A few years ago I got an Altura Varium soft shell jacket which was great for winter riding. Durable fabrics, stretchy, pit zips and taped seams. It is past it’s best now, so what alternatives are about at the moment? Thanks.

What size are you? Pretty sure I have a varium still with tags on that I doubt I’ll ever use

@jsync did you reproof your barium?
I bought one a few years back when a local shop was shifting them for £30
Really handy jacket for cold rides but it’s now not waterproof
Wasn’t sure if nikwax was what to use as it was softshell like

@kevin1911 – thanks, what have you got? I’m probably M/L. Although I am really looking for a newer version or alternative.

@hainman – Yeah I got mine for the same price from Leckies, great price. I never had to reproof mine, although you can get specific softshell treatments I think.

Ha! That’s where I got mine too. Pretty sure it’s an XL I have

Amazing bargain at the time. Thanks for looking.

I’ve had a Varium for a while. I did recently reproof it but managed to dodge really wet weather with it, so can’t say if it’s made a massive difference. It does bead up nicely when sprinkling water on it though. I used the wash in nikwax stuff.

If it’s really wet then I tend to use my gabba. Different garment and not cheap (but really worth it)

I’m going to got get some spray on reproofer
Was reading online that when using a wash in reproofer it coats the inside as well as outside and causes issues like wetting out easier as the inside becomes less breathable