Waterproof jacket

[22camels]

I'm hearing that a good waterproof jacket is essential for touring and that I should be prepared to spend top $$$ to get a good one, at the moment I've got two neither cost more than 20 quid, they seem OK (though haven't been seriously stress tested yet). I am wondering if I need to upgrade... The two are

http://www.trespass.com/qikpac-jacket-03062 - not a cycling jacket, rated 5000mm waterproof. In my experience it's pretty waterproof, though not very breathable or aerodynamic.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vapor-Cycling-Jacket-x20AC-Featherweight/dp/B0055D1BSC - rated 10000mm waterproof, but doesn't seem as waterproof as above, and not that breathable, but more aerodynamic and high-vis.

I want a single versatile and durable jacket to use in a broad range of conditions. I am contemplating a trip to Iceland next summer, and a much longer trip later on that will span various climates ranging from humid tropical where I don't mind getting wet, to, well I don't envisage anywhere that will go below -5 deg C, with a lot of rain and perhaps snow, that'd be the Pamirs around September time.

I know cold and wet is when this piece of gear becomes important. So what is it about the expensive waterproof cycling jackets that is worth paying for? What is it about technologies like eVent and gore-tex? I guess that waterproofness on cheaper jackets might not last, but then that's ok if I can reproof it? Breathability is often talked about and it's important to me too but I only see it as an issue in the middle range of temperatures (say 10-20 deg), below this I wouldn't sweat as much, above this I'm happy getting wet. Three other factors which are marketed with cycling jackets: windproof - frankly I don't understand what this means, aerodynamic - this matters little, and high-vis - I can wrap a high-vis vest around any cycling jacket if needed.

Also, should I be looking at a jacket with thermal insulation as well? I see people spend a lot on gore-tex down jackets and such-like. I think my merino base layer, synthetic fleece, and one or two extra wool jumpers for when it gets really cold, all underneath the waterproof outer jacket, should work fine?

I've got the rest of the body covered, it's just about the jacket.

Please excuse my ignorance in these matters .

 

[22camels]

Yeah that's kind of what I had gathered, or at least that waterproof and breathable are mutually exclusive. Many people seem to be recommending eVent. But I am just unsure why I need to spend > 100 pound on this when I already have a cheap jacket that doesn't seem to be too bad. Also if I am convinced to spend this much it looks like occasionally you find some big discounts on this type of gear so I'm trying to figure it out now what to look out for..

 

[CopperBrompton]

Waterproof is easy and cheap. Waterproof and really breathable is difficult and expensive. That's why eVent is so expensive - it really does achieve 100% waterproof with incredible breathability.

Gore AS is almost as good, and a bit less expensive.

 

[raleighnut]

With a Merino base layer and a fleece + jumper even if you get wet you should be toasty, I tour with a similar set up but using an Alpaca jumper and as long as I don't get cold I'm fine But I also have waterproof cycling shoes (half-boot style) and keeping your feet dry helps.

 

[Crackle]

At some point in rain you get wet. The more you pay, the longer that point is until you reach a diminishing return. What matters then, is staying warm and your base layers will become important. If you're looking at good reputable breathables, distinguish them on fit and features. Easy to adjust and the right shape will make a big difference. As said, the current leaders are eVent and the Gore activ stuff.

 

[Aushiker]

My "waterproof" jacket of choice is a Showers Pass Elite. I have the Elite 2.0 which is my second one having lost my first one. I have spent eight hours in pouring rain on the bike with wearing this jacket and whilst I was wet at the end of the day when I got off the bike, it did keep my reasonably warm and I was okay to ride on the next day. For most of my wet weather riding it performs pretty well.

Andrew

 

[Batgirl]

My "waterproof" jacket of choice is a Showers Pass Elite. I have the Elite 2.0 which is my second one having lost my first one. I have spent eight hours in pouring rain on the bike with wearing this jacket and whilst I was wet at the end of the day when I got off the bike, it did keep my reasonably warm and I was okay to ride on the next day. For most of my wet weather riding it performs pretty well.

Andrew

Come rain or sunshine I need a cap over my field of vision - so am loving your cycle helmet over your cap.. I was thinking I'd have to go without a cycle helmet as wear a baseball cap - stops me getting a bad headache or not being able to see in the rain.

 

[Aushiker]

Come rain or sunshine I need a cap over my field of vision - so am loving your cycle helmet over your cap.. I was thinking I'd have to go without a cycle helmet as wear a baseball cap - stops me getting a bad headache or not being able to see in the rain.

I find that cycling caps as opposed to baseball caps fit well under the helmet. At the time that photo was taken I just used a cap in wet weather to keep most of the rain off my glasses but now I have gone to the dark side it is standard wear like yourself.

Andrew

 

[xilios]

We've found the best and cheapest rain jackets are the one's that have ventilation slots, across the back, the chest and armpits.

 

[Batgirl]

I find that cycling caps as opposed to baseball caps fit well under the helmet. At the time that photo was taken I just used a cap in wet weather to keep most of the rain off my glasses but now I have gone to the dark side it is standard wear like yourself.

Andrew

Thanks will have a look for a cycling hat (without specialized) on it..

 

[22camels]

Done a bit more research. So it looks like I'm paying for breathability, but I'm yet to figure out how relevant that is to me for touring. I recently rode the length of Wales and one day had prolonged heavy showers for about 4 hours, my cheap Tenn waterproof was fine actually (despite claiming to be 3-layer waterproof and breathable technology I'm sure it's vastly inferior to the more expensive jackets out there). It was a bit stuffy but no big deal. Would I trust it on a 2 week traverse of the interior of Iceland, wild camping every night? Not convinced it's waterproof enough. The other cheap waterproof I've got seems more waterproof (I've hiked in Scotland in heavy rain and stayed dry) but less breathable. Hmmm.. They say getting wet from sweat/condensation is almost as bad as getting wet from the rain but I've yet to really experience that, certainly feeling stuffy feels a bit uncomfortable but not critically so.

I think the requirements of the touring cyclist are pretty unique. Firstly, take cyclists, is waterproofness+breathability critically important to commuters / day riders / mountain bikers / competitive cyclists i.e. the majority of the cycling world? Not so much I'd say, it's only (some) touring cyclists who's going to ride LEJOG or Patagonia with constant rain for a whole week in 0 degree temperatures where if all their clothes gets wet they might not be able to dry them and get hypothermia. Secondly, take hikers and kayakers / sailers for whom waterproofness is critical. They are not going to sweat as much as a cyclist going uphill, for them breathability is less important.

Seems like the waterproof+breathable cycling jacket sub-industry is a massive fraud/ good salesmanship, more so than other parts of the outdoor industry. You can spend 300 quid, gets lots of nice features and a better fit, but still it won't be much better in its waterproofness+breathability than a 30 quid jacket (or it loses it because you don't care for it correctly). Lots of junk out there and the trouble is the majority of buyers and reviewers are not touring cyclists. My guess is there are only 3 or 4 jackets out there that really work, and the rest is junk. So if I'm going to spend more than 30 quid on such an item, I really want to make sure it works and lasts.

So breathability = type of fabric + design of vents. Fabric-wise, we have eVent which's been around for a while now and is said to be the most breathable and best for warm weather cycling, but is not manufactured in the same quantities it used to be? I noticed many eVent jackets were "not available" or discontinued when I tried looking them up. Still there are a few around. Then Gore Active Shell which might not be quite as good. Then a handful of other "proprietary" 3-layer technologies..

I really like the look of Showers Pass Elite. Actually the 2.0 version has really quite mixed reviews, but the issues (such as lack of waterproofness) appear to have been sorted in the 2.1 version. See this review http://www.woollypigs.com/2012/10/review-showers-pass-elite-2-update-from-the-road/ from a woman who cycled in South America (this is a review I can trust) which gives the 2.0 a 1/5, and the new version a 4/5. However I think it's equally important that the jacket can be used off the bike and for this there is the new Showers Pass Refuge jacket which is more multi-use (though it doesn't use eVent but a new proprietary technology claimed to be at least as good as eVent). In fact these are the only two Showers pass jackets that have 5 star waterproof+breathability ratings as per the SP website (there is some confusion out there about people reviewing other SP jackets and finding they are not as waterproof but they are only 4 star..).

Any other specific recommendations? Like a Gore AS jacket with a relaxed fit suitable both for cycling and off-bike use (the Oxygen one is too athletic). Or another eVent jacket (seems like not many made now)? The Endura one any good (if they still make them)? I like the look of the Paramo Quito (some other proprietary 3-layer fabric) but they say it's warmer than eVent / Gore AS which I don't want. I am looking for 100% waterproof and as breathable as possible.

Also I am quite concerned about maintenance of these jackets on tour. I don't really want to be carrying Nikwax or some other agent around and going to a launderette every two months to stop the jacket from losing its waterproofness or breathability. Is this aspect unavoidable?

 

[Fab Foodie]

Paramo
Accept no other.
I have the Velez light smock, it's perfect for cycling, walking, camping, walking the dog, going down the shops. There is a zipped version called the Parito that @User has.
The downsides are cost and relative bulk.
The upsides are comfort, fantastic rain protection, warmth, breath ability, wearability, adjustability.
I find I can wear this over a much wider range of conditions than other riders gear, whilst they are constantly donning and removing I just open and close vents as the weather changes - even in quite warm conditions it's still great and you hardly know you are wearing it.
You also don't need to layer-up underneath either.

You can keep your Goretex, it's crap in comparison.

I can't speak more highly about thus piece of kit.

 

[22camels]

Really? I know it looks really good, the Quito especially, but I've heard too many reports of it not being reliably waterproof e.g. http://www.andyhowell.info/trek-blog/2012/06/05/the-paramo-problem/

 

[CopperBrompton]

Yep, a friend had a Paramo jacket and it leaked - got a refund and bought an eVent jacket instead.

A few short comments on your lengthy one ...

First, a breathable jacket is probably more valuable for commuting/utility cycling than any other time, because that's when you want to wear ordinary clothing underneath and not arrive at your meeting dripping with sweat.

Second, your £30 jacket may indeed be as waterproof, it most definitely won't be as breathable: that's what costs money.

Third, don't believe any fabric which claims to be 'as good as' eVent: they are lying. Gore AS comes close enough that I bought one when eVent became unobtanium, but nothing else out there is even in the same league.

 

[Crackle]

Same jacket two different stories is common. The reason is sometimes quality control. A breathable membrane is easy to break at manufacture. I had a Gore Tex jacket replaced under warranty for that reason.

Different people do up jackets differently. New zips are better but if you don't fold the baffles properly, the jacket leaks. My Gore jacket does it and it wasn't cheap. I'd take an average of the comments personally.

Best waterproof I've had so far, sadly not suitable for a bike, is a Keela mountaineering jacket. It rates poorly in breathability tests but in wear I've found it to be excellent. It also doesn't leak, though it did once, never replicated so I blame user error.

Breathability on my Gore cycling jacket is excellent. It never feels clammy, unlike two soft shell jackets I have. The Active stuff is even better. In summary, you pay your money you takes your chance.