Hello fellows !

TL;DR : need suggestions or confirmations of choices on a cured list of options for a new "functionnal/all purpose" waterproof bicycle jacket. One that doesn't need DWR maintenance to not get wetty/soaked.

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Context :

For the quick story : I recently went bikepacking in the Black Forest (Germany) with friends, and after a crash of a member of the group, a german Angel passing by in MTB picked us up with his car and drove to the nearest hospital – his car on which parcel shelf I tossed and forgot my Rapha Commuter waterproof vest. That maybe was the price of the trade with the german gods to send us that nice dude 😅

This means I need a new "all purpose" waterproof vest efficient from commuting up to a week long bikepacking trips , and I have some €€€ to spend.

I digged all the brands models I could find on internet and through reddit's brands-list topics, and I went through as much data about them as I could (technologies, proof ratings, picture, riders reviews, etc) and still digging, because making 60 lines comparative Google Sheets over a month for any piece of equipment I wanna get myself has always been a kink.

As a product designer, I even more enjoy well thought, well made, well finished, ergo & smart, durable and as ethical-as-possible products. I also enjoy getting products from smaller/rising brands rather than automatically going for the market leaders, and am happy to pay the little extra money these smaller brands product cost so I'll take any suggestion for nice underground gear brand. (Just got myself a pair of Suplest Shoes 💦)

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Here's where I'm stuck :

I'm coming to seek your advised knowledge here because despite all that search (including the debunked real breathability capacities VS hard waterproofness membranes in real conditions), I just can't wrap my head around the true waterproofness of many models that claim good schmerber grade (10 or 20k).

I don't know if i'm missing something, but many models still mention the usage of DWR coating. Thus meaning that 1 : It will wear off and I'd rather not have maintenance to do about that, 2 : the outer membrane might be fabric that will get wetty or soak during extended rainy rides. I exclude of my questionning those who are 100% polyester or polyurethane, or don't mention DWR coating, and thus should be "truly" waterproof.

I read reviews of some models where people just testified that their vest indeed lost its "waterproofness" because of that DWR wearing off. I really don't think my 2,5L Rapha Commuter would have ever suffered of that issue as the "fabric" really looked like pure plastic coating (55 % polyester, 45 % polyurethane – 100 % polyester according to Rapha's website ; inside – outside I guess ?). I never got wet from anything but some sweat while riding under the rain with it.

What am I getting wrong here ?

Do some brands add DWR coating over a perfectly waterproof vest just for extra repellent effect and/or marketing ?

Would the outer surface of a 20k grade vest still repel heavy rain even if DWR is gone, after like one or two years of use, or would the outer layer soak ?

Are any of those vest, even high end, that have a threaded polyester (or else) outer membrane, going to soak ?

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My requirements for possible suggestions + my cured list on which any feedback will be appreciated :

What I'm looking for :

1 – Price and availability :

Maximum 250€ ish, purchasable in EU, (I can take care of finding the best deals or sales if the price is a bit above but worth it).

2 – True waterproof

Not water-resistant, not water-repellent with DWR, not rain-whatever. Waterproof and without any treatment maintenance needed (DWR spray or else) overtime.

2 – Mandatory features :

Hood & ✨POCKETS ✨:

As I also plan on using this vest for bike trips I require a hood, under or over-helmet doesn't matter. Regarding the pocket, the more the better, to be functional during off bike moments. The Rapha Commuter has two front zipper not-so-large pockets, I'd be happy to find something that has more.

Adjustable :

Wrist velcros rather than stretchy, Hem elastic loop.

Material & fitting :

I want to avoid materials that are too stiff and "crunky" when moving. The rapha had a nice outer membrane flexible and soft material. (For one's knowledge : this afternoon I tried on the Arc'Teryx Beta AR and Beta SL in a shop for the sake of it, and the way the material folds, wrinkles, and the feeling of it were just absolutely awwwwwwful)

3 – That's it !

Anything more is just a plus, as my Rapha was already fulfilling the basic requirements, but just wasn't ++ in terms of functionalities or extra features for longer trips

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Here are for reference what I kept in my cured list of candidates, fitting the minimum requirements listed above :

– Northwave Noworry Hardshell

– Silvini Veste Montesolo

– Dainese HGC Shell Light or HGC Shell

– POC Signal All weather or Motion Rain

– Outdoor Research Foray 3L

– RVRC Silence Proshell 3L (❤) or Cyclone 3L or Cloud 3L

– PEdALED Shell Jacket but apparently seams are super bad.

– RH+ 2.5 Element

Long a$$ post heh…

Cheers !