Author Topic: Good textile jacket advice please :) (Read 6673 times)

Strombone · « **on:** August 13, 2011, 17:53:28 »

Hello Chums,
I commute down the M1/A1 to The City.
I wear a leather jacket and have a waterproof over jacket in the box. However, for those rain likely grey days I'd like to have a waterproof jacket so that I don't get caught out. Preferably I'd like one that is okay for all year round riding.

Do I need a full-on cordura , armourcor type of thing as they sure are expensive?

Hein Gerricke do some good stuff, but as you get nearer the lower prices (for all manufacturers) I can't help but think I would have just as much protection from an anorak...

Locky · « **Reply #1 on:** August 13, 2011, 18:12:12 »

I've got the Spada Dakar jacket and trousers , fantastic for the money , google for some reviews and see how good its rated ..http://www.spadaclothing.co.uk/productd ... roduct=190

and both for under Â£200..
The fit is great and has some nice features like the venting etc ..You can remove the thermal liner and also the waterproof liner in the hot weather . Also the waterproof liner zips to the very end of the sleeves unlike some..
Adv bike rider also reviewed it and I think it got 8 out of 10 , the same as some jackets costing twice the money ..
Comes with 2yr guarantee..

jonH · « **Reply #2 on:** August 13, 2011, 18:30:56 »

I have a HG Explorer jacket, used all year round although if it's particular grotty I have an ex-police jacket I got from ebay for 20-odd quid that goes over the top
It has long zips on the arms and I'm not 100% convinced they'd resist a torrential downpour

http://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/hein-geri ... hwarz.html

pad · « **Reply #3 on:** August 13, 2011, 18:42:26 »

I have had HG gore-tex jackets and pants before and found them to be great for all year riding. Their sheltex range is cheaper but some has ended up leaking. I am trying some Rev'it stuff at the moment which is a similar price to HG sheltex and up to now I am impressed. The jacket has a removable winter liner and a removable "Hydratex" waterproof inner which I think is Rev'its version of sheltex. You can wear this on its own as a thin waterproof jacket. It has been good in the hot weather as you can take the waterproof liner out and ride in the outer jacket only. I managed to get the jacket and pants for Â£210 which is HG sheltex sort of money but I prefer this stuff.

Piglumps · « **Reply #4 on:** August 13, 2011, 19:41:05 »

I've got Frank Thomas jacket and waterproof trousers. People take the Micky but for the cash it is hard to beat methinks. Worth a look and they're now in new ownership after going belly-up recently..

Paid Â£89.99 for the coat and Â£69.99 for the trews from Onyerbike Aylesbury and GM Stevens (nutz4bikes) respectively...

Oldie · « **Reply #5 on:** August 13, 2011, 20:14:49 »

I bought one of these high-vis jackets last winter and reckon that it is certainly good value at 50 odd quid.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/High-Visibility ... 531&sr=1-8

Just about to give it a spray with some Aldi waterproofing stuff, although it probably doesn't need it. Great jacket.

frez · « **Reply #6 on:** August 13, 2011, 21:18:54 »

When I was flush with cash 15 years ago I bought a mtop of the range Dainese jacket and trousers. 15 years later I am finally thinking of replacing them. I told a bloke at work this and he said he had been through 3 jackets in four years for similar cost to my Dainese jacket. So the choice is buy something quality that will last a very long time, or buy something cheap that you will replace every couple of years. I guess it all depends what you can afford.

Strombone · « **Reply #7 on:** August 13, 2011, 21:32:11 »

Thanks for all the useful info Chums : )

There is a lot of choice out there and one of the things I am keen to find out from you is how you assess the protection provided by the textile material itself. It seems you have to pay through the nose for Cordura, Armourcor etc but I sense that for some of you that is less important than how waterproof it is and how long it will last...I haven't been biking long so I am genuinely interested to see whether this is really important with textile jackets.

By the way, I looked at the Rev'it cayenne something or other. It seems like a very good jacket as does HG Summit and HG voyage. Dainese Bruce looks good too. But they all cost a lot...

willbo · « **Reply #8 on:** August 13, 2011, 22:31:06 »

I own a halvarrsons halogen jacket with lvl 1 safety inner. Its really good, really waterproof and high visibility. You can get dark ones if you don't like the yellow. Its my all year round jacket and keeps me cool in the summer and warm in the winter without having to remove anything. Its the special layer inside that sorts all that out. They are expensive, but if you can afford them, Worth every penny

Locky · « **Reply #9 on:** August 13, 2011, 22:44:00 »

Quote from: "Wriggly40"

I own a halvarrsons halogen jacket with lvl 1 safety inner. Its really good, really waterproof and high visibility. You can get dark ones if you don't like the yellow. Its my all year round jacket and keeps me great in the summer and warm in the winter without having to remove anything. Its the special layer inside that sorts all that out. They are expensive, but if you can afford them, Worth every penny

I do like the Halvarrsons gear , I've got some gloves , top quality and 100% waterproof..

jeyre60152 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 13, 2011, 22:59:19 »

I have a Cycle Spirit jacket that I got from GetGeared......had it for over a year, wore it through the worst of the winter and spring rain just gone and was completely waterproof.

They are a reasonable price too.....

As a matter of interest, Held trousers from the same place are very good. the site has excellent customer service as well.

carlos · « **Reply #11 on:** August 14, 2011, 14:43:29 »

I got a ''Bikers Tormo Gore-Tex Jacket '' expensive but it keep me dry and warm during last winter and I rode all winter . It have a warm linner wich can be taken out on summer. only one waterproof pocket at chest level , two vents at shoulder level and two at the back . it have a wide big pocket near the lower back) cuff are a bit small (you won't be able to put any glove inside the sleeves on this one , but never have a problem with water getting inside the gloves). the jacket still look and feel like new. It have some grey/black reflective strips at the back and side arms wich work OK ...
http://www.comfortinaction.com/en/articulo.asp?fam=20&sf=2041&clr=1002&ft=0

overpants over normal jeans /trousers rev'it axis have worked a treat when it come to keep the waterand cold out (funny enough I have used them on summer as well and have not noticed any nut overheating yet) . they come with some useless knee protection as the pocket to place it is to big and the pads just float arround. I placed the biggest pads I could find to take all the space avialable.
http://www.revit.eu/en/#/products/FPT048

StreetHippo · « **Reply #12 on:** August 14, 2011, 15:49:42 »

I got my Rukka from George Whites, was previous years kit but was heavily reduced. Real quality feel and 100% waterproof. Just feels perfect when you put it on and is one of the few jackets that doesn't strangle me! (big neck!)
You do get what you pay for, if you're going to get the use out of it then go for it! Buying cheap can be false economy if you're constantly replacing it.

Stu

Gassoon · « **Reply #13 on:** August 14, 2011, 17:30:15 »

+1 for rukka - I (and the wife) got some pull on waterproof pants 20 -odd years ago when we were feeling flush, and they are still w/proof and untorn, and easier to put on at the side of the road than my one-piece rainsuit. Quality!

petestrom · « **Reply #14 on:** August 14, 2011, 18:53:51 »

I have a Rukka Athos, the cheapest one they do at Â£500. It is good being 100% waterproof but no vents if it gets too hot, so have to pull down the main zip to keep cooler.
I also have a Bikers Suzuka goretex jacket on offer at Topgear Supersports Â£250 instead of Â£350, haven't been caught in a monsoon yet with this jacket but it seems very well made comfy and has got zipper vents to keep cooler in warmer weather.

Strombone · « **Reply #15 on:** August 14, 2011, 19:15:15 »

Does anyone own one of these?

http://www.rev-it.co.uk/item3840.htm

Strombone · « **Reply #16 on:** August 14, 2011, 20:03:45 »

Quote from: "carlos"

I got a ''Bikers Tormo Gore-Tex Jacket ''
http://www.comfortinaction.com/en/articulo.asp?fam=20&sf=2041&clr=1002&ft=0

That does look good and it's Cordura...

carlos · « **Reply #17 on:** August 14, 2011, 20:45:42 »

Quote from: "Strombone"

Quote from: "carlos"
I got a ''Bikers Tormo Gore-Tex Jacket ''
http://www.comfortinaction.com/en/articulo.asp?fam=20&sf=2041&clr=1002&ft=0

That does look good and it's Cordura...

I'm quite happy with the jacket. and I have been caught on terrible rain.
have a look at the other two jackets they make. they are more roomy and practical... another thing I got from them is a set of underwear wind stoper top/pants , balaclava , socks. they really keep the wind and cold out.

Strombone · « **Reply #18 on:** August 14, 2011, 21:41:49 »

Quote from: "carlos"

Quote from: "Strombone"
Quote from: "carlos"
I got a ''Bikers Tormo Gore-Tex Jacket ''
http://www.comfortinaction.com/en/articulo.asp?fam=20&sf=2041&clr=1002&ft=0

That does look good and it's Cordura...

I'm quite happy with the jacket. and I have been caught on terrible rain.
have a look at the other two jackets they make. they are more roomy and practical... another thing I got from them is a set of underwear wind stoper top/pants , balaclava , socks. they really keep the wind and cold out.

Did you order it off the interweb? I can't find a Bikers web site for dealer location, Bikers returns too many results...

carlos · « **Reply #19 on:** August 15, 2011, 20:09:48 »

I bougth my jacket from here (but they are locoal to me so I just walked into the shop)
http://www.topgearsuperstore.com/-buy-by-brand/bikers-motorcycle-clothing/?osCsid=lemj96onb1rvitud8n2r20a336

they seem a helpfull bunch. when it come to help getting the correct size (I'm 6' foot and 80 something KG I got a XL as it give me the space to layer up for winter. for summer once the inner liner is out the arms have two systems to get the jacket tight arround your arms one is a 2 buttons clip thingy arround the top of the biceps and a velcro to get the elbow pad secured arround the forearms. the CE protection can be taken out and replaced with softer or harder stuff. the jacket have velcro adjustment at the back as well ,no kidney belt thought