Driving Jackets

[TonyHetherington]

Hi all

My brother and I are building a kit car with our dad - and it's his birthday soon. We want to buy him a jacket to wear when he goes out and drives the car - but not the Caterham jacket (because it's not a Caterham!).

Not too long, high warm collar, perhaps pockets for toll money etc, waterproof is really the criteria we're looking for. So, we wondered what PH's experience of such jackets are - any recommendations or thoughts on what to get and what not to get?!

Any ideas (and links) much appreciated
Thanks
Tony (and bro)

[Sonofabeesting]

A motorbike jacket? Hein Gericke do a goretex one pretty cheap.

[Uhura fighter]

Sonofabeesting said:

A motorbike jacket? Hein Gericke do a goretex one pretty cheap.

Might be a bit stiff.


Get a good walking coat with a fleece or a snowboarding type jacket.

[TonyHetherington]

Don't they tend to have elbow pads and other such bike-things?

edit; just to say, i've got a caterham jacket from years gone by and it's great, because it's also quite short so when you sit in the confined cabin it doesn't ruck up too much - quite useful.

Snow boarding/walking's a good idea - i'll have a browse

Edited by TonyHetherington on Tuesday 19th October 11:07

[Futuramic]

A sheepskin would fit the bill nicely.

[Bill]

TonyHetherington said:

Snow boarding/walking's a good idea - i'll have a browse

Have a look for something designed for ice climbing as they're expected to be worn with a harness so the pockets are higher and accessible with belts on. It's less of an issue with
an inertia reel belt but with a 4/5 pt harness it's essential IMO.

[thewilly]

TonyHetherington said:

Don't they tend to have elbow pads and other such bike-things?

They sit in pockets, you just take them out.

[TonyHetherington]

Bill said:

TonyHetherington said:

Snow boarding/walking's a good idea - i'll have a browse

Have a look for something designed for ice climbing as they're expected to be worn with a harness so the pockets are higher and accessible with belts on. It's less of an issue with
an inertia reel belt but with a 4/5 pt harness it's essential IMO.

Ah that's a good idea! Yes my caterham jacket is the same - high pockets (we'll have harnesses in the car)

[Uhura fighter]

thewilly said:

TonyHetherington said:

Don't they tend to have elbow pads and other such bike-things?

They sit in pockets, you just take them out.

Still to stiff to drive in all day. (IMHO)

[Bill]

You might be better taking him shopping with you, unless you're a similar shape and size. Climbing jackets are generously sized to allow lots of layers and movement, I can get a down jacket on under mine so there's a fair bit of excess material in the car

[ewenm]

Rab Vapourise jacket is excellent (fleece-lined, pertex shell) with high pockets for belaying rock-climbers. I use it all the time in the Caterham.

Of course you've got the classic alternatives of a flying jacket or maybe one of the Gulf Le Mans jackets (I may have one of these I use too ).

[Stuart]

Don't know what your budget is Tony, but a Belstaff would fit the bill nicely.

http://www.holden.co.uk/belstaff-products.asp?sg=4...

[TonyHetherington]

Hmmm, thanks for the suggestions all, though don't think I've quite hit the sweet spot just yet.

Stuart - that looks really nice, not cheap, but I think I'll have a word with my dad and see if he wants one (with that sort of money, would be best to ask!).

A flying jacket isn't a silly idea though, y'know.

[ewenm]

TonyHetherington said:

A flying jacket isn't a silly idea though, y'know.

Sheepskin-lined leather flying jacket

If you do, you also need helmet, goggles and a white scarf with a wire in it so that it streams out behind him even when he's stopped at traffic lights

[TonyHetherington]

It would suit him more I think (he's 62, so fully liveried coats probably wouldn't suit). Tell you what though, while looking at the flying jackets I saw the helmets - they look brilliantly warm! I agree about the white scarf with wire

[nickphuket]

ewenm said:

TonyHetherington said:

A flying jacket isn't a silly idea though, y'know.

Sheepskin-lined leather flying jacket

If you do, you also need helmet, goggles and a white scarf with a wire in it so that it streams out behind him even when he's stopped at traffic lights

Would council against the sheepskin flying jacket. drove my TR4 years ago wearing one and got drenched in a rain storm. By the time I reached my destination I needed assistance to get out of the car as my weight had tripled due to absorption.

[sjg]

The guy from evo who had the Caterham long-termer recommended a sailing jacket. They tend to be well waterproofed, high collars, etc.

Gill, Helly Hansen, Henri Lloyd, Musto, etc do suitable ones. I'd go for a shell-type jacket rather than a "warm" one - easier to add some layers underneath when it's cold and more useful in warmer (but still wet) weather.

[TonyHetherington]

Hmmm, think I'm going to need to have a chat with my dad!

I remember now the evo guy - Henry Catchpole ran a Caterham through the winter and used a sailing jacket. There's a chandlery barely 2mins up the road from me - think I'll have a quick look in there!

[ewenm]

TonyHetherington said:

Hmmm, think I'm going to need to have a chat with my dad!

I remember now the evo guy - Henry Catchpole ran a Caterham through the winter and used a sailing jacket. There's a chandlery barely 2mins up the road from me - think I'll have a quick look in there!

It entirely depends on what usage your dad is planning. For lots of miles and all weathers I'd definitely go for a mountaineering/sailing jacket over anything else. For sunny Sunday drives, something less technical but more traditional would likely be fine.

[Endorphin]

Sailing jacket is a good call as they have fleece lined high collars. Suggest a Musto Race MPX (I've had one for 5 years, it's been through all sorts of s*** and it still like new):



Though you could go for a little more protection ;-)