Is there such a thing as a breathable cycle cape

[IT_Dummy]

After being hit by a car at a junction whilst cycling in the rain I would like to buy a decent highly reflective cape that I do not sweat in
In Winter I am happy as a lark cos its cold, but summer, boy do I sweat with more than a T shirt on.
I am fairly fit. According to family, sweating a lot in Summer is in our genes.

Any help please

 

[andrew_s]

Would that be a race cape or a touring cape?
(race=jacket, touring=poncho, more or less).

A touring cape has such a big open area at the bottom that breathableness is deemed not to be necessary (though I get quite damp from sweat where it lies against my back). Mudguards are necessary.

Jackets are available in varying degrees of breatheableness. eVent and Goretex Active Shell are the most breathable fabrics (and most expensive), being not too far off as good as unproofed pertex windproofs. Note there are several other varieties of Goretex, of varying degrees of breatheability (Pro Shell, Performance Shell and Paclite, best first).
All breathable jackets are limited, in that after a while the outside of the jacket will become saturated, and the fabric won't breathe through a layer of water. After this point you'll get wet from condensation.

Most cycling items are just yellow, with only small amounts of reflectives (piping etc).
To get proper reflective, you'll have to go to industrial workwear (probably at the lower end of Gore's breatheability range).

In summer, the other option is just to wear stuff that doesn't get too uncomfortable when it's wet, and let yourself get wet.

 

[IT_Dummy]

Would that be a race cape or a touring cape?
(race=jacket, touring=poncho, more or less).

A touring cape has such a big open area at the bottom that breathableness is deemed not to be necessary (though I get quite damp from sweat where it lies against my back). Mudguards are necessary.

Jackets are available in varying degrees of breatheableness. eVent and Goretex Active Shell are the most breathable fabrics (and most expensive), being not too far off as good as unproofed pertex windproofs. Note there are several other varieties of Goretex, of varying degrees of breatheability (Pro Shell, Performance Shell and Paclite, best first).
All breathable jackets are limited, in that after a while the outside of the jacket will become saturated, and the fabric won't breathe through a layer of water. After this point you'll get wet from condensation.

Most cycling items are just yellow, with only small amounts of reflectives (piping etc).
To get proper reflective, you'll have to go to industrial workwear (probably at the lower end of Gore's breatheability range).

In summer, the other option is just to wear stuff that doesn't get too uncomfortable when it's wet, and let yourself get wet.

Thanks for the usefull info

 

[jgs]

I always wear hi-viz - I don't think the safety benefits can be overstated. In the summer I wear a hi-viz gilet. I can't find easy links to the Pearl Izumi one I wear (no longer stocked at Evans or Wiggle I note), but this is similar:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-windproof-ultralight-gilet/

They also help regulate your temp nicely - reduces the chill of descents.

 

[fossyant]

I always wear hi-viz - I don't think the safety benefits can be overstated. In the summer I wear a hi-viz gilet. I can't find easy links to the Pearl Izumi one I wear (no longer stocked at Evans or Wiggle I note), but this is similar:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-windproof-ultralight-gilet/

They also help regulate your temp nicely - reduces the chill of descents.

Oh nooo hi viz...

TBH, in answer to the OP's question - no, not really. You can spend an insane amount on some waterproofs, but you'll get sweatty - they can't really cope with the heat/sweat output of someone exercising hard. I just accept I'll be sweatty, but rather warm.

 

[andrew_s]

I always wear hi-viz - I don't think the safety benefits can be overstated.

Hi-vis is mostly useful in respect of post-accident blame transfer.
As far as stopping accidents happening in the first place, it doesn't help nearly as much as you'd suppose.

Most cases of SMIDSY are nothing to do with being invisible, but are because the driver is driving on autopilot, thinking more about what's for dinner tonight or what the best route is than what's happening on the road. Instead they just give a cursory glance (if that) and rely on their subconscious to alert them if there's any problem. A pedal bike isn't a danger to a motorist, so they often don't get alerted. What the motorcyclist fraternity call "looked but didn't see".
After all, they don't have any problem seeing the non-dayglo road edges, parked black or dark green cars etc.

Once an accident has happened, your average motorist will seize on any excuse why it wasn't his fault. Lack of hi-vis is an easy option.

 

[compo]

I still use a cape in preference to a jacket when on a journey. I also sweat a lot like the OP and find that a cape is far better than a jacket. As has been said you do really need mudguards or the spray just goes up the inside of the cape. The other downside is that a cape makes a superb sail in windy conditions which is fantastic in a tail wind. Even allowing for the downsides I still prefer a cape but then I am just an old luddite stuck in the old days!