The Ultimate Riding Jacket?

This winter I am going to try the Paramo enduro fleece and windproof jacket system. I need something that I can ride in but not boil to death, something that will keep me warm when I stop riding and can also keep the rain out.

The windproof should be fine for riding to destinations and has lots of ventilation zips and is also showerproof. The fleece has ventilation zips that also match up with the wind jacket and is meant to be showerproof. Combine the fleece and windproof and paramo reckon the two act as part of their analogy system to produce a wicking waterproof garment.

Fingers crossed it will work as advertised. I have another paramo waterproof jacket that is brilliantly waterproof but too warm to cycle in unless it is fucking cold or pouring down.

Didn't know they did proper cycling kit. My Paramo jacket has served brilliantly for 15 years, and is utterly waterproof, but is far too warm for riding.

They make the ciclo jacket for cycling but it doesn't look like it's quite meet my requirements.

When teaching I always have a panier bag so the two part system can be tucked away. I also think it will weigh less than my Rapha transfer jacket and rain jacket which is my current combo.

If anyone is looking for a pack-down Windstopper jacket on a budget there are still a few of these floating around on eBay.

I've been using the Shadow gilet for years. It's good. The jacket is pretty much a Castelli Pocketliner for a fraction of the price.

Dredge...

It's nylon.

I own loads of Cadence stuff and like it, but you're paying for nice fashion, some good ideas and really, really cheap materials. Don't expect that jacket to perform like other €100 cycling jackets.

I need a new winter jacket.

My old softshell died.

Basically a nice warm softshell with a nice aggressive cut, some water resistance, and in a bright colour.

I was thinking Sportful extreme neoshell. Rapha pro team soft shell. That sort of thing. Anything I'm missing? Neither of these are bright to be honest.

These past few rainy days I have been quite happy with my Giordana stuff. Probably because I bought it so cheap, and it does the job. Waiting for ultimate rain showers to test when the thing will leak

I have a race Cape for wet stuff.

So was thinking more insulating softshell.

My old one was giordana. Top of trange body form softshell thingies. Fecking xxl. The arms were mad long. Good jacket though.

Gabba?

Nice one for the dredge! I thought as much tbh. I have a Howies jacket which looks/ behaves pretty much the same so I passed.

http://roadcyclinguk.com/gear/clothing-classics-castelli-gabba-sportful-endura-santini-rapha.html/1

The Vermarc gets a good review.

Not to bang my own drum. But I love Road Rags' 'Ventile' Cycle jacket.
Ventile constructed in WW2, totally natural cotton, for pilots who ditch in the sea.
So they stay completely waterproof, and breathable when dry.

Update, Giordana was indeed waterproof, and I want to believe the FRC carbon bits reduced my injuries coming off earlier. Definitely less damage to clothes than expected for a spill

Just had a look at Ventile. Why is it so expensive?

Loomed/constructed in a first world country, low sales/niche marketing.
Also, Ventile is water resistant, not waterproof.
I've owned a variety of jackets from this material and love it.

Any tips on the holy grail of cycling jackets, extremely breathable and close to waterproof?
I don't want insulation, just water resistance.
my rapha stowaway would be perfect if it was more water resistant.

Anybody know anything about http://www.arktisltd.co.uk/ ?

I have a hand me down gabba.

(when stuff gets stretched my mate passes it down to his fat friend. Bitter sweet gifts).

It's great. But it's black and worn out. A replacement green one is on my short list.

That's perfect.
Im considering less waterproof jackets really (treated Windstopper level). But that's a nice list.

I should add that I could name a load of perfect jackets. But I don't buy black.
Last night I wore a brevet gilet over a gabba. Purely for the colour.
It's so fucking dark up here.

#uberracist

Assos climaSchutz Rainproof Shell
It's not totally waterproof, but pretty good. But has mesh under the arms so you can breathe.

But a gabba would be better maybe, different jacket. Gabba is more insulating, but also very temperature regulating.

It was 4C at the top of the mountain I was training on yesterday. The gabba with just a SS merino mesh Base under was fine.

If it's going to rain I'd carry the race Cape. Getting soaked in Norway during autumn or spring is not something you risk.

The sportful R&D is interesting.

Having a insulating jacket with less layers under is nice. I can climb with it open. Then simply zip up and head back down.

Sportful R&D wind jersey is good, but very warm. No idea when you'd wear the jacket version. Will get through a quick shower, and dry out quickly if you're riding hard, but no real waterproofing, but maybe that makes sense if you can just bung a race cape on over the top?

Otherwise, for insulation, rather than waterproofing, look at stuff like Rapha ProTeam Jacket (not softshell), or Castelli Alpha/Espresso? They're a lot warmer than Gabba type stuff, but not as waterproof.

All the gabba esque jackets are black.

Might just grab a fluoro pro team off ebay. Worked before.