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I commute with my bike in all weather often with a heavy backpack, so I'm looking for a really tough windbreaker that's also waterproof. Breathability, visibility and fairly light weight plusses. It doesn't need / shouldn't have much insulation.
I tried a fox plastic transparent motorcycle jacket and it was in shreds within a month.
Alpine Patagonia Houdini seems like the de facto standard. 100 grams or so, its ripstop nylon is durable ppl say.
Under a hundred quid? Any waterproof I bought for less than a hundred quid seemed to only last a season to two. If you can stretch another fifty quid I highly recommend a RAB Firewall which is on the heavy side but it's 3 layer and easily the most sold breathable waterproof I've owned. It has pit-vents which span the entire underarm and looks pretty good too. Definitely recommend. It's been on several multi-week bikepacking trips and after a good wash looks new.
Mo complaints regarding my ~15 month old https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CLPXHYSPHWPJ/planet-x-hydrosphere-waterproof-jacket so far, but I don't often wear a ruckack.
Do you need a waterproof or just a windproof?
Those rab ones look nice, I'm after a similar 'do it all' jacket.
Currently got a merell hooded jacket but it's not waterproof any more and gets too hot on the bike unless it's sub zero.
Quite spendy though, anything similar under a hundred quid?
Madison Roam Jacket. Brilliant for the cash. Had mine for 3 years now
https://www.cyclestore.co.uk/madison_roam_waterproof_jacket_2018-ID_73081?sv_source=google&sv_medium=cpc&sv_campaign= [campaign_name]&sv_term=[keyword]&gclid=CjwKCAiAqvXTBRBuEiwAE54dcE08AvO8BhgyOlEVT7N-HkU8zbgUhXS0YftcdJWSya-cutxbWYx2kRoCzfMQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
I bought a sailing top from Tkmaxx a few years back. Neoprene neck, waist and cuffs.
Only comes out if I know the whole ride is going to be wet or for proper filthy days when I'm in the park or shuttling.
Cost 20 quid. A bit boil in the bag, mind.
I’d say Madison too.
Try your local fishing shop, I bought a Wychwood water proof fishing jacket in a sale for £65, breathes really well, I was out in the Brecons in it today in a small blizzard, absolutely bombproof, never lets a drop of water in no matter how torrential it is, only available in green tho.
@alpin I was thinking that’ll be hot as Inwas reading your post ! Sailing gear is designed to be waterproof but its not an aerobic sport hence seals etc keep you dry and sweaty at the same time 🙂
OP that’s a tight budget for both breathable and waterproof.
I've done a bit of googling and the rab firewall is looking best so far, despite being £50 more than I'd want to pay.
@fatmountain, how is it in milder conditions on longer rides, do you end up cooking, or is it OK?
Thanks
sportspursuit have a Madison sale on. I use a Rapha Hardshell, which is great but overbudget.
A few options! I think ripstop or equivalent material would be good. Needs to be waterproof. I wish madison disclosed more technical details.
Patagonia Alpine Houdini® Jacket 139 USD 201g
H2No® Performance Standard shell: 2.5-layer,
1.9-oz 30-denier 100% nylon ripstop with a waterproof/breathable barrier and a DWR (durable water repellent) finish.
VERSALITE JACKET 135 USD 189 g
<2.5-layer DRY-TEC™ technology (Water resistance : 20,000 mm / Breathability : 15,000 g/m²/ 24 hrs)
15-denier Ballistic Airlight rip-stop nylon
Outdoor Research Helium II 140 USD 180 g
YKK® AquaGuard® Zippers
Pertex® Shield+ 2.5L
100% nylon 30D ripstop
Madison Roam 65 GBP 620g
Unknown zippers
Unknown fabric?
Keela Saxon, about £70, seems fairly tough.
Or Montane Atomic, if you can find one reduced.
Found the Rab firewall for £110 in medium, large or X-large
https://www.tauntonleisure.com/men-s-firewall-jacket-maple.html
If your small or large then this which is pertex shield 3L
I've started wearing Decathlon's mountaineering stuff after many years of much more expensive 'bike specific' stuff from cycling/outdoor brands.
Windproof hoody thing is water resistant and a great slim fit - £40.
And quality lightweight breathable waterproof for £100.
EDIT - and they have girls versions of both too 🙂
I realized that most of these 2.5 shell jackets have a DWR water coating that will wear off, so laminate is what you want, I found this Colombia jacket that is coating free and from what I can tell is quite robust. More like a traditional vinyl rain jacket but breathable.
https://www.columbia.com/mens-outdry-ex-eco-jacket-1714271.html found it for 65 gbp from my local colombia website.
I find it breaths extremely well and the pit vents are very effective. Coupled with a lightweight long-sleeve baselayer I find it a very good combination for most scenarios, at least for British weather anyway.
Jimmy: has a DWR coating which is no good for durability, it will basically rub off and leave it non waterproof.
“has a DWR coating which is no good for durability, it will basically rub off and leave it non waterproof.”
Not true. All breathable waterproofs have DWR to keep them breathable. Once the DWR wears off or gets overwhelmed by wet weather the garment will still be waterproof but will not breathe.
Also, you won’t get durability from anything super light, however much you spend, when commuting with a pack on - the seams will fail prematurely where they’re under load.
Your best bet might actually be a tough windproof along with a cheap light waterproof for when it’s raining hard - that way the waterproof will last far longer. I know it often seems wet here but we don’t need full bore waterproofs most of the time when cycling.
For the amount of times you actually need it... have you considering buying a cheap boil in the bag waterproof and a half decent wind proof.
Treat the waterproof as a perishable item & replace as necessary.
How long is the commute?
How about ditch the pack and fit some panniers?
Montane Atomic is good, well under budget too if you search online.
Does that Columbia jacket just come in white?!
@nickc no there's are other colors of the "gold version" search for OutDry™ Ex Gold Tech Shell
This is the version I got
It's basically like a laminate rainjacket that breats, should outlast DWR coated options. Most traditional rainwear has an interior waterproof membrane (which doesn’t allow air flow) and a water-repellent coating (which degrades over time). OutDry is different: the exterior is a water-tight membrane with millions of microscopic perforations that let water vapour escape via a wicking membrane fused to the shell.
@ads678 Panniers ain't that good for jumping around and general goofballery.
Pace??
Decathlon Forclaz 400
I’ve had mine over a year and been out in some biblical downpours and stayed bonedry
Has large pit vents also and a large enough hood for a trail lid and it’s £60