For the all weather cyclists - fantastic deal jacket

[KirstinS]

For anyone who cycles in all weather then decent waterproofs are essential

probikekit are doing £160 Gore Path jackets at £88. An unheard of steal for an excellent peice of kit (just google for reviews)

http://www.probikekit.com/uk/clothing/cycling-clothing/cycling-jackets/gore-bike-wear-path-cycling-jacket-1026901.html

Oh, and Evans Cycles will price match this supplier )

 

[103Alex1]

Some Marmot Zions going for £100 off too. These are probably the best on the market (along with Vaude Alpamayo Polartecs etc).

Zion Jacket | Marmot | Softshell Jackets | The Outdoor Shop

Unfortunately the Gore, Vaude and Marmot ranges of jackets are all too big for me. . Even tried a women's one but they are too short in the tail, too wide at the bum or flap about. So am sticking with my Polaris Scandium for when the heavens open properly. It was £50 a month ago, packed with properly functioning pockets, doesn't dig in under your chin and really well made. Proper bargain

 

[amigafan2003]

I've got a Marmot Zion - way, way better than any GoreTex product I've ever used.

 

[KirstinS]

I've got a Marmot Zion - way, way better than any GoreTex product I've ever used.

and at 300 quid (or even £200 when in sales) this is still very very pricey so I'd hope so !

Out of interest in what way is the neoshell better than goretex please ? I've never had a goretex leak as yet ? Or is it more about breathability ?

To haul the thread to ebikes - I really only care about waterproofing on my ebike as I hardly pedal on my daily commute. I do see value in the extra breathability for non-ebiking though

 

[103Alex1]

and at 300 quid (or even £200 when in sales) this is still very very pricey so I'd hope so !

Out of interest in what way is the neoshell better than goretex please ? I've never had a goretex leak as yet ? Or is it more about breathability ?

To haul the thread to ebikes - I really only care about waterproofing on my ebike as I hardly pedal on my daily commute. I do see value in the extra breathability for non-ebiking though

Mainly breatheability but the Polartec ones are also extremely warm and very light so you can survive a really torrential storm and keep warm with basically a baselayer under it in most UK weathers. It's not such an issue if you sit on the throttle but it matters a great deal when you pedal a lot. I pedal hard on my ebike (enjoy the exercise) and sometimes even "race myself" on clearer stretches if I want a workout. The difference in fabrics really shows the more effort you put in on the bike.

People who use their eBikes off-road will also notice a big difference. It's just a shame the Zion is cut for mountaineering and not biking. It rides up all too easily. May not be such a problem with the bigger sizes but certainly was with the Small I tried on. The Alpamayo is worse and cut way too short at the back. Both are "generously cut" for activewear - which may suit some but regular cut garments flap at the sides at speed and it's really annoying after a while if you are slim. For that money I'd want something which fitted like a glove.

 

[steve.c]

Hi.Look at the deals in "GO OUTDOORS" i got a fleece & waterproof & breathable outer shell for 19.95 and wear it on my scooter and nothing gets through it "brilliant"

 

[RobF]

Mainly breatheability but the Polartec ones are also extremely warm and very light so you can survive a really torrential storm and keep warm with basically a baselayer under it in most UK weathers. It's not such an issue if you sit on the throttle but it matters a great deal when you pedal a lot. I pedal hard on my ebike (enjoy the exercise) and sometimes even "race myself" on clearer stretches if I want a workout. The difference in fabrics really shows the more effort you put in on the bike.

People who use their eBikes off-road will also notice a big difference. It's just a shame the Zion is cut for mountaineering and not biking. It rides up all too easily. May not be such a problem with the bigger sizes but certainly was with the Small I tried on. The Alpamayo is worse and cut way too short at the back. Both are "generously cut" for activewear - which may suit some but regular cut garments flap at the sides at speed and it's really annoying after a while if you are slim. For that money I'd want something which fitted like a glove.

Don't get too technical, now.

 

[103Alex1]

Don't get too technical, now.

awww ... and I was SO itching to kick off a DWR rating debate

 

[amigafan2003]

and at 300 quid (or even £200 when in sales) this is still very very pricey so I'd hope so !

Out of interest in what way is the neoshell better than goretex please ? I've never had a goretex leak as yet ? Or is it more about breathability ?

To haul the thread to ebikes - I really only care about waterproofing on my ebike as I hardly pedal on my daily commute. I do see value in the extra breathability for non-ebiking though

I have a GoreBikeWear lightweight jacket - about the thinnest GoreTex you can get - and I still build up condensation in my jacket - even when pedaling moderately. If I pedal hard (trying to mess with Strava users ;-) ) then it's daft. So in the end I end up taking a separate windproof and packing the Goretex in a pannier in case it rains on the way home.

However with the Neoshell I've never built up condesation even on a really active ride - it truly is a revelation. It keeps out the rain just as well as the GoreTex but I'm not clammy inside. Also the fabric is softer than goretex (softshell rather than hard shell) so it's just nicer to wear as well.

So now I only take one jacket - the neoshell - whether it's raining, cold, windy, average or even warm. I use it for everthing - from commuting, mountain biking, snowboarding, hiking and even just walking to the shops. And while everyone else is busy adding and removing layers to get comfortable, I just has a base layer, light mid layer and the Zion - and that's how I stay all day - perfect temperature no condesation. Best item of clothing I've bought in a long time.

I agree with Alex though - it's cut a little short but as I like wearing jackets a little bigger than the size I'm supposed to have it's not an issue for me. I'd love to see a cycling specific Neoshell released though.

Hi.Look at the deals in "GO OUTDOORS" i got a fleece & waterproof & breathable outer shell for 19.95 and wear it on my scooter and nothing gets through it "brilliant"

If all you're worried about is stopping the water getting in, a bin bag will do the job for about 10p

 

[eddieo]

My son bought a really nice north face 3 way jacket for £150 (£40 discount) yesterday. it's lightweight and panels unzip under arms to increase air flow....while any self respecting cyclopath would be mortified at the thought of wearing something like this, I think it fine for utility riding..... Best deal was from the Cotswold chain

 

[jerrysimon]

In a different league price wise (I purchased mine and my daughters for around £35 each) I have used one of these for a while.

Endura Gridlock Jacket HiViz Yellow 2013 | JE James Cycles

This has zippers under the arm too. I find all I need is a thin layer under this i.e. a lightweight fleece. I use it in the winter months every day and then switch to a light weight rain proof jacket when it warms up which I keep in my bag for when it rains. That Marmot Zion looks nice, especially the hood, though in the winter I would want something more visible.

I purchased my daughter an endura jacket hi viz jacket too for her electric bike (she has M.E) and although she says its bright, she says its fantastic to wear in the rain.

Regards

Jerry