[Closed] Winter soft shell or water proof jacket

My default answer would be a Gore Phantom, probably a large given your chest size (I'm 5'10" and 42" chest and a large fits me). I recently bought one of the On-one waterproof softshells and it seems pretty good to me, not as breathable as the Gore but more breathable than I was expecting (more so than my Endura Stealth), dirt cheap to (I went for an XXL and it's a good fit on me).

I assume you're looking for recommendations for both. Quite open ended really. Personally the ONLY waterproof I've ever been happy with for cycling is Paramo. It is the only one I've owned that is satisfactorily breathable, but it is not a pack away. I've been wearing mine with a thin baselayer since early September. If you overheat the arms can be pushed up and it has excellent ventilation. I have never felt uncomfortably clammy in it unlike every other waterproof I have used for cycling (Paclite, eVent, Altura's own offering...). It is my go-to winter/autumn riding jacket even if NO rain is forecast.

Not much help on the windproof side. I have an excellent Patagonia one which is superbly comfortable but no good for anything other than a very quick passing shower. I wouldn't wear it in winter if there was any chance of rain - I've suffered in the past doing just that.

Wiggle are selling Gore Phantom SO at £75 atm.

[url= http://www.royles.biz/category/3240/Mens_Jackets ]Royals[/url] are knocking out decent gore ones for knock down prices.

I generally get on well with my Gill Pro speed E vent based waterproof but even that can get a little clammy,so I`ve just ordered an Endura FS260 windproof jacket for £42 from CRC.

Got a Paramo Velez from the outlet store last month for 80 and as the chap above suggests its been really good. Noticeably better than the other stuff that I have in this cooler weather. Rode mainly with merino baselayer plus sometimes a midlayer. Breathable, waterproof and warm. Also have Gore alp x gortex, a Montane event jacket - both clammy so avoid if not actively chucking it down. Ride in Gore oxygen spring/ autumn but it tends to get soaked, esp with the membranes on top and so I get very cold when I stop.
No such issues with the Paramo. May not be ideal once it heats up but has exceeded expectations so far.

Really not a fan of softshells on the bike- not waterproof enough for proper winter, too warm for anything else, and useless for layering. I do love 'em off the bike though.

It needs to be pretty cold before I can wear any waterproof jacket, but a gillet is good for everything else- keep the core dry and comfortable, let the arms be radiators.

But then, I do run pretty hot.

going to selling my yellow Gore Phantom jacket Large for £55 posted, chrimbo present forces sale. If interested 😉

[b]P A R A M O[/b]

Seriously, I've wittered on about it on here a few times already. I've tried quite a few waterproof/breathable jackets over many years and seen plenty brought back into the outdoor shop I worked in in my youth, and Paramo is the only one that has actually impressed me with how well it lives up to the hype.

[EDIT] I too have the Velez jacket and it is excellent. If you can get it for £80 get two!

Another Paramo fan here. I had the older heavier version of the Velez and it was good. Now got the Quito and I prefer the more extensive ventilation options. Ventilation zips go from waist nearly to elbow. If it's not raining you can take your arms out completely and use as gilet. (looks a bit odd with sleeves behind back I guess but works well). Reproofing is straightforward so can last for years. You do need to remember that whilst they're great at keeping you dry they're not actually waterproof. eg if you sit on wet ground in the trews the water comes through. Dry off quick though.

Oh, they're also quiet compared to most waterproofs.

How do the Velez size up? I'm 5'9" 33" waist and I usually take a medium or size 40 in everything except cycling stuff

6ft with a 40/42" chest, 34/36" waist depending on time of year! I have a large Velez which gives me room for some decent padding underneath for when I'm walking rather than riding. If you're only ever going to have a thin base layer underneath you might just manage a medium, but to be honest I'd always try stuff like this on first. My old eVent cycling specific jacket was an XL, presumably 'cos it was designed for skinny roadies 😀

I have a Paramo Halcon jacket, best thing since I ever bought. I have often wondered if any of their products would be good for winter mtb. Not needed to wash the Halcon often, but would need to wash mtb jacket once or twice a week in winter. That's a lot of Nikwax, or do I not need to treat each wash?

Loving my Gore Phantom too. Currently temperatures of about 5 degrees mean just a long sleeve base layer underneath is enough - nice and toasty.

Very windproof, not tested its water resistance yet.

Well i finally pinched for a Paramo Fuera Ascent.
Large was too big but the medium was just right. Thought the hood might be an issue but works well when down at keeping the wind out but loose enough to let hot air out. Fit/cut works well for on the bike MTB but not a roady type cut which i like.

No pockets on the back which is fine as stash would sway about but its cut allows you to use the pockets in your cycling top underneath.

Not used it in the rain yet but looks like it should shed quite a lot of rain. Very wind proof and lite to carry and rolls up small.

My horrible lime green (now dirty green) cheap as chip decathlon (walkers not cycling) softshell has been my best buy as winter kit goes. Waterproof enough, and pitzip to cool you down, seen more use over the last two winter than my proper waterproof has in 4 years.
If only they'd had em in black when I went in... they did the next time I visited 🙁

tk maxx are doing nice ones,mountain wear i think is the make,25-30 quid.

I bought a Regatta Softshell for £20-25 from Go Outdoors. It's a nice thin fleece so fine to ride in and cheap enough to not care about mud. It only started to leak after 3 hours in heavy rain.

I don't know if Paramo has changed much since I bought some of their trousers but personally I found it useless unless you wanted warm trousers. Not weather resistant unless you stand still and don't touch anything. Kneel or sit down and the water came through, or anything remotely sharp tore it. Proper washing/nikwax didn't help.