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I sweat. A lot. I therefore find many waterproofs uncomfortably sweaty. Looking to buy a new waterproof jacket to be used for regular commuting during the winter, and as an MTB waterproof jacket at the weekends. Features in order of importance are:
1) Very breathable
2) Good ventilation
3) Durability-per-£ (i.e. I don't mind it being not very durable if it's cheap. If it's expensive, it needs to be durable)
4) Hood big enough to go over a helmet
5) Zips can easily be operated with one hand
6) Fairly long with a good sized rear flap
7) Good sized hand pockets (preferably chest height not waist height)
What would you recommend?
If its for winter use; Paramo would be a good option. Its in the durable rather than cheap category. But its definitely durable.
Very breathable as there is no membrane.
It won't be good in summer tho as they are warmer than your average waterproof jacket.
Hmm. The pockets and hood piece take it away from being a 'true' bike jacket, IMHO.
However, I'd certainly recommend a look at one of these - http://rab.uk.com/products/mens-clothing/shell/latok-alpine-jacket.html
Answers almost all your questions bar the length issue, I think.
Breathable & waterproof. It's like the strong / light / cheap question, but with only one choice. I've never found one, but then I'm not prepared to spend silly money for something I will tear to shreds when I fall off. And I do, a lot.
I bought a North face packlite about 10-11 years ago that still goin strong. It was expensive at the time, but it's still waterproof and breathable. £ per wear it's probably the cheapest item of clothing I've ever owned
IME
If you are a heavy perspirator. Don't bother with membranes. Fine for walking, but biking just generates too much moisture.
In the end, a membrane is essentially a layer of plastic.
Some like neo shell is better if you are set on a membrane, but going for something like Howie's ventile cotton jacket or a Paramo will prove much more breathable. Plus because neither of them use a membrane they are strong and any damages can be repaired with patches and a needle and thread.
Don't go near paclite. I have one, yes its waterproof, but I often wonder if I'd be drier without it on.
I currently have a Rab eVent jacket, and no longer find it very breathable. It perhaps used to be, so perhaps I haven't washed it properly and it's lost its breathability?
What's so good about Paramo jackets? Is it the Nikwax Analogy fabric or some other factor?
I think GORE-tex Active Shell is currently the best material on the market.
eVent is good, but AS seems to cope with a wider temperature range.
The GORE Alp-X 2.0 jacket is ace. It has a removable hood, although not sure it fits over a helmet.
I use a Paramo velez smock in winter, but that's a proper Aberdeenshire winter, not one of yer soft southern jobbies 🙂 It's too hot for anything above a few degrees really. They do a light version and a more cycling specific jacket now though, which looks lighter still.
What I like about the Paramo is that they breathe pretty well and the waterproofing can be restored to pretty much as good as new with a washing machine, which is handy for a jacket that gets covered in crap on most rides.
Any more ideas?
+1 for Paramo.
I use a Quito in Winter, but even with just a base layer, it can be pretty warm if working hard, so may not be the best if you tend to run hot.
Big advantage of Paramo though, even if you get sweaty, it actively pumps moisture away from the body and you dry out again quickly, something that won't happen with a membrane jacket.
Do Paramo do something which is the equivalent of just a waterproof shell layer?
the main question is do you sweat a lot when riding? and do you need something waterproof?
the thing is if you truly need something waterproof and if you do sweat a lot your onto a loosing battle imo. Your a lot better going for brethability of a shell (like a thin soft shell)over a membrane.
Stay away from anything that relies on a dwr.
event is great but it has to be kept very clean to work. Gore is a lot more durable but less breathable.
I do sweat a lot, yes (see original post). Don't mind not being completely dry so long as I'm not cold AND wet.
I have an eVent jacket, which I don't wash very often and haven't found to be very breathable lately, which is why I'm looking for a replacement. Perhaps I should just be washing it more often?
I've never found that its water repellency came back after a warm iron, so I treated it by soaking in TX Direct. Is this likely to have wrecked the eVent's breathability?
the iron might have killed the jacket. Get some soap flakes and give it a wash with that (in a solution) then was it twice afterwards with plain water.
The reason event is more breathable is there isnt a protective layer on the membrane (like there is with gore) so it gets gummed up. tbh its not an ideal fabric for mtbing.
i would look for a shoftshell that will at least keep you warm and semi dry in all but the worst weather. But if thats too hot a gore shell jacket. Youll pay for it though and itll be heavier than a bike specific one.