Of late I've noted a few articles on the interweb going on about removing PFC's from waterproof clothing as it's nasty stuff that doesn't ever de-compose. A few jacket reviews seem to suggest that PFC waterproofs will need 'more care and maintenance' whatever that means. A few look to be using a stretchy soft-shell material and a Nikwax-a-like treatment, which you have to re-do every so often as per Paramo (which have been PFC free since 2015 apparently)

So no more gore shakedry (and goretex itself seems to be a totally different material than what it used to be) but looks like Outdry is PFC free so we are safe, but maybe worth checking out for other brands...

I've also read a couple of articles on how misleading breathability claims are, when applied to real life use. I'm coming round to the idea that for stuff that isn't torrential rain, fast wicking might be better...

I'm the same, although I'm not as hard core as most on here. Most water proof clothing isn't breathable enough so you still get wet from sweat. Generally I either look for massive vents/pitzips or I wear a jumper so i'm warm and wet.

A lot of it is how sweaty you are, as the fabric can only do so much

I run a mix, none are perfect, I took now think about warm and damp as the best I can do

My (proper) hardshell is now the cheapest Patagonia. Has pit zips and isn't as breathable as goretex/DWR of old. Says on it to wash often I think. Pot zips really help for the venting and doesn't really let stroms through (so far). About £130 on sale it was AFAIR.

What I want is a lightweight wax jacket that doesn't stink, or make you look like a tw@t from a posh shoot. I don't think breathability is possible for anything waxed, maybe just well ventilated? Something you can reproof with a bar of wax or something. I know some brands do waxed cotton, but it's not for sweaty activities, and one I just googled was £330. Sorry, wistfully hijacking the thread!

faustus wrote: ↑Fri Nov 15, 2024 12:31 pm What I want is a lightweight wax jacket that doesn't stink, or make you look like a tw@t from a posh shoot. I don't think breathability is possible for anything waxed, maybe just well ventilated? Something you can reproof with a bar of wax or something. I know some brands do waxed cotton, but it's not for sweaty activities, and one I just googled was £330. Sorry, wistfully hijacking the thread!

About 20 years ago I bought a Belstaff waxed cotton 'Trials Master' motorbike jacket for Pre '65 style - defo not the posh huntin, shootin, fishin, type... At the time they were about £70. It's actually quite a nice jacket to wear on the (motor) bike and surprisingly waterproof, up to a point. Beyond that point it leaks terminally and worse, the damp cotton sucks all the heat out of you. It also weighs a ton. So I was somewhat amused when Surly launched a wax cotton cycling jacket a few years ago....

Yeah, it's a silly idea for all those reasons ...i used to wear my buffalo shirt in cold wet weather, and it sheds water quickly, and stays windproof, so I used to stay fairly warm whilst being a bit damp. Way too hot though. Sorry, more digression!

The weight weenie in me objects to a waxxed cotton jacket never mind the other issues ..decent enough on a motorbike though.

Realistically certain levels of rain mean you are getting wet whatever you wear.
Personally I prefer to avoid rain wet and manage sweat wet from the waterproof.
My kitbis roughly.
Shakedry when warm
I find soft shells better for breathability (Escape goat or Castelli ones but not cheap) but they are not really for torential rain.
Outdry for multidays as it will just keep working
Hard shells are generally too sweaty but its all we have when its biblical.
The perfect waterproof ( skin but not very warm)does not exist.

Maybe consider something like a Gabba/Perfetto style jersey/jacket?
It's not going to keep you totally dry, but it will keep you warm.
I'm too fat for Castelli , so I have a couple of Madison Roadrace Optimus jerseys in long and short sleeve, and they are brilliant for filthy weather.
I think I paid about 60quid for the pair, along with some Madison thermal/water resistant arm warmers.
I've also heard good things about GalibierCC clothing, so that might be worth a look?

I've got two fairly waterproof and breathable jackets - a RAB Cinder stretchy thing and a GORE Infinium (which is really good and was £50 https://www.amazon.co.uk/GOREWEAR-Cycli ... 6ZYW1?th=1). I'll wear these until it starts wetting through and then I stick on a lightweight Goretex. My issue isn't getting wet, it's getting cold and wet, so shorter (up to a few hours) rides aren't really an issue, but if going all day, it becomes much harder to get warm and being wet is serious. The Goretex is then best, with warm dry layers if possible - I can't produce enough heat to sweat by then.

The irony is (in UK especially) that breathable fabrics are at their least efficient in humid wet conditions plus pretty much all jackets have a bloody large hole that you stick your head through which may be ok if you're stood still but pretty inefficient when riding.