Where is the cutoff line for expensive clothing?

[RemyLeBeau]

i'm after a decent windproof cycling jacket but where's the line between something that is worth paying the money for and then your just paying for the name and how new the particular item is?
Or is it as simple as you get what you pay for? I'm not after a £10 item but when there is some out there for over £200 are they worth it?!

 

[Markymark]

i'm after a decent windproof cycling jacket but where's the line between something that is worth paying the money for and then your just paying for the name and how new the particular item is?
Or is it as simple as you get what you pay for? I'm not after a £10 item but when there is some out there for over £200 are they worth it?!

There is no line. More expensive = better. That is a fact. For everything. Everywhere. Forever.

 

[Milkfloat]

Depends who you are, how rich you are and what you plan on spending. Personally I have had luck with various windproof items at various prices. I must admit, I do love my Sugoi RS 180 jacket though.

 

[Drago]

I've found little correlation between price, effectiveness and durability with cycle clothing. Some of my best performing gear has been the cheapest, although some of the pricer gear has also been excellent. Your Ford focus is able to exceed the speed limit yet will go longer between services and be more reliable than a Ferrari.

 

[MrGrumpy]

i'm after a decent windproof cycling jacket but where's the line between something that is worth paying the money for and then your just paying for the name and how new the particular item is?
Or is it as simple as you get what you pay for? I'm not after a £10 item but when there is some out there for over £200 are they worth it?!

I think there is a line, if you look at some of the pricing. However how you get to that comes down to budget. To some degree you do get what you pay for, but in some cases you don`t need to spend a fortune to get that.

 

[Racing roadkill]

My longest lasting and most durable kit comes from Aldi / Lidl and Decathlon. Some of my flakier / didn't last long kit, has been purchased from so called 'high end' manufacturers.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

It depends on your usage too. For staying warm and dry on a wet winter commute, £70 in Aldi/Decathlon may do you better than a racing skin suit for £300+ However, if you're on a time trial then it is likely to be reversed.

 

[mjr]

Where is the cutoff line for expensive clothing? Surely if it's expensive clothing, you shouldn't be having to cut it yourself?

I've found little correlation between price, effectiveness and durability with cycle clothing.

Amen. Though, I would say that there seems to be a greater probability of cheaper clothing being rubbish - but some things are genuine good value and there are some expensive turkeys. I think a good tactic is reading forum reviews/recommendations/tips and trying to make your own assessment in the shop (or as soon as it's delivered if online shopping). Also, if you see a recommendation for a good-but-too-expensive-for-that item you'd like, watch the thread and see if anyone notices the end of line getting discounted.

 

[Drago]

My longest lasting and most durable kit comes from Aldi / Lidl and Decathlon. Some of my flakier / didn't last long kit, has been purchased from so called 'high end' manufacturers.

My favourite soft shell jacket is an Aldi job. It's better cut and has worn significantly better than my Altura one.

Indeed, it wasn't so long ago that Altura and Endura were considered a bit bottom drawer, a bit cheap and cheerful - the image seems to have improved and the price has risen accordingly, but the product seems to have change little and doesn't seem to justify their improved status among the cycling fraternity.

 

[Profpointy]

I have an Assos 851 winter (windproof fleece) jacket and it's very nice indeed - and only fairly expensive rather than f**k me expensive as it was a "deal" of some sort. That said it is only a bit "better" than a £60 Altura windproof fleece which I also have. The Assos is certainly a lot nicer and more work has gone into it, but on pure utility there's not such a gap. I think both were good value in their way. The Assos costs around 2 and a half times as much - just about worth it. A £300 jacket would be hard to justify - but that said, my hillwaking anorak cost that and was definitely worth it (Paramo)

 

[Citius]

There is no line. More expensive = better. That is a fact. For everything. Everywhere. Forever.

 

[Citius]

i'm after a decent windproof cycling jacket but where's the line between something that is worth paying the money for and then your just paying for the name and how new the particular item is?
Or is it as simple as you get what you pay for? I'm not after a £10 item but when there is some out there for over £200 are they worth it?!

Lusso. Nothing else to say. http://www.lusso.bike/

 

[Fab Foodie]

Yes, No, Maybe ....
It depends whether you can find what you want at a certain price. I have a cheap Parrot Gilet which has been brilliant and lasted for ages, basic DHB stuff and Polaris which has also been great, but I could never find a waterproof/winter jacket that fitted me well, was warm without being sweaty. Eventually I settled on a Paramo jacket which whilst hugely costly and a little bulky has offered me exactly what I was looking for albeit at a hefty price tag. Is it worth it? Absolutely. I don't want to be out in the middle of nowhere wet and cold. Not only that, I can use it for non-cycling activities so extra value. But it wouldn't necessarily be another's choice as their needs might be different.
I've just discovered Merino wool for baselayers and jerseys and have to say that it's worth every penny!

 

[MissTillyFlop]

Depends on your usage of it, if you're using it frequently, then may be worth forking out a bit more than if it's for the occasional wear.

Never had a problem with my comparatively not that expensive Altura night vision jacket - but then again, I'm far from a professional. More of a commuter/for funnies with the occasional sportive type cyclist.

 

[Markymark]