Product Review: Altura Women's Nevis Waterproof Cycling Jacket

[sam_t]

I bought the yellow version of this about two years ago for somewhere in the region of £45. For the first nine months or so I was very happy with it - it's high-visibility (there are more reflective strips in the next model up, but this was really bright yellow with some reflective bits), is light, packs quite small, is a good shape (rounded tail

Comments

[lapin_agile]

My husband and I received Gore-Tex jackets as wedding presents 19 years ago. They stuff into tiny pouches (all scrunched up), and now, going on 20 years later, they are still waterproof. What's given out? The elastic at the wrists of my husband's jacket, so he's finally given up wearing it. I'm still wearing mine.

In my view Gore-Tex is worth its cost.

[sam_t]

Thanks! I've got a Gore-Tex walking-type jacket which doesn't scrunch up (it's lined, and quite bulky) and while that's lasted well being rolled and packed into a rucksack I wasn't sure whether the fabric would suffer if it was scrunched tightly.

[forthwritten]

I don't have any advice, but wanted to thank you for posting this. I'm looking out for a cycling jacket and it's helpful to read this.

[sam_t]

I almost didn't post it, so I'm glad it's helpful!

The jacket would be fine if you're only going to need it occasionally, or for less than a year. It just doesn't stand up to being either scrunched up or worn five days a week, almost every week of the year.

[nineveh_uk]

Oh dear! Does the jacket have taped seams? It if doesn't...

My inclination, on the assumption that there is a limited number of high-visibility waterproof cycling jackets, would be to widen my options to other outdoor sports gear and buy the most water-repellent/breathable thing I could find at a reasonable cost, and if I cared about visibility, wear something over it. My ordinary Berghaus Gore Tex jacket is going strong after 6 years without having the sort of dedicated owner who regularly re-waterproofs.

[sam_t]

I don't know whether the seams are taped, but I don't think it's the seams that have gone so much as the general waterproofing. I'm currently getting wet anywhere the jacket has a good contact with clothing underneath - arms, shoulders, the top of my back - rather than along the lines of the seams.

It's not just visibility, it's shaping (fairly body-hugging and with a tail), windproofing and a combination of weight and volume - I'm going to be carrying it a lot. I would consider a non-cycling jacket if I can't find anything specialized, but I'd rather have one that's designed for cycling if possible.

[sam_t]

Oh, and vents, as well, although I suppose there might be waterproofs designed for running that would have those.