smasha

This is probably a stupid question: In rain, is it normal for a rain-proof jacket to quickly soak through and get wet on the inside?

I'm probably just procrastinating, and this jacket probably needs to be replaced. It's a bright yellow "waterproof" "Endura", and aside from quickly soaking through in a decent rain, it's almost like new. It's probably 5-9 years old.

How long do these things typically last, when treated well? Are there any other brands that are far superior?

Thanks...

RunForTheHills

If you still like the jacket, you could treat with a water resistant coating to restore it or take it to the dry cleaner and have them do it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...A2FP3WC79CXYXU

smasha

Do they make a "breathable" waterproof coating?

smasha

It's hard to see through the mesh-layer, but I think the waterproof-breathable layer is just worn out.

RunForTheHills

The description says that it is breathable. It is a water resistant coating. It will eventually wet-out, but will keep you dry longer.

"Nikwax Softshell Proof Waterproofing restores water-repellency and revives breathability of technical softshell garments."

If you have a waterproof layer such as Gore-Tex, you would still need to re-apply a water resistant coating periodically to the outside of the jacket as it eventually washes off.

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-adv...nwear-dwr.html

MTA: If you want a new coat, I think you should buy a new coat. That's what I would do.

smasha

Looks like that one is for "soft shell" jackets. Mine is an "outer shell", not soft-shell.

What I've got has is woven polyester on the outside, treated on the inside with a layer of waterproof-breathable stuff. Inside of that is a mesh layer, to aid breathability and reduce wear against the waterproof-breathable stuff.

RunForTheHills

They make a version for that type of jacket as well. It comes in a spray on version as well. However, I am not really trying to talk you out of buying a new jacket. You could buy a new jacket and still treat the old one to use as a backup.

https://www.amazon.com/Nikwax-251-TX...kwax+tx+direct

johny24

yes

aggiegrads

If the breathable is wetting through quickly, there is likely no treatment that will restore the original waterproofness while still maintaining breathability.

Unfortunately, the high-tech fabrics need some maintenance. About once a month (especially in fall and spring) I turn my jacket inside-out and rinse it with plain water in the shower. This helps wash off accumulated oils and salts, which will impact the performance of the tech layers over time. I have found that over-washing (in the washer with detergent) also impacts the lifetime, even if I use the best Nikwax products.

The reason I say I do this more often in the fall and spring, is that the "transition temperatures" are when I sweat in the jacket the most. 55°F is too warm to wear a jacket, but too cold to get wet, so I end up sweating inside the jacket. In the winter, it is usually too cold to break a sweat, or I have a layer underneath that will protect the fabrics.

smasha

@aggiegrads - Thanks! That's what I'm suspecting.

Yeah, I never wash these things with detergent. Cold water only, although there's always "detergent residue" in the machine. Maybe I should just swish it around in a bucket of cold-water; spin it in the machine, then hang to dry...?

I never thought about giving them a proper rinse-cycle once a month. I'll consider that, when the replacement shows up.

Anyway, I just ordered a "Funkier Waterproof Cycling Rain Jacket - Clearance" - For $35NZ and 5-star reviews, I'll give it a shot. If that doesn't work out, then a "dhb Flashlight Force Waterproof Jacket" might be next on my list.

pdlamb

If you're soaked through while cycling, it's possible that what's getting you wet isn't the rain, it's sweat. You could double-check by standing outside in cool rain (no exerting yourself!) or inside under a shower. Lots of people expect a rain jacket will keep you dry; in 15C weather while riding vigorously, that's pretty much impossible.

smasha

Yeah, I've done easy/moderate walks, and almost as soon as the rain hits it, it soaks through.

On the plus side, it's not too clammy as a wind-stopper... If it's not raining

Zurichman2

I like Showers Pass stuff and sometimes places like Western Bike Works will have them on sale at times. They have a lightweight and a heavyweight 2.0 or something like that and it's around $200 but I have had mine now for about 8 years with no damage to it all.

Zman

Bikewolf

Showers Pass or no Showers Pass, I guess there are many factors in play too: how much do you use your ‘rain jacket’ and only for cycling ...
E.g. a rain jacket for hiking may need to have more resistance to cuts from branches etc.

And do avoid acid rain ;-)

fietsbob

The Durable water resistant coating applied at the fabric mill will only last a couple years.

wsgts

As another option, I just got a new rain cape last week. It's shocking how well it worked today, I got this one which was $50 bucks delivered.

T

smasha

It's very windy where I am. With a rain-cape, I'd get blown right off the bike.

ItsJustMe

I have a "vented breathable" rain jacket from J&G. It's over 10 years old, and I wear it probably 80 days a year at least (I use it as a top layer all winter). It's still fully waterproof.

ItsJustMe

Same here. I wore a cape ONCE and it tried to kill me. Not doing that again. I don't want to die under a truck because I got blown sideways.

higehiru

I have used this Nikwell product in the past and it works very well!

canklecat

I have two cycling jackets for bad weather. The best cycling apparel item I have in addition to these is a Pearl Izumi Transfer fabric base layer. It's pricey and worth it. I have other wicking fabric undershirts but they're not in the same league as the PI Transfer fabric for controlling perspiration in winter under windbreakers and rain jackets.

The Shimano Storm Jacket is actually rainproof. It's serious about the "storm jacket" name. Right down to the elongated elastic cuff liners inside the sleeves, rubberized sealed zipper, wind flaps, adjustable waist and hood, etc. Attention to detail is mostly excellent, including a mesh liner to keep a sweat-dampened inner fabric away from the skin. It's also an effective cold weather windbreaker, with a long sleeve jersey or any long sleeve breathable top inside. I've worn it in winter and loaned it to other cyclists who were underdressed for chilly weather. I'd wear it in serious winter storm conditions with appropriate jersey or hoodie underneath.

Drawbacks: The jacket material itself (laminated woven nylon) does not breathe and could use better venting for temps above 60F. I've considered adding brass grommets to the armpits. The rear cape vent alone doesn't breathe well unless the front zipper is opened, and even then it's just barely adequate in temps above 60F. It's heavy and bulky. It can be packed down to fit inside a gallon sized ziplock bag, but just barely.

The Pearl Izumi Select Barrier Jacket is an excellent value in a windbreaker with very minimal resistance to light misting. It is not a rain jacket. But even soaking wet it's still an effective windbreaker. I've been caught in the rain a couple of times with temps in the low 60s wearing a thin long sleeve jersey underneath and was comfortable despite being soaked through. No wind chill.

In tricky fall and spring rain temperatures, there's a big difference in comfort between being soaked from sweat or rain in this windbreaker, and being soaked from rain in a breathable jersey that allows wind chill. I prefer soaked without the wind chill.

On chillier dry rides it's been comfortable over a thin long sleeve shirt (like the Champion wicking fabric shirts). On dry cold winter rides down in the 20s I've worn the PI Select Barrier Jacket over a Nike Dri-Fit hoodie and had to unzip the PI jacket a bit to avoid getting sweaty.

As with my Shimano Storm Jacket, I've loaned the Pearl Izumi Select Barrier Jacket to other cyclists who were underdressed for winter group rides and they were comfortable with it over their long sleeve jerseys.

The woven nylon fabric is so thin it packs down into its own rear pocket or into a sandwich sized ziplock baggie. I take it on almost every ride in fall, winter and spring.

It washes easily, by hand or on delicate with my other cycling clothing. I don't use fenders and my rear rack only partially blocks mud, so I've had to wash the PI jacket a few times after rainy rides. No problems with mud or grease from contacting my chain while fixing a flat during a rainy ride. Comes right out with Tide or Gain (I presoak for 20-30 minutes with tougher greasy stuff -- gives the enzymes time to work).

Drawbacks: It's hard to call these serious drawbacks at only $30 or less on sale from the PI outlet store, Bike Tires Direct and other outlets. But the fabric doesn't "breathe" like my Nike Dri-Fit softshell thermal hoodie, nor did I expect it to. It has a combination rear pocket/vent. No cape vent or armpit vents. The more expensive convertible PI Select Barrier jacket has sleeve zippers that can either vent the armpits or detach the sleeves completely. A friend has this jacket and really likes it.

BikeLite

The PI jacket is labeled as polyester, not nylon.

canklecat

Right you are. I tried to read it at the laundromat without my glasses and misread "Made in Vietnam" as "Made of Nylon". My vision is worse than I thought.

SylvainG

Too much drag for me since it's often windy when raining, unless the wind is on my back, then I could simply sail

gsa103

Wash it, then put it in the dryer on medium heat (no fabric softener). The heat from the dryer can restore the DWR, it's actually the recommended method.

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-adv...nwear-dwr.html