Over the years, I have tried innumerable combinations of waterproofing in the hope of finding that perfect rain jacket. I have found that the perfect jacket doesn’t really exist. The best jacket really depends on the purpose of what kind of cycling you have done.
I’m always tempted by cheap, light, easy to pack, ‘waterproof jackets’. But, you tend to get what you pay for. In reality all waterproof jackets offer degrees of waterproofing and degrees of breathability. It is a matter of finding the best combination for your type of riding. I also find it is necessary to have more than one for the different purpose of riding. The Altura Night Vision Flite has served most of my purposes for road riding, and fairly quick commuting. If you have a longer slower commuter, the Altura Night Vision Evo is perhaps a better choice.
Reviews of Different Waterproof Jackets:
Altura Night Vision
Altura Night Vision are quite expensive for a waterproof jacket. But, offer an excellent combination of waterproofness and breathability. If you do a lot of cycling in the rain, it is worth the investment to get a top of the range jacket. There are two main models
1. Altura Night Vision Flite.
This is a lightweight version of the Night Vision jacket. It easily packs up into a small bundle and can be stored in your back jersey pocket or saddle bag. Despite being very thin and light (150grams), it has two layers and is excellent at waterproofing – given its lightweight nature. The Night Vision Flite version is excellent for a quick commuter or road cyclist who wants to carry a waterproof in back pocket. It does start to get a little sweaty after hard riding, but overall I’m quite happy with this jacket and frequently use it.
Altura Flite waterproof jacket at Amazon
Altura Night Vision Evo
The Altura Night Vision Evo is an evolution of the popular Night Vision Jacket. It comes in the same dual layer, with added features such as:
- Reflective, water repel zips and surrounds
- Pit and rear vents
- Hand, chest and rear pockets
- Free Night Vision Lightstick – Velcro, fits to rear velcro patch on the back of the jacket.
- Highly reflective trim for 360o visibility
- Optional hood available separately
This is quite a warm waterproof jacket, suitable for colder winter months, and more gentle cycling. I wouldn’t want to use on ordinary road rides, but will be popular for the average commute. Good at keeping you dry. It stands out pretty well in the commuting line.
- Altura Night Vision Evo at Wiggle
Dare 2b Hybrid Windshell
I have been using the Dare 2b Hybrid Windshell recently during the winter months. It is a convenient size and weight for fitting into the back pocket. It is easy to put on and has strong zips, often a weakness of some waterproof jackets. It is relatively thin, but despite its lightness (180grams size L), has strong water repellent properties. It is also good at the end of the arms. I had size L which covers the whole body, there is an extended back – good for keeping off splash from behind. It isn’t tight fitting. Size L was suitable for someone with a much larger chest than me (I have 32 ” chest) (I It is ideal for keeping showers off, when you are riding quite hard. It has excellent breathable qualities, it doesn’t leave you feeling too sweaty. It stands out well.
I have the fluorescent green version and it stands out well on a grey day. Overall it is very good and not too expensive. At £32 it offers good value for a lightweight waterproof jacket.
Dare 2b Jackets at Halfords. | Dare 2b
Dhb Minima Jacket
This is a versatile rain jacket and pretty good value. It is light and small enough to fit in a back pocket. With 2.5 layers it offers pretty good wateproofing for 1-2 hours which is about as much as you want to do when its raining hard. When training, I tend not to ride for more than an hour in heavy rain; it does tends to be getting wet after this time frame. But, keeps the worst of the cold out. Panels in the arm help breath.If it is really heavy, I may use in combination with a cycle gilet which I nearly always carry as well.
- dhb Minima at Wiggle – £48
Cycle Gilet. This is very useful for the days, with frequent small showers (on a recent ride in the misty hills of the Yorkshire dales, it was ideal for the top of the climbs where it always seems to be wet.). The cycle gilet is just very easy to put on and take off whilst on the move. I have a custom made one (Sri Chinmoy Cycling Team) by Impsport which is fine. A gilet keeps these small showers from getting your body wet and doesn’t interfere with your cycling and movement. It also can act as a layer of insulation for windy descents. True, your arms are exposed, but, you maintain a flexibility for cycling and training, which you often want. Without a gilet, you are thinking do I want to stop and get sweaty or do I want to keep going and get wet. A gilet helps fill the gap for those awkward showers where you just want to keep going. Definitely a good product to have.
- Cycle Gilets at Wiggle
If the rain becomes heavier and more persistent I may put on the mid level jacket or race cape. Two layers of thin waterproofing are obviously much better.
Race Cape
I bought this Altura race cape (£34.99, Evans) because I was attracted by how small you could role it up. But, for its small size you pay in the fact that it is less effective in dealing with really heavy rain. It is really insufficient for long persistent heavy rain. But, if you are training / racing through a few showers, it helps maintain a few more degrees in the body. Again I often wear it in combination with a cycle gilet. I tend to take this race cape, when weather forecast is reasonably good / warm. It’s an insurance against unexpected heavy showers, but isn’t too bulky.
Briko Jacket
- Briko Extra waterproof (£44.99) Ultralight jacket made of Nylon Dropshell that is completely heat taped and unlined.
Top of the Range Cycling Jacket
- Endura Venturi eVent (£134.99) This is a 3 layer fabric – Lightweight, fully waterproof and exceptionally breathable. All zips are fully waterproof.
- Rear shoulder vents for extra breath ability
- Claims to be “the world’s most breathable waterproof fabric, this is the ultimate lightweight, waterproof jacket”
- Endure Venturi eVent at Chain Reaction Cycles
Other Tips for Waterproof Jackets
Heavy Goretex, Waterproof jackets.
These jackets are pretty good on being waterproof. But, I find them pretty poor on the breath ability side. It is also quite heavy and bulky. I tend never to use this when training. However, when commuting slowly 2-3 miles into town it is fine. On the commute, I’m not looking to work up a sweat, but you want to be as waterproof as possible. In reality, it can start to feel damp around the edges of sleeves. But, your main body is kept waterproof.
Good for Cycle Touring – too heavy and lacking in breathability for training and racing.
Writing this post, makes me realise how many waterproof tops I have tried. Some of the most expensive Goretex ones have often proved a disappointing buy as I rarely actually wear it when training. But, if I was a slow tourer / commuter I may use them more often and a race cape less useful.
The thing is when it really pours down with rain and you still have 30 miles to go, you really need something pretty solid! I think every cyclist learns this the hard way at some time!
- A useful tip for carrying a lightweight jacket. Take an old plastic water bottle and cut it in half. The lightweight waterproof jacket will fit in here, then you can carry it in a bottle cage. Ideal, if you only need one water bottle and have 2 slots for water brackets.
Visibility of Waterproof Jackets
I take a lot of photos of cyclists in Oxford. It’s interesting how some jackets stand out from the crowd. It makes your more visible to motorists, especially in the dark and on dim evenings.
Related
- Waterproof jackets at Wiggle
- Rain wear at Evans
- Waterproof jackets at Amazon
- Do you go cycling in the rain?
Trying to stay dry on a bicycle in the rain is surely pointless….I’ve been riding for decades and realised a long time ago that the issue is staying warm when wet rather than staying dry. Water doesn’t hurt; having spent 18 hours in continuous rain during the 2009 London Edinburgh London Audax I’m immune to it now. My recommendation is that people just wear plenty of layers and a wind-proof top.
I own an Altura jacket – really has not done very well for me. The reflective material got wrecked within 6 months of using it (not heavy use and did not wash it in the washing machine). The pockets then got ripped so I could no longer store stuff in there. Should have taken it back to the store but one of those things you never get round to doing! Maybe it was just a one off bad experience but I know to always stay away from them now.
grrrrr
? (hopefully this isnt the 2nd time i sent this lol)
While sat at a college lecture and not realy paying attention, I passed a note onto a fellow classmate.
The note was asking him what I should wear whilst cycling in the rain (being a new cyclist).
The note came back and like a child at christmas, i eagerly unfolded the answer to all my suffering.
He had drawn a pair of wellies.
Recently I taped the junction of my waterproof socks, and my ankles with black pvc tape.
By the time i got home, my right foot was still dry.