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Got absolutely soaked to the skin yesterday. Had my not-inexpensive Event jacket on and within minutes of riding I was soaking. Waterproof shorts were not much better. Absolute bobbins and a waste of money. Discuss
Is your DWR fresh? In theory, the garment will always be waterproof but only breathable if it has a good DWR. In any event, if you are working hard, it will never be breathable enough to get all the sweat out in time.
At least I think that's how it works...
Try re-proofing the garments with NikWax?
Either stop sweating or send your faulty jacket back to wherever you bought it, Event is waterproof.
This was NOT sweat. I was "pootling" along the High Peak Trail which is easy, flat cycling. My arms soaked through first and then the body.
I wash my jacket and I iron it to refresh to DWR. I couldn't have been more disappointed with how bad it was at keeping the rain out.
Thats my expoerience with breathable fabrics - they always fail after a year or two.
Want waterproof? Forget breathable. Want breathable - accept water-resistant only
Once the membrane has failed nothing you do to the outside of the jacket will make any difference
My fairly cheap Polaris jacket did an OK job to start with at the D2D, but succumbed by the end of my first lap to letting the water in.
I really noticed it when adjusting my helmet slightly with my hand and feeling the water pouring down the inside of my sleeve, away from the cuff.
I've never had a waterproof that keeps you dry for an extended period. I rode for a while with a bloke who had a motorbike jacket on!
My Paclite has given-up too, 3 years of gritty wear and being rolled into a pocket have done for it. I hate the feeling of water running down your arms...
I mainly concern myself with windproofing now. I get wet from the exertion anyway.
unless you are wearing full touring waterproofs like we do on tours in winter (waterproof overshoes, waterproof trousers, waterproof gloves, waterproof jacket, waterproof hat!) then i maintain that there really is no way of staying completely dry on a bike
I get wet from the exertion anyway.
Back onto waterproof bike gear, my Karrimor paclite from 8 years ago won't die.
I wash my jacket and I iron it to refresh to DWR. I couldn't have been more disappointed with how bad it was at keeping the rain out.
Same here... really don't understand it at all (Endura eVent Venturi and also a Stealth jacket, both are bobbins... water doesn't even bead on them anymore 🙁 )
...there really is no way of staying completely dry on a bike
I don't expect miracles, but I got soaked through before I'd even had chance to get a sweat on. Rubbish! With several miles of moorland riding ahead it didn't make for an enticing start to a ride. Thankfully I did stay warm, but I'm just glad there were no mechanicals or other extended stops
my event jacket lets the water in, not impressed, i think layers and materials that keep you warm and dont hold water and a windproof layer is the way to go
Did you have a hood on? Could it have been water running down your neck / arms.
I wash my jacket and I iron it to refresh to DWR.
Do you use something like TechWash to wash it and also less frequently re-proof it with something suitable like TX Direct? One re-proofing for every 6-8 washes is recommended for the Nikwax stuff but probably required a bit more often for the treatment waterproofs get when mountain biking. Have also read that tumble drying on low instead of ironing is good for re-activating.
waterproofs need care and even then i replace mine regularly and older jackets get used for shopping / dog walking and looking all outdoorsey in the pub....
paul