David is spot on – 3 of my group have the rab vapourise ( boys and girls) and all agree that it is great both on and off the bike

I have both the Alpine and the Summit versions and the latter is a fair bit warmer without being uncomfortably clammy on the bike. I hate down jackets on the bike as they just aren’t suited for riding unless it is absolutely Baltic. The only time I have worn one was on the summit plateau of Ben MacDui.

Mountain Equipment do a Switch Pro jacket with Polartec Alpha which is another cracker as it is designed for ski mountaineering. I have one and love it.

It would be great if bike clothing companies took a leaf out Rab and Mountain Equipment’s book. Design features like under the helmet hoods aren’t great. If I am cold or damp, the last thing I want to do is take my helmet off and try and squeeze a hood in. It’s the same with short cut roadie style jackets which leave your stomach cold when you are off the bike standing up.

If they are charging mountaineering kit prices, the design and quality had to match. Otherwise, you end up paying for an inferior product based on brand image.

Cheers

Sanny

Having re-read the intro I’m not sure where this article is going – jacket to ride in or jacket to survive in when mechanicals, injury, outside cafe / pub mean you need another decent layer? I don’t believe there’s one that does both due to the divergent demands of riding vs not riding.

In winter I’ll usually chuck a tatty old down jacket into my pack that if necessary I can keep on for the slippy, brambly descent from the pub back to my house. So for me the winner here is a cheap down jacket (and ownership of a tumble dryer).

I got a Madison DTE for £37… It’s toasty warm, showerproof and packs down tiny.

Me too, very impressed with how versatile it is.

jacket to ride in or jacket to survive in when mechanicals, injury, outside cafe / pub mean you need another decent layer? I don’t believe there’s one that does both due to the divergent demands of riding vs not riding

The above-mentioned jacket does a good job of bridging that gap. Much warmer for social or faffy rides where there’s lots of standing around. But still OK for pedaling if you don’t go nuts.

We need to introduce you to 7mesh Sanny

+1 on insulated puffy things are rubbish for riding in.

Mrs_oab has Montane Polartec Alpha that she is loving on cold days – warm without sweaty.

I too carry puffy jacket, buff and hat for stops.

StuE

I have the gilet version of this. Would be less good for riding but great for stops

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-mountain-trekking-padded-jacket-trek-100/_/R-p-176951?mc=8501971&c=BLUE

They do one with a hood too

@sanny – as soon as I do something interesting, I’ll write it up 🙂

@garburn

I have to admit that I am seriously intrigued by what 7Mesh have to offer. I am fortunate enough to have a couple of their waterproof options coming to test but their insulated kit looks mighty fine too. It would be really interesting to see how the likes of their Callaghan hoody or Freeflow jackets stack up. The Outflow looks like a potential option for post ride insulation too.

Cheers

Sanny