I have been looking for ages for a decent light weight waterproof jacket to carry around in my rear jersey pocket while out on the road bike but cant really see anything that packs away small enough.
Any suggestions as I think I may be looking in the wrong places.
Ta
montane velo h20. can get sweaty though.
Montane velo. Not the H20 version so it is only really windproof. It's tiny and keeps the worst of the weather off while not being boil in the bag. I stay dry enough that I don't get cold even in torrential downpours on the Northumbrian hills.
If it looks a bit colder I've normally started off with a windproof gillet and the two combined have been good enough for winter.
+1montane velo h20. can get sweaty though.
I get wet.
Montane Featherlite for me. Not really waterproof, but Pertex, so OK.
this - gilets are great for road.If it looks a bit colder I've normally started off with a windproof gillet and the two combined have been good enough for winter.
I get wet.
+1
I've got a montane one but I hate wearing it. I much prefer just a gilet to keep the wind off.
Endura pakajak, not actually had to use it yet though...
Cracking, foldaway waterproof jacket : http://www.wiggle.co.uk/castelli-sottile-waterproof-jacket/
I can't keep it off .....
Castelli race cape. Waterproof, wind proof and breathable via the vents in the back. Works a treat and folds down very small.
I've got a Gore Xenon (I think it is) and it's very good. Packs small, has a really good cut and is waterproof enough. It is expensive though.
I never got on with the cut of Montane, but found Gore fit beautifully, just got scared off by the price!
A nice compromise is the Sportful Hotpack. Its just a windproof but is very water repellant, and packs up tiny, is cheaper than the Gore but fits lovely. Still can't justify it though so I'm sticking with my Altura Cropton, which is very light and small but fits weird.
Assos climajet ,it's okay not the best thing they make but it is waterproof and has lasted fairly well.
Rapha Rainjacket. Still get wet.
Altura night vision flite here. Packs down very small, seems to do the job OK.
Altura Pocket Rocket. Stuffs up tiny and appears completely waterproof. A bit sweaty of course but better than some in my experience. Just don't wear it off-road when virtually new and rip the arm on a bramble 🙄
Rapha rainjacket here too, but the first version though which is a bit more waterproof.
+1 for pocket rocket, very light & packs up small
Assos Climajet but it has to be proper pissing down before I put it on.
I think the montane featherlight is great, when its been treated it has just the right balance of showerproofness and waterproofness for most rainy conditions.
I also think it looks pretty good
I use a race cape by Shutt VR, quite good water proofing, doesn't breath too well, alows poeple to still numbers/kit/sponsors, packs down well.
Second the gillet option mentioned above.
Montane Featherlite and a stretchy Look one which is ace(don't know the model)
Wife has the pocket rocket.
All these are good.
Altura Cropton
Shutt VR Race cape, lovely bit of kit, and over their sportwool team gear I dont get cold even when it doesnt breathe too well ?
I have a Montane Featherlite too but never used it yet
Sportful no rain hotpack. Waterproof, but like all jackets of this type you cook in them.
montane h20, packs away to utterly nothing. on the negative mine lost all waterproofness within 18months, only worn 2 or 3 times, enquired from montane a)is that normal and b)whats best to reproof... nothing, no reply, not a jot.
love the jacket because of its size, but not montane!
An aldi £6 jobby, does a good job of keeping the rain out and easily fits in a jersey pocket.
Think mine was from Aldi ages ago, pretty similar to what Assos offer so it's just a shower proof shell. It's called a 'race cape' Decathlon do some super lightweight running jackets that are a slim fit - used to have one but lost it! Both of these fold(ed) up small to stick in the back pocket.
How often are you out on the road? I can't actually remember the last time I needed to wear mine, so maybe shy away from spending too much (unless you want to of course).
Decent (not crud/mtb flinger type) full mudguards are more essential than a jacket, providing you're wearing enough layers for the temperature of course!
Castelli Squadra here.
Montane are OK if you have a tail wind and want to freewheel with a sail up.
Been using a Berghaus Active Shell running jacket, the Rapide. Not super light, but light enough, rolls small enough to pocket and is actually both waterproof and breathable. Works for me.
Not read any of the replies, but I love my montane featherlite velo longtime.
Montane are OK if you have a tail wind and want to freewheel with a sail up.
Contrary to this I find mine a nice snug fit, and I'm farily skinny (6'4" and 83kg). It is a medium tho, and yet somehow has long enough sleeves, so the sizing is obviously pretty random.
In terms of pocketable race capes that are small enough to easily fit in a back pocket then the cheapo aldi one is not far off the expensive offerings. It might not be quite as good as what assos or rapha sell, but there is not that much of difference in quality to justify the price difference. Whereas you can really tell the difference in quality when it comes to 'proper' waterproofs or softshells rather than stowaway ones.
I bought a Dare2be thing from mandmdirect for £20, it's pretty much fantastic, but they've sold out now.
Castelli Squadra looks like a good option for £40. Saw a Dare 2b Flashlite at go outdoors for £25 but the Castelli Squadra for £35 looks like a great option.
I have a Montane velo h20 as well. I have a large which is a bit too big but it packs down super small though
An old Rapha Stowaway (now known as the Wind Jacket, apparently). Water-repellant rather than waterproof, but to me breathability is more important than out-and-out waterproofing. Very lightweight and packable, has also survived a trip into a hedge then down the road with only a couple of small holes to show for it.
I pack a Montane Velocity, fits in my back pocket with all the other kit. But I only use for long days in full on rain.
Rapha Stowaway here as has been said already though more resistant than proof
+1 for Castelli Squadra
Lightweight,folds down tiny? Altura pocket rocket,waterproof not breathable though.
Endura Rebound for me. Same as all the above re showerproof though.
I use a Montane Singletrack. Its Pertex and rolls up small keeps all but the worst rain off.
If I know its going to piss down I take an E-vent.
montane featherlite, but how do you reproof them?
which packs smaller - Altura pocket rocket or Endura pakajak ?
One of these will be on my list come Easter, but can't decide which....