Recommend me an MTB Jacket
Discussion
I'm currently looking for a decent MTB jacket for the winter. I've got my eye on an Endura MT500 jacket that's waterproof, wind proof and has a hood that'll fit over a helmet for £155.
I never ride on the road and I do all my riding on mixed trails or downhill/freeride.
What jacket would you recommend? Budget similar to the above.
I never ride on the road and I do all my riding on mixed trails or downhill/freeride.
What jacket would you recommend? Budget similar to the above.
I've got an MT500. I call it my donkey jacket. It's a bit heavy going and just passably breathable but even after 4 years its really waterproof. I swear you could go swimming in it and not get wet.
Check out the Stealth and some of the Gore gear too although the Stealth doesn't have a hood (I doubt I'd miss it) and my mate hates his Gore as its lost all its waterproofing eventhough he's tried re activating several times so he bought an MT500 too.
Check out the Stealth and some of the Gore gear too although the Stealth doesn't have a hood (I doubt I'd miss it) and my mate hates his Gore as its lost all its waterproofing eventhough he's tried re activating several times so he bought an MT500 too.
MT500 here too, as mentioned they are a heavy thing (not the sort of thing to roll up & stuff in a jersey pocket)but do their job perfectly. There are big vents that you can unzip if needs be to cool you down, a couple of waterproof pockets too. It's worth trying before you buy as I ordered a medium & it was like wearing a caravan awning, far too big....small was perfect.
For that same £150 I bought a Gore Phantom II softshell and a packable waterproof (Montane Singletrack). I wear the softshell all through winter and the colder autumn/spring days and only need a merino base layer on when it gets really cold. Wind proof and shower proof its the ideal jacket for me and the 3-4 hour rides I do.
I think I've worn the waterproof about twice a year and I'd rather not have the 'boil in the bag' effect when I don't need to. It weighs next to nothing and packs to the size of an apple.
I think I've worn the waterproof about twice a year and I'd rather not have the 'boil in the bag' effect when I don't need to. It weighs next to nothing and packs to the size of an apple.
Interesting. Thinking on it today I was wondering if a hood as all that important as biking in the wet/rain I'm going to end up with a face splattered with crud anyway. I think I'll probably go with either a waterproof shell kind of jacket and base layer or a packable showerproof type thing.
I've got a North Face shell type jacket, it's not a proper MTB jacket but it's water proof and very light weight. It's taken some pretty good crashes as well, it also happens to double up as a handy jacket for a night out in town and 4 years later look as good as new, it's currently hanging on my chair behind me at work. I really don't get the point of an MTB specific jacket, they're very expensive and what do they really do differently?? Surely due to the nature of the sport, mud and water will get in regardless!
That being said I never understood 510's but now wouldn't ride without them.
That being said I never understood 510's but now wouldn't ride without them.
Got to recommend the stealth.
I've got a stealth and a stealth 2 - the 2 is an improvement in several subtle areas.
Both are for <10 degrees C. Waterproof, lightweight, massive arm and side vents, comfy, tight rather than baggy fit.
Really anything better than this would have to be shockingly amazing. I've ridden them through the worst weather I've ever encountered and been dry and warm.
I've got a stealth and a stealth 2 - the 2 is an improvement in several subtle areas.
Both are for <10 degrees C. Waterproof, lightweight, massive arm and side vents, comfy, tight rather than baggy fit.
Really anything better than this would have to be shockingly amazing. I've ridden them through the worst weather I've ever encountered and been dry and warm.
An update for anyone who's remotely bothered.
I decided after thinking about it for a long time that when I stack it I'll tear a £200 pound jacket just as well as an el cheapo one so I took advantage of the deals on at Halfords at the moment and bought a bright orange Dare2b shell jacket for £40.
So far I've ridden in the snow and rain and it's been fine. I also went to sports direct and bought a few Karrimor thermal running tops and a half zip jersey type thing which all together was about £30 and on some rides I've been too warm.
As a reward for being thrifty I bought my mates Lapierre Zesty off him for £800 and that's also really good
I decided after thinking about it for a long time that when I stack it I'll tear a £200 pound jacket just as well as an el cheapo one so I took advantage of the deals on at Halfords at the moment and bought a bright orange Dare2b shell jacket for £40.
So far I've ridden in the snow and rain and it's been fine. I also went to sports direct and bought a few Karrimor thermal running tops and a half zip jersey type thing which all together was about £30 and on some rides I've been too warm.
As a reward for being thrifty I bought my mates Lapierre Zesty off him for £800 and that's also really good
All winter I have been wearing a Polaris long sleeve Lycra wind proof top http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/polaris-niterid... under an Endura flyte gortex, http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/endura-flyte-ja... keeps me dry what ever the weather and if it's dry when I've expevted rain and I get too hot, under arm zips and main front zips undone a bit and I'm fine. Nice and close fitting, light weight pockets enough between them to mean no need for a back pack.
Edited by Herman Toothrot on Monday 9th February 18:04
Edited by Herman Toothrot on Monday 9th February 18:05
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