Waterproof & breathable jacket - what's the latest & greatest?

[albion]

I doubt anything has improved on eVent yet, though am hopeful to be proved wrong.


I'd suggest the same again.

 

[stumpy66]

Sportful no rain jacket, lightweight, fits in jersey pocket and so far ive found it v. breathable and waterproof. I got it in white £36, if i wanted black it was £110

 

[Crankarm]

Why do you say that, Crankarm? I've used my eVent jacket winter and summer. In winter, I add warmth layers beneath as required, in summer it goes over a Coolmax t-shirt.

In winter it's errr ....... cold so eVent or any breathable jacket will work well as they need a temperature gradient to work best. They won't work in the Tropics or very hot climates as the climate is errr hot ie you will boil in it and boil in the bag if you used one in the Tropics where humidity is 110% at sea level or low atlitudes. Do you mean summer in the UK ? There hasn't been a hot summer for quite a few years. Last year was the wettest summer on record. Also most eVent or Gore-tex jackets are for climbing, hiking, trekking so don't have sufficient vents in them as do cycling specific jackets to stop you over heating and keeping you dry when you are riding or running at full pelt. A windproof shell with DWR treatment is a better choice IMHO. When the weather gets very wet and cold then put your Gore-tex Active or eVent shell on with several layers on underneath to keep you warm. Most of the time it isn't raining (dream on) so the main requirement if it is chilly is too keep the wind out hence a good windproof shell. Then what ever you are wearing underneath stands a chance of keeping you warm.

HTH.

 

[CopperBrompton]

I doubt anything has improved on eVent yet, though am hopeful to be proved wrong. I'd suggest the same again.

That's certainly my default solution.

 

[CopperBrompton]

They won't work in the Tropics or very hot climates

I live in the UK ...

Also most eVent or Gore-tex jackets are for climbing, hiking, trekking so don't have sufficient vents in them as do cycling specific jackets to stop you over heating and keeping you dry when you are riding or running at full pelt.

I'm a tourer and commuter, and find I stay completely dry in my, er, ventless eVent. I don't do any of that distasteful roadbikery.

So in summary: I find eVent does the job perfectly, and will get the same again if nothing even better has been invented in the meantime, but thought I would check.

 

[CopperBrompton]

Black. Definitely.

I'm leaning in that direction. Though that may be the Shiraz, of course.

 

[yello]

I doubt anything has improved on eVent yet, though am hopeful to be proved wrong.

I don't keep up with this subject as I used to but I suspect you're right.

FWIW, I'm very happy with my near 10 year old Paramo Cuzco jacket (no longer available) and I have washed and retreated it a number of times. Just as well it's still going strong as Paramo stuff is eye-wateringly expensive and I couldn't justify replacing it.

 

[CopperBrompton]

Thanks for all the input on this. Having googled on the recommended fabrics, my conclusions are:

eVent is still very much current technology.

Gore Active Shell (AS) is either as good or even slightly better.

Nikwax Analogy is more recommended for walking than cycling. Although it in theory should be more breathable than the above, the reviews suggest otherwise - and it also needs to be looked after, where the others don't.

 

[yello]

Have you read of Polartec's neoshell fabric? Any thoughts?

 

[VamP]

I have a Montane jacket treated pertex or some such. It's great.

What was the question?

 

[CopperBrompton]

Yello, no, not heard anything about that.

VamP, my eVent jacket is a Montane.

 

[baldycyclist]

shower cap and wooly jumper?

 

[gavintc]

I know that Cycle Chat does not typically like Rapha, but I was given a Rapha hardshell for christmas - outstanding jacket. I love it.

 

[andrew_s]

Thanks for all the input on this. Having googled on the recommended fabrics, my conclusions are:

eVent is still very much current technology.

Gore Active Shell (AS) is either as good or even slightly better.

Nikwax Analogy is more recommended for walking than cycling. Although it in theory should be more breathable than the above, the reviews suggest otherwise - and it also needs to be looked after, where the others don't.

Nikwax Analogy is more breathable, but it also has a non-trivial amount of extra insulation so it's easy to overheat and generate more extra sweat than the extra breathability will get rid of. If you do look after it, it will remain effective for longer than shell fabrics, which tend to lose the DWR repellency coating and allow wetting out after a couple of years, depending on use.

Other than that, you are correct.

I use an eVent jacket (AS wasn't available when I got it). I took the view that the extra weight and bulk of Paramo wasn't what I would normally want, given that I'd be carrying the jacket more than wearing it.

[edit]
buying now, without worrying about budget, I'd get a Gore Alp-X GT AS

 

[BalkanExpress]

Trikeman,

I agree on eVent being as good a fabric (of it's type) as there is, But, had a problem with the design of the Stormrider itself. The flap over the zip is only fixed top and bottom and on one long wet ride I had a lot of water ingress through the zip. Conditions were a bit extreme (it was the FNRttC Wetstable ride) but it has shaken my confidence in the Stormrider keeping me dry.