[Closed] What's your mtb trail riding jacket of choice?

I use a Madison telegraph jacket. Nice and warm, waterproof. Don't think its available any more but would deffo buy another Madison Jacket.

Depends on the weather for which one of my half dozen jackets I wear, plus also dictates which outer-wear goes in my Camelbak.

Very thin, minimal montane thing and layers.
Layering really is the best idea IMHO.

Berghaus vapour storm and layers.

Usually have my Gore Alp X in my pack. Not much of a choice really as it's my only jacket for mtb. Does the job when its wet. I like it.

Polaris Summit waterproof jacket very good kept me warm and dry in some really foul weather . The hood is a good size and it has side vents which help when climbing.

Berghaus vapour storm and layers.

Second that! Can still be had for around £100.

None. Ever.

Outdoor Research 'Foray' made from Paclite Gore-tex. Was only £70 and it's very light, reasonably breathable and totally waterproof. Ripped it a couple of times over 4 years but it's easily and properly fixed with Tenacious Tape. Only complaint is the sleeves are a bit on the baggy side for cycling. I'd have another if I could find one that cheap, or another, similar Paclite jacket. Great all year round.

Cheers, I will look into some of those.

never a "warm" jacket, I have a rain shell - touch and completely waterproof, Altura Attack thingy, and then layer up underneath according to the temperature.

Frankly since Im mainly riding SS, I dont get a chance to be cold, so usually either one or two max merino base layers underneath my jacket is all I ever wear in any weather.

rab shell for rain, gore windstopper for cold, but most of time base layer and long sleeve T (all STW-esque technical of course)

I've only had one and i've still got it 8 years on. Berghaus something or other i bought in a sale when i started mtbing. Waterproof but not overly warm. Surprisingly tough for something so flimsy - i've had a few major crashes in it and also been stabbed by bits of branches and there's not a hole in it.

What ever fits best.

Picked up a Montane that has been brilliant. Great fit, not sold as a riding jacket but good arm/body length, fold-able hood. I really like the jacket.

I started quite a big topic recently.

Ended up with a Montane Direct Ascent and a Atomic (big discounts; 108 & 50).

Look at gaynorsports:

Brrghaus mount Asgard berghaus voltage and montane air. Active goretex and event. All 3layers. All good jackets.

Use an Endura Windchill for warmth, sometimes with base layers, sometimes not, and a simple dhb 2.5 waterproof thing for when it rains.

Normal use- icebreaker merino layers and softshell.

In the winter I often where a Paramo Velez smock

It feels like it shouldn't work but it does very well for me

Anyone use an OMM Kamleika? I'm really interested in these, probably the smock.

been using my sweet protection jacket for 2 years now can't fault it, very well made had a few crashes in it and its yet to tear or rip 10/10 from me. definitely worth the money.

Softshell - Montane Sabretooth
Shell - Gore Alp X

Montane Alpine Stretch and various base layers

Rab (Event) Latok Alpine here, currently on sale at Go outdoors for £120.00

Personally I wouldn't bother looking for a 'warm' outer jacket - you'll melt half the time in the UK, even in winter. I'd just use an extra base layer if it's really cold. In 20 years of year-round riding I've only twice used a third layer sandwiched between a merino top and the Paclite. Mind you it's very hilly around here, so it's not hard to generate heat.

When the weather gets grim I've one of these...

[url= http://www.madison.co.uk/products/cycling/clothing-eyewear/waterproofs-rainwear-1/addict-men-s-3-layer-waterproof-storm-jacket-chilli-red-medium/ ]Maddison Addict Storm[/url]

Absolutely mega value for the money (misses J gets a discount at Maddison making it even better), warm, waterproof and surprisingly breathable. I was dubious about the hood at 1st but even that is great when the weather gets really grim. Nice high collar to keep the rain out and a flap under the zip to keep water/mud out if unzipped. Will be too hot in warmer weather and doesn't pack down as well as some.

Never though I'd find something to replace my Howies Long way home jacket but have been really impressed with this.

Being a lurker I followed Horas thread and got a Montane Direct Ascent too. Worked very nicley first time out at the weekend.

+1 Montane thin thing or as I call it featherlite velo for 80% of the year and an active shell If it's pissing down or brassic.
Going to try the vapour rise thing at some point this year though

Luketracey its almost too nice to use on a bike. Going to take it to the Lakes a lot this year 😀

James you traitor!

Gore Alp X here. Windproof, breathable and lightweight. Great jacket.

80% of time, Montane Dyno.
20% of time, Montane Atomic.

Summer - endura laser gillet
Winter - Race Face Atlas AM, usually just a LS wooly base layer under it.

Hora -what do you think of the Direct Ascent? I bought one because I have an older model, love it and it was on at half price for new. But it felt bulky, certainly not a biking jacket. I seny it back but reluctantly, just didn't need it.

I have ordered the Polaris (Cobalt? Graphite?) from sportspursuit. That looks promising.

Ah yes the Dyno. Why did they discontinue it? Lovely and roomy.

The Ascent- I've got a long body so it works (as it has a long trunk). It also has pull Tighteners hidden inside the front pockets to draw in the trunk somewhat reducing the typical montane over-belling(?) Fabric midrift.

OMM here, breathable and stretchy wicks well BUT I tend not to wear it off road that much not sure how the fabric would handle a fall......use it for running as well.

Altura Attack for me- it's definitely a Bad Weather Jacket though, very rarely of use in summer. But it's waterproof, breathable, very durable, feels solid and comfortable, just hot. (it does have epic vents like shark's gills though). I wouldn't pay the RRP for it, then I wouldn't pay that much for any jacket- but there were good sales on a while back

I actually preferred the old design Altura Attack Extreme a little, it's the same thing only more so. Destroyed mine eventually but it took years of crashes.

In summer, I do gillets, keep the body dry and let the arms be radiators.

Montane featherlite with layers underneath unless it's really cold or pissing down in which case I use an old nike ACG Gore-tex paclite with pit zips..

I own an Endura PTFE but haven't found any situation that it's particularly comfortable or useful for

(EDIT: all purchased at ridiculous knock down prices)

Waterproof: Scott Helium AS
Windproof: Scott Helium Windstopper

Fantastic combination as they are both the same shape so fit well toghether or separately

Both from Start Cycles at silly prices

Also have a 15 year old Montane pertex/pile jacket for when its below zero

I've got a bin bag that says Alpinestars on it. It packs up small and is completely waterproof*. The lack of breathability works in its favour when its cold. Its kept me dry and warm for two years now.

After picking up a few rips and seeing friends rip there posh jackets beyond repair I'm reluctant to spend much on a jacket.

*after ripping it its not 100% waterproof anymore.

Buffalo active lite, had it for 2 years, still in very good nick, not waterproof, but in the uk, its far more use than a "proper" waterproof imo.

In winter a Gore Phantom soft shell with (sometimes more than one) smelly-helly underneath. Warm but not too warm and fends of even pretty persistent wet weather.

If it's a bit milder I've got a Rab windproof whic is great - it's an older version of this one http://rab.uk.com/products/mens-clothing/windshell/pertex-equilibrium/alpine-jacket.html

Got a Gore paclite waterproof that comes out when it's really wet - might have been expensive but I reckon it's worth it. Waterproof and at the same time really does seem to be very breathable - also washes up way better than anything else I've owned previously.

Tbh (I'm trying to move away from it) the jacket I've always defaulted to is the DPM army goretex. You look a bit pie key but its warm on icey days and great in downpours.

Nice jackets being worn by people, would have thought it to be a bit high risk to have something so nice on when crashes and resulting rips/tears/grazes are likely

I tend to fall off a fair bit. I thought about this- I've never ripped shorts, top or jacket.

You tend to shred stuff when belting it down double-track or fire roads IMO. Techy' falls tend to be tumbles or stacks etc. Blunt-edged.

Brambles and thorns/close branches though- if I rode in such areas in the North Downs I wouldnt wear posh stuff.

Up in the Lakes- why not? If you do tear a jacket- patch it. I've got a 10yr+ Mammut softshell- ripped it a number of times and had it professionally repaired at a Russian tailors nearby. You couldn't tell its been ripped.

most of the year, its a gore path which seems to handle most stuff (other than crashing into fences)

lucky to have a mate that works in specialist outdoor repair company and for deep winter i use a rock climbing 'crux torq jacket' which was free sample he got!! and its amazing for the hideous wet freezing gale force wind high level riding I'm doing through the winter. tough as nails construction, eVent, hooded, not let me down in 3 winters - top notch.

other than slightly wider arms, its very sympathetic to a cyclist cut. worth a look if you a rich or are a bank robber...

I have an endura softshell I got years ago . it is really comfortable in all weathers does not get cold when wet and has survived loads of crashes. It is not waterproof but drys out on a radiator quite quickly it is in virtual daily use and does not get stinky either.

Edit I can't see it on endura's website any more but the fabric is called windTeX.

Depends on the weather, got several to choose from...

Cold and wet and moving fast = Endura Stealth
Cold and really wet = Altura Attack
Cold and dry/a bit wet = Scott Mind
A bit cold and/or wet = Patagonia Simple Guide

sombrio anthem storm jacket for when its raining, with a long sleeve jersey underneath. otherwise an intrepid apparel gilet for if its just cold and a long sleeve jersey

benp1 - Member

Nice jackets being worn by people, would have thought it to be a bit high risk to have something so nice on when crashes and resulting rips/tears/grazes are likely

It was road crashes that destroyed mine- they've all taken a beating offroad and picked up scrapes but it takes a lot to hole a sensible jacket. Hard body armour gives them a harder time too I think

You can get wee goretex repair patches btw, very good.

Decathlon 700... Waterproof/windproof, with a good cuff design and vents under the arms. Zip is a bit cheap... But for £60 I'm happy.

http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/patagonia-super-alpine-jacket

My Event jacket cost a fraction of this ^

Montane Alpine Stretch for me.

Got an endura windchill ii jacket for the Mtb or for bimbling about with the dog on the bike, reasonably waterproof and warm, big pit vents so no overheating and decent pockets, just need a simple base layer underneath it. Also got a Castelli Motirolo for the road bike/ tripster which is similar to the endura but is [i]better[/i], as in fit, function, pockets, breathability, comfort, just need a base layer under it. Just bought a Rapha hooded rain jacket which survived a 3 hour deluge last Sunday and it is ace, well worth the £120 that even if I paid full price of £230 I think I'd still be impressed.

Got quite a few others after 20+ years of riding but the above are the main ones in the last couple of years or so

I use in winter time a Berghaus Ardennes Softshell absolutely brilliant bit of kit, can be had for £52 or touch mor.

I have a Gore something or other; I think it's a Fusion AS in green (Large) if anyone's interested. I only wore it two or three times; too much for me.

Thanks everyone for the input.

Rarely a jacket unless its really wet, then a DHB roady style simple waterproof with no features.
Most of the time - just a jersey, wind-proof jersey or winter jersey with a louis garneau gilet and base layers to suit.

Painey - Member
Berghaus vapour storm and layers.
Second that! Can still be had for around £100.

That looks like a decent jacket

Any ideas where sells them at £100?

I can't find anything on google