium jacket for winter riding) but this is not a jacket for a wet day.

No, you missed the first 3 words of that when you quoted. Not fully waterproof. I couldn’t be bothered making a separate thread, I just thought I’d share a good deal on what looks to me to be a decent winter option. To me it does look like a good winter option. Fully waterproof jackets are only really good for me when it’s pouring with rain and freezing (I live in Cornwall so fairly mild), any other time a soft shell style jacket works better. Any jacket for a U.K. winter is a compromise one way or another.

I've gone for the Gore Endure. I'll demote my MT500 to everyday off the bike use, for which I like it anyway and am lacking another jacket, so it's not really a waste.

I couldn't get the 20/25EXTRA codes to work but the THANKYOU50 one did, which is 20% here anyway.

I’ve gone for the Gore Endure.

Made from the same material as my Montane, It's very waterproof 👍

Thinking this one as it's essentially the Endure jacket without the hood

https://www.gorewear.com/en-uk/gore-tex-paclite-jacket-mens-100651

And the 25EXTRA code works to bring it down to £112.49 inc free shipping

Have gone for a Gore Endure too, using the THANKYOU50 code mentioned above by @stevede (thank you). Didn't try the 20/25EXTRA code, but it may have worked instead.
With that plus the £50-odd that I was willing to throw at re-taping an old MT500, until it was condemned as BLR, that effectively prices the Gore at £150. Hopefully it's as good as the recommendations suggest.

I ordered a large endure jacket which was a bit too small, the returns process isn't straight forward now we have left the EU. My return is stuck in customs despite filling out all the corect paperwork. I have recived an XL jacket which I'm happy with so just hoping I don't end up chasing the refund for the large.

I found a discount code useing the power of Google which gives a 35% off full priced items, not sure if it's still valid "JORDYN35"

I'd probably get this for £137 if I was buying a jacket now.

https://www.revolutionrace.co.uk/men/jackets/shell-jackets/cyclone-lx-jacket-men

Alternatively I'm a huge fan of a brand called Helikon Tex. They do awesome kit, mainly military / bushcraft stuff. The quality is always top.

They do a jacket called the Squall Hardshell which I'm likely to be buying soon. But that will be an all purpose jacket and not cycle specific.

Did you buy the Gore Endure? I ordered one and it's arrived, the fit is good etc but I am worried about breathability. All the reviews of the specific jacket say it's amazing and very breathability but all reviews of Gore paclite plus I can find say it's very not-breathable.

I'm a bit confused if I should keep it or not.

Also wondering about the idea of asking a seamstress to add some ventilation zips but maybe that just indicates it's not the right jacket.

My use case is mostly my 30 minute commute but also walking/standing in a playground in the rain with my kid.

Buffalo Teclite is very breathable. My showers pass jacket wetted out from day 1, very disappointing DWR

sweet protection has been better but for quality and low cost it’s Army Surplus that wins

GS Workwear in Grays and their online ebay store.
US  Navy jacket is good   Pit zips

”Genuine US Navy USN Digital GoreTex Working Parka Jacket”

it’s quite heavy duty. Good hood and zips. Comes up a bit large.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/gsarmysurplus?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=qbEdne_lTRe&sssrc=3418065&ssuid=k4xnnXE3QzK&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

link to item.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/226278733381?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=qbEdne_lTRe&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=k4xnnXE3QzK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Any comments / feedback about this jacket?

https://planetx.co.uk/products/on-one-waterproof-mtb-jacket-blue

Waterproof performance, sizing, expected life, packed/folded up size etc.

Suits my budget.

For wet rides of about 1 hour.

No rucksac or backpac.

These have had some decent reviews

https://www.motocentral.co.uk/products/9590172909906?variant=49202886574418

Hiya,

I would say Keela everytime. The only jacket that has lasted the distance, never leaked and is totally brilliant. My wifes one of 6 years has only just started leaking.

Did I mention my Son works for them too 😉 Clothing technologist in Glenrothes.

JeZ

Not exactly the same jacket, but I've been wearing a ShowersPass Elements jacket for about 5 years now for all-year round riding, Scottish ski touring and even the odd Alps ski trip.  Breathability is very good, and it packs up small in a bag.  2.5 layer though, so not the toughest jacket out there.  It is also pretty short in the body, which I like, as makes it good when wearing harnesses etc.  The inside of the jacket is very slick, which some people who've tried it don't like, as it feels almost 'damp' against the skin, if wearing a short sleeve baselayer, but it's not something that I've really noticed.

GavinB
contrary to your experience, my Showers Pass Elements jacket wetted out even in a light shower from day 1. Clothing beneath feels damp even walking around in rain so I don’t think it’s sweat. I was sadly disappointed. It’s never been on the bike just round town and country walks duty.

I've just bought a new Keela Saxon, to take over from one that's about 7-8 years old; the older one is being retired to 'showerproof' duty, as it's not reliably waterproof anymore but will keep rain out for a while, while being very breathable.

The new one is still only £110 delivered, a superb price for such a quality piece of kit.  It's probably made of a very slightly heavier material than the older one but so far has done everything I'm asking of it during a wet autumn spell.  The older one worked well on the AlpPacker South trip with Sam (of Bike Village) at the end of September, when we had some really cold mornings and a showery day at altitude.  I'd still say that a heavier jacket than the Saxon might be needed for the coldest or wettest days in mid winter in the Highlands but for everything short of that relatively extreme example, it's ideal.

I really dislike the trend for larger collars that form part of the hood. When you're not using the hood, (ie when it's not zipped up all the way),  you just end up with material flapping about your chin, its really bloody annoying. Looking at Spada, Keela, that cheap On One, they're all the same.

Update on the Gore Lupra I bought off the recommendation up there ? For me it’s almost perfect, fit is great in all the right places, fabric does seem to be more breathable than standard waterproofs (gore 3 layer, event), hood works really well over a helmet. I know it’s not 100% waterproof, but I’ve been out for a couple of hours in biblical rain and stayed completely dry inside, so I’d say it’s as waterproof as I’m ever going to need and will take any leakage as a trade off for the added breathability (I will say I don’t run hot).  The only negative I have is there’s no way to cinch down the hood when it isn’t in use, which for the sake of a little Velcro tab is annoyingly close to perfect

A quick point on Gore Windstopper / Infinium - pretty much the same thing. The fabric itself, at least when new, is effectively waterproof. It uses the same membrane as Gore's waterproof fabrics, but lacks a PU element, which means it can - if contaminated - leak in the sense that it draws water inwards from the outside. Also the seams aren't generally taped, so eventually, in rainy conditions, they will leak. Canny manufacturers cut the jacket so seams are as tucked away as much as possible, eg, not on top of the shoulders.

The advantage of using the fabric is you still get a very rain-resistant jacket, but with appreciably better breathability than a waterproof Gore-Tex equivalent thanks to the absence of the PU element/smear. There are also a few taped Windstopper jackets out there, which are more water resistant again and, at least when new, effectively fully waterproof, even if the label doesn't say that.

I bought a Galibier Courcheval Storm Jacket during the summer. Is an excellent bit of kit.

Bought one initially for Thump, who survived a very wet hillwalking day in it, then borrowed it for a week-long cycle tour in June. Has pit zips and it kept me comfortable on days when it couldn't decide if it was raining or not.  So, kept that for me and bought him a replacement.

PS my rainy-day dog walking jacket is Keela.

@mudfish have you spoken to them? <edit> essentially a double post from a year ago on pg1 </edit>

Hot fiat

Yes. Essentially the advice was to put it in the tumble dryer. DWR seems far from durable sadly.

Also, Paramo loses its waterproofing when dirty whilst most jackets just lose breatheability

It has to be pretty dirty to let much water through…. I have a load of them and some are really grubby after rolling big bales in winter or wearing on site and they keep working.   I always end up sounding like a Paramo zealot but I find that the Velez Light smock is a really good bikepacking jacket and is ok for walking too. It is a bit hotter but you can vent it and it manages condensation really well.

Also, less PFOS risks… if you are about such stuff.

Helly Hansen Men‘s Ride Hooded Cycling Rain Jacket. Have it in yellow but also available in black, testing it now ca 1 year - so far it’s wonderful. If you don’t need the hood, just fold it to the inside. It’s light, breathing, does its job fine!

I've just bought a Lupra from Sportpursuit for less than £60. Delivery isn't until the first week of January but it looks ideal for what I want.

KEELA. Good enough for MRT's.

Keep looking at Keela and Paramo. Is there much difference between them?

Both well regarded, but they do seem a bit warm.

I use fox defend. I got a discount code too

UKBS2024Q4TD

Discount code ☝️

https://contour-

cycles.myshopify.com/

“Keep looking at Keela and Paramo. Is there much difference between them?”

Completely different. The Keela range look to be conventional membrane/coating jackets whilst the Paramo are all Nikwax Analogy which isn’t waterproof in the conventional sense but in most conditions is just as good at keeping rain out but far better at stopping you getting soaked in sweat.

The pump liner (a very dense outward facing microfleece - sometimes a similar mesh) adds a bit of insulation (like a microfleece would) so I find them too hot for high activity stuff unless it’s cold and makes them heavier/bigger when you’re not wearing them. As I live in the warmer south I rarely wear my Paramo Enduro waterproof for MTBing - normally wear a windproof with an emergency tiny waterproof in the pack or an MT500 it’s it’s horrible.