It’s fair to say our excellent run of scorching weather and clear blue skies seems to be at an end. While it’s still fairly warm it’s definitely worth ensuring your waterproofing is up to scratch, if you’re caught out getting soaked your life can become a misery pretty quickly.
A major part of your waterproofing effort comes in the form of your jacket. You’ve got a wide range of choices here with materials, style and features potentially being the difference between a jacket ideal for you and one that simply frustrates you.
For most looking for a truly waterproof jacket then look no further than a textile one – these have the best waterproof membranes and are often fitted to provide extra weather protection (high collars, longer body fit) as well as often being inundated with other features that mean they can be used when the sun comes back out.
Leather jackets have a small amount of natural waterproofing, however anyone who’s worn one in a shower will know this is very much temporary, and that’s before speaking of stretch panels that are usually as waterproof as a sieve. Waterproof liners and external treatments are the solution here, although not as effective as the best textiles.
Your final option, and often the cheapest, is to look at waterproof overs. Far and away the least convenient option, but usually the simplest to integrate with your current gear, no matter what it’s made of. These can be highly effective; however you can severely hamper the breathability of your gear leading to a bit of a sweatbox effect.
So, let’s take a look at some of the best options out there if you’re looking for a jacket that’ll deal with a bit of warmth as well as a sustained downpour.
The traditional option for a bombproof waterproof jacket is to look at the top of the range adventure jackets – these usually include all you need for keeping warm, cool or dry no matter where you end up. A good mid-price option is the Spidi Globetracker jacket which features all-important laminate waterproofing. Laminate waterproofing is a membrane that sits on the outer layer stopping water penetrating at all, while traditional waterproof membranes or liners sit below the outer layer. Sitting below the outer layer will still keep you dry, however the outer layer will become saturated and heavy – not ideal. The Spidi Globetracker includes laminate waterproofing alongside a removable thermal fake down liner including Coolmax tech complemented by a multitude of vents.
A step above this is the Dainese Carve Master 2 D-Air – featuring similar tech to the Spidi Globetracker with laminate waterproofing, with a slight skew towards the sport-touring look suiting more road riders. What sets this jacket apart is the fact it has all the features that makes a premium adventure jacket great, but it also integrates D-Air airbag tech that is 100% standalone – no bike sensors or ripcords here, just a lithium-ion battery to recharge. There's even a women's version to let the fairer sex get their hands on a well-fitting version. If you're willing to forgo the D-Air tech there's a conventional version too.
Sitting in the mid-range of textile jackets for the road and aimed squarely at the road rider is the Rev'It Tornado 3. A true 3-season jacket it's chock full of ventilation for hot summer days, but also comes with a capable waterproof/thermal liner to let the jacket be used well into the autumn and let you crack it out earlier in the year.
Maybe you just want a basic textile jacket to keep the worst of the weather at bay, but are under no illusions of going to the Sahara or Arctic Circle anytime soon...or maybe you just want to save a few bob. In steps the Alpinestars T-Jaws – aping their Jaws leather jackets, the T-Jaws features a removable thermal liner, a waterproof membrane, shoulder vents and shoulder/elbow armour. Crucially it costs about a third of what the Spidi Globetracker does, ideal if you’re on a budget and are willing to sacrifice the top-line features.
Perhaps the idea of wearing a textile jacket sets your teeth on edge as you love a leather jacket, and the sheer feeling of security it can bring. The Dainese Corbin is the jacket for you – as much of an all-rounder a leather jacket can be. Featuring silicon treated leather to allow for machine washing, a removable D-Dry waterproof liner, a removable thermal liner and sizeable mesh panels this has all you need for biking in basically all the UK could throw at you. If you want a jacket that’ll go with basically any road bike, the subtle look of the Corbin is about as multi-talented as it’s possible to be.
The Bike Stop shop in Stevenage has reopened in accordance with the latest Government guidelines, and we're open for 7 days a week. Our online shop is also still alive and well and taking orders. You can check out our full range on our website with free delivery for any order over £50 on the UK mainland, and delivery possible to almost anywhere else. Not only that but our ‘No Quibble’ returns policy allows for returns within a 365 day period – see our returns page for more details.
