As a retailer I am constantly asked to recommend a jacket that is at once, all things to the winter cyclist. Waterproof, Windproof, Breathable and Low Weight. As a cyclist my conscience will not let me simply pick something up off the shelf because, in my opinion, no such jacket exists. Certainly not at the price most people are willing to consider! Indeed, many will have been bored by the lengthy explanations as to why they may have to sacrifice one element (at least to a certain extent), but I simply don't want people riding off in something they later discover doesn't deliver, cursing my name 30 miles from home.
In my experience, most jackets that purport to fulfill all these criteria consistently fail at 'breathable'. Don't get me wrong, I understand that it is exceptionally difficult to create such a garment. Fundamentally, anything that stops cold air and moisture coming in, is going to struggle to let hot air and moisture out - the two requirements are totally at odds with one another. In recent years there have been numerous attempts by companies to improve our lot - recent seasons have seen enterprising pros covertly employing non-sponsor-approved garments in an effort to optimise the breathability - waterproofness balance in wet conditions. Ian Stannard in an unmarked Gabba at the 2013 MSR and Rigoeberto Uran in an Assos sturmPrinz at the Giro to name two notable examples.
I have sampled these offerings and they have certainly improved over the last few years but as one who 'runs hot', have still found my performance suffering as my temperature soars. Consequently I have resorted to either opening up these jackets in order to literally let off steam, in the process getting wet or, in other cases, to simply wearing a gilet and dealing with the rain!
Enter Luigi Bergamo and the Q36.5 R. Insulation Jacket
In the era of marginal gains riders are demanding closer fitting, more aerodynamic and thermal wet-weather solutions. The rain jacket is changing. The R.Insulation jacket is Q36.5’s ALL-DAY rain and inclement weather jacket, designed to be worn from beginning to end of high-intensity rides in foul weather at temperatures anywhere between 5-15° C. It is, simply put, the jacket for those who MUST RIDE at all costs, even in extreme conditions. The R.Insulation is made entirely from a proprietary three-layer waterproof fabric, thus dispensing with the multiple fabric body-mapping concept employed on the Hybrid Que and Termica jackets, in favour of producing a totally protective, hermetic garment.
The outer layer of the jacket is made from a high-density woven polyamide-polyester, “frost” dyed rather than coated or printed, in order to maintain the natural breathability of the weave. This is a key design element. Densley woven polyamide - when woven in the correct way, has startling waterproofness - better than the likes of treated fabrics found in garments like the Gabba - whilst having twice the breathability and moisture managing properties.
The middle-layer is an avant-garde Japanese hydrophilic membrane with extremely high-breathability (RET value of 3) and 18,000 mm/l waterproof rating. Q36.5 favour the use of hydrophilic (water-loving) over hydrophobic membranes (such as Goretex™), as they best allow for the body to transpire and remain dry whilst maintaining an optimal body temperature during intense athletic activity. The hydrophilic membrane offers the most suitable combination between thermal insulation, vapour permeability and waterproofness for high intensity cycling in cold and wet weather. The polymer molecules of the membrane have a predetermined activation point at which they ‘open’ and increase permeability (allowing the body to transpire more efficiently at high temperatures) and ‘close’ at lower temperatures allowing for an increase in the insulation properties when the body temperature is lower.
The inner layer is a low-volume polyester mesh with excellent stretch and wicking qualities allowing for immediate and efficient movement of moisture away from the body, keeping the rider drier from the inside.
So while the cut and paneling of the R.Insulation emphasizes full-body protection (note the particular attention given to the collar area - often the Achilles heel of rain jackets – with its high, ergonomic cut and second, internal ‘barber’s’ collar like that found in the Termica Jacket), its proprietary fabric has been engineered with extreme sensitivity to the high levels of breathability and low volume demanded by riders in intense riding conditions.
By exploiting the technological limits of high-density weaving, Q36.5 are able to produce a highly compact outer face for the fabric that replicates the windblocking capabilities of a 2-layer shell fabric, without the use of a membrane, thus maintaining the exceptional natural breathability of the weave. This extremely compact surface, beyond producing a startlingly low volume fabric, also greatly increases the effectiveness of the water-repellency treatment rendering it far more windproof than a regular knitted cycling fabric with water resistant treatment. The inner face of the fabric is instead fleeced for thermal protection.
The R. Insulation jacket is 320g of foul-weather protection that can absorb whatever conditions you demand to ride in and its extremely close, aerodynamic fit means it is most effective when worn with nothing but a thermally appropriate base layer beneath.
For a jacket this technically advanced and with such a novel approach to it's engineering to enter the market below the price of it's competitors is something of a statement. Yes, it isn't cheap but it really does deliver so if you want the performance it is best to take the long-view; how many winter jackets do you own and how many years use are you likely to get out of one? They aren't socks after all.
It is an immense garment and I am yet to trip it up.
Finished with a 3mm reflective camlock zip for safety and secure closure.