Looking for a minimal hooded top that is totally windproof, extremely breathable, packs small and has elasticated cuffs (hate Velcro cuffs). Waterproofness and pockets not important but breathability and windproofness is.
Scott Trail Mountain WB looks good. Anyone tried one? Any other recommendations?
My fox gradient meets those criteria - so far anyway
Thanks will take a look
madison flux. maybe. think it's less breathable, more waterproof, though. Still on the "very breathable" end of the water resistant scale though. ticks all your other boxes.
The most windproof things I have are hardshells or insulated layers. You might be looking at something with a membrane if you want something very packable and very windproof, giving up either the packability or the windproofness.
There's the Rab vapour rise stuff, some of it's less insulated than others, I've got one that's unlined. hooded (irritating too-heavy wire), less packable, less windproof, but more breathable than the Madison. Not that durable, it's pilling up inside after a year. bit quick for a £90 jacket.
the 2016 gradient doesnt look the best, has no insulation and the tape round the wrists is a little flimsy but it packs small and is really breathable (vents on the back help a lot but if you've got a backpack on, then less so)
once its on, and you're moving tho - I stay pretty stable in terms of temperature
Montane Lite Speed jacket should do that.
Nedrapier, is your rab jacket piling on the outside on the back? Mine has done this very quickly due to my back pack, I was surprised the material was so fragile compared to a gore windstopper ( but far more breathable than the windstopper )
I have the Endura MT500 II and it's by a good way the most breathable jacket I have had.
claudio, the outside of the fabric is OK. Only wore it with a backpack while ski touring - heavyish pack, long days, but only 2 weeks, probably. Inside round the neck and shoulders isn't looking good. Probably wore it 100 days commuting.
Not packable and doesn't have elasticated sleeves. But I got a One Industries softshell jacket cheap from chain reaction. Used it last night for the first time riding, didn't feel sweaty or overly hot in it at all and was riding it mostly zipped up.
Has a hood but doesn't go over a helmet.
I would strongly look at a softshell jacket over a hardshell for the breathability aspect of it.
duir, is this for riding or walking/hiking?
I don't get on with any kind of shell on the mtb, can't go slow on te ups and I always end up sweaty. merino layers and an endura mesh-back gilet to keep the wind off my core does me very well. got a synth insulated gilet and more merino if its below freezing. both windproof, both very easily vented Don't need to take the off and pack them, as unzipping halfway means they're practically off anyway.
madison flux. maybe. think it's less breathable, more waterproof, though. Still on the "very breathable" end of the water resistant scale though. ticks all your other boxes.
Do like mine, and the above it true. Worth trying on as comes up a little small.
Not packable...Has a hood but doesn't go over a helmet.
I would strongly look at a softshell jacket over a hardshell for the breathability aspect of it.
All of this applies too. Pertex and eVent are probably the fabrics I'd be looking at if still focussing on light hardshell route.
...mesh-back gilet to keep the wind off my core does me very well...
Tend to do this unless wet out, or blowing an utter hooley. Big gilet fan here.
It's for riding. I have an expensive waterproof shell, I have lined/insulated stuff etc and all works fine when needed. However I am looking for a lightweight shell for cold windy days that are not wet and also for windy training days where output is high. I used to have a Karrimor hooded smock in the late nineties that was brilliant, totally breathable, turned a good shower, was 100% windproof and pretty tough for a light garment. I want something along those lines i.e. dont want a soft shell or full waterproof.
If you want really lightweight/packable and windproof you are looking at something made with Pertex microlight or similar. Montane litespeed, as mentioned above, would be perfect, and even has elasticated cuffs. Packs down to the size of an apple. Something like the Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer, or Montane Featherlight7 are even smaller.
I would strongly look at a softshell jacket over a hardshell for the breathability aspect of it.
OP is asking specifically for windproof, not waterproof....why would he even consider looking at a hardshell :roll:. OP's criteria would really be in 'windproof shell', rather than softshell. Items like the Montane lightspeed are one of the few things not classed as a softshell.
All of this applies too. Pertex and eVent are probably the fabrics I'd be looking at if still focussing on light hardshell route.
This is potentially confusing for the OP. 'Pertex' is a brand that uses a range of materials, not a material itself. For example Pertex Microlight is wind resistant with very limited water repellancy. Pertex equilibrium is a woven outer used on vapour-rise garments. Pertex shield is a lightweight water proof material. Oh, and in my experience the best breathable waterproof material is Polartec Neoshell.
What size are you? I have a large Montane Litespeed jacket I'm going to be selling soon. Its a great jacket but is too big for me now
I've moved onto softshells as the packability side was less important for me and I preferred the stretchyness on the bike
In Montane I take an XL as they come up short in L for me at 6'.
if i had the cash i would
look at the new gore one range as i'm sure they now do one with a hood. super wind and waterproof but mega breathable and packs down to sub 200 grams i think
This is a very good jacket which meets your spec http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gore-bike-wear-rescue-windstopper-active-shell-jacket/?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&sku=5360742859&kpid=5360742859&utm_source=google&utm_term&utm_campaign=UK_PLA_Clothing&utm_medium=base&utm_content=mkwid%7Csvc9EoFD4_dt%7Cpcrid%7C67090791662%7Cpkw%7C%7Cpmt%7C%7Cprd%7C5360742859uk
if i had the cash i would
look at the new gore one range as i'm sure they now do one with a hood. super wind and waterproof but mega breathable and packs down to sub 200 grams i think
'Mega breathable' compared to what? Or is that just Gore describe it as? Any packable waterproof (in fact any waterproof full stop) won't breath anywhere near as well as a non-membrane windproof. People regurgitating marketing spiel with no personal experience of using the goods.....not helpful in any way really.
This is a very good jacket which meets your spec http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gore-bike-wear-rescue-windstopper-active-shell-jacket/?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&sku=5360742859&kpid=5360742859&utm_source=google&utm_term&utm_campaign=UK_PLA_Clothing&utm_medium=base&utm_content=mkwid%7Csvc9EoFD4_dt%7Cpcrid%7C67090791662%7Cpkw%7C%7Cpmt%7C%7Cprd%7C5360742859uk
In one very important way it doesn't. The OP wants 'extremely breathable'. Anything with a Gore membrane and taped seems does not fit into that category.
Windproof or breathable. Pick one; you can't have both. Sounds like breathability is more important to you, and unless you're out in very strong winds you don't need something totally windproof anyway, so check out the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hoody - one of the most minimalist softshells out there, breathes better than most softshells and packs small.
Get a Patagonia Houdini. Seems to fit your requirements .
You can't have totally windproof and extremely breathable and small and light. The Paramo windproof material is extremely windproof and highly breathable but it isn't featherweight. Some lighter fabrics are also near windproof but not as breathable.
Personally I'd go for more windproof and less breathable (but still non-membrane so much more breathable than Gore anything), and then use cuffs and zips for venting - but that adds weight and bulk.
[url= https://www.montane.co.uk/mens-c1/clothing-c25/softshell-jackets-c10/dyno-stretch-jacket-p190 ]montane[/url]
holy cow! how expensive have montane's featherlite range got!!!
i'm sure rrp used to be about 35 quid? i understand everyone needs to earn a living and all that but still...
love my pull-on but wouldn't pay 70 odd quid for it i'm afraid.
anyway. howies might have what you're after, and they have 30% off jackets at the mo.
Just had a quick look at my paramo fuera ascent windproof shell...
Pockets
Velcro cuffs
Packs to the size of a cantaloupe
Fairly substantial for a windproof at 350g approx
But
Very breathable
Huge pit zips
Hood
Now and again paramo sell them on eBay with 15percent off=£34
Imho, you should have a look at their 'quito' jacket. 150g heavier and from my experience of paramo waterproofs, highly breathable.
This is potentially confusing for the OP. 'Pertex' is a brand that uses a range of materials, not a material itself. For example Pertex Microlight is wind resistant with very limited water repellancy. Pertex equilibrium is a woven outer used on vapour-rise garments. Pertex shield is a lightweight water proof material. Oh, and in my experience the best breathable waterproof material is Polartec Neoshell.
Everyday is a school day. Or it shows how long it is since I bought a Pertex jacket... Which incidentally was a Montane (and Pertex Microlight, IIRC). Fantastic jacket and packs incredibly small, but pretty fragile. Reminded me of the excellent Karrimor Vail, when Karrimor weren't owned by Sports Direct. Wouldn't want to use it as a regular jacket offroad - the brambles around here would tear it to ribbons.
OP: I actually bought the Madison Flux pretty much for what you describe. Potentially not breathable enough for you OP as the Montane mentioned above noticeably breathes better, but it packs fairly small and I've happily worn it for rides several hours long and in conditions hovering around zero.
Buffalo wind shirt.....simply brilliant but has Velcro cuffs, sorry
Aldo56 nailed it up there.
Patagona Houdini. Very light (about 100g), packs into its own pocket, hooded, elastic cuffs, windproof, breathable, water resistant enough to keep the drizzle out (as mine did riding to work this morning).
There's a new lighter Buffalo windproof:
http://www.buffalosystems.co.uk/products/buffalolite-windtop/
Elasticated cuffs and all.
I've got one of these which is seriously weatherproof yet breathable but big and heavy for a windproof:
https://www.paramo-clothing.com/en-gb/explore-range/product/?pk=DDA89A80-4ADA-4BED-92FF-0438261509EB
ageldust- 'Mega breathable' compared to what? Or is that just Gore describe it as? Any packable waterproof (in fact any waterproof full stop) won't breath anywhere near as well as a non-membrane windproof. People regurgitating marketing spiel with no personal experience of using the goods.....not helpful in any way really.
Hmm... sorry have to disagree as I know a number of people who have them and reckon it was the best product last year and does exactly what it says on the tin...for once.
Another option from Patagonia...
http://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-wind-shield-hybrid-soft-shell-jacket/24091.html
My favoured softshell for high-output riding, probably worn it more than the rest of my jackets put together.
Edit - OK it doesn't have a hood, sue me.
I have the Endura MT500 II and it's by a good way the most breathable jacket I have had
Wot he said ^^
so would you say the MT500 11 jacket is worth the money?
