Discussion
OK, stick with me on this one!
It seems I run quite warm, if that's a term: even on days when it's, say, 3-4ºC before windchill, I can usually get by with a L/S baselayer, L/S winter jersey and Windstopper gilet (+ biblongs, shoecovers etc). I'm cold for 10 minutes, but provided there's no faffing around, stopping etc and I work, I'm fine. If anything I'm working up a sweat.
Now, I quite fancy something that'll keep the prolonged light rain/short-sharp dumps of rain and road spray off most of me. The gilet does a little bit, but the mesh back doesn't help, and arms, well, obviously...! But what to get: hardshell? Softshell?
I'm currently torn between:
Gore Oxygen Softshell: touted as warm, waterproof/windproof. Claimed breathability is counted by reviews saying it gets a bit sweaty even when hovering around freezing. The utter lack of vents doesn't help.
Gore Xenon Softshell: windproof, water resistant, allegedly breathable. Nothing in an reviews to suggest it's a "boil in the bag" affair, and it has vents. Plus the reviews suggest it's a lot more water resistant than you'd expect, what with taped seams.
Gore Oxygen GT AS hardshell: presume the GT means Gore Tex and AS means Active Shell. Not sure, still looking this one up. Waterproof, claimed breathability backed up by reviews.
Gore Xenon Active Shell hardshell: windproof, claims/reviews all suggest very breathable. Moderate rain-shrugging abilities, although no taped seams.
Has anyone any experience of the above jackets, or can suggest an alternative (tight roadie-esque fit, budget of £100-180ish max)? I'm not a Gore fanboy, although their stuff has impressed me in the past.
IME hard shells, be they windproof or waterproof aren't too breathable. Is this the case with the ones mentioned above? I have a feeling I'd cook in them. I 'spose you can take them off, however.
I'm erring towards the Xenon soft-shell with the wind proofing, supposed better breathability and good reports re. water resistance. However, given I'd be wearing it all ride, again, would I boil?
Thanks!
It seems I run quite warm, if that's a term: even on days when it's, say, 3-4ºC before windchill, I can usually get by with a L/S baselayer, L/S winter jersey and Windstopper gilet (+ biblongs, shoecovers etc). I'm cold for 10 minutes, but provided there's no faffing around, stopping etc and I work, I'm fine. If anything I'm working up a sweat.
Now, I quite fancy something that'll keep the prolonged light rain/short-sharp dumps of rain and road spray off most of me. The gilet does a little bit, but the mesh back doesn't help, and arms, well, obviously...! But what to get: hardshell? Softshell?
I'm currently torn between:
Gore Oxygen Softshell: touted as warm, waterproof/windproof. Claimed breathability is counted by reviews saying it gets a bit sweaty even when hovering around freezing. The utter lack of vents doesn't help.
Gore Xenon Softshell: windproof, water resistant, allegedly breathable. Nothing in an reviews to suggest it's a "boil in the bag" affair, and it has vents. Plus the reviews suggest it's a lot more water resistant than you'd expect, what with taped seams.
Gore Oxygen GT AS hardshell: presume the GT means Gore Tex and AS means Active Shell. Not sure, still looking this one up. Waterproof, claimed breathability backed up by reviews.
Gore Xenon Active Shell hardshell: windproof, claims/reviews all suggest very breathable. Moderate rain-shrugging abilities, although no taped seams.
Has anyone any experience of the above jackets, or can suggest an alternative (tight roadie-esque fit, budget of £100-180ish max)? I'm not a Gore fanboy, although their stuff has impressed me in the past.
IME hard shells, be they windproof or waterproof aren't too breathable. Is this the case with the ones mentioned above? I have a feeling I'd cook in them. I 'spose you can take them off, however.
I'm erring towards the Xenon soft-shell with the wind proofing, supposed better breathability and good reports re. water resistance. However, given I'd be wearing it all ride, again, would I boil?
Thanks!
spongy said:
hi bud
try the lusso carbon jacket.......very very good.Ive just bought the roubaix bib tights,and the carbon jacket for about 90 quid from ribble well worth the money in my book.
Thanks for the tip. I forgot to add however than it needs to be from Wiggle, what with clutching a pile of vouchers and discount codes from there! try the lusso carbon jacket.......very very good.Ive just bought the roubaix bib tights,and the carbon jacket for about 90 quid from ribble well worth the money in my book.
Assos HaBu5 - flippin expensive but all the jacket you will ever need! Windproof, showerproof (although mine was fine in a VERY heavy shower and hail this week), breathes very well - vary the thermal property of the jacket by wearing thin/think baselayer.
I have spent fortunes on 'cheap' jackets over the past few years, on aggregate they cost a lot more than the Assos jacket, wish I had saved the money and trail/error and bit the bullet a couple of year ago!
I have spent fortunes on 'cheap' jackets over the past few years, on aggregate they cost a lot more than the Assos jacket, wish I had saved the money and trail/error and bit the bullet a couple of year ago!
Thanks all. The admittedly delightful "dilemma" (I use the word lightly) has been compounded by a lot more vouchers for both Wiggle and Evans for my birthday recently. For once, I've nearly too much to spend at said shops rather than not enough!
The Oxygen SO (soft-shell) I currently have on order will be winging its way back: by all accounts it's little more water resistant than the Xenon equivalent, but a lot, LOT warmer. Which kinda rules it out for me.
So, now it's between Xenon SO 2.0 (soft-shell) AS, Xenon AS (hardshell) and Oxygen GT AS hard-shell: current leader is the Xenon SO. HOWEVER, the Castelli Mortirolo has come into play (Windstopper front, but not much water resistance on the back/at the seams).
Current thinking is Gore Xenon SO for the cold/damp rides, with the Oxygen GT AS+ normal LS jersey for the real wet rides! The hunt continues...
The Oxygen SO (soft-shell) I currently have on order will be winging its way back: by all accounts it's little more water resistant than the Xenon equivalent, but a lot, LOT warmer. Which kinda rules it out for me.
So, now it's between Xenon SO 2.0 (soft-shell) AS, Xenon AS (hardshell) and Oxygen GT AS hard-shell: current leader is the Xenon SO. HOWEVER, the Castelli Mortirolo has come into play (Windstopper front, but not much water resistance on the back/at the seams).
Current thinking is Gore Xenon SO for the cold/damp rides, with the Oxygen GT AS+ normal LS jersey for the real wet rides! The hunt continues...
Rocksteadyeddie said:
Assos 851 is all the winter jacket you'll ever need. With a couple of base layers underneath it's good to about -6'c and is ok to 10'c.
^^^this^^^Just a shame its not on Wiggle, possibly discontinued now. I got mine when Condor were knocking some out in the sale (just in case you can't get what you need on Wiggle).
TheFungle said:
Toscana said:
Rapha classic soft-shell is fantastic!
Plus many more.If you can get it for a decent price then well, well worth it.
London424 said:
TheFungle said:
Toscana said:
Rapha classic soft-shell is fantastic!
Plus many more.If you can get it for a decent price then well, well worth it.
I'm not sure I'd fancy wearing the soft-shell with just bare skin underneath.
Jimbo. said:
Current thinking is Gore Xenon SO for the cold/damp rides, with the Oxygen GT AS+ normal LS jersey for the real wet rides! The hunt continues...
This is exactly what I've been doing on my road bike in the Lake District for the last 6 months, with various base layers and jerseys depending on the temperature, and they've both been ideal.(As recommended by Biketreks in Ambleside.)
David
As a sideline I own a clothing company that supplies the Private Pilot Market. In an act of sheer self-indulgence I had my supplier make up a Dare2b cycling jacket with my logo on the front and a transfer of one of the aircraft I have a share in on the back. The Jacket works very well in keeping the wind off without making me sweaty, not tried it in the rain yet!
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