My last winter jacket was a Race Face affair but it was crap and after 15 months the tapes all came away and the zip broke. Same with my Sombrio which was replaced three times!
So now I'm prepared to spend a little more to get something decent. I want something that is both warm and comfy enough to wear when it's cold and wet but not neccessarily raining but which is also as waterproof as a jacket needs to be.
I've thought about the Gore Fusion but they don't seem to be available anymore, at least not to try on in store, and I've looked at the Endura MT500 also.
How well does the MT500 perform then on breathability; is it as good as GoreTex? What other high quality jackets should I consider?
Thanks in advance.
Fusion Jacket should be coming back into shops over the next few weeks. Have a look on You Tube as there is a video explaining the key benefits of it's Comfort Mapping technology
I can't quite see the point of most 'water proof'clothing as you end up getting wet from the inside anyway from sweating. I started using the Pearl Izumi PRO Soft Shell jacket last winter and was amazed at how much comfier I was as it wicks away sweat really well and the water repelant surface does a good job of keeping the rain out.
Roter - it's a good point but the key reason is that when you get wet you get cold and most modern fabrics are breathable, hence why I am considering the Gore Fusion. Based on my experience Goretex is about the most breathable waterproof fabric available, although other products may have caught up.
They still don't let 100% of the sweat out granted, but the moisture that is retained/absorbed by base layers is at least body temperature and that's key to keeping you warm. I guess in a way that a wet suit works to heat the layer of water between you and the suit?
when i'm really working hard, nothing keeps me dry on the inside of a jacket, but a good 'breathable' jacket will keep you dryer than a 'boil in the bag' job.
My Montane jacket is superb, and still holding up after 6 years of mud, and abuse. Expensive, but worth three of the cheaper ones.
Decent base layers and a Mac in a Pac (about £15 from Millets).
Gore fusion is awesome but expensive.
Gelert westcott (was on gadget show last night. £50
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£83 from cyclesurgery
http://www.cyclesurgery.com/pws/UniqueProductKey.ice?ProductID=CALT0013KK
I got an altura attack extreme - pretty tough but pretty breathable 🙂
Edit - Raceface jackets IME are shockingly bad 🙁
Event fabric is more breathable than Gore tex, something to do whith the way they bond the membrane around the breathing holes. I think Wggle own brand DHB have a jacket made out of it, PACE sell one too - I think. although I never tried an Event Jacket I have had Event shorts which were great.
I'd keep away from Gore Tex though, I have an Alp X 2 which tore on a thorn on the first ride, it's not very tough material at all. I also have a Endura Stealth which is far tougher and warmer, it's pretty breathable too. If you can though try the Endura kit on as the sizing can be a bit erm... Odd.
