I'm looking for a waterproof smock that will stuff into a small pouch. It would be good if it's a bit breathable maybe with some reflective bits on it too. TKMaxx had some montane ones (I think they were Pertex) but not in my size unfortunately. Thanks.
Lidl have men's cycling jackets at the mo no idea how good they are but I bought a sleepless base layer which was awesome so got a 2nd.
I don't have a Lidl near me but was in Aldi and they didn't have anything. I've heard you can get good ones online for about £25 but not sure what makes are best.
I would imagine "good" and £25 would rarely been in the same sentence when describing a (decent) jacket.. 😐
I bought a really nice Salomon wind/showerproof from Blacks outdoors a couple of weeks ago. Reduced from £70 to £28. Not bike specific but good as an all-rounder.
I'm not after anything special just a light weight waterproof for when I want to travel really light. I have a heavier jacket for winter.
Have a shop around for Montane Featherlite - you can usually find them for around 30 quid and are great as a stowaway emergency waterproof.
I have an Aldi Crane Bike one that was about 14 quid - excellent for the money, but you're not going to get anything remotely breathable for your budget...
The Montane Featherlites are excellent, and surprisingly breathable, you should be able to get one for £35 ish off t'internet
If youre after something cheaper, I've seen a very similar jacket in TK-max for around the £20 mark, but have no idea of the quality.
Thanks that could be just the thing. Go outdoors do them for £25 and there's one of them near me. I think they're the same ones that I saw in TKMaxx. Not sure how waterproof they are though. It say's they're weather resistant. Probably OK to keep showers off though.
I've got a [url= http://www.tenn-outdoors.co.uk/light-flo-ii-waterproof--breathable-cycling-jacket--hiviz-yellowblack-xs ]Tenn[/url] I've only had it about 3 months, but I've commuted in it almost every day and it seems pretty good to me so far.
check out the ronhill running jackets on wiggle - running gear so should favour breathability.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ronhill-advance-windlite-jacket-ss11/
£27
Also has user reviews.
You need to be careful how you wash the Montane (and maybe the Ronhills) as they rely on the DWR coating for a lot of their water resistence, which doesn't like detergent.
Field & Trek online had Karrimor cyclists' breathable jackets for about £20 last time I looked. Very good value for the money.
I have a Montane jacket it takes reasonable rain but not really heavy stuff, the thing is IMO there is no such thing as a waterproof "breathable" jacket. If it's waterproof then it isn't going to be breathable, they just make you sweat a bit! If it's a thicker decent ones then you'll have to get ones with the large underarm sweat pits. Have a look at www.startfitness.co.uk they often have some really good deals, cheap as chips
Montane featherlite and breathable in the same sentence - not in my experience. I got rid of mine after wearing it 4 times. It was terrible.
Unless you get a jacket that is heavily discounted, you won't get a breathable jacket for 25 quid.
Not a cycling jacket but Mountain Warehouse sell a couple of lightweight jackets for £14.99. I bought one, cut out all the lining material to reduce weight further. Works fine. Not sold as waterproof as the seams aren't taped but a bit of seam sealer solves that. It is breathable. Although as many people say, for that price you're looking at it's all about compromises anyhow.
I've had a couple of Cheap (under £20) water proof Jackets before from Cycle-clothing.co.uk before the fit was OK but he major problem was the lack of breathability and the resultant condensation buildup, Generally you'd be dryer without them,
I also use on and off a really cheapy £3.50 Wilkinsons "Wind proof Poncho" which is basically a lightweight jacket and will stand up to the odd light shower, but not much more, it packs into a very small, very light stuff sack, and cost a pittance, I think they mightdo a cheap waterproof one too with a hood, as well as a "Cycling Cape" if either of those appeals (is it just for Commuting?)...
It's always an option is to see what Aldi/Lidl are doing, I've had a "Crane Bike" Jacket that's not really waterproof as such, but again put up with a few good showers and has been good in winter, I think that was within your stated budget.
My Endura "Rebound" jacket is a good lightweight "shower proof" effort, small light and easy to Stuff into a bag (Although doesn't come with a stuff sack), it is breathable and hasn't yet allowed any rain in so far (had it about 8 months), but you'll probably find it about £15-£20 over your budget and as with all Endura stuff you are either "Endura Shaped" or not, but I'm glad I spent a bit more on a "Propper" - albeit basic 3-ish seasons riding Jacket, it makes life a bit more barable.
You might be able to find a £25 bargain but I bet there will be issues with it's breathability, but if you do find a Goodun, post up a link...
Montane featherlights are ace but don't wear them (or other ultralight windshells) with heavy packs/buckles - they can rub through fairly easily. Ace back-up jackets though - I've got a montane jetstream which is a fairly extreme ultralight mainly for windproofing.
Climbers shop (www.climbers-shop.com) have montane feathlights on offer at moment (smocks iirc) at about £25, they are a great shop and awesome for discounted montane stuff as they get lots of the samples and limited edition colours/designs in. No link to store other than having spent a small fortune on kit from them over the years.
Now being a total montane-tart i may wander to tk maxx just in case...
TK To The Maxx also do a good line in Trek Mates. Bough a windshell a couple of years ago it packs down to the size of a mobile phone and gets used a lot. £10
Also have a hooded water-resistant shell that packs into itself roughly the size of a tennis ball. Dropped back, hood/waist drawstrings, minimal faff, £20.
Save your cash, & save up for an Event jacket. It really is great stuff.
Just get wet? I wear a waterproof of any type about 3 times a year usually, generally use a Gore Alp-X, so not uber cheap! IME you just end up sweating so much that it's easier to get wet, particularly at this time of year.
OK thanks everyone. I know £25 isn't much but it's for my birthday and I'm only really looking for something I can stick on if a shower comes along or if it's a really cold wind. Showers are the thing here in the west of Scotland and I don't tend to cycle far if it's forecast rain for all day. It'll be used for my daily commute of 1 mile also.