On the local day hike, temperatures were around 0☌ and although there was a mix of rain and snow falling, I eventually switched back to my old, non-waterproof shell. NON-waterproof! In a July thunderstorm, the jacket got soaked through in just minutes, and even the next day in a slight drizzle, the rain quickly soaked through.įrom now on, I will relegate the jacket to my pack as a lightweight wind shell for summer use. It should be okay over a T-shirt on a summer morning or evening to keep the chill off, but I'll never wear it again for hard exercise with an insulating layer underneath and I'll always carry a backup if there's any chance at all of rain. I've now started wearing the jacket as rain/wind gear while bird-watching at the local ponds, and just to look cool and outdoorsy when I'm walking around town or to the fitness centre. UPDATE: I ASKED OUTDOOR RESEARCH WHAT I COULD DO TO FIX THE LACK OF WATERPROOFING, AND THEY IMMEDIATELY SUGGESTED I SEND IT BACK FOR A FULL WARRANTY. THEY ALSO OFFERED TO SWAP IT FOR A DIFFERENT STYLE IF I THOUGHT THERE WAS ONE THAT WOULD WORK BETTER, AND WILL BE SHIPPING A REPLACEMENT OUT TO ME RIGHT AWAY. I MIGHT NOT THINK THE REVEL IS A GREAT JACKET RIGHT NOW, BUT I AM VERY, VERY IMPRESSED WITH OUTDOOR RESEARCH'S CUSTOMER SERVICE. The construction will also be a little less robust and fabrics and zips might not be as durable, so you will need to use a bit of extra care when using.The Revel is small enough to shove into a small backpack pocket. Of course, there is always going to be a compromise when choosing a rain jacket that packs down to the size of a baseball, and that packability normally comes at the cost of extra features.ĭon't expect multiple pockets, additional drawstring closures or even zipped vents in most cases. The alternative if you're not expecting to need to remove your jacket too often and are usually carrying luggage on your rides is one of the best commuter cycling jackets. A good packable jacket should have a long sleeve length and a dropped tail to protect your derriere and lower back as dry as possible. If you prefer a looser fit or plan on wearing more layers underneath then you might want to go up a size from your usual choice. will be tight to the body and offer an articulated cut to fit well in a riding position. Most packable rain jackets follow the same vein as the traditional race cape, i.e. At the entry-level you can still expect solid performance but don't expect fully waterproof materials to be anywhere near as breathable or pack down as small. The only issue with such fabrics is they usually come with a high ticket price and can be a little fragile. Some techy modern fabrics such as Gore Shakedry manage to combine both aspects into a single layer of material, making them not only high performance but also extremely lightweight. Ideally, you want a fully waterproof material that also has a high degree of breathability. Read our full review of the Endura Pro SL Shell jacket Buyer's guide to the best packable rain jackets What fabrics should I look for?Ībove all else the material used in the construction of the jacket is what makes the biggest difference in performance. What it does have is an exceptional fit and a three-layer fabric that is as tough as it is weatherproof and a storm flap to stop water finding its way in through the zip. It's on the bulkier side of the packable jacket spectrum but will still fit into a pocket. Scottish brand Endura knows a thing or two about creating weather beating kit and the Pro SL Shell jacket is no exception, with a three-layer fabric that's thinner than the competition.
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