In winter a Gore Phantom soft shell with (sometimes more than one) smelly-helly underneath. Warm but not too warm and fends of even pretty persistent wet weather.

If it’s a bit milder I’ve got a Rab windproof whic is great – it’s an older version of this one http://rab.uk.com/products/mens-clothing/windshell/pertex-equilibrium/alpine-jacket.html

Got a Gore paclite waterproof that comes out when it’s really wet – might have been expensive but I reckon it’s worth it. Waterproof and at the same time really does seem to be very breathable – also washes up way better than anything else I’ve owned previously.

Tbh (I’m trying to move away from it) the jacket I’ve always defaulted to is the DPM army goretex. You look a bit pie key but its warm on icey days and great in downpours.

Nice jackets being worn by people, would have thought it to be a bit high risk to have something so nice on when crashes and resulting rips/tears/grazes are likely

I tend to fall off a fair bit. I thought about this- I’ve never ripped shorts, top or jacket.

You tend to shred stuff when belting it down double-track or fire roads IMO. Techy’ falls tend to be tumbles or stacks etc. Blunt-edged.

Brambles and thorns/close branches though- if I rode in such areas in the North Downs I wouldnt wear posh stuff.

Up in the Lakes- why not? If you do tear a jacket- patch it. I’ve got a 10yr+ Mammut softshell- ripped it a number of times and had it professionally repaired at a Russian tailors nearby. You couldn’t tell its been ripped.

most of the year, its a gore path which seems to handle most stuff (other than crashing into fences)

lucky to have a mate that works in specialist outdoor repair company and for deep winter i use a rock climbing ‘crux torq jacket’ which was free sample he got!! and its amazing for the hideous wet freezing gale force wind high level riding I’m doing through the winter. tough as nails construction, eVent, hooded, not let me down in 3 winters – top notch.

other than slightly wider arms, its very sympathetic to a cyclist cut. worth a look if you a rich or are a bank robber…

I have an endura softshell I got years ago . it is really comfortable in all weathers does not get cold when wet and has survived loads of crashes. It is not waterproof but drys out on a radiator quite quickly it is in virtual daily use and does not get stinky either.

Edit I can’t see it on endura’s website any more but the fabric is called windTeX.

Depends on the weather, got several to choose from…

Cold and wet and moving fast = Endura Stealth
Cold and really wet = Altura Attack
Cold and dry/a bit wet = Scott Mind
A bit cold and/or wet = Patagonia Simple Guide

sombrio anthem storm jacket for when its raining, with a long sleeve jersey underneath. otherwise an intrepid apparel gilet for if its just cold and a long sleeve jersey

benp1 – Member

Nice jackets being worn by people, would have thought it to be a bit high risk to have something so nice on when crashes and resulting rips/tears/grazes are likely

It was road crashes that destroyed mine- they’ve all taken a beating offroad and picked up scrapes but it takes a lot to hole a sensible jacket. Hard body armour gives them a harder time too I think

You can get wee goretex repair patches btw, very good.

Decathlon 700… Waterproof/windproof, with a good cuff design and vents under the arms. Zip is a bit cheap… But for £60 I’m happy.

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/patagonia-super-alpine-jacket

My Event jacket cost a fraction of this ^

Montane Alpine Stretch for me.

Got an endura windchill ii jacket for the Mtb or for bimbling about with the dog on the bike, reasonably waterproof and warm, big pit vents so no overheating and decent pockets, just need a simple base layer underneath it. Also got a Castelli Motirolo for the road bike/ tripster which is similar to the endura but is better, as in fit, function, pockets, breathability, comfort, just need a base layer under it. Just bought a Rapha hooded rain jacket which survived a 3 hour deluge last Sunday and it is ace, well worth the £120 that even if I paid full price of £230 I think I’d still be impressed.

Got quite a few others after 20+ years of riding but the above are the main ones in the last couple of years or so

I use in winter time a Berghaus Ardennes Softshell absolutely brilliant bit of kit, can be had for £52 or touch mor.

I have a Gore something or other; I think it’s a Fusion AS in green (Large) if anyone’s interested. I only wore it two or three times; too much for me.

Thanks everyone for the input.

Rarely a jacket unless its really wet, then a DHB roady style simple waterproof with no features.
Most of the time – just a jersey, wind-proof jersey or winter jersey with a louis garneau gilet and base layers to suit.

Painey – Member
Berghaus vapour storm and layers.
Second that! Can still be had for around £100.

That looks like a decent jacket

Any ideas where sells them at £100?

I can’t find anything on google