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Jackets

Ziltoid

Ziltoid

I don't play bass
Apr 10, 2009
10,185
51,764
Canada
#1
I've been commuting without a car for now a little over a year and my gear is simply not fit for the task. I need to get myself a good jackets that is truly waterproof and breathable. Something good for day to day as well as hiking at whatnot on the occasions.

Since there's a lot of outdoor guys and "eco-commuters" on talkbass I figured I'd ask for recommendations here.

I also have a question:

Are more expensive shells made of Gore-tex, Polartec Neoshell, Mountain Hardwear Dry.Q Elite, Columbia Omni-Dry, etc. worth the price?
 
#2
Ziltoid said:
Are more expensive shells made of Gore-tex, Polartec Neoshell, Mountain Hardwear Dry.Q Elite, Columbia Omni-Dry, etc. worth the price?
Click to expand...
If you want something that is completely waterproof and breathable, then yes, they are. Gore-tex is kind of the original watherproof/breathable membrane, has the most name recognition, and therefore tends to be the most expensive, but the others work well too and can be more reasonably priced.

If you're going to be out for long periods of time in really awful weather, then you want something with a truly waterproof membrane and fully taped and sealed seams. But if it's just to keep you dry in case you're caught in a thunderstorm on the way home, you can get by with something less hardcore. I have a Columbia shell with activent (sp?) that is not totally waterproof, but it keeps me dry in anything short of a torrential downpour and it is more breathable than the truly waterproof shells. I like it.
 
#3
#5
Gore Tex used to be the only game in town but a lot of manufacturers have stepped up and developed their own waterproof-breathable fabrics. For example, the Marmot Precip is a reasonably priced jacket that has great waterproof-breathable properties but is noisy as heck...definitely not for ninjas. When you pay more, you get things like lighter, quieter fabrics.

I still own an old 2-ply Moonstone Gore Tex shell that I've owned for over 10 years.
 
#6
THIS is the coat you need to have. It may not keep you warm, it may not keep you dry, but you WILL be miserable in style.
It's all about style. The chicks will dig it.

1PLCF00Z.jpg
 
#11
I have a full beard, I could make any kind of sideburns or "manscaping" possible.

But no.

Relic said:
That would have worked in 1967, but I guarantee that now people would ask you: "Oh Ziltoid, which way is the circus? can my kids have a picture with you? Kids stand near the clown and say "fromaaaage"!"

Just sayin...just sayin...
Click to expand...

5$ a pic and you've got a deal.
 
#13
Couple of pro tips:

--The membranes like Gore-Tex really do work to an extent and really are worth it IMO, HOWEVER they are not perfect. The better they keep out rain, the more you sweat; the better they breathe, the more rain can get past.

--Light weight is important, because the heavier the jacket, the more you will sweat in it.

--They all work best when they are new because of an exterior sprayed on coating called DWR (durable water repellent). This coating wears off, and over time the fancy expensive Gore Tex doesn't repel water so well. So every year, give your shell jacket a new rinse or spray of DWR, available at all hiking shops.

--Your feet will get wet no matter how much you spend on expensive waterproof shoes/boots. Depending on how hard it's raining, and whether I'm expecting to work up a sweat, I wear either galoshes or river sandals. If you're commuting, just keep a nice clean dry pair of shoes at work, and wear your wet old sneakers or whatever on the ride to and from.
 
#15
Looks good. The jacket has all of the rudiments. I'll be shopping for new rain gear myself. The old stuff is worn out after six years. I'll look into the coating that bongo suggested, but my fathers day gift is I get to buy a new rain jacket. Are you planning on getting rain pants too? Get something that you can slip on over your shoes.

For shoes, I look for something with really stiff soles, and hiking shoes seem to do the job.

I have a hypothesis that sunlight gradually damages fabrics. I'm going to get some kind of opaque bag for my gear, since I keep it in my bike basket most of the time. Also, for the same reason, I recommend looking for a place to park your bike indoors or in the shade during the day.

Now one more thing: A small pouch with everything you need to fix a flat on the road, and a pump. I get roughly 2 flats per year.
 
#16
My commute is short enough that it would take less time to bring the bike home than it would take to change the flat. The bike idea is basically to transform a 12 minute walk in a 2 minute bike trip, and for traveling outside of the commuting.I already have a saddlebag with the necessary to fix a flat on my road bike when I go further away. I use CO2 instead of a pump tho.

The hiking shoes I just got are waterproofed and stiff. They basically have a layer of some Keen-brand equivalent of gore-tex. I'll pass on the rainpants, like I said, my commute is short but I was tired of having wet shoulders.

edit: The cool thing was rebates. Coat was reduced from 150$ to 100$ and shoes from 160$ to 90$. Good timing, end of season or something.
 
#20
I bought the non-QR. seatpost clamp today while I was shopping. I didn't want to go back to the store for a 4$ part.

I should be able to go buy the bike tomorrow. Eventually I'll put slicks and fenders on it. I'll hunt for deals on those parts, no rush.
 

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