woman's waterproof jacket

[joanna]

Hi all, can't find a thread on this so thought I'd post, just wanted any recommendations of lightweight, breathable waterproof jackets. I don't want anything too bulky, as I get hot cycling, but might be useful to have something that I can fit a fleece or something underneath for when it gets really cold in winter. Any ideas? The jacket I've got now is a boil in the bag variety - must change it!

quite like the look of this one: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-ladies-eq25-waterproof-jacket/


Thanks

Joanna

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I have to confess that I dismissed that one when I purchased the one I have simply becuase it does not come in flourensent yellow and I am a great believer in being seen on my bike in bad weather (along with lights).
I went with this one http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-ladies-signal-jacket/ the DHB ladies signal jacket. Its OK. the cut is not ideal fro me, but I don't really have a women's fit and it is not lined, but I would never consider wearing a fleece under any waterproof whilst cycling, no matter how cold it gets (and I have cycled in -15C).

You state you get hot when cycling - so do I. my winter cycling set up in mininal and relies on my putting warmer clothing on as I cool down at the other end. In -15C I was actually only wearing 2 very thin merino wool tops and a waterproof (to deal with wind chill). perhaps if you get hot whilst cycling, you may need to consider sometthing similar and work on the "you will be cold for the first 10-15 minutes" principle.

I have also purchased a flourscent yellow water resistant top which is ultralight and packs to tiny. It is surprisingly waterproof - though I would not consider it on a day like today, but it keeps the chill off and I can use it with 1 thin top and be very warm. http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/montane_womens_featherlite_velo_jacket.html There are no pit zips in it but I am usually only using it for wind proof/light shower proof and don't wear much underneath it. Its pouch that it goes into is really small and is designed to hang off the back of your saddle. Montane also do a waterproof version as well... http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/montane_womens_featherlite_velo_h2o_jacket.html but I have not tried it.

 

[carolonabike]

I've tried a few different jackets but my best buy has been a Gore shell jacket, http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gore-bike-wear-ladies-oxygen-goretex-active-shell-jacket-aw12/ It's expensive but brilliant. Waterproof and breathable, I cycled in to work this morning in it, 10deg and heavy rain with just a short sleeve T shirt underneath, I got to work as dry as a bone. As Satnav says I wouldn't recommend a fleece, they're a bit sweaty. In winter I will wear a base layer and a long sleeved top underneath. It also folds away small enough to fit in my pocket.
It is quite slim fitting, I'm a size 10 and a small is fine.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

depending on your definition of waterproof Aldi might have something cheap and cheerful this Thursday.

 

[summerdays]

I've had several Altura Night Vision ones including one of the newer Evo ones. My main complaint about them is that I think they should be longer in the back. (I feel the cold so I usually fit loads of layers underneath including on rare occasions when really cold I've managed to fit a down gillet underneath).

 

[theclaud]

Montane Featherlite Velo H2O. It's quite close-fitting, which is good for not flapping about, but it means you might need to go up a size if wearing anything bulky underneath. Actually because I prefer it to be close-fitting I use it all year except for sub-zero temperatures, when I revert to the otherwise inferior Altura Night Vision.