 Great article full of common sense but I'd like to cheekily challenge the opening statement.
If you are doing high intensity aerobic exercise (rather than stood around for a few hours in the rain) then waterproofs are not so essential. Walkers, runners and cyclists will usually be warm and sweating so very highly breathable water-repellant fabrics are more comfy than waterproofs 99% of the time IMHO.
If you are sweating the whole gore-tex argument breaks down. You need a gradient for water to pass through the membrane, rain outside and sweat inside just means you stay damp within the jacket. When the rain eases a fast wicking/breathing jacket will dry off inside and out far better than a membrane one and you'll get comfy quicker.
Waterproofs have their uses but being windproofed is the key. A pertex-type shell with a fast wicking base layer will actually be more comfy a lot of the time. This is now well recognised by walkers etc who are increasingly shedding the heavy (and pricey) cagoules and using products such as Buffalo or similar in anything but full-on conditions.
Bruce
Bruce
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I'd agree. I've been using an ActiVent jacket for years; don't think you can get the stuff any more, but the principle (v.breathable & water resistent) has meant I've never really needed anything more, it also has the advantage of packing v.well.
RWB
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 I agree that Gortex garments and high intensity excercise do not go hand in hand, however, many cyclists do not sweat profusely unless they are carrying out specific training such as intervals or hill reps.
Many 'mountain bikers' head off into the country for a few hours of fun, though even a mediocre 'fitness' session on the bike will not necesseraly have you drooling in sweat; especially in our winter conditions where the temperature and wind chill keeps you relatively cool.
Pertex is fine, but having spent a few seasons in the norweigen winter sweating like a pig, i found Gortex, even when wet inside and out kept me much warmer and comfier than pertex.
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 Aye. The super-breathable argument makes perfect sense if you maintain a high pace throughout, but a lot (probably most) riders don't, leaning more towards a "short burst of high output followed by standing about" model ;-)
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 Mountain bikers have to bear in mind the 'what if' factor. I agree a windproof is much more versatile, and 9 days out of 10, that is what I ride in. Howver, when out for longer rides, or up in the mountains, there is no real excuse for not having the right level of protection when things go tits up. Ideally one of each type will see you set to take on anything.
I ride in a Windstopper fabric with BIG pit vents, most of the time, but for trips into the hills or Polaris etc, I will always have an adequate waterproof with me....You jsut never know!
BTW Activent just underwent a name change. It's now just called Windstopper by Gore
Mike: Having problems accesing my email, are we riding today? :-)
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Er, probably not - I seem to have got a bit behind with things. Next week's clear except Monday, though ;-)
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Ok, thats fine, I'm in the same boat. Next Tuesday then? May go for a night ride tommorrow night if that whets your whistle...
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Take that back, today is Tuesday, so may be riding tonight!
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 Hmmm Waterproofs.
I'd definatley subscribe to the layers and a windproof (light water resistance) theory.
My understanding is the same, Goretex can only deal with vapour. once water droplets form inside, it won't work. Although, I understand the top drawer Altura ones (forgotten the name ) are better at dealing with water drops.
I may be making that up, so that I can justify not paying £120 notes for a cycling jacket though :)
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 I use a Specialized windproof, quickwick, ActiVent garment. Purchased a handful 3 years ago. I wear them whenever it's cold an wet and nearly all through the winter months. Windproofing works well and they keep you quite warm most of the time but you need them reasonably tight for them to work properly. Great for night rides!
Why is this material so hard to come by these days?
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Oops. Just re-read the windstopper bit. You sure it's the same material?
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Pretty sure. Had this conversation with the guys at Freestyle who have been making great garments with it for years. It just had a name change as far as I recall. They used to do a jacket called the Activent - because it used Activent fabric. I've ridden in it and it is exactly the same fabric as my Freestyle Hurricane, although it's called Windstopper on that one.
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Got a bogs dollocks GoreTex (cycle Specific) jacket a few years ago, cost me somewhere North of 200notes. Great garment, keeps me dry as a bone, but can get sweaty if I'm hacking it.
Got a parrot water-resistant, great. Keppes me dry for an hour or so of frenetic riding, then gets too wet.
Got an REI water-resistant, truly dogs. Warm and dry in all nastier (colder) weathers.
Got arm warmers. And Leg warmers too
Got tights Got 'warming body wax'
Rode the Victor Big Bull Mountain last July. constant cold rain at altitudes above 10000ft. No waterproof was worn and really none was necessary. After about 10 minutes I was oblivious to the elements (even took off my arm & leg warmers).
So...hmmmm....ahhh..a point.
Sometimes it really doesn't matter if it's raining, you can always get dry later. But if you do want to keep dry then wear a garment that is a appropriate to the riding you most often do.
Or if like me you are an, 'outdoor clothing junkie' then it's question of choosing correctly from your 'wardrobe'
:)
OH Mike, BTW, good article!
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 Personally I say "waterproof"s are unnecessary for any physical activity that's faster than walk/hiking. Gore-Tex 2layer/3layer/XCR(high pro. fabric) should only be used if you go tour riding in say Vietnam during monsoon season.
I use a lightweight weather shell, it's not 'waterproof'(it's water-replellant enough), it's lightweight, it's packable and extremely breathable. It's made from Epic-treated polyester, which willn't 'wet out' which is a plus.
In the near future, at extra cost I'll get a Snugpak Helium. It's crazy- under 100g in weight and it packs into the size of a small mobile phone (the 2 points that gets me the vote). The Quantum fabric performs like Epic but lighter, smaller and more breathable.
http://www.nextec.com/thetech/ -Epic treatment
http://www.snugpak.com/civilian/clothing.php4 -Snugpak Helium
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