What 'waterproof' jacket for night time riding

[GrumpyGregry]

The zip on the pocket of my Altura Night Vision has 'gone'. By all accounts I've done well to get three years from it but it hasn't actually been used that much so has tons more life left in it bar the open hole where the chest pocket is. Dang useful pocket too, just the right size and place for my rail season ticket. I'll probably just gaffer tape over it for the time being.

What to replace it with? I'm reluctant to drop my money on Altura again, unless recent experience of others suggests the quality has improved. So what is a better, longer lasting replacement? It needs to be non-hi-viz and have lots of reflectives as I only use it in the dark.

 

[Davidc]

Worth asking around for how much a new zip would cost. Try dry cleaners and specialised clothes shops. It cost me £12 for one in a jacket last year.

 

[The Jogger]

The pocket zip on my night vision jacket went. I've never been impressed with this as a jacket but for night visibility, it's excellent.

 

[PJ79LIZARD]

Why does it need not to be hi viz?

 

[ianrauk]

Why does it need not to be hi viz?

Because 1: Hi Viz doesn't really work in night times conditions and under sodium street lighting 2: Who want's to look like a bag of custard on a bike?

 

[dellzeqq]

Because 1: Hi Viz doesn't really work in night times conditions and under sodium street lighting 2: Who want's to look like a bag of custard on a bike?

says the man whose legs light up like Las Vegas in the dark.......

I just use the cheapy yellow types - Polaris is a good make. Decathlon do a transparent one for about £20

 

[ianrauk]

says the man whose legs light up like Las Vegas in the dark.......

I just use the cheapy yellow types - Polaris is a good make. Decathlon do a transparent one for about £20

And they will be coming out to play tonight.

But lets not mix up HI Viz with Reflective....

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Worth asking around for how much a new zip would cost. Try dry cleaners and specialised clothes shops. It cost me £12 for one in a jacket last year.

£25 for repair with a similar waterproof zip. £35 for a brand new jacket.

 

[BSRU]

Who want's to look like a bag of custard on a bike?

You don't want to be messing with those non-Newtonian liquids

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Why does it need not to be hi viz?

I find hi-viz doth offend mine eye.

 

[PJ79LIZARD]

Each to there own. If it's a decent hi viz winter jacket it would have reflective piping and such on it anyway. That way you can wear it day or night. I'm not one for having a jacket for every day of the week I'd just like one that ticks all the boxes. Like I say everyones different.

 

[MacB]

Greg, if I had it all to do again I wouldn't have bought a Nightvision, though I've had no problems with it, it's just overkill for most of my needs.

I'm exploring breathable softshell options that are comfier and don't look so dorky, Paramo is feasible but I'm looking at Rapha and their ilk as well. Something like that would cover 99% + of riding situations and I'm thinking a waterproof cape for over the top to cover the remainder. It can be lightweight(not too light due to flappy issues) and waterproof without requiring the fancy breathable material concepts, so cheap.

The downside is it's another thing to carry but I think I'd rather carry another layer than ride all the time in something that was too much for most conditions.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Greg, if I had it all to do again I wouldn't have bought a Nightvision, though I've had no problems with it, it's just overkill for most of my needs.

I can think of three or four day rides in shocking weather, and I'm talking several hours of non-stop rain, where I was glad it was to hand. Didn't keep me dry, not sure anything could, but did keep me wet and warm. But for the odd solo night ride, FNRttC post-café stop restart, and the commute from work to the station in winter the reflectives are excellent and the 'waterproofing' good enough. The station commute though is the only time I have no choice but to ride in the rain; normally if it is wet (or too cold) I stay home.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Each to there own. If it's a decent hi viz winter jacket it would have reflective piping and such on it anyway. That way you can wear it day or night. I'm not one for having a jacket for every day of the week I'd just like one that ticks all the boxes. Like I say everyones different.

ftfy

I won't wear a jacket as heavy as a Night Vision during the day unless it is chucking it in rods and I have no choice but to ride. No point. More often than not if it ain't raining my outer layer is merino.

 

[beatlejuice]

The front pocket zip went on my Alutra jacket eaely on and last Thursday I finally killed it by getting it caught in the rear dérailleur mech, (see my post 'have I written my bike off' in the knowledge section) so I am too in the market for a competent repalcement which has decent zips.