"Touring" waterproof jackets
Discussion
"Touring" is what I call mine, anyway, don't know if it's correct!
It's about 25 years old, Gore Bike Wear, was £100 or so when I bought it, so equivalent to about £230-250 now.
I've loved it for years, but it is literally falling apart at the seams (not just the tape coming off!) and my few days in the mountains showed that despite regular re-proofing it quickly wets out all over now and I can't tell if it's rain or sweat making me wet. (And I do sweat!)
It was built for comfort, not for speed, lightness or packability. (I have a thin pocket-sized thing for those qualities.)
I would describe it as fully featured, so much so that I'm having trouble identifying anything to take its place, which is why I'm here typing away...
Gore-tex, with mesh lining (tho I guess modern materials make the mesh less important - better breathability, nicer skin feel)
Not racing cut! Closer to a regular jacket.
A really long drop tail that poppers up out of the way - long enough to hang slightly below the saddle
2 big zippered and flapped rear pockets
Map (now phone!) chest pocket in the right place - behind the storm flap, in front of the zip so it's protected but accessible without unzipping the jacket
Double storm flaps for main zip
Poppers on those flaps, so you can keep the front together without using the zip - great for ventilation while keeping most of the rain out
Pip zips - more ventilation... I do get sweaty!
Adjustable collar
No hood! Don't like them on a bike, and I have a stand-alone hood anyway (which looks stupid, but keeps my head dry when I use it!)
Not black all over - I know Shake-dry had no choice, but when I'm road riding in rain etc, I want to be very visible.
Velcro adjustable cuffs
And, finally I think, a pair of poppers that you could use to hold back each bottom front corner to the inside rear, keeping the whole of your front clear.
I've only got 2 contenders at the moment:
Galibier Courchevel Storm
SP Elite 2.1
The Galibier is less than half the price of the SP, but I feel the SP is much closer to my old jacket, and is a similar price inflation adjusted, so probably top pick at the moment (in red).
Anything I've missed?
Super-packable lightweight racing snake jackets need not apply, nor anything pertex rain-resistant based, thank you very much
It's about 25 years old, Gore Bike Wear, was £100 or so when I bought it, so equivalent to about £230-250 now.
I've loved it for years, but it is literally falling apart at the seams (not just the tape coming off!) and my few days in the mountains showed that despite regular re-proofing it quickly wets out all over now and I can't tell if it's rain or sweat making me wet. (And I do sweat!)
It was built for comfort, not for speed, lightness or packability. (I have a thin pocket-sized thing for those qualities.)
I would describe it as fully featured, so much so that I'm having trouble identifying anything to take its place, which is why I'm here typing away...
Gore-tex, with mesh lining (tho I guess modern materials make the mesh less important - better breathability, nicer skin feel)
Not racing cut! Closer to a regular jacket.
A really long drop tail that poppers up out of the way - long enough to hang slightly below the saddle
2 big zippered and flapped rear pockets
Map (now phone!) chest pocket in the right place - behind the storm flap, in front of the zip so it's protected but accessible without unzipping the jacket
Double storm flaps for main zip
Poppers on those flaps, so you can keep the front together without using the zip - great for ventilation while keeping most of the rain out
Pip zips - more ventilation... I do get sweaty!
Adjustable collar
No hood! Don't like them on a bike, and I have a stand-alone hood anyway (which looks stupid, but keeps my head dry when I use it!)
Not black all over - I know Shake-dry had no choice, but when I'm road riding in rain etc, I want to be very visible.
Velcro adjustable cuffs
And, finally I think, a pair of poppers that you could use to hold back each bottom front corner to the inside rear, keeping the whole of your front clear.
I've only got 2 contenders at the moment:
Galibier Courchevel Storm
SP Elite 2.1
The Galibier is less than half the price of the SP, but I feel the SP is much closer to my old jacket, and is a similar price inflation adjusted, so probably top pick at the moment (in red).
Anything I've missed?
Super-packable lightweight racing snake jackets need not apply, nor anything pertex rain-resistant based, thank you very much
I have an Endura Single Track jacket which I would say is similar.
RRP falls between the two examples you give but look and you'll find a discount.
I'm a fatish old bloke and do sweat in it but I'm sweaty anyway.
It's fairly robust and not too snug a fit.
Has a hood that can be tucked away as a collar.
The drawstring for my hood came out on one aside annoyingly.
It has a front zip but no secondary fastenings.
Has reflective decals, has worn well and is available in various colours/designs.
I wear mine on the bike, dog walking, nipping into town.
I think it's decent, cost me £90 ish 4 years ago but I have no direct comparison.
https://www.endurasport.com/singletrack-jacket-iib...
I quite like Endura as a company Dunno why maybe 'cos they're Scottish based although garments made in far east
RRP falls between the two examples you give but look and you'll find a discount.
I'm a fatish old bloke and do sweat in it but I'm sweaty anyway.
It's fairly robust and not too snug a fit.
Has a hood that can be tucked away as a collar.
The drawstring for my hood came out on one aside annoyingly.
It has a front zip but no secondary fastenings.
Has reflective decals, has worn well and is available in various colours/designs.
I wear mine on the bike, dog walking, nipping into town.
I think it's decent, cost me £90 ish 4 years ago but I have no direct comparison.
https://www.endurasport.com/singletrack-jacket-iib...
I quite like Endura as a company Dunno why maybe 'cos they're Scottish based although garments made in far east
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