Montane Jackets - which is best?!

[zoso7]

Velo H20, Featherlite Velo, Featherlite Smock, Featherlite Jetstream!!

Which is the best out of these jackets for breathability, water resistance and packability?!

is there anything better in the price range (£35-55) that you would recommend?!

In cold temperatures, will these jackets be suitable when layered with appropriate baselayers & jersey?!

 

[byegad]

I have Featherlite Velo and a Featherlite Smock, I also own an Extreme Smock, a much heavier winter job!

I've found the first two to be good in the rain, keeping me dry for over an hour of light rain and on another occasion 20 minutes of a real downpour.

Longer than that and they do start to let in some water, but, if you use a spray on proofer, the type that requires you to tumble dry the garment after application they are way better. The breathe ability seems to be unaffected by the spray on extra proofing.

My F'lite Smock survived a two hour downpour with only a little water getting through around the zip. As I ride a recumbent the Velo lets in water along he zip and having a much longer zip lets in more water than the Smock. On a DF there will be less leakage as more water will run off.

Given how small they both pack I have one on each of my trikes and would never leave home without one. If I were to buy another I'd go for the smock but there again I like to be warm so never use the Velo with the zip very far down.

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

I've got a Fetherlite smock. I liked it so much I bought another one. I give it a wash every now and then with the Nikwax washing stuff, and every four or so washes use the Nikwax wash in reproofing stuff.

As byegad says, it holds the water out for long enough (for me) to get to work: not had an issue in the 30 minutes or so my commute takes.

The fact that it folds down so small means I always take it with me.

It does a good job of keeping the wind off. Last winter, I found that a wicking t-shirt as a base layer, good mid-layer and the smock on top was plenty warm enough for me.

Disclaimer: I do have a good layer of subcutaneous insulation.

 

[HLaB]

I have the Feathelite Velo too, compared to my other jackets (different brands) its definitely the best for breatability and packability. Its not the best for waterproofness, water does eventually get in (it seems to congegrate in the sleive). When its been torrential I've carried a gilet to and my body has been nice and dry. Out of my jackets its my choice however as its advantages outweigh the shortcommings.

 

[zacklaws]

I have the featherlite velo and I wear it every day for my commute as a windproof, summer and winter. As for being showerproof it has only kept me dry when it was new and even then heavy showers would soak me through in about ten minutes, even after reproofing it has never been as good as new. I think the major problem with it, is that it is not designed to be worn all the time but just to be used when you need to use it as I am finding also that it is starting to fade very rapidly with sunlight.

In reality, the jacket is good, but I would like a spare one for best which I could wear for when it does rain, but there again I could just buy another windproof jacket instead and use the Velo for when it does rain.