Waterproofs for hot people - help!

[atropa]

This is an issue I've been having over the past few years and it's gotten worse this year as I've put on a few stone.

I live in Scotland where the weather is inclement to say the least. I cannot seem to wear any kind of waterproof jacket over the top of my clothing for any length of time without overheating within approximately 5 minutes. I'm very active around the yard and walk/do jobs with purpose, there are hills involved in me walking to the yard/collecting or turning out my horses, all of which probably doesn't help. Last night it was 8 degrees and I put on a lightly padded coat, which I had to admit defeat with and take off after about an hour. I then got on to ride my horse and it started raining, resulting in me riding in reasonably cold weather and rain for 40 minutes in a short sleeved tshirt and my partner being very worried me when I got back up to the house, which makes me feel bad.

Can anyone recommend something waterproof and comfortable that won't make me feel like a boil in the bag chicken?!!

 

[sbloom]

I have sworn by Jack Wolfskin for years, they aren't as "lary" as some outdoor brands, I'm a saddle fitter so stand around a lot, then flocking and adjusting saddles I can really overheat. I have a new Texapore O2 jacket from them which is also recycled "Ecosphere" and it's unbelievably breathable, also has pit zips. All of their items have a breathability rating which really helps, look out for that and the pit zips. I buy all mine in sales, you can often get them from European shops online for good prices too, and they have at least one outlet store but it's Ashford, Kent, there may be others.

Equally if you're happy riding in a T shirt it's not for you to take on your partner's worries

 

[Keith_Beef]

I'll be watching this thread with interest...

When the temperature is around 10°C I face a dilemma:

• wear a coat in case it rains, and when it doesn't rain I'm wet with sweat
• don't wear a coat, and if it rains I'm wet.

Several times, when I've been riding in light rain, I've found that when the rain stops my body heat dries out my shirt.

I then got on to ride my horse and it started raining, resulting in me riding in reasonably cold weather and rain for 40 minutes in a short sleeved tshirt and my partner being very worried me when I got back up to the house, which makes me feel bad.

I keep some dry clothes in the garage to change into, so that I don't drip water all over the floor when I come back into the house.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Sorry to say that I overheat in my Jack Wolfskin stuff. I have multiple jackets and pants from them.

This is a real problem, OP. I totally get where you're coming from. I've been looking for a better dog walking jacket for ages.

 

[sbloom]

Sorry to say that I overheat in my Jack Wolfskin stuff. I have multiple jackets and pants from them.

As do I, I'm talking specifically about the Texapore O2, it really is head and shoulders above anything else I've ever had including from them, even though I rate all their clothing overall (first had a fleece from them in 1989!). As I say you can look up the breathability of each item/fabric and can even search on "very breathable".

Also, anything made of Polartec Neoshell is likely to be very breathable, but again I'd not want to buy without that MVTR breathability rating if it was important to me. And don't forget pit zips!

 

[KittenInTheTree]

Instead of a coat, try wearing a long sleeved T shirt or other thin sort of base layer, with a water resistant gillet over the top.

 

[yhanni]

I absolutely feel your pain! Took my jacket off yesterday as I was too hot and then the heavens opened and I steamed the car up on the way home as I was dripping wet. When I'm not doing anything though, I get really cold, really quickly. Its an absolute PITA. I have a Noble Equestrian jacket that I ride in. I know they're no longer available in the UK but if you can find one on Ebay etc, it would be worth buying. I think it was the Elite but I wouldn't want to put good money on it!! Its very thin, breathable but certainly shower proof.

 

[scats]

Following as this is the story of my life. I have a dodgy internal temperature and if I wrap up against the rain, as soon as I start moving I’m overheating. I can’t ride in big coats and just have to accept that if it rains I’ll get soaked.

 

[Rowreach]

Undoubtedly Endura cycling clothing, it's expensive but brilliant and obviously designed to be waterproof activewear so you don't get horribly sweaty. Second hand stuff comes up on eBay all the time. Oh and its Scottish

 

[rabatsa]

My problem is I have to try things on as I am a funny shape, very broad across the shoulders and upper arms, so things which fit there often are way too long in the sleeve and baggy at the cuffs.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

As do I, I'm talking specifically about the Texapore O2, it really is head and shoulders above anything else I've ever had including from them, even though I rate all their clothing overall (first had a fleece from them in 1989!). As I say you can look up the breathability of each item/fabric and can even search on "very breathable".

Also, anything made of Polartec Neoshell is likely to be very breathable, but again I'd not want to buy without that MVTR breathability rating if it was important to me. And don't forget pit zips!

View attachment 59159

I have the Jasper Jkt which I'm quite sure has all of the features you're talking about ?‍

It is a bit better than my older, less breathable one I have from them, but it is still hot. I've sort of accepted that's what comes with wearing a waterproof jacket.

 

[JulesRules]

The real issue is that there is usually a fine balance between waterproofing and breathability.

To be fully breathable there will either be a compromise on waterproofing and vice versa, or you need specific technologies which are both waterproof and breathable which come with a high price tag. Look for Gore-tex Pro, DValpine, DVstorm or Polartec Neoshell if you want fully waterproof and breathable.

Otherwise look for a high MVTR if you want to prioritise breathability over waterproofing, or look for a jacket with vents.

Hope this helps?

 

[Micropony]

I have the same issues and have just got used to not riding in heavy rain, riding in light rain without waterproofing and making sure I have a dry top to change into, and constantly dressing and undressing, e.g. jacket on, walk to stable, jacket off, groom horse and skip out, jacket on, take barrow to muck heap, etc. I get particularly hot when riding 'properly' so can cope with a light jacket on a sedate hack, but not when schooling.

 

[TheHairyOne]

I really struggle with this too! Overheat and get sweaty with one on riding or lugging stuff about or get soaked...both result in getting cold when I stop.

Ive given up with finding a solution BUT I also always have a hot shower when i walk into the house. This has stopped me getting repeatedly ill all winter.

 

[atropa]

Thank you all so much for your suggestions and commiserations, it's good to know I'm not alone. I will look into some of the products suggested. I certainly don't mind riding in the rain but I'm just getting a bit fed up of being constantly damp, either from sweat or from the rain itself. I may just need to go with the suggestion of jacket on to go to yard, jacket off to do any kind of work then back on to ride. Thank you all and keep any other suggestions coming as it looks like a few of us are in the same boat!

 

[sbloom]

Forgive me, I'm a real outdoor gear nerd, I make some of my own too, though fleece and softshell, not braved waterproof fabric yet!

I have the Jasper Jkt which I'm quite sure has all of the features you're talking about ?‍

But it doesn't, very different animals, hence I keep going back to the numbers, doesn't have to be JW but they do have good fabrics (I suspect at least one or two are actually neoshell) - your jacket is 6000 breathable compared to my 15000, and 10000 waterproof compared to my 20000.

The real issue is that there is usually a fine balance between waterproofing and breathability.

To be fully breathable there will either be a compromise on waterproofing and vice versa, or you need specific technologies which are both waterproof and breathable which come with a high price tag. Look for Gore-tex Pro, DValpine, DVstorm or Polartec Neoshell if you want fully waterproof and breathable.

The compromise between the two has almost gone, but it does cost, and they MIGHT not be the most durable, however my winter jacket is on its second winter, gets used probably 20+ hours a week, is washed once or twice a month and looks pretty much new. Shame that it's so hard to get figures on most fabrics, Goretex seems to use a scale of 6 which is better than nothing I guess, Neoshell seems to have nothing, but I agree that it would be one of the best, especially as it has several stretch options. But knowing how these different fabrics perform now I have this new jacket I'd not want to buy anything without the numbers.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Forgive me, I'm a real outdoor gear nerd, I make some of my own too, though fleece and softshell, not braved waterproof fabric yet!



But it doesn't, very different animals, hence I keep going back to the numbers, doesn't have to be JW but they do have good fabrics (I suspect at least one or two are actually neoshell) - your jacket is 6000 breathable compared to my 15000, and 10000 waterproof compared to my 20000.



The compromise between the two has almost gone, but it does cost, and they MIGHT not be the most durable, however my winter jacket is on its second winter, gets used probably 20+ hours a week, is washed once or twice a month and looks pretty much new. Shame that it's so hard to get figures on most fabrics, Goretex seems to use a scale of 6 which is better than nothing I guess, Neoshell seems to have nothing, but I agree that it would be one of the best, especially as it has several stretch options. But knowing how these different fabrics perform now I have this new jacket I'd not want to buy anything without the numbers.

Ok. I'll look at the numbers ?

 

[Annagain]

I find a soft shell good in all but the worst rain. I find if I try to wear short sleeves under a waterproof coat the sleeves of the coat stick to me and make me feel even warmer but I can wear a t-shirt under a soft shell as it's more like a sweatshirt with a shower proof outer. If you wanted even less underneath it I'm sure it would be fine with just a vest, or even on its own if you want to keep the layers down.

At the risk of evoking the spirit of a previous, very well known thread, Regatta usually have cheap ones on their own website.

 

[bouncing_ball]

Sbloom - is 15,000 waterproof and 15,000 breathable good for a light waterproof breatheable top layer for exercising and riding in? Found one for £36?

Thanks

 

[Fluffypiglet]

Sbloom - is 15,000 waterproof and 15,000 breathable good for a light waterproof breatheable top layer for exercising and riding in? Found one for £36?

Thanks

Sorry to jump on this but if those numbers are what I think they are then yes should be good and where is this very waterproof item for £36????

 

[bouncing_ball]

Sorry to jump on this but if those numbers are what I think they are then yes should be good and where is this very waterproof item for £36????

It’s white and a cycling jacket, reduced from £89

 

[JulesRules]

The compromise between the two has almost gone, but it does cost .

I agree with you, at the higher end of the market... But for your everyday non outdoor gear nerd they won't realise that they will need to spend probably at least £250 to get a lightweight decent waterproof shell to keep them dry in a downpour that is also a good level of breathable.

Most entry level jackets that have DWR will still be a pay off between waterproofing and breathability.
I don't think that it helps that most brands will label jackets under £100 as waterproof and breathable and consumers take this at face value rather than realising it's a sliding scale.

 

[bouncing_ball]

I agree with you, at the higher end of the market... But for your everyday non outdoor gear nerd they won't realise that they will need to spend probably at least £250 to get a lightweight decent waterproof shell to keep them dry in a downpour that is also a good level of breathable.
.

Is 15,000 waterproof and 15,000 breathable not good for a light waterproof breatheable top layer?

This seems available for cycling outside sales at £89.

Or is the spec not good enough?

I’ve got a craghopper Aquadry stretch jacket light. Sold as waterproof, wind proof, breathable, but has no specifications on it or online??

 

[Fluffypiglet]

Lol! White is a compromise too far for me. I’m too much of a grubby monster ?. Could be worth a try at that price tho? It should be very waterproof for that number. I have a mountain warehouse jacket that is 10000 which does great job keeping me dry, but I do have to undo my pit-zips when riding due to heat. It’s a very personal thing unfortunately so difficult to say how hot it might make you. It’s technically good certainly. I’ve been investigating jackets and 10k plus rating for a reasonable price are hard to find.

 

[sbloom]

Is 15,000 waterproof and 15,000 breathable not good for a light waterproof breatheable top layer?

This seems available for cycling outside sales at £89.

Or is the spec not good enough?

I’ve got a craghopper Aquadry stretch jacket light. Sold as waterproof, wind proof, breathable, but has no specifications on it or online??

So hard to say, the figures are certainly good, if the features are also okay, and I would say that a cycling top may not be designed to take much direct wear and tear if you think about it, then go for it.

I get my JW coats for £100-150 tops, never spend more but I get my money's worth - sales, Ashford outlet and European online stores like scandinavianoutdoor. Current one was £130 in the sale (Kiruna Trail jacket) super warm and light but to be fair would be too long for riding.

 

[JulesRules]

Is 15,000 waterproof and 15,000 breathable not good for a light waterproof breatheable top layer?

This seems available for cycling outside sales at £89.

Or is the spec not good enough?

I’ve got a craghopper Aquadry stretch jacket light. Sold as waterproof, wind proof, breathable, but has no specifications on it or online??

Sounds reasonable for the price. It will probably hold up in a decent downpour and unless you run very hot and sweaty will be okay to hack in or school for a limited period. If the waterproofing is created with a repellent coating these do tend to disintegrate over time and you can restore them to a certain extent with a techwash etc, but there comes a point where they are beyond help. These type of waterproofs usually work by creating beading of the water on the surface which runs off, but in sustained wet conditions you will pretty much always get to the point where the fabric gets overwhelmed and the wet soaks into the fabric and it's game over.

 

[bouncing_ball]

Lol! White is a compromise too far for me. I’m too much of a grubby monster ?. Could be worth a try at that price tho? It should be very waterproof for that number. I have a mountain warehouse jacket that is 10000 which does great job keeping me dry, but I do have to undo my pit-zips when riding due to heat. It’s a very personal thing unfortunately so difficult to say how hot it might make you. It’s technically good certainly. I’ve been investigating jackets and 10k plus rating for a reasonable price are hard to find.

Thanks. The white is off putting. I’d only really wear it riding. I’ve other too warm coats for other outside jobs.

 

[bouncing_ball]

So hard to say, the figures are certainly good, if the features are also okay, and I would say that a cycling top may not be designed to take much direct wear and tear if you think about it, then go for it.

I get my JW coats for £100-150 tops, never spend more but I get my money's worth - sales, Ashford outlet and European online stores like scandinavianoutdoor. Current one was £130 in the sale (Kiruna Trail jacket) super warm and light but to be fair would be too long for riding.

I’m really just thinking riding. I’ve plenty of outdoor coats that are too warm for schooling, or hacking if warm and wet.

I think a cycling coat designed to keep from over heating when active, hopefully.

 

[bouncing_ball]

Sounds reasonable for the price. It will probably hold up in a decent downpour and unless you run very hot and sweaty will be okay to hack in or school for a limited period. If the waterproofing is created with a repellent coating these do tend to disintegrate over time and you can restore them to a certain extent with a techwash etc, but there comes a point where they are beyond help. These type of waterproofs usually work by creating beading of the water on the surface which runs off, but in sustained wet conditions you will pretty much always get to the point where the fabric gets overwhelmed and the wet soaks into the fabric and it's game over.

That’s a thought I could try rewaterproofing my existing riding / schooling coat. Never washed or reproofed it. Craghoppers no lining (has mesh inside) aquadry, stretch coat. Says waterproof wind proof breathable on label. I think it has got less waterproof recently.

And waterproofing recommendations?

Thanks

 

[JulesRules]

@bouncing_ball look at Nikwax.

You need to wash first with the Techwash and then wash again in the TX direct.