What's the best all-round waterproof adventure jacket?

[timg]

Right, I've had a few jackets over the years either Spool or Dri Rider. Currently I have a Dri Rider Rally.

All have had drawbacks but principally I hated the lack of ventilation/breathability in summer with the Spool which was a Cordurer shell with a thermal liner. With the Dri Riders when it's wet they do keep the rain out reasonably well but don't breath so I end up drenched from sweat due to the rubberised rain liner which doesn't let moisture in or out. I wear moisture wicking base layers and merino mid layers etc. The Rally is great in summer when it can have both liners removed and then really keeps cool, but if it rains the rubber liner needs to go back in and then its a sauna. Using a rain proof over jacket is no better - keeps the water out and the perspiration in. I don't like the Rally's two liner approach. The waterproof liner means the outer shell and everything stored in it is absolutely soaked through and the jacket is heavy with water when wet.

So what I'd like is something thats well ventilated for summer riding but that I can use all year, wind proof and water proof but breathable. Sounds like a $mega Gore-Tex jacket of some type. I've had a gander at a few in the shops and online and just getting myself confused. Don't want to spend good coin on something that's not going to do the job.

What are you using? What's good about your jacket choice? And what's not?

Thanks.

[Robbo67]

I am currently looking at the Revit Sand 2, seems really well made but I am slightly concerned at the summer riding issues that may present themselves, however this review is pretty helpful: http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/revit-sand-2-jacket

[Motu]

Just moved backwards to oilskin. Have a Burke and Wills jacket and Outback pants. They need layers to be warm in winter, and don't know about summer yet....it seems a long way off. Very happy with them.

[Gremlin]

I've always struggled with the concept of a jacket that can vent for slow technical stuff in summer months, yet keep you warm and dry during winter.

You need the outside to have vents for breathing, and ultimately the outer shell will get wet during winter often reducing your layers by one.

I have a regular summer jacket and paired it with a regular $100 odd rain jacket which I replaced as they leaked. No breathing, usually the inside of the rain jacket got wet from condensation but left the jackets intact for thermal warmth etc.

Now I've got a Rev'it Defender jacket (last Black Friday sale :pinch:) so I guess I'll experiment this coming winter...

[400sm]

It would be easier to tell you how long a piece of string is....:shifty:

[clint640]

Anything with really good venting will most likely have a removable rain liner, which is never going to be great for waterproofness. That was my conclusion after looking at heaps of 'adventure' jacket options.

I now use a 'pressure suit' - Axo Air Cage - in summer when it's hot. MX jersey over the top to keep the sun off. If conditions get cool or wet I have my RST Paragon 3 jacket with the armour stripped out & put that on over the top. The RST is a more winter focused jacket, with built in waterproofing so it does a good job of keeping me dry & comfortable. It makes for a really versatile & comfortable combo, although it is a bit more dicking around than just putting on a jacket. Over winter the armour goes back in the jacket & I just use that.

The goretex Klim Traverse also looks like a good option for a jacket to wear over armour, but $$$ & not so versatile for winter use.

Cheers
Clint

[Transalper]

Give Paul at MotoMox in Kaiapoi a call and have a chat, then go there and try on some of the Klim Gortex stuff.
You'll either love it or hate it but most the hate I've heard is price based so those people haven't actually used the stuff.
www.motomox.co.nz (http://www.motomox.co.nz)

I'm using the Badlands Jacket with my own technical layers and that works for me but be warned we are indeed talking mega $.

[timg]

Thanks guys. Appreciated.

Another option is, I guess, getting a Gore-Tex cycling jacket to wear under the current jacket to provide the wind & waterproofing. A bit easier than an a pressure suit.

I'm not overly concerned about winter warmth as that is taken care of by appropriate base and mid layers which I have.

Separate summer and winter jackets aren't really an option - I've ridden the Lammermoors in summer in snow/blizzard conditions. Summer weight gear would have been a recipe for hyperthermia.

Cheers.

[JATZ]

I am currently looking at the Revit Sand 2, seems really well made but I am slightly concerned at the summer riding issues that may present themselves, however this review is pretty helpful: http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/revit-sand-2-jacket
What issues ??

I'm pretty happy with mine. Plenty cool enough in the summer, warm enough in winter with the liner in and dry enough on the inside when the (goretex ?) rain liner in

[Robbo67]

The main issue was overheating but looks like the previous post just got rid of that idea :) Have also been reading the following post on the Adventure Rider forum http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=859944 which mentions some concerns around abrasion but they are also negated by the fact that the tests appear to have been done on tarmac rather than off-road.

[pampa]

my 1c ... I have a Klim Overland and so far hasn't leaked on the few rainy days I've tried it. It has large vents but haven't tried it on the scorching Wellington Summer yet :killingme ... although did try it when it was warm and the vents worked well. What I like about it is that there is no internal liner and its only a shell .... also has good protection.

https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=klim+overland&tbm=isch&imgil=dpjXBL_RYeN-rM%253A%253B0sIe6x__ErjAbM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F% 25252Fwww.revzilla.com%25252Fmotorcycle%25252Fklim-overland-jacket&source=iu&pf=m&fir=dpjXBL_RYeN-rM%253A%252C0sIe6x__ErjAbM%252C_&usg=__AR-ux_XPXc8eXPUS8YJg81bNMpg%3D&biw=1403&bih=869&ved=0CDAQyjc&ei=B55dVZWlFcTf8AX3mYL4AQ#imgrc=hWJWiZye6s2kuM%253 A%3B0sIe6x__ErjAbM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fimages0.re vzilla.com%252Fproduct_images%252F0049%252F7303%25 2Fklim_overland_jacket_zoom.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%2 52Fwww.revzilla.com%252Fmotorcycle%252Fklim-overland-jacket%3B500%3B500

[puddytat]

Thanks guys. Appreciated.

Another option is, I guess, getting a Gore-Tex cycling jacket to wear under the current jacket to provide the wind & waterproofing. A bit easier than an a pressure suit.

I'm not overly concerned about winter warmth as that is taken care of by appropriate base and mid layers which I have.
Cheers.

You have answered your own question there I think.
I use a macpac Copeland Gore Tex jacket under my now no longer waterproof Polo bike jacket, as everything else seemed to expensive & not always that good.
With using Gore tex it starts to struggle with high wind pressure & that is where your current jacket worn over the top of Gore-Tex is just the ticket I reckon.
I wear my Leatt protector under the Gore shizz & the jacket takes care of the arm protection.

[samgab]

I don't know if it's the sort of thing you're looking for, but I recently got an Alpinestars Andes Drystar Jacket and Pants which I'm happy with so far.

http://www.alpinestars.com/andes-drystarr-jacket?#.VV3Gkemqqko

http://www.alpinestars.com/andes-drystarr-pants?#.VV3Gl-mqqko

It has a membrane layer that works the same way as Goretex. So it breathes, but is 100% waterproof.
They both have a removable winter warmth liner, but the waterproof layer is part of the shell, so it's always waterproof and breathable.
So far, I've ridden with them in torrential downpour, and my work clothes remained totally dry underneath.
I've also ridden with them in hot weather, without the winter liner in, and been comfortable, because they have zippable airflow vents.
The pants zip to the jacket to make a suit.

It was cheaper than Goretex logo'd stuff, but does essentially the same job.
CE padding in the usual places, and good abrasion resistance.

I haven't owned them long enough to speak to their longevity over time, but they seem to be put together well enough.

[XF650]

For winter riding incl many trips to Brass Monkey in all weather extremes, I have found the best way to reduce wind chill & stay dry is to wear over-coats & leggings. Going external means they are easy to put on / take off, without having to remove riding gear.
These look good value & cheap enough to replace if ya have an off: http://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/camping-outdoors/footwear-apparel/other/auction-889840433.htm

[Tazz]

I now use a 'pressure suit' - Axo Air Cage -

I didn't want to/couldn't afford to drop $500+ on a waterproof jacket so I've gone this route, but with a decent ski jacket (which you can pick up from $200 on sale or secondhand worn once type stuff on trademe (people who buy all the gear and never use it, just like a lot of bikers do)).

For now I'm just using an old Mambo jacket I've had for a decade until I find the right replacement.

Also the IP for Goretex expired and is free for all now, so with a bit of reading you can find the same fabric for cheaper under a different brand. Like Icebreaker you are just paying for the name now, but unlike Icebreaker (or at least the stuff I got years ago) not all garments with Goretex fabric are necessarily made well.

I think a great summer AND winter jacket is an optimistic ask. There are going to be compromises. If you've already got a jacket that is good for the summer why not just focus on a great winter setup?