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review

Endura Pakajak

8
£39.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Vented windproof jacket that's also showerproof and a decent price
Weight: 
160g
Contact: 
www.endura.co.uk

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First things first: well done Endura, I like the name,"Pakajak", sounds like "Crackerjack", and indeed "Snack-A-Jack" so we've got off to a decent start. Apart from that, the Pakajak is a lightweight windproof that's also showerproof and easily stowable, which are other good features.

The Pakajak is made from a ripstop polyester fabric with the cuffs and waist elasticated to seal you in. There are flaps on both sides of the zip to stop the wind blowing through, the outer one extending over the top to create an effective chin guard. That zip, by the way, is from YZZ and the puller locks in place wherever you position it.

You get vents under the arms. Plenty of windproofs have something similar, but most don't. I find these vents useful. Although the fabric is already fairly breathable, they help keep the humidity level down when you hit a climb or someone in your ride group puts the hammer down.

Fair enough, you could take your windproof off when you start to overheat, but you don't want to be doing that all the time. If it's a short climb you might just want to open the front zip. Do that and the cool air that comes in exits through the vents, so you create a through draught without the whole jacket ballooning out Michelin Man-style.

The cut is slim throughout. The Pakajak fitted me close to the body and there's not much excess around the arms. I like that. Tops that flap around in the wind (that's wind, not wind) just wind me up (that's wind; not wind). I still had enough space to put a few bits and pieces in my jersey pockets - a pump, spare tube, arm warmers - without any trouble. The neck is high and very slightly elasticated to draw it in while the rear panel is considerably longer than the front so you can drag it down to cover your lower back and butt.

The Pakajak keeps the rain out better than many other windproofs that I've used. It doesn't come with taped seams or anything like that so if get caught out in a storm wearing this you're going to get wet, but it'll keep out a shower easily enough and road spray won't get in.

There are more minimalist windproofs out there than this one. The mesh and the storm flaps add a little weight and bulk but you're still looking at just 154g. It's negligible. The Pakajak fits into its own little stuff sack (assuming you want to use the stuff sack) that's 14cm long with an 8cm diameter; that's small enough to fit into a jersey pocket with space to spare.

It's available in men's and women's versions, each in five colours and all with reflective trim on the shoulders, sleeves and back to help get you seen at night.

Verdict

Vented windproof jacket that's also showerproof and a decent price

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Endura Pakajak

Size tested: Red - M

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Endura say, "A perfect emergency jacket, the Pakajak is made from ultra lightweight and showerproof Ripstop fabric with excellent breathability so its wearer stays cool and comfortable without getting wet. Underarm mesh vents provide additional ventilation. To deliver best performance on the bike, the jacket has a cycling-specific fit with a dropped tail, also featuring a laser cut storm flap with zip guard, and elasticated cuffs, rear neck and hem. Reflective trims on sleeves, shoulders and the rear make the cyclist more visible to others in poorer light conditions.

They also say, "This is one piece of bike wear that will come in handy quite often, whether for mountain biking, road cycling, leisure rides or commuting to work!"

Yeah, there's not a lot to take issue with there. People who are out on longer rides are likely to find it most useful; rides where the weather conditions could change while you're out.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Most windproofs are a little showerproof. This one is among the best I've tried for keeping the water out.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10

It's heavier than many rivals but we're talking about 154g plus 6g for the stuff sack; it's really not an issue.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10

The extra venting adds to the comfort.

Rate the product for value:
 
9/10

This is among the cheaper windproofs out there. It's a good price, especially considering that it boasts some neat features like underarm venting and a decent-quality zip.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

It did everything it's supposed to.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

I liked the fit and lack of flapping. I also found the underarm vents hancy

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The stiff flap in front of the zip stays a bit crumpled after being packed down small... but it's really not a big criticism.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Definitely

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 40  Height: 190cm  Weight: 74kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, sportives, general fitness riding,

 

Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. We send him off around the world to get all the news from launches and shows too. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

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