Decent waterproof jacket?

[EnglishDude]

Can anyone recommend me a decent waterproof jacket good for commuting in the British weather also for normal use off the bike? £30 to £50 preferable. Is there any manufacturer I should look at, or should I just go for any one?

Thanks very much for your help in advance!

 

[cd667]

The problem I always found with wearing cycling jackets when off the bike was that you got cold when not riding, as (what I see as) a decent cycling waterproof will keep the worst of the rain out but is deliberately not made to keep you even slightly warm - you need a fleece or jumper underneath. If you don't, you are going to cook out.

With this in mind, the best one I ever bought isn't specifically a cycling jacket - it's made by The North Face. It isn't cut longer at the back like most cycling clothes, but is quite long all round. It is paper thin (if I ever crashed, I'm sure that would be the end of it) and has some nice (subtle) reflective piping on it - this has probably saved my life a couple of times. Bought it in a sale for £10, they normally cost £30-£40ish

Failing that, I have an Altura jacket which is quite good but flourescent yellow - at least your mates would find you in the pub. Problem is it really looks like a cycling jacket and as such it's cut quite tight, which limits your choice of clothes to wear underneath. It cost £29.99 last winter.

Of course, you don't have to spend that much. I bought an excellent cycling jacket from (believe it or not) LIDL for £8 in March. I think it's a bit too well insulated -getting "up on the cam" would quickly make you sweat, but the quality is OK and it is a fairly normal looking jacket. While I was there I also bought a wireless HRM/computer - for £15! Pot luck when they have things like that in though.

Let me know if you find something you like.

 

[MidBunchLurker]

A friend of mine has a nice plan black Altura jacket. He says its very waterproof and i've seen him wear it off the bike you'd be hard-pressed to notice that it was a bike-specific jacket. Check out www.wiggle.co.uk

 

[EnglishDude]

The problem I always found with wearing cycling jackets when off the bike was that you got cold when not riding, as (what I see as) a decent cycling waterproof will keep the worst of the rain out but is deliberately not made to keep you even slightly warm - you need a fleece or jumper underneath. If you don't, you are going to cook out.

Yeah, that's sorta the point what I'm looking for - a jacket that will keep the water off (very important!) but don't cook me while cycling, and when off bike, I can waer something underneath.

How waterproof are cycling jackets in general? Though I obviously know if it's raining like someone is pouring a bucket on my head, water is going to get inside me anyway.

Also what about hoods? Should I look for a jacket with hoods, or should I get it seperately?

Thanks very much for your advice once again

 

[cd667]

Yeah, that's sorta the point what I'm looking for - a jacket that will keep the water off (very important!) but don't cook me while cycling, and when off bike, I can waer something underneath.

How waterproof are cycling jackets in general? Though I obviously know if it's raining like someone is pouring a bucket on my head, water is going to get inside me anyway.

Also what about hoods? Should I look for a jacket with hoods, or should I get it seperately?

Thanks very much for your advice once again

The sort we're talking about can be quite good if they're kept clean and washed in Nikwax and tumble dried or ironed(it's a bit like a waterproof fabric conditioner, costs about £6 a bottle from outdoorsy type shops and turns all sorts of clothes into waterproofs), although they won't keep you dry in a downpour. Then again properly waterproof jackets will make you damp even when it isn't raining! The truth is if you get into cycling, you're going to get wet!

Hoods are a matter of personal preference. You need to make sure that:-

a) they don't obstruct your vision - some can act as blinkers and give you instant tunnel vision.
b) if you choose to wear a helmet, the hood needs to fit over the top.

Personally I wouldn't bother, although mine all have built in hoods. Try it and see what you like.