Breathable, semi waterproof jackets?.

[Blue Hills]

Are those made of gold or something?

Helmet £30, glasses £3.99 and touring (spd) shoes £40 - all from Decathlon...

am a bit worried about cougie, especially if he rides in some parts - how much does his buff cost, his socks, his head band? - I can see switched on thieves scorning whatever bike he's on and just stripping him naked.

 

[Profpointy]

For me the best jackets are the windproof fleece type jackets, which aren't really waterproof yet somehow you don't feel wet inside when you're cycling, even wearing a far-from-ideal old cotton t-shirt underneath (or office shirt on way home). Experienced based on 7 miles each way all-year-round all-weather (except ice) commuting. If doing a day ride I might want a thin waterproof jacket for stops. My jackets are a modestly priced altura one (not sure if still available) and a much nicer but objectively not much better assos one (itself not brutally costly as it was last-year's colour or summat). They're both made of something akin to Mountain Equipments semi-waterproof "aquafleece" so aren't per se more than water resistant

 

[Profpointy]

Paramo is a good system for those who like it but maybe too warm for some.

Paramo is very much my choice for hillwalking, and indeed as a general anorak for going to the shops. They do do a cycle specific one, but I wonder if it's still a bit much for cycling, and unlike a fleecy jacket is likely to flap around somewhat. Still I've not tried one

 

[Reynard]

am a bit worried about cougie, especially if he rides in some parts - how much does his buff cost, his socks, his head band? - I can see switched on thieves scorning whatever bike he's on and just stripping him naked.

Oh man, pass the mind bleach will you?

 

[Blue Hills]

For me the best jackets are the windproof fleece type jackets, which aren't really waterproof yet somehow you don't feel wet inside when you're cycling, even wearing a far-from-ideal old cotton t-shirt underneath (or office shirt on way home). Experienced based on 7 miles each way all-year-round all-weather (except ice) commuting. If doing a day ride I might want a thin waterproof jacket for stops. My jackets are a modestly priced altura one (not sure if still available) and a much nicer but objectively not much better assos one (itself not brutally costly as it was last-year's colour or summat). They're both made of something akin to Mountain Equipments semi-waterproof "aquafleece" so aren't per se more than water resistant

agree that if you are warm you don't necessarily need total water protection - I've finished some rides and on walking in the house and stripping off been surprised at how soaked I was One of my favourite semi waterproof tops came from Lidl and cost about £3.50 - it blocks wind very well and also breathes well. In SOME ways it reminds me of my much mourned (fell out of a Pannier :{ ) old Karrimor Pertex top.

 

[Blue Hills]

Oh man, pass the mind bleach will you?

I should stress I have never met him - could be a her for all I know.
So am fine without bleach aid.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Skin is waterproof. It is true.

 

[cougie uk]

I should stress I have never met him - could be a her for all I know.
So am fine without bleach aid.

Fear not. You can imagine me however you want.

I should stress that I don't pay that much for kit but I know people who do.

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/met-manta-mips-road-helmet

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/oakley-kato-x-polished-black-prizm-road-sunglasses

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/gaerne-carbon-g-stl-road-shoes-gold-rush

My outfit is much cheaper than this ! 😁

 

[freiston]

I sweat a lot and value windproofness and breathability (they sound contradictory, don't you think?) over waterproofness in a jacket. My jacket of choice is an old (and cheap) Aldi/Crane jacket with windproof roubaix fleece style front panels and (most of the)arms, and a thin fleece back panel that offers no resistance to my breath when I breathe through it (this is the way I test how windproof a garment is) - the arms have similar material in the back of the forearms too (pretty much where you'd find a cuff placket in a shirt arm). I don't know whether the windproof panels are waterproof but they seem it and I've never had problems in light rain or short showers. If it's prolonged or heavy rain, I put my cape on. I don't think they're available any more but I've seen similar jackets sold elsewhere including Decathlon.

I find the jacket versatile for all cool/cold weather conditions by choosing and combining layers to wear underneath and sometimes I will wear a cheap quilted Decathlon gilet (not cycling-specific) either under or over it.

 

[Happy_Days]

Resurrection 🧛‍♂️ thanks to Castelli 🇮🇹

We have a new waterproof breathable material – Polartec RPM – that Castelli uses in its newfangled Ultra Rain Cape.

 

[Hacienda71]

I have a Castelli Squadra jacket which is reasonably well vented and not too expensive, not a full on rain jacket, but the bits that are going to be hit first by rain on the bike are waterproof. It is a racecut jacket so size up. Small enough to stick in a back pocket. I use it in the winter to put on top of a winter/autumn jersey when cold or it starts raining. Quite a few other options around. Even the Aldi packable jacket will do the job when they are on offer. Prefer them to a gilet as they protect your arms as well.

 

[tinywheels]

showerspass do it for me, my gear is 4 this month. still works, wear it almost daily in winter.

 

[Jameshow]

My favourite is a Boardman waterproof jacket nice and tight fitting.

But for general riding I have a cheap Aldi Lidl jacket older but pretty bomb proof imho.

Several soft shell jackets or when it's just cold too. And a thermal jacket if it's really artic weather it I'm cycle touring - gives an extra season to a sleeping bag!

 

[freiston]

When I got the notification of the resurrection reply, I had to re-read the thread as I had forgotten it completely.

My original response is now out of date.

I now typically wear a base layer (often a Planet X merino long sleeved top) with a fleece jacket (old thick Berghaus or cheap thin Decathlon) and a Decathlon MT100 quilted walking gilet or the full jacket version. I vary the top layers - often the merino base with the gilet, and the fleece or full jacket in the saddlebag for non-summer outdoor refreshment stops/colder weather. For wet/showery weather, I put a Galibier Courchevel raincoat on top, often removing mid-layers below. This rain jacket has generous pit zips and a front velcro & press-stud storm flap that works well with the zip undone. When not wearing the raincoat but when the weather is nippy and the wind cold, I sometimes put a pertex smock on over the top - a Montane Featherlight - it weighs not a lot and packs away in its own little mesh bag to about the size of an apple