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Best all round jacket?

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  • February 12, 2015 at 8:46 pm #23257
    chilievans

    I’m in the market for a new jacket but the choice is bewildering.
    I’ve got a budget of around £80 – £100 and have narrowed it down to a few:
    Endura windchill 2
    Endura convert
    altura transformer (£40 an merlin cycles)

    Do any of you guys have experience with either of these jackets?

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Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 25 total)
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  • February 14, 2015 at 12:54 am #832037
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    Colin Peyresourde

    I have a Gabba which I love,
    I have a Gabba which I love, but the zip has got a bit tricksy and it’s not as repellent as it used to be, even after reapplying the repellent.

    I guess the main question is what do you want it for? A lot here have recommended the Gabba because it is practical in showers, but it is a jersey not a jacket. Jacket have an added weight to them to help in lower temperatures. I have one true jacket which is the Castelli radiation. It is a good jacket, but I would really look to the Rapha Jacket or the Castelli Mortirolo. But I know these are out if the stipulated price range.

    However, one thing you can be more sure of is getting something that does its job – doesn’t boil in the bag or let you freeze. Cheaper jackets will tend to do that.

    I don’t mean to be snobbish, but when I go out I usually just have a base layer and a jersey so jackets are not as useful. If it’s down to zero a jacket will be the way forward, but I guess that depends on the quality of your bib tights, body fat percentage, body volume etc.

    February 13, 2015 at 11:13 pm #832035
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    ianrobo

    another big Gabba fan here,
    another big Gabba fan here, brought mine just before xmas and once you get going it really is great and very wind protective (not used in wet yet).

    February 13, 2015 at 11:07 pm #832033
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    Nick0

    Gore Phantom 2 is seriously
    Gore Phantom 2 is seriously good. Windproof, breathes and wicks as well as any, will keep the rain at bay for ages and you can turn it into a jersey by unzipping the sleeves. Of the five jackets I own and use if I had to choose only one this would be it.
    For colder and/or wet weather the Sportful Fiandre No Rain is the best jacket going; it’s made from the same stuff as the Gabba but in a different way. I use it in sub 5 degree temperatures/milder with rain and it is fantastic, with a single thin or mid weight base layer. I have never been wet through when wearing it and it breathes/wicks like a thin jersey. http://road.cc/content/review/72530-sportful-fiandre-norain-jacket (it used to have 4.5 star review don’t know why it’s been downgraded!)
    Finally, I own a few bits of Galibier kit and it is all absolutely top class, the only thing I don’t (cos I’ve got the two above) is this – http://road.cc/content/review/116508-galibier-colombiere-training-jacket
    bargain price and gets rave reviews from owners. Only comes in black though…

    February 13, 2015 at 8:08 pm #832031
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    Stratman

    Another Gabba fan here, I
    Another Gabba fan here, I have the ss one, which I use with arm warmers for high single figures, and which I used in summer to do the Yorkshire stages of the TDF. LS one is fine with a LS baa-baa down to around zero if you’re working hard. Outside your budget, but the alpha works with a ss base layer down below zero, but is a bit too warm for high single figures.

    I’ve worn both gabbas in pouring rain, but not for hours. They aren’t fully waterproof, but I certainly feel no less damp than when it’s not raining, and I’ve been warm enough.

    February 13, 2015 at 8:00 pm #832029
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    Nixster

    Sportful Bodyfit Pro
    Sportful Bodyfit Pro Windstopper is another option. Warmer in my experience than the Alpe that I also have, mainly as the back is also wind proof. Good temperature range with 1 or 2 base layers depending on conditions. Like most of the Windstopper options it will keep rain out until the seams leak and the design keeps the seams off the shoulders. I’m very impressed with mine. Won’t keep your bum dry though, it’s cut a bit shorter at the back but then that’s what mudguards are for.

    February 13, 2015 at 4:27 pm #832027
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    crikey

    Gabbas are good, got two, but
    Gabbas are good, got two, but they are restricted to a temperature range if you want to be comfy. Below 2 or 3 degrees they don’t trap enough air to be warm enough, and above 9 or 10 degrees they get a bit too sweaty. Spring and autumn they work very well with an occasional re-proofing, but proper winter requires thicker or more layers.

    February 13, 2015 at 4:13 pm #832025
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    RinseCharming

    Another vote for the Gabba.
    Another vote for the Gabba. As mentioned above, been wearing it all winter with just a s/s and l/s base underneath.

    I keep a lightweight waterproof in my saddlebag but it rarely comes out. If it’s raining hard enough to breech the Gabba then the chances are you’ll be sheltering or at home.

    As nice as fully-waterproof jackets are, even the mega expensive examples are sweaty and heavy compared to the Gabba.

    February 13, 2015 at 3:40 pm #832023
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    glynr36

    Can’t beat a Gabba IMO.
    Rode
    Can’t beat a Gabba IMO.
    Rode in mine a lot this winter, and usually a decent weight base layer, paired with nanoflex warmers kept me warm in days hovering around 0, was gutted when I binned the bike at the start of january and ripped it across the back and shoulder.

    I’ll be keeping an eye out for someone like ribble to have a 10% off code going and grab another soon.

    February 13, 2015 at 2:46 pm #832021
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    northernrebel

    I’ve got a couple of Gore
    I’ve got a couple of Gore Phantoms that I’ve had for about 8 years and they are great bits of kit. I’ve used my bright yellow one with just a merino base layer & thermal bib tights for a 25 minute Peak district commmute all winter & never been cold. Unless it’s really siling it down I don’t use a waterproof layer as it’s still reasonably water repellent. As Lamb Henry says the ability to remove the sleeves makes it really versatile for use on cool spring/autumn days or summer evenings. The only sign of wear, apart from a slight grubbiness, is a small hole in one arm where i bounced off a dry stone wall mountain biking.

    February 13, 2015 at 2:18 pm #832019
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    bashthebox

    Interesting; I reckon some of
    Interesting; I reckon some of the responses here explain how the riders I see wearing layers upon layers, covered by big jackets, don’t overheat.
    As I said, in this quite chilly winter Gabba + LS base + SS base has been fine once I’m moving. But others obviously would find that too cold.
    As for the flappy tail, I’m a slender 6’1″, take the medium and the tail sort of welds itself to my bum, no flapping anywhere, just a nice protected hind quarter.
    I did look at the Sportful no rain jersey jacket thing, and quite liked the feel of it, but I liked the zip vents and pockets on the Gabba better. That was then, this is now, and there do seem to be a lot more Gabba-esque jerseys about… no iea if Gabba is the best of the bunch still, or whether Cafe du Cycliste, Chapeau, Rapha, Sportful etc have made a better version. I’m still happy with my old Gabba though!

    February 13, 2015 at 1:57 pm #832017
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    Lamb Henry

    I have a Gore Phantom 2 for
    I have a Gore Phantom 2 for commuting and like it for commuting.
    Good for Spring and Autumn where the morning are cool and I remove the sleeves for the ride home when it has warmed up a bit.

    February 13, 2015 at 1:04 pm #832015
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    chilievans

    Thanks for the response guys,
    Thanks for the response guys, plenty of sound advice

    Btw, I’ll ride in any temperature but try to avoid going out when it’s lashing down

    February 13, 2015 at 12:54 pm #832013
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    fenix

    Definitely not the Gabba in
    Definitely not the Gabba in my experience. Sure the pros use it – but on top of the rest of their racing kit – and they’re racing in it. So generating a lot more heat.

    I got caught out in the rain in September – Gabba & the matching armwarmers. Was shaking so much I had to get shelter in a cafe and rode on from their with a newspaper down my top for extra warmth.

    I’d go with something like this – http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-windslam-roubaix-long-sleeve-jersey/?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&kpid=5360565800&sku=5360565800&ci_src=18615224&ci_sku=5360565800uk&utm_source=google&utm_term&utm_campaign=All+Products&utm_medium=base&utm_content=spEfHRUY1_dc%7cpcrid%7c%7cpkw%7c%7cpmt%7c%7cprd%7c5360565800uk

    Its more practical than the Rapha Winter Jersey – which is nice and understated – but no good in the rain – and 1/3 of the cost. About the same level of warmth too.

    February 13, 2015 at 12:41 pm #832011
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    Zermattjohn

    The Gabba also has an
    The Gabba also has an annoying flappy tail at the back. I tried the Small (I’m 5’7″ – Castelli’s sizing is guesswork – I need M or L in some of their stuff) and the rear tail flaps about annoyingly – all the photos I’ve seen show this being pretty snug but for me it wasn’t. Maybe I’m just an odd shape!

    The Sportful Fiandre Light Wind jersey is, I think, better than the Gabba (and its cheaper too). Its almost the same materials but the back “No Rain” material seems to hold off the rain better. Unfortunately its almost sold out, but if you’re ok with the black one there’s a few knocking about.

    February 13, 2015 at 12:22 pm #832009
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    MattT53

    A vote for the Sportful Alpe:
    A vote for the Sportful Alpe: I prefer it to my gabba, more breathable and just feels nicer. I think the waterproofing side of the gabba is oversold, useful in drizzle but if there’s proper rain forcast I’d always take the Gore-Tex out

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