Altura Night Vision Evo jacket

[ricksavery]

Went out for a ride today, in what I hoped was going to be a shower, but it ended up bucketing it down for four hours. Chance to see what the jacket was made of as hadn't really got it wet since new a couple of months ago. just wearing a HH lifa long-sleeve top underneath. When I got back I was completely soaked. I know there is a certain amount of condensation build up, but I might as well not have been wearing it! Does this mean it is a) possibly faulty and not waterproof (unlikely I would have thought) b) not that breathable c) I am a sweaty bastard or d) some other reason I haven't thought of? I'd appreciate any thoughts about this jacket / issue
Ta
Rick

 

[battered]

b and c are the most likely . with only a Smelly Hansen underneath the chances of soaking up a drop of sweat is close to bugger all, so it gets sealed in. Put a plastic bag over a cup of tea and see how much water condenses on it.

I have a cheapy hi viz top that does this, I would have hoped Altura was better but perhaps not.

 

[ricksavery]

You're probably right about b) and c). Maybe it was all me rather than Altura letting water in. Time will tell. many thanks

 

[Danny]

In my experience most waterproof jackets will let in some water if you are in heavy rain for four hours. Water can get in through the seams, the zip area, or down your neck.

Also, I don't know what material Altura use as their waterproof layer, but I am sure that to keep the price down it won't be as good as Goretex.

 

[BearPear]

I have that jacket and I thought it was water resistant rather than waterproof? I wore it last week as I walked to work and it kept me dry in the pouring rain, but that was only 10 minutes walking, not 4 hours cycling!

 

[amaferanga]

There're two models of Nightvision jackets - one is windproof, quite breathable and water resistant, the other is waterproof, but not very breathable.

 

[ricksavery]

I've definitely got the waterproof model - so it's a question of breathability I think ( or maybe as Danny says, water getting in through seams etc). I'll have to try standing in the rain sometime without expending any energy to see whether it let's any in :-)

 

[Danny]

I've definitely got the waterproof model - so it's a question of breathability I think ( or maybe as Danny says, water getting in through seams etc). I'll have to try standing in the rain sometime without expending any energy to see whether it let's any in :-)

You could try taking a shower with it on to simulate 4 hours of rain.

 

[Crankarm]

You could try taking a shower with it on to simulate 4 hours of rain.

You are on form this evening Danny ............ Have you won something?

 

[Crankarm]

To the OP. I would suggest that although the jacket is waterproof, it is not that breathable so if sweating profusely whilst cycling you are basically a boil in the bag.

 

[ricksavery]

I suspect you are right Crankarm about the breathability. There is another thread about a similar issue which mentions breathability in Summer. Hopefully it will be better in Winter. I had thought of standing under the shower in it Danny, but didn't like to mention it in case that seemed a bit weird. Clearly not :-)