Cos mine, which used to be such a thing, no longer is (it’s very not actually waterproof anymore).

It was a DHB eVent thing that was the business, but it’s died of (venerable) old age, which meant a pretty miserable hour and a half’s commute in the rain yesterday.

So, what else is out there? I don’t want or need pockets or a hood, I do want a nice cycling cut (so slimmish, with longish arms and back). And I want it properly waterproof and breathable, like eVent is when it’s not died of old age).

Surely Goretex is the answer?

Erm, a new event one maybe?

Erm, a new event one maybe?

Well, yes, that would be ideal, but I can’t find any (the DHB one is no longer made)

generally anything with Gore Active Shell would fit your bill. My pick is the Sportful Survival jacket (I don’t get on with Gore’s own brand fit at all).

your old coat probably needs re-treating. have you attempted this?

Indeedy reproofing +1 (nikwax 1ltr combo pack from tesco’s for £15)

Bontrager eVent Packable

your old coat probably needs re-treating. have you attempted this?

I have, but never particularly successfully… The thing is probably 10 years old though, I assumed the membrane (or whatever it is) is effectively dead. Happy to be re-educated

Bontrager eVent Packable

looks ideal, however I can’t find anywhere that actually sells them.

Castelli do event jackets. Not cheap though.

I have, but never particularly successfully… The thing is probably 10 years old though, I assumed the membrane (or whatever it is) is effectively dead. Happy to be re-educated

Try washing it in ordinary detergent – you need to get rid of the grease and grime that the Nikwax-type soaps won’t touch. Then use Nikwax/ Grangers detergent, re-proof, and tumble dry.

Doesn’t cost you much to try it when compared to the cost of a new jacket.

Ah, I’ve always used pure soap. I’m too gentle 🙂

Get yourself something nice in Ventile. Hilltrek do a cycling jacket and its made in the UK.

If I remember correctly, Event lacks the oleophobic (oil hating) memebrane that Goretex has. This means it breathes better when clean but tends to be more affected by dirt & sweat. As above, good detergent (no fabric softener!) then retreat with Nikwax or grangers. Most people think jackets are leaking when they’re actually not breathing, so get wet on the inside.

I was in a very similar situation to you OP, when I noticed my own DHB eVent jacket was no longer waterproof after many years of service. Re-waterproofing only worked for a very limited time.
After recommendations on here I went for a Pace eVent jacket, as it was similarly ‘frill-free’ to the DHB one I had previously.
Linky
The only thing that isn’t as good as the old DHB, is that I get a bit of midriff bunching of material when on the bike.

(I also tried a Gore Alp X before the Pace and it was awful. I had to send it back to Wiggle as not fit for purpose).

Ah, I’ve always used pure soap. I’m too gentle

Both Goretex and Event say that ordinary detergent is fine. I managed to rejuvenate my Rab walking jacket (Event) recently with ordinary bio and a tumble dry afterwards. Outdoor shops would have you believe that your kit will disintegrate unless you use Nikwax soap, but it’s total BS.

Mavic, castelli.

(no fabric softener!)

Given that MrsIHN insists on using fabric softener (a different gripe…), do I need to stick the machine through an empty quick wash cycle first to get rid of any traces?

The way my body runs

actually waterproof

and

actually breathable

are mutually exclusive.

Also, when it’s 15 degC and raining, will any jacket ‘breathe’?.

Apart from going out in really bad weather and getting wet how do you tell when your gortex has had it?

I find my thinner packaway jackets don’t last as well as my walking thicker jackets but they have a liner. The liner seems to help with wicking moisture away too.

Does the gortex perish over time or just get clogged up or torn etc?

No. Or to be more exact they do exist but are not effective enough to pass the amount of moisture you generate when cycling. I am always amused by the ads that quote transpiration rates without mentioning how much humans produce.
Now O just use a decent wind proof and accept I am going to get wet at some point. However I don’t commute!

Also, when it’s 15 degC and raining, will any jacket ‘breathe’?.

As above, not sufficiently, but why would you want a waterproof when it’s that warm? You’re not going to get cold and you’re not going to dissolve…

Don’t use biological powder, use non-bio. Rinse the machine beforehand on a hot cycle to get rid of any biological/softener residue.
Event jackets sometimes have a label that says ‘wash me often’. Don’t be scared to wash, Gore had (may still have) washing machines running 24 hours per day to test their fabrics.
Rinse at least twice.
Reproof when still slightly damp (check the product you are using, though many work best like this).
If product label says tumble, then definitely tumble as this affects the outermost fibres and proofing agent on some jackets. But…….
It’s quite old, and well used, so may be time to say goodbye.
Why not look at Paramo? They have some new, lighter, cycling oriented waterproofs in the range.

David

P.s. Best breathability, can cope with high temperatures and waterproof too is…..

An umbrella.

Light, cheap, and…….best for walking though.

I don’t think any waterproof will keep you totally dry inside if you are working hard enough, but I’ve used a Vaude Skyfly for a few years, and found it very waterproof and very breathable. It’s a very minimal jacket, so no good if you want lots of pockets and flaps, but it packs really small, and has worn well (I’ve had other jackets where taping, seams and membranes have worn out fairly quickly, but have not had that problem with the Vaude.
I just bought the new version, the Skyfly 2, used it on a long wet ride last week, and it performed very well.

Pace 4×4

Gore Oxygen is very breathable & totally waterproof. IME.

Simple really if its breathable then its not waterproof.

Its all to do with compromise.