Rain gear

[Justify]

 

 

Hi guys

 

With winter approaching, I'd like to invest in a high visability raincoat.

 

Pricing ranges from about R450 up to R1500.

 

Are there any brands you'd recommend, alternatively, what do you think of using a sports raincoat (those hoody types). The only problem I can see with that is potential overheating, since they dont really breath.

 

Then again, with full zip, is that an issue?

 

The hoody jackets cost about R280.

 

The semi waterproof cycling jackets start at about R450.... up to R1500 for the full waterproof.

 

Justify2009-04-29 09:08:16

[Christopher Brunsdon]

Capestorm make a good one. Going to buy one next week - about R450 me thinks. I commute to work and its more about visibility than getting wet.

[Nancy Drew]

I paid about R450 (2 years ago) for my First Ascent rain jacket.  I like the fact that you can unzip the sleeves if you start overheating; it also has some panels that can be unzipped to allow it to 'breathe'

 

 

[Karl Beaton]

do go for one that has sleeves that unzip ... Cape Storm now makes one.

[Justify]

 

do go for one that has sleeves that unzip ... Cape Storm now makes one.

 

Any idea if they're fully or partially waterproof?

 

[Christopher Brunsdon]

 

I understand that everything is technically water resistant and not water proof. The reasoning is you do not want to keep own bodies moisture in either - try and cycle with one of those municipal rain coats to see what I mean.

 

(Used one on my motor bike and was more wet from sweet than from rain.)

 

Also water resistant materials dry faster and are more hygienic.

 

I do not own one yet and cannot say how effective they are - as mentioned, plan to get one soon. Concerned more with visability and wind chill than getting wet on my daily commute to work.

 

BTW: Where are you? and do you plan to cycle on busy or quiet road?

 

cbrunsdon2009-04-29 13:47:27

[Justify]

 

I understand that everything is technically water resistant and not water proof. The reasoning is you do not want to keep own bodies moisture in either - try and cycle with one of those municipal rain coats to see what I mean.

 

(Used one on my motor bike and was more wet from sweet than from rain.)

 

Also water resistant materials dry faster and are more hygienic.

 

I do not own one yet and cannot say how effective they are - as mentioned' date=' plan to get one soon. Concerned more with visability and wind chill than getting wet on my daily commute to work.

 

BTW: Where are you? and do you plan to cycle on busy or quiet road?

 

[/quote']

 

Guess I should have mentioned where and what I'm going to use it for... newbie mistake

 

I do XC / light freeriding. Living in Stellenbosch, this is mainly in the mountains, and being winter, it's wet and chilly this time of year here.

 

There are two main reasons I require a high vis jacket.

 

1) I often cycle alone and do push my personal limits at times. Although I wear protective gear (helmet, elbow, knee and shin pads), there is still a change that I take a serious fall. Call it paranoia, but I do carry a cellphone with, just incase, but I'd like to be highly visable if something serious were to happen. Remote locations wearing camo riding gear isn't the best for a search and rescue party

 

2) Rain protection. With the pelting Cape rains keeping dry is a bonus, but my main worry isn't getting wet on the way up, as my body temperate is quite high then - it's more about coming down hill, on single track runs up to 20min long. Combining wind and relentless rain, the wind chill is a bastard.

 

[Thug]

The normal bright yellow cycling jackets you get from Capestorm and First Ascent aren't waterproof and will definitely not keep you dry during a Cape winter.

 

I have the Dry-Lite jacket from FA and use it for Adventure Racing. It will keep you dry and more importantly will protect you from that wind-chill. Best investment I've made in years.

 

http://www.firstascent.co.za/product-details.php?prodid=764&catid=245&level=3

 

 

 

[Justify]

 

The normal bright yellow cycling jackets you get from Capestorm and First Ascent aren't waterproof and will definitely not keep you dry during a Cape winter.

 

I have the Dry-Lite jacket from FA and use it for Adventure Racing. It will keep you dry and more importantly will protect you from that wind-chill. Best investment I've made in years.

 

http://www.firstascent.co.za/product-details.php?prodid=764&catid=245&level=3

 

 

 

Thanks Thug - I have seen this jacket in shops, and you're spot on, it's a great investment. The only downer for me is the lack of high vis colour scheme.

 

Don't perhaps know of anything in that league that's bright yellow/orange?

 

[Thug]

 

The normal bright yellow cycling jackets you get from Capestorm and First Ascent aren't waterproof and will definitely not keep you dry during a Cape winter.

 

I have the Dry-Lite jacket from FA and use it for Adventure Racing. It will keep you dry and more importantly will protect you from that wind-chill. Best investment I've made in years.

 

http://www.firstascent.co.za/product-details.php?prodid=764&catid=245&level=3

 

 

 

Thanks Thug - I have seen this jacket in shops' date=' and you're spot on, it's a great investment. The only downer for me is the lack of high vis colour scheme.

 

Don't perhaps know of anything in that league that's bright yellow/orange?

[/quote']

 

 

 

I've got the red Dry-lite and it is bright !!

 

Rab which is good quality expedition clothing made in the UK have a couple of jackets but I don't know if anyone brings them into SA.

 

http://www.rab.uk.com/clothing/shell/

http://www.rab.uk.com/clothing/shell/slipstream_jacket---110/

http://www.rab.uk.com/clothing/shell/latok_alpine_jacket---101/

 

 

 

[Christopher Brunsdon]

 

Nice jacket (Dry Lite) but Ouch .... Price* - R1295.00 on their website.

 

Bit out of my price range for now, but will consider it later on.

 

**EDIT**

 

Ok I found what I was looking for:

 

http://www.firstascent.co.za/product-details.php?prodid=817&catid=246&level=3

 

and can afford it too: 

Price* - R575.00

 

Cycled to work in the rain with my municipal rain coat. The visibility made a difference, but I was just as wet when I got to the office if I had not worn it.

cbrunsdon2009-04-30 02:42:21

[Nancy Drew]

I know it's not very 'cool', but if visibility is your main concern then why not wear a safety jacket over your rain jacket?... the type that they wear on construction sites.  Very bright and have reflective strips.  Just a thought.

 

 

[ASTANA]

Stratos Jacket - ZAR 575.00

http://www.capestorm.co.za/uploads/275NCW2ih.jpg http://www.capestorm.co.za/site/assets/images/icons/clicklarger.jpg http://www.capestorm.co.za/site/assets/images/transparent.png   http://www.capestorm.co.za/site/assets/images/transparent.png   http://www.capestorm.co.za/site/assets/images/icons/clickswatch.jpg

DESCRIPTION: Zip-off sleeves are a gimmick if they are cumbersome and difficult to use. Our revolutionary new (PATENTED) design allows you to quickly unzip and stow away your jacket sleeves - leaving you with a well-fitted wind vest for warmer days. Hey Presto! SPECIFICATIONS: FEATURES: Easy to use zip-off sleeves Elastic binding on neck, armhole and cuff Retro-reflective printing on front and back. . Zipped rear pocket doubles up as a stuff bag. Shock cord hem. Belive this is only for wind chill like the First Accent dheuz jacket but very nice and comfy

[ASTANA]

Stratos Jacket - ZAR 575.00

 

 

 

http://www.capestorm.co.za/uploads/276hpBBRO.jpg

Also in Bright Yellow!!

[Justify]

 

Nice jacket (Dry Lite) but Ouch .... Price* - R1295.00 on their website.

 

Bit out of my price range for now' date=' but will consider it later on.

 

**EDIT**

 

Ok I found what I was looking for:

 

http://www.firstascent.co.za/product-details.php?prodid=817&catid=246&level=3

 

and can afford it too: 

Price* - R575.00

 

Cycled to work in the rain with my municipal rain coat. The visibility made a difference, but I was just as wet when I got to the office if I had not worn it.

[/quote']

 

That does look really good. I notice it's water resistance, as aposed to water proof. Any idea what the difference is? I know the dictionary difference, but real world?

 

nancy_drew> Good idea, any idea where one can get those?

 

[ASTANA]

I don't know about the full water proof - most of them are so hot and you sweat more than it actually rains.

 

I've got a windbreaker - FA dheuz - its water resistant - what this means in real terms are - they keep most of the water out - but you feel cold inside as the material sticks to your skin.

 

I would buy a more puffy / windbreaker like the cape storm I Posted - will stay dryish and still be warm enough to keep the water freeze off your skin.