How brathable are windproof jackets?

Mark Thompson said:

Thinking of getting a windproof jacket, as my (goretex-type) jacket isn't
letting the sweat out fast enough. Would a windproof make a significant
difference or are they similar in performance?

(If the manufacturers bothered to give proper quantitative information on
their fabric's performance it'd be a lot easier to tell - I'm guessing
that's why they don't!)

It's a curious thing, but I forgot to take my (Gortex) waterproof with
me the other day during an hour of steady (but not torrential) rain. I
just had a cheap fleece, cotton shirt, and reflective vest.

I was cycling a fair bit faster than usual thinking I was getting
drenched, but in the event just a bit of damp on the shoulders, dried in
5 minutes - in fact less wet than I'd have been with a waterproof and
more comfortable.

Don't know if this helps, but made me think!

Rob

"Mark Thompson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Thinking of getting a windproof jacket, as my (goretex-type) jacket isn't
letting the sweat out fast enough. Would a windproof make a significant
difference or are they similar in performance?

Some jackets are only windproof on the front with a looser knit or weave for
the back, these should certainly be less sweaty than a breathable
waterproof.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ are offering Gore windproofs for 39.99, wouldn't
mind one myself.
Whilst on the subject: I used my Aldi gilet for the first time yesterday and
was most impressed! (only cost sick squid).

Pete

Mark Thompson said:

Thinking of getting a windproof jacket, as my (goretex-type) jacket isn't
letting the sweat out fast enough. Would a windproof make a significant
difference or are they similar in performance?

Pertex is pretty good for breathability, but also hopeless in anything
but the lightest drizzle.

Rob said:

Mark Thompson said:

Thinking of getting a windproof jacket, as my (goretex-type) jacket
isn't letting the sweat out fast enough. Would a windproof make a
significant difference or are they similar in performance?

(If the manufacturers bothered to give proper quantitative information
on their fabric's performance it'd be a lot easier to tell - I'm
guessing that's why they don't!)

It's a curious thing, but I forgot to take my (Gortex) waterproof with
me the other day during an hour of steady (but not torrential) rain. I
just had a cheap fleece, cotton shirt, and reflective vest.

I was cycling a fair bit faster than usual thinking I was getting
drenched, but in the event just a bit of damp on the shoulders, dried in
5 minutes - in fact less wet than I'd have been with a waterproof and
more comfortable.

Don't know if this helps, but made me think!

Rob

I have an old Scotgreat Windstopper which is showerproof and windproof
and is fine I can go all day in it. Five or Six years old now.

Their number is: 0141 551 9411

Sniper8052

Peter B wrote:

<Snip>

Quoted message said:

Whilst on the subject: I used my Aldi gilet for the first time yesterday and
was most impressed! (only cost sick squid).

Pete

<aol>
I bought one of those too and once the weather started to turn a bit
chilly started wearing it over first a short sleeve top and now over a
long sleeve one. I find it very effective at keeping me warm with no
observable sweatiness - the back is made of a mesh. I would certainly
recommend them if any are left in the stores.
</aol>

Julesh

Mark Thompson said:

Thinking of getting a windproof jacket, as my (goretex-type) jacket isn't
letting the sweat out fast enough.

All breathable fabrics are not created equal. Although to be honest my
el-cheapo Altura jacket has been perfectly satisfactory thus far.

--
Guy

Some manufacturers do quote a rate of, for example 6 litres per square
metre per 24 hours.

If a garment is 2m^2 and you are sweating at half a litre per hour, you
have reached the garment's limit.

Easily done :-(

--
Helen D. Vecht: [email hidden]
Edgware.

Julesh said:

<aol>
I bought one of those too and once the weather started to turn a bit
chilly started wearing it over first a short sleeve top and now over a
long sleeve one. I find it very effective at keeping me warm with no
observable sweatiness - the back is made of a mesh. I would certainly
recommend them if any are left in the stores.
</aol>

I've got the Tchibo version, also six quid, and it's been very welcome
on my commute for the past week or so. Certainly plenty windproof enough.

d.

Mark Thompson said:

Thinking of getting a windproof jacket, as my (goretex-type) jacket
isn't letting the sweat out fast enough. Would a windproof make a
significant difference or are they similar in performance?

I use a Montane pertex top (dig around googling, UK specialist clothing
company).
Windproof and much more breathable than any waterproof I have. Incredibly
light weight - 2 or 3 oz - and rolls into a tennis ball size. No pockets or
hood, just a pull-over with a short neck zip.
Its bright yellow, though only a couple of reflective dots on the sleeves,
so good in daylight, less good at night when reflective stuff is preferable.
Sheds light showers, but not waterproof in heavy rain (wouldn't expect
Pertex to be waterproof).

Around £30-35. Mine came from Fishers in Keswick, no doubt other outdoor
shops have them.

- Nigel

--
NC - Webmaster for http://www.2mm.org.uk/
Replies to newsgroup postings to the newsgroup please.

Brian said:

NC said:

I use a Montane pertex top (dig around googling, UK specialist
clothing company).

For some reason I always read "pertex" as "perspex"...

Perspex cycling top - completely waterproof, windproof, but not breathable.
Not very flexible either, though can be shaped. Sometimes seen in a
"Velocar"

:-)

- Nigel

--
NC - Webmaster for http://www.2mm.org.uk/
Replies to newsgroup postings to the newsgroup please.

NC said:

I use a Montane pertex top (dig around googling, UK specialist clothing
company).

For some reason I always read "pertex" as "perspex"...

--
Brian

"Mark Thompson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Thinking of getting a windproof jacket, as my (goretex-type) jacket isn't
letting the sweat out fast enough. Would a windproof make a significant
difference or are they similar in performance?

(If the manufacturers bothered to give proper quantitative information on
their fabric's performance it'd be a lot easier to tell - I'm guessing
that's why they don't!)

Mark

I've got a yellow Probikekit.com windtex-fronted jacket which is very warm
and also gives good shower protection. It's got a thin fleecy lining and I
find that it breathes quite well , presumably because of the plain back. At
the moment, I'm wearing it with just a thermal vest underneath - toast.
Having said that, I've also got a fully windproofed jacket bought in a
French Decathlon about 4 years ago and I never got particularly sweaty in
that either. I don't use it much now because it's grey and I prefer the
higher visibility of the Probikekit one. I've also got a thicker Goretex
jacket which I hardly ever use because of the sweat problem.

John Miller

Mark Thompson said:

Thinking of getting a windproof jacket, as my (goretex-type) jacket isn't
letting the sweat out fast enough. Would a windproof make a significant
difference or are they similar in performance?

They make a big difference IME, and for very good reasons: the holes in
a typical windproof are a lot bigger than the holes in a micrpoporous
waterproof layer, so more air gets through. If you're thinking "but if
wind gets through then surely they aren't really windproof?" then you'd
be right: windproofing isn't an absolute number like a hydrostatic head
used for a formal definition, and different "windproof" fabrics have
different effectiveness, the looser the weave the less windproof but
more breathable they tend to be.

In practice stuff sold as windproof will cut out the great majority of
the wind, though it isn't as good at the job as a waterproof. Pertex is
used a lot because it works well and is very light. If you want
something a bit less sweaty just get a more open weave of material.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Peter Clinch said:

Mark Thompson said:

Thinking of getting a windproof jacket, as my (goretex-type) jacket
isn't letting the sweat out fast enough. Would a windproof make a
significant difference or are they similar in performance?

They make a big difference IME, and for very good reasons: the holes in
a typical windproof are a lot bigger than the holes in a micrpoporous
waterproof layer, so more air gets through. If you're thinking "but if
wind gets through then surely they aren't really windproof?" then you'd
be right: windproofing isn't an absolute number like a hydrostatic head
used for a formal definition, and different "windproof" fabrics have
different effectiveness, the looser the weave the less windproof but
more breathable they tend to be.

In practice stuff sold as windproof will cut out the great majority of
the wind, though it isn't as good at the job as a waterproof. Pertex is
used a lot because it works well and is very light. If you want
something a bit less sweaty just get a more open weave of material.

Pete.

I use Paramo jackets MUCH more breatheable than gortex and totallt
waterproof. I still don't understand how they work, they just do The
site is www.paramo.co.uk I am looking at velez smock at the moment.
Expensive but v.good

Steve D

In message <[email hidden]>, John Miller
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Having said that, I've also got a fully windproofed jacket bought in a
French Decathlon about 4 years ago and I never got particularly sweaty in
that either. I don't use it much now because it's grey and I prefer the
higher visibility of the Probikekit one. I've also got a thicker Goretex
jacket which I hardly ever use because of the sweat problem.

I've got a Gore top - not Goretex, not fleece, just a woolly top layer
over a cottony under layer - quite good when the weather's a bit colder,
but sweaty as a sauna today in London which felt quite warm.

I may have to dump it now. It's got a check pattern very similar to
Burberry, and I don't want to be mistaken for a chav on a bike.

--
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