GripGrab PACR Emergency Jacket

As the name suggests, the GripGrab PACR Emergency Jacket is designed to be pulled out of a jersey pocket or bag when conditions change unexpectedly or are short lived. The attention to detail is impressive and the waterproofing works well. The breathability, on the other hand, is pretty rubbish.

The laboratory ratings for the waterproofing and breathability of the PACR are 10K, which should in theory mean great performance out in the real world.

From a waterproofing point of view, everything works well. The PACR will offset light rain and drizzle for hours and will easily ward off heavier efforts for up to around an hour. For a complete deluge, like the summer thunderstorm I got caught out in, it’ll keep the moisture at bay for around half an hour.

Basically, it did everything I’d expect for its rating – achieved by taped seams, a 2.5 layer polyamide shell and PU-based membrane construction, finished with a PFC-free DWR repellent coating. Its thin construction allows you to pack it up small when not in use, and it easily fits in a jersey pocket.

The downside is the breathability though. In the winter it’ll be alright, but as soon as the temperature gets above about 12 degrees then things start to get a bit on the clammy side.

For the majority of its use, I wore it unzipped to allow the air to flow through, otherwise I’d end up wetter from sweat than I would from the rain.

It lives up to its name though – a jacket I’d use in an emergency downpour rather than something I’d wear for an entire ride.

When it comes to design, I liked the fact that it has double zips so that you can undo it either from the top or bottom, with the latter giving easy access to your jersey pockets. There is a garage for the top zip which protects your neck, but I would like to see one at the bottom to protect your shorts when on the bike.

It has a dropped tail for some extra coverage in an aero position and there’s a high neck for keeping the rain out, while a couple of small reflective strips will help nighttime visibility from the front.

The fit is, shall we say, European.

With that, I mean the sizing is comparable with brands like Castelli, Sportful, Rapha etc, but comes up small in relation to the actual size printed. In normal clothes, running kit and some cycling brands like Altura, I’m a medium, but in this jacket I’m an XL.

Their sizing guide works out correct though, so if you know your measurements then go by that, and it’s available in S up to XXL.

The cut is designed to be close, or race fit, so there won’t be any material flapping about when you have it zipped up on the bike.

The manufacturing quality is really good, mind. The zips run really smoothly and all of the seams are neatly stitched plus the fabric is very tough indeed.

Priced at £95, the PACR is comparable to something like Sportful’s Aqua Light jacket (£100) which is designed to do a similar job. When Jez reviewed it though he wasn’t all that impressed with the waterproofing.

Altura’s Icon Pocket Rocket was described by Steve as offering a very similar performance – ideal for emergency use, but suffering in terms of breathability. It costs £125 but is at least available in a bright yellow for use in dull conditions.

Galibier’s Tourmalet 4 jacket is heavier than the GripGrab – 284g versus 118g – but it is still packable enough to fit in a jersey pocket. I was really impressed when I reviewed it a few years ago – particularly by its waterproofing and breathability, with a 20k rating for both – plus it’s priced at just £83.22.

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Conclusion

The PACR does what GripGrab says it is designed to do, so I haven’t really got any grievances with it, but personally I wouldn’t be buying it for anything other than winter use as the breathability isn’t good enough for me.