New waterproof jacket time – your recommendations please

Not fully waterproof but this Gore Lupra goretex infinium jacket looks like a decent winter option https://www.gorewear.com/en-uk/lupra-jacket-mens-100853, with the sale and the 20EXTRA code it gives you almost £100 off rrp bringing it down to £91. All colours and most sizes across the board. I’ve just taken a punt on one.

I’m after a waterproof jacket and I wandered into alpkit, jackets on the peg there £220! I raised my eyebrows and left. Do you really need to spend that much to get a truly waterproof jacket? Been reading that it needs to have over 20k mm of hydro something. Can anyone recommend a long jacket with a hood for hiking with a rating over 20k for less than £100?

@jekkyl I think there was a decathlon waterproof breathable coat recommended earlier in the thread that fit that budget.

Lots of companies, Alpkit included, have sign up discounts, frequent sales, and some have STW subscriber discounts. If you’re in no rush and have your eye on a particular item look out for these.

Like many things, beyond a certain threshold the gains are incremental.

I got to test the Showers Pass Refuge in some fairly heavy rain yesterday.

It is waterproof.

It is breathable. Fairly warm weather despite the wind and rain (maybe 16C) plus brisk walking it got a bit sweaty with the vents shut.

The hood is OK for walking. Cinched down it fitted securely enough on my head in stiff gusts of wind. It has no stiffener on the peak so a bit floppy. As it is a zip on/off hood its coverage around the face is limited.

Seems like a great compromise so far and what I wanted.

Pick any two:

• Waterproof
• Cheap
• Durable

I bought an Alpkit waterproof jacket last summer – it’s OK and still waterproof 12 months later. It does feel a bit too lightweight and I cannot see the waterproofing lasting another 12 months; I expect it’ll start to fail and leak this winter.

I am however prepared to be pleasantly surprised.

Not fully waterproof but this Gore Lupra goretex infinium jacket looks like a decent winter option https://www.gorewear.com/en-uk/lupra-jacket-mens-100853, with the sale and the 20EXTRA code it gives you almost £100 off rrp bringing it down to £91. All colours and most sizes across the board. I’ve just taken a punt on one.

cheers for this, looked at the positive reviews on line and also taken a punt (especially as it now has 25EXTRA code!)

wear a long sleeve top/base layer with it.

This for sure.

I’ve owned a few high end waterproofs and basically it seems that the less you wash them the better! Rinsing mud off etc. but just avoid getting sweat or oil (or midge repellent, or sun cream 🙄) on the inside.

I have no real faith in DWR and even less faith in tumble drying the jackets to re-activate the DWR, it seems far too risky and no matter how careful I’ve been I’ve seen jackets delaminate after one or two careful/low temp tumble dries.

Get Gore, wear a base layer, try to avoid wearing it as much as possible (I keep mine rolled up in a back jersey pocket so I can take it on and off as quickly and easily as possible).

Those Endure jackets look great!

Get in – 25% now!!! Went too soon, still a bargain! They just sent me a code for £50 off £200 spend on full price if anyone is looking at the Endure jacket. THANKYOU50 valid until 1st Oct. Not sure if it’s linked to my account but worth a punt if you’re buying anyway.

@jekkyl I had the Alpkit Balance jacket and would not recommend it. Was OK for about a year but after that it was basically like wearing a cotton shirt. The last straw was when I was camping and took my kid to the toilet block about 100m away – put the jacket on dry and jogged to the toilet and back but the return journey was enough for it to soak through and me need to change my t-shirt.

Assume this is down to the DWR expiring although I had reproofed it in Nikwax, but even with the DWR off you’d expect the membrane to keep out a couple of minutes rain. Replaced with a Goretex based jacket.

My decathlon jacket is arriving today. Thankfully Cornwall is supplying rain for me to try it out next week.

Gore Lupra goretex infinium jacket looks like a decent winter option

But Infinium is not waterproof.

Water resistant yes – and a fantastic material for the right job (Infinium gloves are the dogs – and I fancy a Gore Phantom Infinium jacket for winter riding) but this is not a jacket for a wet day.

No, you missed the first 3 words of that when you quoted. Not fully waterproof. I couldn’t be bothered making a separate thread, I just thought I’d share a good deal on what looks to me to be a decent winter option. To me it does look like a good winter option. Fully waterproof jackets are only really good for me when it’s pouring with rain and freezing (I live in Cornwall so fairly mild), any other time a soft shell style jacket works better. Any jacket for a U.K. winter is a compromise one way or another.

I’ve gone for the Gore Endure. I’ll demote my MT500 to everyday off the bike use, for which I like it anyway and am lacking another jacket, so it’s not really a waste.

I couldn’t get the 20/25EXTRA codes to work but the THANKYOU50 one did, which is 20% here anyway.

I’ve gone for the Gore Endure.

Made from the same material as my Montane, It’s very waterproof 👍

Thinking this one as it’s essentially the Endure jacket without the hood

https://www.gorewear.com/en-uk/gore-tex-paclite-jacket-mens-100651

And the 25EXTRA code works to bring it down to £112.49 inc free shipping

Have gone for a Gore Endure too, using the THANKYOU50 code mentioned above by @stevede (thank you). Didn’t try the 20/25EXTRA code, but it may have worked instead.
With that plus the £50-odd that I was willing to throw at re-taping an old MT500, until it was condemned as BLR, that effectively prices the Gore at £150. Hopefully it’s as good as the recommendations suggest.

I ordered a large endure jacket which was a bit too small, the returns process isn’t straight forward now we have left the EU. My return is stuck in customs despite filling out all the corect paperwork. I have recived an XL jacket which I’m happy with so just hoping I don’t end up chasing the refund for the large.

I found a discount code useing the power of Google which gives a 35% off full priced items, not sure if it’s still valid “JORDYN35”

I’d probably get this for £137 if I was buying a jacket now.

https://www.revolutionrace.co.uk/men/jackets/shell-jackets/cyclone-lx-jacket-men

Alternatively I’m a huge fan of a brand called Helikon Tex. They do awesome kit, mainly military / bushcraft stuff. The quality is always top.

They do a jacket called the Squall Hardshell which I’m likely to be buying soon. But that will be an all purpose jacket and not cycle specific.

Did you buy the Gore Endure? I ordered one and it’s arrived, the fit is good etc but I am worried about breathability. All the reviews of the specific jacket say it’s amazing and very breathability but all reviews of Gore paclite plus I can find say it’s very not-breathable.

I’m a bit confused if I should keep it or not.

Also wondering about the idea of asking a seamstress to add some ventilation zips but maybe that just indicates it’s not the right jacket.

My use case is mostly my 30 minute commute but also walking/standing in a playground in the rain with my kid.

Buffalo Teclite is very breathable. My showers pass jacket wetted out from day 1, very disappointing DWR

sweet protection has been better but for quality and low cost it’s Army Surplus that wins

GS Workwear in Grays and their online ebay store.
US  Navy jacket is good   Pit zips

”Genuine US Navy USN Digital GoreTex Working Parka Jacket”

it’s quite heavy duty. Good hood and zips. Comes up a bit large.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/gsarmysurplus?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=qbEdne_lTRe&sssrc=3418065&ssuid=k4xnnXE3QzK&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

link to item.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/226278733381?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=qbEdne_lTRe&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=k4xnnXE3QzK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Any comments / feedback about this jacket?

https://planetx.co.uk/products/on-one-waterproof-mtb-jacket-blue

Waterproof performance, sizing, expected life, packed/folded up size etc.

Suits my budget.

For wet rides of about 1 hour.

No rucksac or backpac.

These have had some decent reviews

Spada MTB Enduro Jacket Titan Blue

Hiya,

I would say Keela everytime. The only jacket that has lasted the distance, never leaked and is totally brilliant. My wifes one of 6 years has only just started leaking.

Did I mention my Son works for them too 😉 Clothing technologist in Glenrothes.

JeZ

Not exactly the same jacket, but I’ve been wearing a ShowersPass Elements jacket for about 5 years now for all-year round riding, Scottish ski touring and even the odd Alps ski trip.  Breathability is very good, and it packs up small in a bag.  2.5 layer though, so not the toughest jacket out there.  It is also pretty short in the body, which I like, as makes it good when wearing harnesses etc.  The inside of the jacket is very slick, which some people who’ve tried it don’t like, as it feels almost ‘damp’ against the skin, if wearing a short sleeve baselayer, but it’s not something that I’ve really noticed.

GavinB
contrary to your experience, my Showers Pass Elements jacket wetted out even in a light shower from day 1. Clothing beneath feels damp even walking around in rain so I don’t think it’s sweat. I was sadly disappointed. It’s never been on the bike just round town and country walks duty.

I’ve just bought a new Keela Saxon, to take over from one that’s about 7-8 years old; the older one is being retired to ‘showerproof’ duty, as it’s not reliably waterproof anymore but will keep rain out for a while, while being very breathable.

The new one is still only £110 delivered, a superb price for such a quality piece of kit.  It’s probably made of a very slightly heavier material than the older one but so far has done everything I’m asking of it during a wet autumn spell.  The older one worked well on the AlpPacker South trip with Sam (of Bike Village) at the end of September, when we had some really cold mornings and a showery day at altitude.  I’d still say that a heavier jacket than the Saxon might be needed for the coldest or wettest days in mid winter in the Highlands but for everything short of that relatively extreme example, it’s ideal.

I really dislike the trend for larger collars that form part of the hood. When you’re not using the hood, (ie when it’s not zipped up all the way),  you just end up with material flapping about your chin, its really bloody annoying. Looking at Spada, Keela, that cheap On One, they’re all the same.

Update on the Gore Lupra I bought off the recommendation up there ? For me it’s almost perfect, fit is great in all the right places, fabric does seem to be more breathable than standard waterproofs (gore 3 layer, event), hood works really well over a helmet. I know it’s not 100% waterproof, but I’ve been out for a couple of hours in biblical rain and stayed completely dry inside, so I’d say it’s as waterproof as I’m ever going to need and will take any leakage as a trade off for the added breathability (I will say I don’t run hot).  The only negative I have is there’s no way to cinch down the hood when it isn’t in use, which for the sake of a little Velcro tab is annoyingly close to perfect

A quick point on Gore Windstopper / Infinium – pretty much the same thing. The fabric itself, at least when new, is effectively waterproof. It uses the same membrane as Gore’s waterproof fabrics, but lacks a PU element, which means it can – if contaminated – leak in the sense that it draws water inwards from the outside. Also the seams aren’t generally taped, so eventually, in rainy conditions, they will leak. Canny manufacturers cut the jacket so seams are as tucked away as much as possible, eg, not on top of the shoulders.

The advantage of using the fabric is you still get a very rain-resistant jacket, but with appreciably better breathability than a waterproof Gore-Tex equivalent thanks to the absence of the PU element/smear. There are also a few taped Windstopper jackets out there, which are more water resistant again and, at least when new, effectively fully waterproof, even if the label doesn’t say that.

I bought a Galibier Courcheval Storm Jacket during the summer. Is an excellent bit of kit.

Bought one initially for Thump, who survived a very wet hillwalking day in it, then borrowed it for a week-long cycle tour in June. Has pit zips and it kept me comfortable on days when it couldn’t decide if it was raining or not.  So, kept that for me and bought him a replacement.

PS my rainy-day dog walking jacket is Keela.

@mudfish have you spoken to them? <edit> essentially a double post from a year ago on pg1 </edit>

Hot fiat

Yes. Essentially the advice was to put it in the tumble dryer. DWR seems far from durable sadly.

Also, Paramo loses its waterproofing when dirty whilst most jackets just lose breatheability

It has to be pretty dirty to let much water through…. I have a load of them and some are really grubby after rolling big bales in winter or wearing on site and they keep working.   I always end up sounding like a Paramo zealot but I find that the Velez Light smock is a really good bikepacking jacket and is ok for walking too. It is a bit hotter but you can vent it and it manages condensation really well.

Also, less PFOS risks… if you are about such stuff.

Helly Hansen Men‘s Ride Hooded Cycling Rain Jacket. Have it in yellow but also available in black, testing it now ca 1 year – so far it’s wonderful. If you don’t need the hood, just fold it to the inside. It’s light, breathing, does its job fine!