chephy

In the market for a new rainjacket, looking for recommendations. Zip vents, pockets, and hood are a must. No real budget in mind; willing to part with a few hundred dollars as long as the jacket is worth it. I'll be happier if I can get a good jacket for $200-300, but if spending $500-600 will result in significant benefits, I'm willing to go there and maybe even a little bit higher.

My first waterproof-breathable rainjacket was an Arc'teryx, and I thought it was amazing. Unfortunately, I unwittingly washed it with liquid detergent and it lost all waterproofness. So I bought another Arc'teryx to replace it, and it was completely awful! Not at all waterproof. Not sure what the deal was with that, but it sure turned me off the brand. Still willing to consider it but am kind of cautious about it...

Any suggestions (or warnings) will be much appreciated.

no motor?

Did you try to reapply a waterproof coating?

fietsbob

Yea WPB surfactants are only effective for a short while.. And detergent wetting solutions disable their function..

so all WPB fabrics are similar ..

NikWax 'tech wash' from their descriptions, is made without wetting agents , I suspect, so your reproofing after that may go better..

MEC Toronto got jackets?



Out on the Open Ocean , Commercial fishermen wear Grundens foul weather gear it is not breathable at all waterproof..






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Doug64

Showers Pass makes a nice hooded jacket.
https://www.showerspass.com/collecti...IaAq8JEALw_wcB

Dirt Farmer

How is J&G rain gear? bob, didn't you use and/or review their jackets once?

Bicycle Clothing At Its Best--and Our Bicycle Clothing Is MADE IN OREGON!

Bandera

Yep, no point in replacing a piece of kit that you "thought it was amazing" that can be revived in a washing machine for a few $:

Wash-in cleaner for waterproof clothing and gear - Tech Wash

-Bandera

Retro Grouch 

Mrs Grouch and I have a pair of Craft rain jackets that we've has for 10 or 12 years. We haver both loved them since they were new.

jefnvk

As others have said, use the Nikwax solution. Comes in two parts, wash it the first time to thoroughly clean it of your first mistake, and the second to waterproof it.

Also, know that one Arcteryx is not the same as another, just because they are the same brand. There are different types and levels of waterproofing.

fietsbob

One alternative I did speak of is cycle rain capes.. J&G do offer a version Rain Capes from People Who Really Know Rain Capes!

Though I got a much longer , and heavier rain cape from a Riv-Bike - Grundens Foul weather gear company collaboration..

Because the open draping over your arms nature of their design, they use a water proof coated fabric,

relying on ventilation rather than water vapor permeability..


I own a Showers Pass Portland* Jacket, it is a tweedy grey fabric with a bonded liner that provides a bit of insulation..

Renamed apparently https://www.showerspass.com/collecti...sterdam-jacket IDK if the fabric has changed.. certainly darker..


Mostly wear a parka of neon yellow-green with wide reflective stripes . for my dark season winter .. 'not raining much' occasions, riding across town..







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Hiro11

If you're willing to spend ~$300, look no further than the Gore Shakedry.

79pmooney

Showers Pass. Not much for pockets but excellent otherwise. I have three. An early one that has been abused and is long since "dead" for waterproof but is an excellent dry weather jacket. Next was the lined jacket. Great commuter jacket. It is holding up really well and is very close to completely waterproof. (Put on dry and I could probably walk under Niagra Falls, but it will saturate over time. Years later it is as good as new. Drawback - with its liner, it does not fold up small. Third jacket is a newish unlined jacket. Similar to the first but Showers Pass learned a lot between the two. (They make there stuff right here in Portland and most of them commute year 'round by bike wearing their stuff. It shows.)

Pluses - good vents, very well done cuffs with Velcro, two-way zippers! (so you can start the zipper bottom and have easy access to your jersey pockets AND keep rain/rear tire stream off your jersey). Very nice locking your bike up in a hard rain or grabbing that energy bay.

Ben

TimothyH

Do you have one? Which brand/model? Any feedback?

I'm looking at the Gore C5 Shakedry 1985 Vis. For the OP, the R7 has a hood.The 7Mesh Oro is made of the same textile but doesn't have a zippered pocket and lacks high visibility features.


-Tim-

veganbikes

Reach out to Arcteryx. They make excellent jackets that are meant to last with good care and could certainly help out with care tips and if there are issues with the jacket that cannot be fixed with normal care they might help with a warranty.

On that second jacket was it a waterproof jacket. If it uses seam sealed Gore-Tex than it would be waterproof but some of their jackets are for different outdoor purposes and might have waterproofing in certain areas but not others , it could also be using Windstopper which typically is not seam-sealed so water can get in but it is a fully windproof fabric. I would check on their website and find out which jacket it is as it might not be a rain shell.

Some places might sell jackets and not know their stuff or might mis-classify something because it uses some Gore-Tex but is not full seam-sealed GTX and you could have bought that thinking you had something different.

Generally Arcteryx makes some of the best quality jackets and are really particular about construction to make something at the top levels of excellence. Their seam sealing tape is as small as they can make it which requires a lot of precision to do it and their QC is top notch. I sold Arcteryx for years and have several pieces from them that are excellent and I am sad I no longer work in a place that stocks their product.

My rain jacket is a Mountain Hardwear Chinley 3L but I have been quite interested in the Gore Shakedry stuff and some of the newer lighterweight stuff that is coming out from different brands. Getting rid of the DWR on the outside is an excellent thing for waterproofness and breathability.

rumrunn6

my 2 cents: whatever you do, don't buy online. something this important, should be tried on, in person

linberl

Have you tried a poncho? I love my People's Poncho. Absolutely waterproof, waist strap so it doesn't billow in the back, fits over the bars when I ride so my legs stay pretty dry. Great ventilation since it's open underneath. As for pockets - they're in the clothes I wear below the poncho so no problem! Super easy on and off, too.

chephy

Don't assume I haven't tried that.

chephy

Thanks for the reply. Yes, it was supposed to be waterproof; it was definitely sold to me as such by a reputable dealer. I did reach out to the company but they were of very limited help. Basically shrugged their shoulders, and did nothing, which surprised the hell out of me because of how good their excellent reputation. I was on an extended out-of-the-country trip at the time, so figuring out shipping etc. would have been too much hassle anyway.

chephy

Interesting, thanks! Definitely considering them! How is your experience with the "core vents"? I'm a bit concerned about the lack of pit zips; that's where I get sweatiest first!

Bandera

What product(s) did you use and what was the result of trying to renew the DWR after the liquid detergent fiasco?

-Bandera

TimothyH

Backcountry will send several sizes with two day free shipping and let you return what you don't want for free. They only charge you for what you keep.

You have to work with a human who works there, not through the website. Most of my transactions are via email.


-Tim-

indyfabz

+3 on Showers Pass.

rumrunn6

whatever it takes to compete, eh?

chephy

That was over four years ago, so I don't remember exactly, but the product names floated here sound very familiar. So something along those lines. I was desperate to restore that jacket, so I did a lot of research and went for a couple of tries. Nopes.

bruce19

Haven't waded through all the posts but, in general, I'd be looking at Assos.

Brob2

I have been quite unhappy with a couple of Arc'teryx fleeces that have had to be repaired due to poor construction. While I have other gear of theirs I have had no problems with I don't see them as meeting the standard of their reputation or price point.

My current decade old raingear includes a Pearl Izumi training jacket and an LLBean shell, and I can't kill either one of them, so those would be my recommendations. I have some RAB stuff that is true top notch gear, but fashionable it ain't.

My 2 cents, worth at least a quarter.