Can anyone recommend a decent properly waterproof jacket thats not silly amounts of money. At a push I can go up to £100 (well hubby can cos xmas is coming). I've been looking around but on lots of sites it says waterproof in the category heading but the actual description says water resistant.
It would be nice to have a girly colour for a change but I'm happy to wear mens jackets in a small size if the price is right.
Thanks
Comments
No Need for the sarcastic look NLR, I've been running almost 30 years so know that some waterproof jackets can be like saunas, and some like sieves.
The zip on my very good one that I bought years ago for way over £100 has gone and I can't afford the equivalent type today.
I was simply asking for personal recommendations from people who may have a good waterproof jacket that they are happy with and would recommend to others.
Can't recommend any jackets but can recommend using the search facility to find one of the other 'new jacket' threads.....maybe that's what the sarcasm was about
But on freezing cold wet long runs I love it!
Mine's one of the older types with the bog standard entrant fabric (not storm, or a mixture)
Paul
I'm looking to buy a Montane Atomic DT. I tried on a man's one in our local shop (£160 !!!!) which was huge but gave me an idea about what they are like. It is very light and felt comfortable. I have looked on line and the cheapest I have seen so far is £85 at Be Out Doors.
I did start a thread to see if anyone knows of a cheaper outlet - will wait a while and then probably buy
For what it's worth - I do want a waterproof jacket - my long slow runs are just that - long and slow and as I live on the edge of Dartmoor I get b...... cold if I get drenched. I understand all the arguments about sweating in a waterproof jacket which is why you have to spend more to get the breathability. I'm hoping that the montane will be light enough to not be cumbersome but to be waterproof and not sweaty!!
Perhaps the zip could just be replaced.....
The most breathable waterproofs by a mile are Paramo. They are also the most durable in that they can be punctured and will still keep the rain out. And you can sew them up yourself if you rip them. They pretty much last indefinitely.
They are also soft and you don't feel as sweaty as the lining moves liquid water out through the material. Membrane waterproofs will only transfer water vapour.
The disadvantages are that they are heavier and because they have a lining they are warmer than ordinary waterproofs. They also need reproofing occasionally. I do it after every few wahes which equates to once or twice a year. Though Grangers sells a product that washes and reproofs in one go which saves any extra effort.
The cost is comparable with decent quality goretex jackets and they can be found with 20% or more discounts.
http://www.whalleyoutdoor.co.uk/shop/section.php?xSec=286
http://www.themountainfactor.com/shop/section.php?xSec=1249
I've got a Gore-tex paclite which is quite good, mine's a Nike one.
Sports direct have these half price in size small www.sportsdirect.com/nike-acg-minima-paclite-jacket-442072
Some more good deals at Sportsshoes too www.sportsshoes.com/products/?q=paclite plus if you sign up to their e-mail offers they are doing 15% off everything at the moment.
The problem with Paclite is that it doesn't have an inner scrim to soak up sweat (like GTX Proshell or Event) and therefore it can feel cold and clammy.
I have also heard that it doesn't breathe nearly as well when it is raining (beathability lab tests are often conducted in dry conditions). I haven't read an explanation for this and don't think it applies to other versions of goretex though all membranes will be affected to some degree by the outer surface being wet.
There is a new version of Paclite appearing soon which is supposed to be much better.
There are new jackets with a lighter outer though I don't think there is much difference in warmth.... unless your jacket was a pre 2000 model. After 2000 they introduced a lighter lining and that did make them cooler.
Models to consider in their lightweight range are the Vista and Quito jackets or velez adventure light smock. All are designed for multi activity use so should be fine for running if you don't overheat in them..
I would suggest you take a look at the Marmot Mica or Super Mica, which has won awards a plenty, very, very light, breathable and waterproof and about £90 for the Mica, Super a bit more. I have a Montane Quickfire which is eVent fabric and very good, although the Quickfire is now discontinued. Although as with any waterproof if you are working hard you will overwhelm it with your heat production and sweat after a while so i would suggest going for the highest MVTR (Moisture Vapour Transfer Rate) or breathability your budget will allow.