Waterproof & breathable jacket - what's the latest & greatest?

[bahamas]

It's time to replace my cycling jacket as general wear-and-tear coupled to complete lack of care means it has a couple of holes here and there. Still, at £120 and four years of hard use, I reckon about 60p/week for keeping me completely dry and comfy in all weathers isn't bad.

My current jacket is a Montane eVent Stormrider. I've been very happy with it, totally waterproof and amazingly breathable. Would happily buy another, but I've been told there's a new type of Goretex which is even better than eVent now?

What's the latest tech in breathable waterproofs?

Also, I'm torn between hi-viz and black after getting oil on my current jacket. Has anyone made the switch from hi-viz, and did you find it made any difference to the number of SMIDSYs?

Ben

I highly recommend the Specialized version. I love their products and find them to be excellent

 

[yello]

I took the view that the extra weight and bulk of Paramo wasn't what I would normally want, given that I'd be carrying the jacket more than wearing it.

Agreed. I don't use my Paramo for the majority of cycling that I do but I have used it when cycle touring. Whilst being an excellent jacket, it is too bulky for my everyday cycling. It is more suited to walking (despite it advertising a 'cycling cut') as someone else pointed out.

 

[middleagecyclist]

I do have a commuting waterproof but don't use it much at all as its breathability cannot keep pace with my outpourings. My default is now a long sleeve jersey with a lightweight outer shell stashed in a pocket for strong wind/rain. I find I keep drier with this combo. Each to their own though.