I'm thinking of an Endura Convert II because it looks nice, seems well made and is good value...
BUT
Is it actually worth lashing out on something like (A Pace) E-Vent? Is E-Vent noticeably more breathable (I do sweat a bit) then cheaper fabrics, for instance? Does it rip easily? (Clumsy git, me)
I'm probably not going to use it all that much but I'm doing some rides in the Lakes/Wales/Alps in the next few months so it might be worth its weight in gold if the weather turns bad.
I'm also looking at a Montane E-Vent, are they any good? Waterproof?
Anything else I should consider?
Ta muchly!
🙂
Howies made a nice blue one a while ago, they may have some left 😉
Sod off!
That's only a windproof, as prooved last 'summer'....
🙂
I've got a Gill ProSpeed, which is eVent. I'm really impressed with it, it's the first cycling jacket I've had that I can actually cycle. i.e. doesn;t turn into a mobile sauna within minutes. Well put together too.
[url= http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/dhb_Wickham_eVENT_Waterproof_Jacket/5360037016/ ]Looks like Wiggle have rebranded it[/url]
eVent is worth is IMO. I also have the Gill Pro Speed that IHN mentioned. Noticeably better breathing than cheaper waterproof jackets I have had and my Gore-Tex XCR shell (skiing but I use it for general purpose)
Singletrack gave the Altura Attack Extreme jacket a "Recommendation" in the last issue and claimed it was the best bike jacket on the market. On sale here (still nearly £100 though): http://www.cyclesportsuk.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=6090 Meant to be similar to eVent but slightly less soft but more robust. This is where my money would be going if I were in the market for a jacket now.
I have a montane superfly, superb jacket 🙂
[i]Howies made a nice blue one a while ago, they may have some left [;)] [/i]
Almost the very word I was going to use.
IHN, yes I'd looked at those. Does it have pockets? (Front ones)
Jfeb, thanks for the link 🙂
What about a Race Face Aquanot, anybody?
Does it have pockets? - No pockets, pit zips or features of any sort on the Gill/Wiggle eVent jacket. Could be considered a bonus (pockets will only reduce breatheability)
Nope, no pockets. I've never missed them though, I've got pockets on my shorts and a bag on my back.
Going back to my Howies jacket, I've used and abused that thing almost constantly since I bought it and apart from a bit of peeling on the rear logo, it's still perfect. It just gets slung in the washing machine when it's more brown than blue and that's it. Superb.
I've actually got a Howies 56kph too, which [u]is[/u] waterproof, but far too nice to use/destroy on a bike.....Although they are on sale now.... Might get another one.... Hmmmmm
🙂
I have:
Rab Drillium (eVent)
Rab Fusion (eVent/softshell)
Altura Reflex (React)
Montane Suprefly (eVent)
Endura Stealth (waterroof softshell)
All are ace (haven't used the fusion yet) but the Montane is the niceset.
Had a Raceface but it was awful.
Nope, no pockets. I've never missed them though, I've got pockets on my shorts and a bag on my back.
Yes, very true. What's the sizing like?
Morning Mr Poddy. Avoid Paclite, although brilliant in the rain it is not durable and have managed to tear mine several times after crashing.
XCR stuff seems more durable though. I'd go minimalist, forget pockets and gizmos.
What size are you after- few deals about on restricted sizes..
That Montane Superfly looks luvverly, but at £250 it bloody well should be!
Too much for me, I'm afraid....
🙁
Rock - I'll probably be a large..... It's rare I get those good deals.
Hi Elaine, you back riding yet?
It's a slim cut, but not excessively. I've got a large (I think, can check), fits me perfectly.
If you fancy a ride in the FoD on Saturday you can try it on.
The Climbers Shop have a few Montane jackets at good prices- at least one large in one of the models..
Also check theoutdoorshop
IHN - I will get down your way sometime, I promise, but for the next 2 months I'm now pretty much booked up. I've only got 2 free weekends until middle of April now, FFS!
Thanks for the offer though!
🙂
My RaceFace Aquanot is very good at being waterproof but its quite heavy and can get quite warm too, although it does have massive pitzips which help to keep you cool. The fabric is pretty heavy duty too.
I use it as a winter jacket but for any other season its just too much. However its a few years old so the newer versions could be different
eVent is the business. It works differently from all the others insofar as it works just as well when it's warm and damp, unlike Goretex etc. So ideal for the UK 🙂
I'm going to get a Montane Stormrider at the earliest opportunity.
Pete - not riding yet, waiting for a cortizone injection or amputation!
Singletrack gave the Altura Attack Extreme jacket a "Recommendation" in the last issue
I happen to have the mag with me, and just read it. That's one of the most glowing reviews I've ever seen.
I reckon I'll see how it goes on the E-vent jacket I'm watching on Ebay that ends in a few days, and if not I'll get one of those.
I like the orange colour, too!
😉
peter, i got an altura attack extreme last week from this place:
[url= http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=394_399_45&products_id=8221 ]discount cycles direct[/url]
cheapest i could find at just under 90 quid. ordered one lunchtime, arrived the following morning. great.
they only have small or large left now though...
Ohh, thanks for the link, Herbi
🙂
Bit late but another vote for the Gill E-Vent Pro speed...its ace, out last night in foul very heavy sleety rain riding home slowly due to a split tyre wall...nice eh?... got in like a drowned rat but noticed my base layer was bone dry apart from a bit around my neck.
Also when it arrived (mid summer) I tried it on in my office and felt like it breathed like a cotton shirt, not clammy at all in a warm environment.
Pockets not really an issue off road as Camelback takes the strain, though Napoleon sp? pocket would be ace for iPod whilst running
Tough too...I crash a bit and it's fine!
i have the gill too. if i was buying again i'd look at the pace eVent or the montane stormrider ( which looks ace ), but only because i don't like the style of the dhb replacement for the gill.
Do not buy from Outdoormania- bad to deal with, and they have a reputation for rubbish service.
Has anyone had the Altura Attack jacket for more than a few weeks? One guy on bikeradar submitted a review that said that the internal taping fell apart after a year, leading to a loss of waterproofing and issues with the pockets.
Anyone got any long term views?
Also, can any existing owners tell me how slim the jacket is cut. I like gore clothing as it fits me very well (I'm about 6 foot and have a 38 inch chest)
smurf
I have used an Altura Attack for a year or so now. I'm pretty happy with it, it's waterproof, breathable enough etc. I did give it a bit of a nasty tear last summer but probably any jacket would have ripped in that situation. Got it repaired for £15. Sizing wise its a bit wide in the body for my taste (size large), but other than that it does the job well.
I've got a Rab Drillium, an Altura Nevis, an Endura Crosstrack and a Rab Baltoro Lite soft shell.
The Altura is pish, the zip has fallen apart and it managed 7 minutes of rain before letting in water the first time I used it (it came from an MBR subscription).
The Drillium is excellent, it's eVent and the fabric hasn't failed on me yet. You will get wet through water pouring down your neck if it's not completely zipped up and up the sleeves, but it's been great for me.
The Endura is a bit heavy for normal riding but it remained mostly waterproof in some of the heaviest rain I'd experienced in the Highlands.
The softshell has never got fully soaked yet, I use it as my winter riding jacket and it's perfect for that.
Do not buy from Outdoormania- bad to deal with, and they have a reputation for rubbish service.
I have only bought the montane jacket from them, but they were helpful. 🙂
I have a lot of the montane gear and its very good. The Montane Stormrider jacket is next on my list... anyone already use one ?
I got an Altura Attck (the one before the attack extreme) must admit it seems great. It's not ahd a great deal of use yet but seems well made and packs up pretty small.
Merlin have a couple left at £70 i think.
Might be worth a phone call.
The only come in black BTW
I've been using a Haglofs LIM Ultimate for almost two years. A great jacket but the Paclite is a little bit fragile. That said, it is designed as a super lightweight jacket so no complaints there! It has served me extrememly well, is a very simple cut with a terrific hood and Napoleon pocket for a phone or energy bar. It's light weight means i can keep it in my bag at all times.
I just shelled out for a Haglofs Spitz. It's a proper full on climbing jacket but I wanted something with a proper hood that I could use not just for biking.
The Rab Drillium looks like a good option as does the Rab Alpine Latok. Event, very light with a very well designed hood. In my experience, Rab make kit that works well.
I have a Pace Event and the arms are simply cut too short on what is otherwise an ok jacket.
Definitely try before you buy as I looked at the Montane Superfly but the arms of the medium were too short and the large fitted like a totty bag!
xherbivorex - you just led me to spend £80 -(...
cheers for the link - I had been looking at these and didn't want to pay over £100.
orange jacket in Glasgow though............
Don't worry iainc, i'm a Weegie and both the Montane and Rab waterproofs I own are orange..
aye, not too much riding to be had in the east end anyway........ -)
oooh, racism!
ha, no really iain, early impressions lead me to say they're pretty awesome jackets so hopefully you'll not get a beating whilst wearing it!
ordered my attack extreme from discount cycles last week..still waiting.. said dispatched 2 days ago online..?
that doesn't sound too good.....
hopefully it'll turn up soon (unless it's a large and they send it to me...!)
-)
ha got mine this evening the neighbour signed for it!!!
1st impressions are very very nice, well pleased.
im a bit on the porky side and 5'10 and the large is bob on perfect fit.
I have a Montane Stormrider. Its pretty much my perfect riding jacket and breathes superbly, but I'm a bit disappointed by the DWR coating, which doesn't seem to be as durable as previous jackets I've had.
mine just arrived here at work - looks like a cracking piece of kit -)
I just won a Montane E-Vent jacket off Ebay for £53 posted, I think it's worth about £140-£160 and he says it's 'as new' so I'm pretty chuffed with that. Thanks for the advice everyone....
😀
