Recommendation for windproof and (truly) breathable shell?



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R

Review Boy

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Hello All -

The cool season is approaching, so I am searching for a shell that is windproof on the front and
highly breathable on the back. I've tried Goretex and Supplex, but there must be something wrong
with me, because in spite of the claims that they are breathable, they feel about as breathable as a
plastic garbage bag.

Does anyone know of a shell that has windproof material on the front, but completely different
material, fleecelike, on the back and backs of the arms?

thanks, Ralph
 
"Review Boy" <review [email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> Hello All -
>
> The cool season is approaching, so I am searching for a shell that is windproof on the front and
> highly breathable on the back. I've tried Goretex and Supplex, but there must be something wrong
> with me, because in spite of the claims that they are breathable, they feel about as breathable as
> a plastic garbage bag.
>
> Does anyone know of a shell that has windproof material on the front, but completely different
> material, fleecelike, on the back and backs of the arms?
>
> thanks, Ralph
>
>

Are you confusing windproof and waterproof? GoreTex shells are usually much less breathable than a
windproof garment because of the need for repelling water. There are some highly breathable
(relatively speaking..) windproof shells that are simply nylon with a relatively wide venting space
between the fibres. They are in no way waterproof however.

Having said that, your idea of a fleece garment with a wind/water proof shell on the front only is
available. I know that Mountain Equipment Co-op has such garments for cycling (www.mec.ca) and
Louis Garneau also makes similar jackets and tights. They're a pretty good idea actually and work
pretty well.

Cheers,

Scott..
 
Scott -

> Are you confusing windproof and waterproof?

Maybe. In any case, I want something that is windproof on the front and not windproof on the back.

> Having said that, your idea of a fleece garment with a wind/water proof shell on the front only is
> available. I know that Mountain Equipment
Co-op
> has such garments for cycling (www.mec.ca) and Louis Garneau also makes similar jackets and
> tights. They're a pretty good idea actually and work pretty well.

I found six mens jackets at www.mec.ca, but they all appear to have the same material on the front
and back. Did you notice a particular model on that Web site that uses a highly breathable material
on the back?

I checked out the Louis Garneau Web site just now, and they seem to have jackets that meet my needs,
the Morpho and the Neo-Venture. Cool!

Thanks!

> Scott..
 
"Review Boy" <review [email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> Hello All -
>
> The cool season is approaching, so I am searching for a shell that is windproof on the front and
> highly breathable on the back. I've tried
cut.......
> Does anyone know of a shell that has windproof material on the front, but completely different
> material, fleecelike, on the back and backs of the arms?
>
> thanks, Ralph

I have a "jogging" jacket from Tchibo that probably matches what you want. I also got a cycling
undershirt thats windproof at the front and thin at the back and sides from them. Both at very
reasonable prices. I bought these in one of their UK shops but they change their stock every
week, so you may have to check their site till their selling sports stuff again.
http://www.tchibo.de/ peter
 
"Review Boy" <review [email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...

> Does anyone know of a shell that has windproof material on the front, but completely different
> material, fleecelike, on the back and backs of the arms?

Does it have to be a shell? I get a lot of use out of my cycling vest, which is windproof in front
but just a mesh in back. It's more versatile than a jacket, since it can be combined with
arm-warmers, long-sleeve jerseys, fleece tops, etc. I find that on cool days, it's worth a whole
layer but without the bulk.

My vest came from Col d'Lizard (formerly Gekko Gear), but cycling vests are commonly available, and
not terribly expensive.

RichC
 
Hi Rich -

> Does it have to be a shell? I get a lot of use out of my cycling vest...

Thanks for the suggestion, but I've tried vests and my arms get cold. I think I must have poor
circulation.

About 12 years ago, I bought a Hind cycling shell that was windproof on the front and had fleece on
the back That was perfect for me, except that those types of shells or jackets seemed to be very
rare then and seem to be rare now.

Since most cyclists seem to be happy with the windproof jackets and shells on the market, I must
sweat much more than the average.
 
Review Boy <review [email protected]> wrote:
> The cool season is approaching, so I am searching for a shell that is windproof on the front and
> highly breathable on the back. I've tried Goretex and Supplex, but there must be something wrong
> with me, because in spite of the claims that they are breathable, they feel about as breathable as
> a plastic garbage bag.

People's experience with Gore-Tex seem to vary greatly from person to person; some people find it
perfect, and others can't help being drenched in sweat. (John Forester dismisses Gore-Tex as not
breathable enough in his book, but Ken Kifer seems content to put in thousands of miles with
Gore-Tex as his only raingear. To each his own.)

Were the jackets you tried designed for cycling? A typical hiking vest might not offer enough
ventilation; you want underarm zippers as a minimum, and the more expensive cycling jackets also
have a vent at the back.

> Does anyone know of a shell that has windproof material on the front, but completely different
> material, fleecelike, on the back and backs of the arms?

As others have pointed out, Gore-Tex is a bit overkill if you're only looking for a windproof
jacket. A nylon jacket will do the trick, and you can get one treated with DWR to keep you dry in
light rain. Mine can be stuffed into its own pocket, which is great for rides that start under a
scorching sun and end under a drizzle late at night.

--
Frederic Briere <*> [email protected]

=> <[email protected]> IS NO MORE: <http://www.abacomsucks.com> <=
 
> Review Boy <review [email protected]> wrote:
>> The cool season is approaching, so I am searching for a shell that is windproof on the front and
>> highly breathable on the back. I've tried Goretex and Supplex, but there must be something wrong
>> with me, because in spite of the claims that they are breathable, they feel about as breathable
>> as a plastic garbage bag.

What kind of temperatures are you talking about? Do you need rain/snow protection? I rarely wear a
jacket; even cycling jackets get stuffy on high intensity rides (mountain passes, etc.). I usually
wear just a vest and lightweight jersey in 50+F weather. Down to freezing, I'll wear a vest with a
heavyweight jersey. Vests offer a lot of breathability (especially the type with a mesh back), but
are not so good in rain or snow.
 
Use a vest with a full back vent. The arms need little wind protection... your chest does.

fwiw

"Review Boy" <review [email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> Hello All -
>
> The cool season is approaching, so I am searching for a shell that is windproof on the front and
> highly breathable on the back. I've tried Goretex and Supplex, but there must be something wrong
> with me, because in spite of the claims that they are breathable, they feel about as breathable as
> a plastic garbage bag.
>
> Does anyone know of a shell that has windproof material on the front, but completely different
> material, fleecelike, on the back and backs of the arms?
>
> thanks, Ralph
 
"Review Boy" <review [email protected]> wrote in news:vlk20jth90mqd9 @corp.supernews.com:

> Does anyone know of a shell that has windproof material on the front, but completely different
> material, fleecelike, on the back and backs of the arms?

I bought a lightweight jacket like this from REI 2 years ago. The front, shoulders and top/front of
the sleeves are a blue nylon shell with a very thin poly lining and the back, pits and underside of
the sleeves are (according to the tag) 63% nylon, 23% polyester & 14% Lycra Spandex. The Item # is
115834, but I couldn't find any info on it at the REI web site.

I've found it to be very comfortable for riding in cool weather using a normal long sleeve jersey
underneath. It breaths very well and has pretty good wind protection. When it approaches freezing, I
add a Polertec 100 crew jersey (REI Item 695992) and have had great results. Fortunately, our
"winters" here don't get much colder than that. :)
 
Review Boy wrote:
> Hello All -
>
> The cool season is approaching, so I am searching for a shell that is windproof on the front and
> highly breathable on the back. I've tried Goretex and Supplex, but there must be something wrong
> with me, because in spite of the claims that they are breathable, they feel about as breathable as
> a plastic garbage bag.
>
> Does anyone know of a shell that has windproof material on the front, but completely different
> material, fleecelike, on the back and backs of the arms?
>
> thanks, Ralph

Newline has a nice setup for this. I use it throughout the winter and just add clothing
underneath. Since it is neither wind nor waterproof in the back you may want to have some
protection on your reartire.
--
Perre

You have to be smarter than a robot to reply.
 
Sat, 6 Sep 2003 09:15:20 -0700, <[email protected]>, "Review Boy" <review
[email protected]> wrote:

>Does anyone know of a shell that has windproof material on the front, but completely different
>material, fleecelike, on the back and backs of the arms?

Sugoi WindHibitor Evaporator Zip Jersey.
http://www.sugoi.ca/sugoimain/main.aspx?sectionStyleID=4116&color=BLK

"A concentrated shot of WindHibitor on the front, sleeves and upper back with ventilating MidZero
back panels.

MidZero is a full stretch wicking midweight base layer that is fleeced on the inside for amazing
comfort. WindHibitor is a breathable, wicking, three-ply stretch laminate that increases comfort by
blocking 95 per cent of forward wind."

I've one of Sugoi's full zip jerseys that is has a windproof front, shoulders and arms. The lower
back and sleeve panels are wicking stretch fabric. It's nice to have when the sun goes down.
--
zk
 
"david moore" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I bought a lightweight jacket like this from REI 2 years ago. The front, shoulders and top/front
> of the sleeves are a blue nylon shell with a very thin poly lining and the back, pits and
> underside of the sleeves are (according to the tag) 63% nylon, 23% polyester & 14% Lycra Spandex.
> The Item # is 115834, but I couldn't find any info on it at the REI web site.

David -

At your suggestion I searched the REI Web site and found "REI Headwind Jersey", item 688626.

Thanks.
 
"Review Boy" <review [email protected]> wrote in news:[email protected]:

> "david moore" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> I bought a lightweight jacket like this from REI 2 years ago. The front, shoulders and top/front
>> of the sleeves are a blue nylon shell with a very thin poly lining and the back, pits and
>> underside of the sleeves are (according to the tag) 63% nylon, 23% polyester & 14% Lycra Spandex.
>> The Item # is 115834, but I couldn't find any info on it at the REI web site.
>
> David -
>
> At your suggestion I searched the REI Web site and found "REI Headwind Jersey", item 688626.

That looks like the jersey version of the jacket I have. Mine has a couple of zippered front
pockets and the back pockets are open. I'm pretty sure the shell on mine is just plain nylon, so
it looks like the jersey might breath even better, but I'm not sure about the wind protection. I
also remember getting it on sale for about half the price of the above Headwind, so if you can
wait.... :)
 
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