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I’m after a breathable light weight jacket, wind proof and reasonably waterproof.
Something I can wear over a T-shirt on cooler summer rides and not get too clammy.
After googling I’ve come up with the Madison Flux as a front runner.
Any recommendations?
Thanks
Not sure what size you want but I've just had an MT500 jacket delivered today from here https://www.sprocketscycles.com/endura-mt500-waterproof-jacket
Very well built and meant to be very breathable, and has massive under arm vents. Might be a little heavy duty for what you want but it's a great jacket.
The MT500 has 60,000gms breathability vs the Madison flux at 30,000gms, so the MT500 is twice as breathable.
I use an OMM Kamleika smock that I originally bought for fell running. It works a treat on the bike too as it has a long tail.
Packs down to very little. They do a zip-up jacket version as well.
@ta11paul1 That looks like decent jacket but I’m after a large.
Not sure what size you want but I’ve just had an MT500 jacket delivered today from here
Whatever you do, don't hang it up by the loop that has the hood strap going through it. It will snap
*ahem* so I've heard
What now? But where else are you meant to hang it by? :0
Now you mention it, it is a quite lightweight strap - I'll hang it by the hood (or not hang it at all) to be sure.
The Endura MTR Shell is a nice light, very breathable waterproof. No bells or whistles but it’s a good bit of kit. Depending on how you size up, Cyclestore have an XL in stock.
If only there was some advice from a MTB journo who knows what she's talking about
Some cracking choices/suggestions from Amanda.
Another OMM vote
I've 2 smock and a jacket.
I have an older version of that flux jacket and i find it a bit clammy. I have an alpkit morphosis 1/2 zip that i quite like for general riding.
Pretty happy with my Madison jackets, whether they're heavyweight waterproofs, light showerproofs, or the lightweight waterproof I think you're looking at. The only issue i've had with it is a couple of small holes after an encounter with some very hefty brambles, which isn't really a criticism, as I doubt anything lightweight would have fared any better.
Over the years I’ve tried loads of different types of waterproofs and breathable materials for biking and come to three conclusions.
1) don’t by a bike brand specific one, general outdoor kit brands nearly always represent better value for money, often work / designed better, there’s more choice and you’ll always find something on sale
2) don’t spend loads on it. Mountain biking kills jackets pretty quickly compared to most other outdoor activities - higher volume of mud & grit, higher output of sweat, tendency to stuff them in the pack when they’re sodden as you get too hot riding in them, more washes as they get manlier quicker etc
3) don’t bother with a waterproof / hard shell for riding in at all. Use what ever weight softshell jacket works best for the conditions and except the fact you’re going to get damp (you do in a hardshell anyway as they never breath as well as claimed and it very difficult for any breathable material to not get overwhelmed with a high output activity like mountain biking). Being wet isn’t an issue, but being cold and wet is and it tends to be the wind that makes us cold when out biking, so a good windproof or highly wind resistant shoftshell breaths a lot better and keeps you more comfortable and warm than a hardshell. You can proof them with grangers / Nik wax and they’ll be shower proof and they tend to stand up to abuse better as nothing to delaminate. I then keep a cheap thin hardshell in the pack for if I have to stop for extended periods / have a mechanical to keep the heat in or if it’s heaving it down - as this get rarely used it’ll last for years
I love Madison kit, especially the shorts, but find the jackets are a boxy fit, fine if you're a chonkster with a short back and short arms.
Sofaboy is spot on btw, on all points, the only bike specific jacket I've had that's lasted is a Gore Phantom softshell with removable sleeves, cost me 50 quid in a halfords sale, use it all the time.
If it's damp but mild, I ride in a LS compression top and a tech tee on top, keeps the cold out, and I don't mind being a bit wet really.
If it's hosing it down, a 60 quid decathlon jacket is my choice.
Thanks for the info folks.
The search continues...
I would definitely agree with Sofaboy's points. The other thing I would add is that decent under arm vents are much more useful than any amount of breathability.
If you're after a good soft-shell - I've just got an AussieGrit jacket in their sale. I was happy with it at £50 (down from £200) because it looks great - I haven't had cause to use it yet.
I've just checked the website and it's down to a staggering £17.50! I'm not sure whether to be annoyed or to buy another at that price.
The MT500 has 60,000gms breathability vs the Madison flux at 30,000gms, so the MT500 is twice as breathable.
I'd be a bit wary of MVTR (moisture vapour transfer) laboratory test figures. There are several ways of testing fabrics, stuff like a section of material stretched over a thing of boiling water and measuring how much vapour gets through. Except the human body doesn't produce steam at 100˚C. And different types of fabric fare better with different tests, depending on how they're constructed.
Polartec NeoShell, for example, isn't as good as some other fabrics in lab tests, but in real life use is massively better for breathability. I've also seen on test - hello Gore - where the original Gore-Tex Active fabric outperformend a cotton tee-shirt for 'breathability' measured for RET. Right...
In the OP's case, I'd be looking at a lightweight softshell made from a double weave fabric - no membrane - soemthing like a Rab Borealis pull-on or jacket equivalent would do nicely. Enough weather resistance, lots of breathability.
I'd trawl the usual places for discounted softshell jackets.
I have an Altura one and a Patagonia one which are light and thin enough for colder, damper summer rides.
Gilets are another good option.
Endura MTR Shell
Love mine
Commute daily and it is just the job
NeoShell, for example, isn’t as good as some other fabrics in lab tests, but in real life use is massively better for breathability
But might be a bit fragile for MTB use (and a bit expensive as well) My neoShell has been not nearly as robust as some jackets I've used in the past. I might be unlucky, but stuff that I would normally assumed a jacket would shrug off, as damaged and holed my NeoShell.
@Superficial – which jacket are you talking about?
The Flint jacket. https://aussiegritapparel.com/products/flint-men-s-bike-shell-black
It looks like there was a pricing error earlier, though. They have removed the 50% off code but slashed the price by 2/3rds so it's still £35 instead of £50. For a brief window when I checked this morning, the code was still active even with the price drop so when I checked I had it in my basket @ £17.50.
It's still a bargain @ £35, though.
yep - I bought one of those when it was £50 and its awesome, as is all thier kit. The RRP was £199. They are basically giving stuff away right now so I assume they may be going under which would be a real shame.
Superficial - what have you done?!!!
I wasn't even looking for a new Aussie Grit softshell jacket but I couldn't stop my finger clicking the mouse button. Bah!!!
My main lightweight jacket is a Keela Saxon. I think it breathes well compared to other lightweight jackets I've had in the past, but it's 4 years old now and I haven't bought any new jackets in the past couple of years to compare it against, so not sure how it would fare against today's offerings.
Some of my softshells are eight or so years old, new ones are basically no different.
Maybe fancy lightweight hardshell jackets have seen more improvement though.
But might be a bit fragile for MTB use (and a bit expensive as well) My neoShell has been not nearly as robust as some jackets I’ve used in the past. I might be unlucky, but stuff that I would normally assumed a jacket would shrug off, as damaged and holed my NeoShell.
Sorry, just so it's clear, I wasn't suggesting NeoShell as a mountain biking fabric, just pointing out that MVTR lab-test figures aren't necessarily all that they appear to be. In the OP's position, I'd buy a lightweight, non-membrane fabric, soft-shell jacket, probably from an outdoor brand tbh.
Maybe fancy lightweight hardshell jackets have seen more improvement though.
That's pretty much the case tbh. Most soft shell fabrics, non-membrane ones anyway, are a double-weave Nylon and broadly the same as they were ten years back apart from the design / cut / colours.
I've an old Endura one but sorry I've no idea of the model and it is seriously old and losing most of the fabric coating(but I luvs it) Single layer, pretty much watertight as it HAD taped seams, and of really lightweight material so it balled up very small, very basic roll away hood. Sleeves up,pits open it was fantastic.
I wish I knew exactly the model so I could look out a replacement.
If anyone does recognize - Red, with black lower arms and shoulders, reflective piping, zipped back pocket. Damned amazing.
@andy, yes, my MT500 did that too, did email them to try and get it fixed as seems a bit of a flaw! They wouldn't repair, but could send in for warranty claim. 🙂
For summer time I'd mostly be turning to a gilet. On the rare occasions that's not enough I have a thin softshell, had it for years, does the job and looks like it'll last for ages yet. Think it was £20 from Sports Direct. I couldn't even say where my waterproof is.
Sorry to slightly hijack the thread but regarding the Aussie Grit jacket, looking at their size guide puts me top end of XL, I’m not looking for baggy fit but have heard their stuff is on the snugger side so worth sizing up to XXL? (Eek!)