Waterproof textile jacket or just the liner?

[Gordon T]

Would someone like to tell me if its possible to buy a textile jacket that is waterproof on the outside. Why Im asking is that all the textile jackets that Ive seen are only waterproof from the liner in. This leaves the outer section mopping up water at will.
During a recent camping trip where it rained cats and dogs, our return to the tent in the rain left us with absolutely soaking wet and forever dripping coats. With really nowhere else to put them due to limited room inside they were eventually left outside. If they had of been waterproof from the outside in, it may have been possible to shake the excess off and bring them inside.
Mine is a HG cruise and my friends is the new Revit Cayenne Pro. Not bad gear or so Im lead to believe but they both have the major drawback of not being totally waterproof (although water tight).

 

[oblertone]

Yes ...

... use the Search function on here and look up Halvassons. Waterproof outer, plenty of vents, and the liner is a thermal only (Gel type). Highly recommended kit by those who use it; and much cheaper than the BMW stuff

 

[ironandsteel]

or....google / search Halvarssons

 

[JoeC]

Look for something made of Gore-tex Pro Shell.

http://www.gore-tex.co.uk/remote/Sa...=prodtype1=Outerwear1&pagename=SessionWrapper

 

[red1]

Mine is a HG cruise and my friends is the new Revit Cayenne Pro. Not bad gear or so Im lead to believe but they both have the major drawback of not being totally waterproof (although water tight).

I've got an HG Cruise. Had it for nearly 3 years and 80K miles and it's never leaked. It's Gortex so doesn't have a seperate waterproof liner. Just a thermal liner.

Are you sure yours is a Cruise?

 

[Gordon T]

Yep its a Cruise. What I didnt mean to imply was that this jacket had a removable waterproof liner. The membrane on this particular jacket is fitted to the inside of the outer coating of the jacket. It still gets wet in the rain (although doesnt leak) and hold the water in the outer material until its either run off onto the floor or evaporates in the wind.
What Im looking for is a jacket that dosnt hold onto the water at all and runs straight off ie. as if the outer were plastic.
This jacket was a loaner to me as mine just wasnt waterproof at all. It has been returned to the owner and Im now looking to buy a decent jacket for myself. Although Im really impressed with it (nice and warm), I thought I might be able to get one that didnt hold onto the water as much. As OP have said, I may look into the Gore-tex Pro Shell covered jackets. If I cant find something thats a decent fit at the right price I may be tempted to buy a Cruise as they are being discounted at the moment and give it the Nikwax treatment to the outer.....G

 

[E. Buygum]

Bonded goretex gets around the problem to a certain extent but is very expensive. The associated problem with clothing relying on goretex type inner lining is that the drying through evaporation in the outer layer can make them very cold. Only really a problem in winter, of course. I use a basic Altberg cycling jacket over my biking jacket when it's really wet and cold and find it much more effective at keeping warm and comfortable than bulky additional inner layers. The water just runs off it. It's extra long at the back for cycling which is handy on a motorbike, too, and packs away small.

 

[Invicta Moto]

I've got a Rukka jacket with Barry Sheene's signature on the left tit. Waterproof and doesn't hold water in the material.

Sweat like **** in the warmer weather though.... Sadly it is very old and technology has moved on a lot since they made it...

 

[David Nimrod]

Get a one piece oversuit (in nylon) and wear it over your normal textile gear. That way the textile stuff won't get wet, and the oversuit (which doesn't absorb any water) will dry quickly

 

[gasman]

BWM streetguard 2 (now 3 available). GOt some kind of goretex/kevlar bonded outer, and doesn't absorb water at all. v good, but expensive.

 

[Don El Eee]

HG Master V will also do the job.

It's pricey, but they do interest free credit.

I was considering Rukka etc, but the interest free credit swung it for me. It has the 5 year Gore Tex warranty and 2 year manufacturer's warranty.

I've worn it almost daily for 6 months now and it's never let a drop of water in. Water beads on top of the material so when you get off you just shake the jacket and it's almost dry. At least two of the external pockets are waterproof too.

The only downside is that it doesn't have any real venting (they are weakspots for water penetration) so I imagine it's going to be warm in the summer, that being said, I'll just use my Rev It Cayenne if needs be.

Tim

 

[JoeC]

That will be the Gore-Tex Pro Shell doing it's job.
See post 4.

 

[beemerboy9]

Streetguard 2's are being sold at dealer cost on e-bay after being replaced by the Streetguard 3. Same contruction- different type of memebrane.
You can't go wrong at that price £300.

 

[Mutley]

The reason they have an outer shell is that Goretex is breathable and has pores. The shell protects the pores and allows the jacket to continue breathing even when it is dirty.

If you proof the outer jacket with nickwax wash in proofing then the water will run off to a certain extent and it will dry faster.

 

[barny]

Have a look at the Tecknic Freeway it works.

Ian

 

[Gordon T]

Have a look at the Tecknic Freeway it works.


Yes thats the sort of thing Im on about. The outer layer will not hold onto the water and freeze you when it evaporates. Will have a look at these jackets this weekend and decide which way to go.
Believe me theres nothing more frustrating to have a coat hold water, when all you want to do is shake it dry and pull it on top of your sleeping bag because your cold. I couldnt even bring my (well my mates) coat into the tent as there was so much dripping off it.

 

[OldCroc]

Have a look at the Tecknic Freeway it works.

Ian

Just bought a Freeway myself but still to do the "rain test". It;s damn heavy, though. Also the velco on the extra (winter) collar is the wrong way - ie the rough bit catches on my helmet inner. FWIW

OldCroc

 

[barny]

Gordon

I've had my Freeway a year now and it is heavy once lined etc, but the thermal liner is v/good and once removed the outer has good ventilation plus all the zips are w/proof. Also there are more pockets than I can use, I keep losing things and find them in a pocket I missed & all the pockets are w/proof. I rode 200 miles the w/end before last from Scotch Corner to Newark in v/heavy rain, jacket was fine no leaks but damp at the collar because I did not stop and put on the outer collar. Good luck with the search.

 

[Gordon T]

Tried the Freeway jackets and Im very impressed. A lot better made and put together than I thought possible at the price! Just need to try on the correct size as the ones in stock were a tad tight. If the fit is right, it will be bought along with a set of britches to match. Can get the full set for £300, which is noticeably less than HG or others. Also waterproof from the outside out and not inside out if you know what I mean!

 

[macpherson]

Weise Dynastar II

I've got the Weise Dynastar II and have worn it through the recent winter, putting up with many heavy downpours. Its waterproof from the outside, has never leaked once, and is extremely comfortable. Its getting a little warm in the current weather though.

Link to where I bought it here.