Any recommendations for breathable,waterproof jackets please

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Tin Pot

Guru
I use a Castelli gillet, not a full rain jacket.

Fawesome 2
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/castelli-fawesome-2-vest
 
OP
OP
Devon hills

Devon hills

Regular
Thanks Tin Pot, but I'm looking for something for the coming winter months, that will go over a couple of base layers and is very light in weight.
 

Tin Pot

Guru
Thanks Tin Pot, but I'm looking for something for the coming winter months, that will go over a couple of base layers and is very light in weight.

Apologies not a jacket as requested :smile:

I was going for Castelli Alpha jacket last year but found this gave enough waterproofing over a Puro 2 jersey, over a Espresso base layer also got me down to 2°C fine, and very breathable.

The key, I think, is to get water resistance and breathability on the back, wind resistance on the chest.

GL
 

Jason

Senior Member
Location
Carnaby Street
Endura FS260 works for me

have one of these. Very thin with some vents. Wear a base layer, long or short sleeves jersey as required for warmth and the rain jacket for wet weather or if the wind is chilling me out. It doesn't quite fold up small enough to fit into a jersey pocket,but I can scrunch it up into the spare water bottle holder.
 
They all boil in the bag, eventually, if you're riding long enough. You might avoid it riding slowly on short journeys but otherwise you'll end up wet with rain or with sweat and what matters in both cases is to stay warm by wearing the correct materials underneath (no cotton).

I currently have a Gore gore-tex jacket. It's a superb jacket but I still get wet in it but it does keep me warm. Is it waterproof then I hear you ask. Yes it is. Driving rain eventually penetrates the zip flaps if the wind is from my right. Likewise, if it wets out and they all wet out eventually, the breathability goes right down and I end up damp all over from perspiration. I don't think there's any avoiding this.

So based on my preferences, I'd recommend the Gore range, something like this, with the above caveats and I'd also take a look at the latest wet weather jerseys, a kind of hybrid approach to rainwear.

Edit: Currently on sale at Wiggle
 
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bpsmith

Veteran
Similar to @Tin Pot i was looking at the Castelli Alpha Jacket, but managed to get the Alpha Jersey very recently. Only difference being that the back is breathable rather than Windstopper, which is perfect as I run hot.

Absolutely amazing piece of kit. Used up to 15 degrees and only as low as 8 degrees but in heavy wind, and it’s been great. Sweat from riding, rather than overheating, based on not feeling uncomfortable like I do in a proper waterproof jacket.

As mentioned already, it’s better to get water resistance over waterproofing, in my opinion, as it’s a lot more comfortable.
 

jayonabike

Powered by caffeine & whisky
Location
Hertfordshire
Rapha shadow waterproof jersey. I’ve bought one this week and wore it for the first time today. It’s not made out of a plastic type material and you don’t “boil in the bag”

Paired with a base layer and that’s all you will need even in the coldest of conditions. I wore it today just to see what it was like, I was a bit too warm in it, but it was warm today, but I wasn’t sweaty. Wind proof as well.
Definitely a top for the coming winter months.

Probably the best bit of cycle clothing I own. I poured a glass of water over the sleeve and it just run off and the sleeve was bone dry. It really is an amazing bit of kit and they do matching waterproof bib shorts as well as leggings.

Ok now the bad bit. The price. £240 for the top, £260 for the bibs & £85 for the leg warmers, although if you buy the bibs and jersey bundle it’s £400. Yes it is expensive but after wearing the top and bibs today I’m more than happy with it and looking forward to the cold wet weather to ride in.

https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/search?text=Shadow
 
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bpsmith

Veteran
Its worth spending decent money, if the kit works @jayonabike. At that price, you'll look after it and enjoy it for many years.

My Alpha Jersey has an RRP of £175' but I got it for £70. It's worth the RRP without question, but always a risk if you're not 100%.
 

Kajjal

Guru
Location
Wheely World
What build are you ?

Castelli works for slim riders and gore if you are of a larger build. My current jacket is a goretex jacket from gore and has enough room for layers underneath. If it is raining fairly heavily no jacket is breathable but otherwise there is a noticeable difference.
 

bpsmith

Veteran
I am about 75kg and 175cm tall. Not exactly huge, but definitely not skinny either.

Castelli is cut reasonable small, but is meant to be snug. Some people don’t want this, and think it’s too tight, when it’s meant to be that way.

That’s fair enough, I am not knocking anyone for wanting a casual fit, it’s just that Castelli doesn’t design most of their kit that way.
 

Kajjal

Guru
Location
Wheely World
I am about 75kg and 175cm tall. Not exactly huge, but definitely not skinny either.

Castelli is cut reasonable small, but is meant to be snug. Some people don’t want this, and think it’s too tight, when it’s meant to be that way.

That’s fair enough, I am not knocking anyone for wanting a casual fit, it’s just that Castelli doesn’t design most of their kit that way.

I mean the the OP :smile:
 
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