[Closed] alpkit gravitas

I've had the gravitas for about a year, great jacket but I use it for walking. I've never used it on the bike but it's not really cut for cycling - no dropped tail, too long at the front.

cheers , that was what I was worried about , don't like bying separate jackets so was looking for one that would do for riding climbing and walking

Would the gravitas survive brambles and and odd MTB crash?

For commuting I'd also want more breathability - pit zips certainly.

I bought a Balance jacket as an all-rounder. MTB, walking, maybe some skiing. Roomy enough to fit a thin down layer underneath but not silly baggy. Might not have a dropepd tail but it's long enough that with waterproof shorts I don't have a gap open up on my back.

Best fitting piece of Alpkit kit I have (though that's not saying much...) waterproofing and breathability are excellent (better than the old Gore Text pac lite shell it replaced).

didn't look at the balance , think it may be a trip upto the shop and ahave a proper look , same as you have had fleeces and off them which are not the best fit(but seem pretty indestructible) albeit that was a couple of yrs back

Would the gravitas survive brambles and and odd MTB crash?

Brambles possible, crashing unlikely. I don't crash much when I'm walking though 🙂

The gravitas is a pretty slim fit round the hips.

slim fit round the hips as just ruled that out completely as I have a pleasantly plump frame 😕

slim fit round the hips as just ruled that out completely as I have a pleasantly plump frame

Not sure what the bigger sizes are like though, I'm a small with no excess hip baggage and it's tight. Suits me fine though.

I've got gravitas, used it for fell running, and worn it on the commuter couple of times. Its very light and quite a slim fit so I found it ok on the bike, not dropped tailed but I have mudguards, however the front caused no issues with it being longer than a cycle specific waterproof. The balance looked good in the shop last week when I called in but has no pit zips although it does have mesh pockets that can be opened to help with venting.

cheers for the replies , looks like a trip upto the peak this week to have a look ,commute is along the canal so it does need to be quite tough as they don't seem to be cutting down the bushes this year , end up with a good few arm scratches every trip

The balance looked good in the shop last week when I called in but has no pit zips although it does have mesh pockets that can be opened to help with venting.

Was also my concern but the pockets provide nearly as good venting (provided you don't have anything in them 😆 ) and the reduced bulk around the armpits is much comfier when you have a bag on.