The Ultimate Riding Jacket?

I've had a scout round, read some great recommendations on budget lightweight options (the Montane H20), some strong opinions on eVent winning over Paclite on the breathability factor (which is essential for what I need)...

I couldn't seem to see peoples recommendations, if cost was only the secondary factor and ultimate wet weather fast city riding performance being the first, what you'd go for.

Maybe not a Rapha, but still something that was waterproof, good venting but didn't make u look too much of a freak.

I've got my birthday coming up, so I reckon could gather together funds for a decent investment....what would you say...apart from the inevitable UTFS (which I did, honest guv...)

Utfb

different jackets for different purposes as you have discovered already

like bikes no one bike is the ultimate and if you go for compromise it's like buying a hybrid

Utfb

different jackets for different purposes as you have discovered already

like bikes no one bike is the ultimate and if you go for compromise it's like buying a hybrid

too true DJ,

I guess ultimately I want a riding jacket so yeah it's gonna look like one with reflective strips, vents etc...liking the look and cut of the Mavic Sprayway (though it's Paclite not the seemingly preferable eVent). Couldn't see any reviews of that though....

UTFB - use the fucking bog?

Use the fucking brain

my last brain cell drowned many, many years ago

For me it's this jacket, the North Face Resolve. Ticks every box in my opinion.

^^^^^^^^^^^
now that would be the ultimate jacket to go riding in.

is the cravat/neckerchief waterproof? also i hope the monocle is anti-fog.

jackets, oh jackets, yes, they are good when waterproof.

Montane Featherlite series = best

I've got an Endura eVent jacket. Had it for three years and it works fine for all conditions from summer rain through to -4 degrees and snow. Just vary the base layers.

Also, it's managed to survive a couple of bad crashes. Worst damage it sustained was a small hole similar to a cigarette burn. My skin, on the other hand, looked like I'd been attacked with a cheese grater. Still not sure how that worked.

eVent is bombfunk.

Montane Velo is my "go everywhere" jacket - packs up teenie weenie, windproof, splashproof (rather than waterproof) but very breathable for that. Otherwise Gore Phantom for winter riding.

+1 montane featherlite
But there is a whole Jacket thread worth bumping for this discussion now we are nearing the season of dark times
http://www.londonfgss.com/thread10005.html

a cycling jacket needs to be one thing above else.... waterproof.

if you get wet, you get very cold very quickly.

if a jacket has zero thermal qualities but is 100% waterproof, you will stay warm, even at the peak of winter, although this implies you keep riding.

As a messenger in Manchester i use this:

Pro shell 3 layer gortex is the only thing that works for heavy manchester rain. With a simple helly hansen thermal underneath, its the perfect combination.

For cold weather a north face softshell, and for really cold weather my swvre milwaukee hoodie. However, I 'll be selling that soon to upgrade to the new one with pit zips as it can make you too hot. Thats how good it is though!

anyone with experience of the Polaris titanium- its made fromHydrovent™???

a cycling jacket needs to be one thing above else.... waterproof.

if you get wet, you get very cold very quickly.

if a jacket has zero thermal qualities but is 100% waterproof, you will stay warm, even at the peak of winter, although this implies you keep riding.

That's a sweeping generalisation, and arguably a false one.

A cycling jacket needs to be breathable first and foremost, otherwise you get wet from the inside from your own sweat. I've ridden in a softshell jacket, a Gore one to be precise, in the pouring rain in February but have stayed warm due to the thermal qualities of the jacket.

+1

I often ride in my softshell which is in no way waterproofed whilst it is raining, and it seems to maintain an equilibrium of a sort with the rain, keeping you warm and fairly dry.

Not when it is pissing it down mind- then I sling the Montane H20 over the top, or for colder weather the Endura eVent jacket.

That's a sweeping generalisation, and arguably a false one.

A cycling jacket needs to be breathable first and foremost, otherwise you get wet from the inside from your own sweat. I've ridden in a softshell jacket, a Gore one to be precise, in the pouring rain in February but have stayed warm due to the thermal qualities of the jacket.

it is sweeping, and i don't care if it is. waterproofness is the the most important thing in a cycling jacket. that's all that matters to me.

Dylan

for a lot of situations you are wrong

I would rather be warm and wet in something like a rapha winter jersey than sweating my arse off in a proper waterproof

yes for a short hop in pouring rain a full waterproof is good but for anything over 20 minutes it wouldbe counter productive

if you want waterproof just wear a bin bag

it is sweeping, and i don't care if it is. waterproofness is the the most important thing in a cycling jacket. that's all that matters to me.

But that may not be all that matters to everyone else. I would also take breathability over waterproofness (combined preferably!)

each to their own. however a jacket which is waterproof, windproof and breathable and can be packet into my condom pocket if necessary, as the Montane featherlight demonstrates, is perfect for all my needs.
if it gets really cold i use a warm basleayer, but in most conditions it's windproofness keeps me warm enough. when it rains i am 100% dry. how can u lose, its bang on.

Dylan

for a lot of situations you are wrong

I would rather be warm and wet in something like a rapha winter jersey than sweating my arse off in a proper waterproof

yes for a short hop in pouring rain a full waterproof is good but for anything over 20 minutes it wouldbe counter productive

if you want waterproof just wear a bin bag

u mentioned Rapha, lol.

Yep

as mentioned elsewhere here those tops are fantastic, the thermal insulation and wicking properties are perfect