Due to a variable and slightly less than ideal weather forecast for an upcoming MTB trip I'm looking for a new packable lightweight waterproof jacket. I'm looking to spend around £100 or less. So far in the running is the Endura GV500 and the Nukeproof 2.5 packable. Anything else I've missed or opinions on either of those?
I've got the Endura MTR Shell.
If the GV500 is anything like it, get that.
I bought a giro stow H2O in the sale recently for about £100 and it's pretty decent. Softish shell, non rustly, packs up small and you can elastic it to your handlebars rather than try to jam it in a bumbag. Water beads up very nicely. I've not tried wearing it for long periods in the rain yet though.
I also have an alpkit gravitas but use to that for walking and running. that's even lighter than the giro, has a hood, but is more spendy (about £170 iirc) and rustly. It's a superb jacket though - I bought the giro to avoid wrecking the alpkit when mtbing.
I have a Galibier one, can't remember which. Great value, a little snug if you have a belly, so maybe size up.
Have a look at the OR Helium jacket. I got one and it’s permanently in my hip pack now as a result. Does the job I wanted, ie something small enough to prevent you from getting caught out.
https://bikepacking.com/gear/outdoor-research-helium-review/
I’ve got the Endura MTR Shell.
I have the Emergency MTR Shell (less features) and would also recommend whatever the current equivalent is.
The Rapha Rain Jacket II is £100 and packs up really tiny.
https://www.rapha.cc/es/en/shop/mens-core-rain-jacket-ii/product/CRR03XX
I bought the gore paclite jacket for commuting and its brilliant - packs small, kept me dry all day in a recent very wet trip to the mountains in Spain (out for 4-5 hours in relentless rain)
Currently on sale for £107 in Blacks https://www.blacks.co.uk/16079153/gore-men-s-paclite-gore-tex-cycling-jacket-16079153
I will second the Rapha core jacket.
Its light, very waterproof but is like all rapha kit sized small (well for a big lad like me that is)
Its light, very waterproof but is like all rapha kit sized small (well for a big lad like me that is)
Yep, I'm Medium in normal clothes, but take XL in Rapha!
Thanks all, I'll have a look 🙂
I've been using the Nukeproof packable all through the winter and its been great - very thin and light which is what I wanted as I use other layers for warmth - think it cost £60 at the time (never ending sale).
@sharkey any idea how real the sizing is? They don’t have any xl in stock and I’m worried the L will be a bit small…
That isn't waterproof though...
any idea how real the sizing is? They don’t have any xl in stock and I’m worried the L will be a bit small…
Sizing seems normal I'm a large in most tops/jackets and that what I got, doesnt flap about but its not roadie tight
<div>I've been looking for exactly this. Tried the GV500 jacket but the fit is too narrow and therefore one that "fits" is too long everywhere else.</div>
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<div>The best bet, i think, is the 7mesh Co-pilot (or even spendier Sky Pilot). I'm trying not to spend that much for a hardly-used, "emergency" bit of kit. problem is, ticking all the boxes means being that spendy.</div>
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<div class="bbp-author-role">@tuboflard - OR helium looks good. Does that hood go over a helmet out of interest?</div>
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Nukeproof 2.5 packable
The Nukeproof is DWR which I think is diff from legit waterproofing, I have the Specialized SWAT Jacket (also DWR), it packs down really small into the pocket and kept me dry when the rain came in at BPW not so long ago, can be had for £90 in places.
If you’ve got a small head then it would probably just stretch @jimmy, but I wear a large Giro and there’s no way it would go. Don’t think it was designed specifically for biking so the hood isn’t designed accordingly either.