Mountain Biking Jacket Required

[zed4]

Hi,

I’m looking to buy a jacket for mountain biking when it’s a bit colder. I’m hoping to go riding this weekend and I’ve realised that I don’t really have anything suitable. I have a gift card for Millets, so ideally something I can buy from there.

What do you recommend? I don’t want to spend a lot, I get hot when I ride so I’m assuming that none of my fleece lined jackets I currently have will be any good. Ideally it should keep me warm, dry and breathe when I get hot. Also pack down small to fit into a small bag. It should also be easy to wash as it’s guaranteed to get covered in mud!

What do you recommend?

I'm currently looking at these: http://www.millets.co.uk/mens/mens-clothing/jacket...

Right sort of thing?

Dan

Edited by zed4 on Wednesday 3rd February 12:45

[rhinochopig]

My advice would be go for a cheapest breathable shell jacket you can afford for the following reasons:

• You'll cook just as much in an expensive jacket as you would in a cheap one.
• It will be blathered in mud within minutes so will lose breathability anyway.
• It will get scuffed / ripped if you ride single-track that tests your ability.
• It will stink within the year and no amount of washing will get rid of the smell entirely
• Most tend to ride with a ruck-sack so it will abraid at the shoulders eventually and a rucksack prevents the back being breathable.

Unlike road riding, there are far fewer benefits to expensive clothing when it comes to MTB.

[tjdixon911]

rhinochopig said:

My advice would be go for a cheapest breathable shell jacket you can afford for the following reasons:

• You'll cook just as much in an expensive jacket as you would in a cheap one.
• It will be blathered in mud within minutes so will lose breathability anyway.
• It will get scuffed / ripped if you ride single-track that tests your ability.
• It will stink within the year and no amount of washing will get rid of the smell entirely
• Most tend to ride with a ruck-sack so it will abraid at the shoulders eventually and a rucksack prevents the back being breathable.

Unlike road riding, there are far fewer benefits to expensive clothing when it comes to MTB.

I have a couple of Shell Jackets - one from Mountain Warehouse and another from Halfords (Halfords have some good deals currently) - just layer up underneath if its colder. Also waterproof I have a B-Twin (Decathlon one) and a Altura Nevis (bit more expensive) I use the decathlon one more.

[zed4]

rhinochopig said:

My advice would be go for a cheapest breathable shell jacket you can afford for the following reasons:

• You'll cook just as much in an expensive jacket as you would in a cheap one.
• It will be blathered in mud within minutes so will lose breathability anyway.
• It will get scuffed / ripped if you ride single-track that tests your ability.
• It will stink within the year and no amount of washing will get rid of the smell entirely
• Most tend to ride with a ruck-sack so it will abraid at the shoulders eventually and a rucksack prevents the back being breathable.

Unlike road riding, there are far fewer benefits to expensive clothing when it comes to MTB.

Thanks for the helpful post.

I've just walked down to Millets and they only had this one there: http://www.millets.co.uk/mens/078234-peter-storm-m...

Looked good though and not a bad jacket for £30. I have a £25 gift card, so it's perfect.

I do ride single track, and also often have a rucksack, so what you say makes sense.

[SHutchinson]

These Muddy Fox jackets from Sports Direct are decent.

http://www.sportsdirect.com/muddyfox-cycling-jacke...

I bought one the other day but I wear it for running, it's pretty splash proof.

For £15 I don't think you can grumble.

[P-Jay]

I've been using a £25 special from Mountain Warehouse, it's bright orange as it's a commuting jacket really, but it's fine. As others have said, you can spend a fortune but there's little point, with rain and well winter, comes lots and lots of mud and they'll be caked in the stuff in seconds. If you come off you'll usually rip the elbow out of one side or both.

One thing that annoys me, I don't really want to wash it much as it'll lose it's water protection, even with Nikwax, but after 2-3 rides the zip becomes caked and jams - but so does the one on my mate's £150 super delux jacket.