Hi Everyone,
I am not a cyclist, but I am looking for a present for my partner who has lost his waterproof hi-vis jacket (and can't remember the brand or where he got it from...).
The specs i'm looking for are:
- Hi-vis
- light weight / packable
- waterproof
- can fit over a small rucksack
- long at the back, it is for a 6.2 (190cm) man, slim build with a long torso.
- hooded
I just have no clue where to look for it.
Thank you so much for your help.
Jacket recommendation for present
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The utility cyclist
- Posts: 3607
- Joined: 22 Aug 2016, 12:28pm
- Location: The first garden city
Re: Jacket recommendation for present
What is your budget?
In terms of your requirements, how small is the rucksack as that will mean the jacket/coat to have extra material/space to accommodate this?
What type of hood do you want, a floppy one or one with a rigid framework?
Hi-vis requirement will narrow your options as a number of very good jackets don't come in flouro colours (read up on the merits of hi-vis on this forum so you have a better understanding of it)
Lightweight and packable, how light do you want (some jackets are 95g, others can be 5x that, which leads to 'packable' again means not much as it depends what you want to pack it into and what size that pack/space is. A lot of thinner/lighter garments may not be as weatherproof unless you opt for the more expensive technical options.
100% Waterproof only happens with garments that won't allow water in at all which means that the wearer will accumulate moisture inside, it's a balancing act as to which is of most benefit, more water resistance over breathability of garment, similar to size/weight, the more expensive/techical garments tend to have better weatherproofing and breathability.
There's a thread that already exists, you might want to have a read through there viewtopic.php?f=1&t=132668&hilit=long+jacket
In terms of your requirements, how small is the rucksack as that will mean the jacket/coat to have extra material/space to accommodate this?
What type of hood do you want, a floppy one or one with a rigid framework?
Hi-vis requirement will narrow your options as a number of very good jackets don't come in flouro colours (read up on the merits of hi-vis on this forum so you have a better understanding of it)
Lightweight and packable, how light do you want (some jackets are 95g, others can be 5x that, which leads to 'packable' again means not much as it depends what you want to pack it into and what size that pack/space is. A lot of thinner/lighter garments may not be as weatherproof unless you opt for the more expensive technical options.
100% Waterproof only happens with garments that won't allow water in at all which means that the wearer will accumulate moisture inside, it's a balancing act as to which is of most benefit, more water resistance over breathability of garment, similar to size/weight, the more expensive/techical garments tend to have better weatherproofing and breathability.
There's a thread that already exists, you might want to have a read through there viewtopic.php?f=1&t=132668&hilit=long+jacket
Re: Jacket recommendation for present
@ The utility cyclist
Thank you for your reply.
His rucksack is H50 cm x W35 cm x D20 cm at its fullest, i am aware the jacket needs extra fabric on the back, especially with his long top body to cover everything when cycling. I had a look at the other thread before posting, but all the jackets seem quite flat on the back. It might be a question on getting a bigger size?
Hood - I was thinking of a hood with a draw string.
Hi-vis Thanks for the comments on the hi-vis, it might not be essential if it gives me better options. We're in town and limited time outside at night time with street light everywhere, but it's always a bonus to have hi-vis, you never know.
Packable: i would say up to 300g, what i meant by packable was that it comes with a little bag the jacket can be pushed in, the one he had was like that anyway, and i believe he liked it, in a bag 20x10cm, stored easily in a small living space.
Waterproof / breathability: It's not to spend hours in the rain, but to give good protection on short journeys, do they come with vents under the arms? (sorry if that's a silly question)
Budget: is £100 reasonable ? i will go higher if it's worth it.
I appreciate you taking the time to help me.
Thank you for your reply.
His rucksack is H50 cm x W35 cm x D20 cm at its fullest, i am aware the jacket needs extra fabric on the back, especially with his long top body to cover everything when cycling. I had a look at the other thread before posting, but all the jackets seem quite flat on the back. It might be a question on getting a bigger size?
Hood - I was thinking of a hood with a draw string.
Hi-vis Thanks for the comments on the hi-vis, it might not be essential if it gives me better options. We're in town and limited time outside at night time with street light everywhere, but it's always a bonus to have hi-vis, you never know.
Packable: i would say up to 300g, what i meant by packable was that it comes with a little bag the jacket can be pushed in, the one he had was like that anyway, and i believe he liked it, in a bag 20x10cm, stored easily in a small living space.
Waterproof / breathability: It's not to spend hours in the rain, but to give good protection on short journeys, do they come with vents under the arms? (sorry if that's a silly question)
Budget: is £100 reasonable ? i will go higher if it's worth it.
I appreciate you taking the time to help me.
Re: Jacket recommendation for present
Is he a social rider or a commuter?
I would think a commuter would want a heavier duty jacket.
Altura endura and dhb are brands you can trust.
Boardman, ridge(halfords or Aldi / Lidl if feeling cheap.
My Lidl one is stilling strong, my mates has lost its waterproofing after several years of commuting. As he found out during the world's!!!
Cheers James
I would think a commuter would want a heavier duty jacket.
Altura endura and dhb are brands you can trust.
Boardman, ridge(halfords or Aldi / Lidl if feeling cheap.
My Lidl one is stilling strong, my mates has lost its waterproofing after several years of commuting. As he found out during the world's!!!
Cheers James
Re: Jacket recommendation for present
Never seen using a jacket over the rucksack, surely the jacket would fit badly.
Fwiw, I've always had good luck with Endura stuff, also have a look at Alpkit: some of their jackets can be a bit expensive but wel worth the money. I bought the "gravitas" model when it was discounted (and it was available in a nice electric light-blue) and never regretted: not really a "cycling-specific" but fit decently nevertheless, proper waterproof and breathability is ok.
Fwiw, I've always had good luck with Endura stuff, also have a look at Alpkit: some of their jackets can be a bit expensive but wel worth the money. I bought the "gravitas" model when it was discounted (and it was available in a nice electric light-blue) and never regretted: not really a "cycling-specific" but fit decently nevertheless, proper waterproof and breathability is ok.
It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best,
since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them.
Thus you remember them as they actually are...
since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them.
Thus you remember them as they actually are...
Re: Jacket recommendation for present
My thoughts are concentrate on the jacket,forget the sack which can be made waterproof with a simple liner.Personally,I don,t like hoods on a bike,I seem to be forever fiddling with them.Finally,I don,t like my partner buying cycling stuff at all unless I,ve okayed it.
Re: Jacket recommendation for present
I'm not a big fan of hoods either, for using on a proper road bike it's a sure "no", but for commuting they can be very useful.
It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best,
since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them.
Thus you remember them as they actually are...
since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them.
Thus you remember them as they actually are...
Re: Jacket recommendation for present
First, I would recommend getting a separate rucksack cover from an outfitter or outdoors specialist.
As for the jacket, for the sort of thing you describe, I would recommend Pearl Izumi. It's what I would get if I were to splurge a bit.
https://www.pearlizumi.co.uk/men-s-elite-wxb-jacket waterproof without hood
https://www.pearlizumi.co.uk/men-s-purs ... r-lt-hoody water resistant with hood
Be careful of sizing, though. Pearl Izumi are not as bad as some brands, but many cycling brands run small & slim. IMO, they seem assume that every cyclist is a racing snake. If your partner is average build or bigger, it's best to go up at least one size. Or better, use his measurements, if you know them. Otherwise, check try & return policy before buying.
If he wears a helmet, not all jacket hoods are designed to go over them.
As for the jacket, for the sort of thing you describe, I would recommend Pearl Izumi. It's what I would get if I were to splurge a bit.
https://www.pearlizumi.co.uk/men-s-elite-wxb-jacket waterproof without hood
https://www.pearlizumi.co.uk/men-s-purs ... r-lt-hoody water resistant with hood
Be careful of sizing, though. Pearl Izumi are not as bad as some brands, but many cycling brands run small & slim. IMO, they seem assume that every cyclist is a racing snake. If your partner is average build or bigger, it's best to go up at least one size. Or better, use his measurements, if you know them. Otherwise, check try & return policy before buying.
If he wears a helmet, not all jacket hoods are designed to go over them.
“In some ways, it is easier to be a dissident, for then one is without responsibility.”
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
Re: Jacket recommendation for present
Vorpal wrote:First, I would recommend getting a separate rucksack cover from an outfitter or outdoors specialist.
As for the jacket, for the sort of thing you describe, I would recommend Pearl Izumi. It's what I would get if I were to splurge a bit.
https://www.pearlizumi.co.uk/men-s-elite-wxb-jacket waterproof without hood
https://www.pearlizumi.co.uk/men-s-purs ... r-lt-hoody water resistant with hood
Be careful of sizing, though. Pearl Izumi are not as bad as some brands, but many cycling brands run small & slim. IMO, they seem assume that every cyclist is a racing snake. If your partner is average build or bigger, it's best to go up at least one size. Or better, use his measurements, if you know them. Otherwise, check try & return policy before buying.
If he wears a helmet, not all jacket hoods are designed to go over them.
Pearl izumi jacket sale at the moment here
https://marketing.cyclestore.co.uk/disp ... L=24&N=741
Cyclestore excellent on returns - see my recent review.
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=133002
Sweep
Re: Jacket recommendation for present
Thank you all so much for sharing your thoughts.
I had hope a cyclist jacket would be longer at the back, according to the replies here, I guess he needs more of an outdoor waterproof jacket than a cyclist one (he's a casual rider, so a relaxed fit is better as cycling performance is not on the card iykwim), the Gravitas from Alpkit looks like a good compromise (will wait until Black Friday though, and maybe check with him too for approval).
Have a great week end.
I had hope a cyclist jacket would be longer at the back, according to the replies here, I guess he needs more of an outdoor waterproof jacket than a cyclist one (he's a casual rider, so a relaxed fit is better as cycling performance is not on the card iykwim), the Gravitas from Alpkit looks like a good compromise (will wait until Black Friday though, and maybe check with him too for approval).
Have a great week end.
Re: Jacket recommendation for present
Noelie wrote:Thank you all so much for sharing your thoughts.
I had hope a cyclist jacket would be longer at the back, according to the replies here, I guess he needs more of an outdoor waterproof jacket than a cyclist one (he's a casual rider, so a relaxed fit is better as cycling performance is not on the card iykwim), the Gravitas from Alpkit looks like a good compromise (will wait until Black Friday though, and maybe check with him too for approval).
Have a great week end.
Show him the full price ads of course.
Sweep
Re: Jacket recommendation for present
Show him the full price ads of course.
Hahaha
Re: Jacket recommendation for present
Noelie wrote:Thank you all so much for sharing your thoughts.
I had hope a cyclist jacket would be longer at the back, according to the replies here, I guess he needs more of an outdoor waterproof jacket than a cyclist one (he's a casual rider, so a relaxed fit is better as cycling performance is not on the card iykwim), the Gravitas from Alpkit looks like a good compromise (will wait until Black Friday though, and maybe check with him too for approval).
Have a great week end.
Cyclists' jacket *are* longer at the back, to cover the lower back when seated & pedalling. Cycling performance isn't need to make a normal jacket work up with pedalling and leave the lower back exposed & cold. Many general outdoors gear is now made longer in the back and reasonably suited to cycling, but check that it is long enough.
“In some ways, it is easier to be a dissident, for then one is without responsibility.”
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom