Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

BUYER'S GUIDE

Best waterproof cycling jackets 2024 — keep riding whatever the weather and stay warm and dry on the bike

Chucking it down? Don't worry, here's our pick of the best waterproof cycling jackets which should keep the worst of the weather out

This article contains links to retailers. Purchases made after clicking on those links may help support road.cc by earning us a commission but all of our reviews are fully independent. Find out more about road.cc buyer's guides.

With rain falling somewhere in the UK on more than 150 days a year on average, a high-quality waterproof jacket is a part of your cycling wardrobe that is going to see plenty of use. The best waterproof cycling jackets use a whole host of modern fabrics and technologies, and there are now a huge amount of rain-ready options on the market covering all sorts of styles and budgets. You'll find our very top picks in the quick links below, plus plenty more recommendations further down the page. 


A quality waterproof jacket can make the difference between a tolerable ride and a miserable ride. Or, if you combine it with a pair of overshoes and some winter bib tights, the time on your bike can be just as enjoyable as it is in the summer... well, almost!

Regardless of whether you're riding across town in your everyday clothes, out on the club run, racing, riding organised events or even bikepacking, we've come up with a selection of waterproof jackets that we've reviewed to help you make the right choice.

How we review waterproof jackets 

road.cc reviewers take product testing seriously, which means lots of riding in appropriately wet weather conditions when it comes to waterproofs. We'll rate jackets on their technical specifications, quality of construction, durability, performance and value... and most importantly, whether the waterproofing was effective or not. If it wasn't, the product won't get a good score! 

We'll take price into account, meaning the most expensive jacket will be expected to perform better than one that costs much less, and value is assessed based on how a product performed compared to others in its category when it comes to price and specification. 

Why you can trust us 

All the jackets included in this guide have been subjected to full, thorough road.cc reviews, and as we review a lot of jackets, all of them have scored at least 8/10 (our top six all got 9/10 or higher).

While we can make a small commission if you click on a link and buy something on this page, that's not the primary reason we're putting the guide together. The aim is to show you what we genuinely think are the best waterproof cycling jackets out there right now, so quite a few of the recommendations here afford us no opportunities to take that commission. We recommend what's best for you, not what's best for us. 

It's also worth mentioning that the road.cc team members who put these guides together are also vastly experienced cyclists, with yours truly being the most prolific road.cc reviewer currently. We're well-versed in taped seams, DWR coatings and pretty much everything you need to know about cycling waterproofs, so hopefully you find the advice on this page more useful and in-depth than your standard product round-up. 

With all that said, it's time to get into our top waterproof selections. Remember: there's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing! 

The best waterproof jackets: our top picks

Showers Pass Elite 2.1 jacket

Showers Pass Elite 2.1 jacket

10
Best waterproof cycling jacket overall
Buy now for £239 from Showers Pass
Unfaltering waterproofing
Highly breathable
Plenty of ventilation
Reflective detailing in key places
Not cheap

It's not easy for a product to achieve a review score of 10/10, but tester Mike deemed Showers Pass' Elite 2.1 jacket was worthy due to it being 'the ultimate jacket for riding in appalling conditions.'

It's made from Elite 3-layer rip stop fabrics, with the jacket having been body-mapped to maximise waterproof/windproof protection with high levels of breathability. A multitude of venting options also keep you cool when you put in big efforts, or when outside temperatures start to rise. 

The Elite also comes with plenty of reflective detailing to help you get seen at night (there are bright colour options available other than the black seen in the photo), and there is also a hood available as an optional extra which we believe adds to the versatility of the jacket.

When it comes to fit, the Showers Pass has a roadie style to it being cut slim to reduce excess fabric flapping around, although we found it to still offer plenty of room beneath for a couple of layers.

It's not cheap, but thanks to great durability and a two-year warranty, the Elite is a long-term investment.  

Read our review:
Galibier Tourmalet 4 Jacket

Galibier Tourmalet 4 Jacket

9
Best value waterproof cycling jacket
Buy now for £83.22 from Galibier
Waterproof and breathable
Great value
Inner cuffs stop draughts
Tail gives good coverage
Close cut stops flapping
No bright colour options

It's not expensive, and it's even got our prestigious road.cc Recommends badge; the Galibier Tourmalet 4 Jacket is really a great waterproof jacket.

It's got exceptional waterproofing (20,000mm) and breathability (20,000g/m2/24) ratings and the upgraded model maintains the same affordability we praised on the Galibier Tourmalet 3 Jacket. The HydraStop 2.9+ membrane ensures comfort and the construction is high-quality. With reflective details and a thoughtful design, this jacket stands out as the ultimate budget-friendly, high-performance option.

Santini Adapt Multi - Jacket

Santini Adapt Multi - Jacket

9
Best do-it-all waterproof cycling jacket
Buy now for £145.49 from Bike Inn
Highly breathable
Waterproof beyond expectations
Balanced temperature when working hard
Great cut
Great looks
You need to be working hard to stay warm

The Santini Multi jacket doesn't really look like a waterproof, and appears more like a lightweight softshell or a long-sleeve jersey. Thanks to the ingenious Polartec Power Shield Pro fabric, though, you get a cutting-edge jacket that is highly waterproof, thermally insulating and breathable all in one. 

Our reviewer praised the waterproofing, saying that with the right base layer it will keep the worst downpours out. The light, breathable and warm fabric feels great against the skin and is great for temperatures between freezing and 10°C. You get three roomy open pockets and a waterproof zipped pocket, and the main zipper is two-way so you can open it from the bottom for more airflow if things are heating up. 

Overall, this is a superb jacket, but like all superb things it comes with a price tag. Invest, and you won't be disappointed. 

Read our review:
7Mesh Oro Rain Jacket

7Mesh Oro Jacket

9
Best lightweight waterproof
Buy now for £250 from 7Mesh
Very lightweight and packable
Excellent waterproofing
Close fit means no 'flapping'
Highly breathable
Increased risk of damage over thicker jackets

When we reviewed 7Mesh's Oro jacket, Mat described it as the best lightweight waterproof that he had ever tested due to its impressive ability to repel rain while folding up small enough to easily fit in a jersey pocket. A lot of that comes down to the Gore Active fabric which does away with the outer 'third' layer of material found on traditional Gore-Tex layers.

Making a jacket waterproof isn't that tricky a task, making it waterproof and breathable is another matter though and this is where the Oro really shines. Gore says that's because of the lack of that outer face layer, and the glue required to bond everything together and Mat was suitably impressed saying that he was comfortable wearing the Oro in temperatures up to 14°C whether it was raining or not as it also makes a great windproof. 

Should you want to strip it off after a shower though, a quick shake and it's bone dry. You certainly won't notice it in your pocket either due to its compact pack size and 93g weight. 

It's not just the fabric that ticks all of the boxes, the fit is designed for performance riding with a slim cut to reduce flapping and plenty of length in the arms. You'll need to make sure you get the right size though as there isn't much stretch in the Gore fabric.

At £250 the Oro is a big investment, but our conclusion is that if you want a minimalist, lightweight waterproof with loads of breathability, this is superb.     

Read our review:
Chapeau City Jacket

Chapeau City Jacket

9
Best casual waterproof cycling jacket for commuting
Buy now for £60 from Chapeau!
Excellent fit and adjustability
Bright colour for visibility
Good waterproofing and windproofing
Works on or off the bike
Can get slightly warm when riding hard

What works on the chain gang or your weekend blast on the road bike might not befit the daily commute to work, especially if your pace is a little less frantic and the drop from your saddle to handlebar is a bit less dramatic. This is where the City Jacket from Chapeau steps in. With a relaxed cut that looks just as good off the bike as it does on it, it is mostly at home in an urban environment.

Being very packable means that it also a good contender for the bikepackers or tourers amongst us. Our reviewer found that the Chapeau delivered impressive waterproofing thanks to the material and the addition of fully taped seams throughout, and the breathability was fine for the steady state riding typical of an urban commute. Push the pace a bit and things can get a little overwhelming, but that's forgivable as this isn't a jacket designed for riding flat out in.

The sizing allows you to wear it over standard civvy clothing should you so wish, and with a bright colour and a few reflectives thrown in you shouldn't just blend into the background.     

Read our review:
MAAP Atmos Jacket

MAAP Atmos Jacket

9
Best money-no-object waterproof cycling jacket
Buy now for £205.25 from Deporvillage
Very light
Very compact
Very waterproof
Very breathable
Minimalist chic
40% off crash replacement warranty
No vent or zip for jersey pocket access
No stuffsack

Stunningly light and minimalist (and stunningly expensive, but you get what you pay for) the MAAP Atmos is our money-no-object pick when it comes to stylish waterproofing on the bike. It can disappear into a jersey pocket and protects you against the worst weather while breathing hard, so is ideal for hard training rides in bad weather. 

The Pertex Shield fabric is a three-layer soft ripstop material with a 20,000mm hydrostatic rating. Our reviewer said it felt soft and stretchy, which makes it roomier than most high-end waterproofs. 

Bi-directional YKK zippers add to the practicality, and it's available in numerous fetching colourways. If you want one of the best packable cycling jackets on the market and are prepared to invest, you won't be disappointed with the Atmos. 

The best of the rest: more of our top waterproof cycling jacket recommendations

7mesh Copilot Jacket

7mesh Copilot Jacket

9
Buy now for £254.99 from Bike Inn
Relaxed fit
The rain just beads off
Breathability keeps you dry
Minimal reflectives

When we reviewed the 7mesh Copilot Hollis reckoned it offered a minimalist design with maximum performance, being a brilliant packable jacket for taking with you everywhere.

The design and cut means that it is a bit of a Jack of all cycling trades with a looser fit than most road jackets, but still well shaped for life on the bike. It works for commuting, gravel riding, touring, bikepacking and more without looking out of place.

At £250 it isn't cheap, but we were very impressed with Gore's Paclite Plus fabric when it comes to waterproofing and blocking the wind. A hood is built into the design too. Breathability is also well managed with our reviewer finding that even on long climbs he never felt overwhelmed from a temperature management point of view in typical UK winter temperatures. 

Read our review:
Gore Race Shakedry Jacket

Gore Race Shakedry Jacket

9
Buy now for £299.99 from Gorewear
Best-in-class waterproofing performance
Desinged for riding hard
Material limits colour options
Expensive

Gore's Shakedry fabric has become synonym for a premium rainproof, lightweight cycling jacket - and hence it was understandable that when Gore announced it will discontinue the manufacturing of the fabric, many rushed to stock up on these hackets. This means that there are very limited Shakedry jackets available - even though other brands have also incorporated it into their own line-up of jackets (the Race Shakedry jacket is Gore's own offering).

Unlike most waterproofs that use an outer layer bonded to a membrane for durability, the Gore does away with that. What you see here is just the membrane fabric which means it is lightweight (174g) and very packable. A racer's dream jacket.

The waterproofing is immense and with no need for any kind of water-repellant coating like that found on a typical outer layer the Shakedry's performance doesn't degrade over time. Should it get wet during a shower, a quick shake before or after taking it off means that it is dry to stow away in your rear pocket.

There are a couple of downsides, with the biggest being that the membrane comes in the colour you see in the pics, and that can't be changed. If you want something bright you'll need to look elsewhere.

Also, it's not quite as durable as a multi-layer jacket, but we found that it is tougher than it looks and for road riding there are few issues. Now all you have to do is decide which one of your internal organs you can live without and bung it on eBay, so that you can treat yourself to a Shakedry! 

Read our review:
Stolen Goat Men’s Mekon Climb & Conquer Winter Jacket

Stolen Goat Men’s Mekon Climb & Conquer Winter Jacket

9
Buy now for £89.4 from Stolen Goat
Lots of warmth
Great waterproofing for a non-hardshell
Reflective rear pockets
No taped seams so not a true waterproof

When it comes to keeping the rain out, not all of us necessarily want a hardshell jacket; especially if getting caught out in a heavy rain shower rather than heading out into weather that is likely to be wet for the duration of your ride. Stolen Goat's Climb & Conquer is a softshell jacket more akin to a long-sleeve jersey, made from Tempest Protect fabric which manages to be very warm while impressively waterproof.

It's not technically a full waterproof as the seams aren't taped (to aid breathability) and there is no protection behind the zip, but should the heavens open the results are still spectacular.

The Climb in Conquer comes in a range of different colours and designs which are constantly evolving so you should definitely find something that suits. The material looks grey in daylight but when light is shone on them they are a solid block of reflective light.

One great bonus that the Climb and Conquer offers are the rear pockets. Just like a traditional jersey you get three pockets across the rear, with an additional zipped pocket for your valuables.

Overall, the Stolen Goat makes a great option if a softshell is what you are after.   

Read our review:
Rapha Women’s Classic Winter Gore-Tex Jacket

Rapha Women’s Classic Winter Gore-Tex Jacket

9
Buy now for £129.95 from Rapha
Faultless waterproofing
Great wind blocking
Wide easy access pockets
Inner face of the material feels cold against the skin

Rapha's Classic Winter Gore-Tex jacket is available in both men's and women's versions (you can find the men's review here) with very subtle differences, but they both use a three-layer Gore-Tex fabric from Gore's Infinium range, which we found to keep out absolutely everything that the elements could throw at it.

A dropped tail keeps you covered in an aero position while the front is cut higher to avoid causing any damage to your bib shorts or bib tights. Unlike a lot of waterproof jackets you do get a decent selection of pockets, and there are a couple of colour options including the very bright orange you can see in the picture. 

Whichever you go for though, there are reflective details added for riding in the dark. 

Read our review:
Altura Nightvision Storm Waterproof Jacket

Altura Nightvision Storm Waterproof Jacket

8
Buy now for £64.99 from Tredz
Loads of reflectives
Great weatherproofing
Not the most breathable at pace

Let's face it, if you're riding in the rain it is likely to be dull and grey, so if you want to be seen you'll want something bright like the Altura Nightvision Storm Waterproof jacket. Other colours are available if you want something a little more subdued, though.

If you are a commuter and work the 9-to-5 then your rides to and from work are probably going to be in the dark too, which is where the huge amount of reflectivity in this jacket really comes into play. For our reviewer George the results were impressive, with the Altura shunning wet weather and blocking the wind. Breathability was decent too for all but the most spirited of rides.

Altura's Nightvision range has always been about visibility in the dark, and this jacket doesn't let you down. The side panels, the outside of the arms and the collar are all covered in an array of reflective dots, which give a distinct definition of someone human-shaped riding along. 

The reflectivity of the arms also helps with making your signals for turning more noticeable. There's a women's version of this jacket too which we've also reviewed.

Read our review:
Sigr Nackrosleden Transparent Pro Cycling Wind/Rain Jacket

Sigr Nackrosleden Transparent Pro Cycling Wind/Rain Jacket

8
Buy now for £169 from Sigr.cc
Impressive waterproofing
Tall neck stops draughts
Close fit stops material flapping in the wind
Not cheap
Material feels odd against the skin

If you're racing in your club colours and need to show your number beneath, then a see-through jacket is a must. We found one of the best ones is this Nackrosleden Transparent Pro from Sigr.

Some of these pure polyester jackets can be be a bit boil in the bag, but we found the Sigr to have decent breathability when riding hard and very good waterproofing. The fit, as you'd expect, is cut close and there is plenty of length in both the body and the arms. Another bonus is a double zip which allows you to undo the jacket from the bottom to give quick access to your rear pockets on the fly.  

Read our review:
Altura Icon Pocket Rocket Waterproof Packable Jacket

Altura Icon Pocket Rocket Waterproof Packable Jacket

8
Buy now for £53.92 from Amazon UK
Great shaping and fit
Roomy but not flappy
Good protection
Bright but stylish
Average breathability

The Altura Icon Pocket Rocket Waterproof Packable Jacket earned a solid 8/10 rating from us. It has a great fit, and quality construction and most importantly, comes with a good level of protection, suitable for various rides. The design includes a useful zip garage and a central pocket and the whole jacket weighs only 175g.

Although this bright jacket offers good wind and rain resistance, it has average breathability, making it more suitable for short or relaxed rides.

Velocio Men’s Ultralight Rain Jacket

Velocio Men’s Ultralight Rain Jacket

8
Buy now for £244 from Velocio
Excellent waterproofing
Two-way zip
Packable
Expensive

Velocio's Ultralight Rain Jacket has outstanding waterproofing and breathability built into a lightweight 182g package. This means it easily stashes away in your back pocket. It fits quite snugly so that there is no flapping, and the design includes a two-way zip which makes cooling and rear pocket access an easy task. However, priced at around £250, this jacket is quite a premium option.

Altura Grid Women’s Parka Waterproof Jacket

Altura Grid Women’s Parka Waterproof Jacket

8
Buy now for £162 from Leisure Lakes Bikes
Looks good
Keeps your backside dry
Relaxed fit means layers fit underneath
Good water resistance
Large phones, or 'phablets', sit uncomfortably in the hand pocket when riding if jacket is fully zipped up
'Phablet' phones don't fit inside chest pocket
More reflectivity would be nice

The Altura Grid Women’s Parka Waterproof Jacket is a more versatile, longer-length waterproof jacket. This makes it a great option for both on and off-the-bike activities. The parka design, with reflective patches offers good coverage and complements various body shapes. This jacket is a great choice for urban riders seeking functionality and style in a single jacket - and it's available in both men's and women's fit. 

Rapha Men’s Pro Team Insulated Gore-Tex Rain Jacket

Rapha Men’s Pro Team Insulated Gore-Tex Rain Jacket

8
Buy now for £264 from Rapha
Brilliant waterproofing
Excellent breathability
Very windproof
Warm
Comfortable
Surprisingly versatile
That price
Short cut can leave jerseys sticking out

Insulated waterproof jackets are really rare, and Rapha has really created a great product in the Men’s Pro Team Insulated Gore-Tex Rain Jacket. We found this jacket offers excellent waterproofing, breathability, and versatility. It has a high price tag at £310, but it does provide a little more protection from the elements, especially on the colder days. The slim, racy fit and effective insulation ensures comfort, while the jacket remains snug and non-flappy on the bike. As we concluded: "It's an outstanding jacket in almost every way, and actively a pleasure to wear in poor weather."

How to choose from the best waterproof cycling jackets

faq-icon
What type of fabric is the best for a waterproof cycling jacket?

The fabric is the most important point to consider when you buy a waterproof cycling jacket. Our advice is not to skimp if you want a decent high-quality jacket that is going to provide years of outstanding service. You really do get what you pay for.

Making a waterproof fabric is relatively easy: even a bin bag is waterproof. Making a fabric waterproof and breathable so it lets sweat out, though, is a lot more challenging, but not impossible. With a hard-working cyclist inside a jacket producing a lot of sweat, the fabric needs to let water vapour escape outwards, while stopping the rainwater getting in. Fortunately, water vapour can pass through pores in the fabric that are too small to let water get through as a liquid.

There are all manner of fabrics on the market. Some have a waterproof treatment applied to the actual weave of the fabric (the lightest and most breathable option), some have a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) layer that causes water to bead up and roll off, and some have a membrane sandwiched between several layers. Many fabrics use more than one approach. Membrane waterproofs have a DWR coating that provides the first line of defence against the wet.

It’s also worth considering that many waterproof cycling jackets will need to be re-proofed regularly to replenish the DWR. If water isn’t beading off your jacket, and it was when it was new, then it needs reproofing. There's plenty of choice of reproofing products. It's typically a matter of just putting your jacket through the washing machine with this special proofing product added.

faq-icon
What do I need to look out for to make sure a jacket is actually waterproof?

Pay close attention to manufacturers' descriptions when buying a cycling jacket. They can claim that it's waterproof, water resistant or water repellant. To be considered waterproof, a jacket must be made from a waterproof fabric and have taped seams. Some will have all of the seams taped, while some just have the seams in key places receiving the treatment.

You might also look at ratings, such as hydrostatic head (HH) which measure how waterproof the garment is. 

If the jacket doesn't have taped seams, it will hold up to some rain but eventually, water will find a way in. Many water-repellant fabrics use a hydrophobic treatment that reduces the amount of water the fabric absorbs. A water-resistant jacket might be okay for short showers, but if you're likely to be out in prolonged heavy rain you want a properly waterproof cycling jacket.

faq-icon
I'm going to be riding in my work clothes. How do I make sure I don't get too sweaty?

Apart from riding at a steady pace (or perhaps treating yourself to one of the best electric bikes), ventilation is your friend.

Even the best fabrics are not breathable enough to cope with the amount of sweat put out by a cyclist working hard: while climbing a hill, or keeping up with the ebb and flow of traffic in an urban environment, to give two examples. 

Some waterproof cycling jackets, therefore, have various ventilation options. There could be zips on the sleeves or in the armpits to let some of the moist air escape, to give one example. Some also have vents on the upper back just below the shoulders. If you're considering using a rucksack over your jacket, you'll want to make sure these don't clash.

If the rain is coming from behind, you can also drop the main zip without getting wet unless there is a lot of road spray.

faq-icon
My bike doesn't have mudguards, how can I keep as dry as possible?

Many bikes come with mounting points for full mudguards, or if not you can sometimes add some clip-on guards instead. We'd strongly recommend buying some of the best road bike mudguards for your bike, but if you're yet to invest then here are some tips! 

> Learn how to winterproof your bike here

Most waterproof cycling jackets usually have dropped tails to keep your lower back and bum covered up when you're crouched low over the bike. Some are longer than others, so it's worth thinking about your position on the bike to see exactly how much coverage you're going to need. Certain urban style jackets have drop down tails which are either hidden by a popper or magnet for when you're not on the bike, or if it's dry. 

Whether you have mudguards or not, most jackets will fit slightly different to non-waterproof items for extra coverage. For instance, the arms are usually given some extra length so they don’t ride up when you're stretched out on the bike, leaving your wrists exposed. The collar and cuffs are places for rain to get inside, so look for a design that is close-fitting with elasticated and/or adjustable openings. Drawcords at the hem and neck and Velcro cuffs let you adjust the fit.

faq-icon
Do I need a gender-specific waterproof cycling jacket?

Thankfully the world of cycling has moved on since the days of 'shrink it and pink it' to create women's versions of cycling garments that were predominantly made for men. Most of the manufacturers mentioned in the list above offer their jackets in both a men's and women's fit, so if you can it's definitely worth going for one that best suits your body shape. Not only will the fit be more comfortable on the bike, but you're also less likely to have excess material flapping about in the wind. 

Regardless of which jacket you go for, it's also worth checking out reviews for advice on sizing as brands from different countries tend to follow a different set of measurements for a nominal size. It also depends on how many layers you want to wear underneath the jacket, as you might need a more relaxed fit if you're layering up. 

Generally, men's jackets feature a cut that is wider on the shoulders and tighter around the hips, whereas women's cut might have more room in the chest area but narrower shoulders. 

faq-icon
What is the difference between a softshell and a hardshell jacket?

The majority of waterproof jackets are hardshells, where there are two or three layers which can include something like a mesh inner layer, a membrane in the middle, with a woven outer. It's what gives the jacket it's firm sort of feel.

The outer layer is often coated in a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish to bead off the rain allowing the membrane to breathe through the micr-pores. This kind of set up doesn't allow a huge amount of stretch in the design, so getting the correct fit is more important than with a softshell.

Softshells tend to feel more like a long-sleeved jersey, although often a bit thicker to cope with the more extreme weather conditions they are likely to see providing warmth and insulation, and good windblocking capabilities. To make them as waterproof, or water-resistant as possible, they often rely on the same sort of DWR coating as that found on the hardshells, although you will rarely find taped seams inside.

A softshell is probably better for more variable weather conditions, while if prolonged rain is the order of the day you'll definitely want to go down the hardshell route.  

As part of the tech team here at F-At Digital, senior product reviewer Stu spends the majority of his time writing in-depth reviews for road.cc, off-road.cc and ebiketips using the knowledge gained from testing over 1,500 pieces of kit (plus 100's of bikes) since starting out as a freelancer back in 2009. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 170,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him, he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. With a background in design and engineering, he has an obsession with how things are developed and manufactured, has a borderline fetish for handbuilt metal frames and finds a rim braked road bike very aesthetically pleasing!

Add new comment

13 comments

Avatar
Secret_squirrel | 1 month ago
0 likes

Soooo.   Whats the actual difference in numbers between Goretex Shakedry as used in the Shakedrys and Goretex Active as used in the Oro?....

A bit of googling suggests there is nothing in it from a breathability point of view (28k vs 30k HH).

If you believe Ellis Brigham Active is 3 layer and Shakedry is 2 layer.

 

https://www.ellis-brigham.com/waterproof-fabrics-buying-guide#gore-tex-a...

Avatar
mike the bike | 3 months ago
0 likes

Anyone looking for a GoreTex jacket because they think it's waterproof and breathable might care to look at Ryan's review of the material on the FortNine website.

Me, I carry on with my brilliant, ten-year-old DHB from Wiggle, god bless their departed souls.

Avatar
Sriracha replied to mike the bike | 2 months ago
0 likes

Any membrane jacket is only as breathable as the DWR is durable - which is to say, not very. Once the jacket wets out it's no longer breathable. If the DWR was durable, there would be little enough need for another layer behind to back it up. Effectively, the 'tex layer behind is telling you that the DWR in front does not durably repel water, the jacket will therefore wet out, so we need a backstop to keep things waterproof but by the same token it won't be breathable, at least whilst it's raining.

The exception would be where the 'tex layer is exposed on the outer surface doing double duty as a waterproof (D)WR. But it's still not durable, and when it goes you lose the waterproofness to boot.

Avatar
Steve K | 4 months ago
1 like

I commented on the original review of the Altura Grid Parka that I thought I was getting the men's version for Christmas.

I was right. I did. And I love it.

Avatar
bobrayner | 4 months ago
0 likes

The 7mesh oro is amazing, and I love mine. Just a couple of points to make:

* It's the same black which is inexplicably fashionable among road riders, almost ubiquitous. Why is "Team kit" the most common alternative to black ? Why can't we have more pink or purple or stripy options? 

* I don't actually ride in it much; it's an emergency jacket in the saddlebag (yes, it packs down small). If conditions were ever bad enough to wear a waterproof jacket when leaving the house then, meh, I'd stay at home instead and argue with people on the internet. I've had to pull it out a few times when the weather turned mid-ride, and it did a flawless job of keeping me warm & dry.

* The cut is very cycling-specific; it could feel uncomfortable around the shoulders if you were walking &c. I daresay it would feel weird if you were riding a sit-up-and-beg.

Avatar
chaos | 4 months ago
3 likes

The problem with reviews like this is that durability is not assessed. I consider the Showers pass Elite 2.1 jacket I purchased several years back to be the worst jacket purchase I have ever made. I am pushing 64 and still ride 5K+ per annum, so I have used a few jackets.

Chest zip failed; stitching failed in several areas, very obvious colour fade (gold/orange version - rarely washed); and, I can only rate it as shower 'resistant' at best.

Lightweight; side zips and fit are all great, but do not compensate for the sizeable investment.

I still have a 20 year plus jacket that beats this one hands down.

Avatar
henryb | 4 months ago
3 likes

The Galibier Tourmalet 3 has now been upgraded to Galibier Tourmalet 4

Avatar
bob zmyuncle replied to henryb | 4 months ago
2 likes

A number of years ago - Zombie article

Avatar
Secret_squirrel replied to henryb | 4 months ago
6 likes

Tourmalet 4 - This time its personal?

Avatar
Jack Sexty replied to Secret_squirrel | 4 months ago
5 likes

Apologies, I'm told the edit didn't save on that and it's now been changed. Apart from that hiccup this guide has been fully updated, promise!

Avatar
Freddy56 replied to Secret_squirrel | 4 months ago
0 likes

made me laugh out loud

Avatar
Bigtwin replied to henryb | 2 months ago
0 likes

Apparently it's 33% lighter and stiffer.

Avatar
IanMSpencer | 1 year ago
0 likes

Rain protection is one of those n+1 things. Factor temperature, likelihood of rain, wind, whether you want to pack it in a pocket, what is appropriate is a per-ride guesstimate. I'm up to 4, a heavy one with ventilation zips for when you know you are going to get wet - choose other layers to adapt to likely temperature. A multilayered lightweight for days when you know when it rains you are going to want to up your insulation but can just about fit it in a big pocket, then a lightweight cape for fending of heavy showers. Not forgetting the windproof tops with some waterproofing to cope with light showers. Then there are the summer rides where lycra will be dried off before you get the cape out, live with it.