Producing one of many finest waterproof biking jackets will not be for the faint-hearted. Not solely are there the calls for of riders, who require ample breathability and water resistance, however laws, banning PFAS materials within the USA and Europe, has challenged the best way that producers can obtain these qualities.
With the Guard Neos, Santini says it is created a reputable, new gen, PFAS-free waterproof and breathable rain jacket utilizing a plant-based different for added eco kudos.
Development
Whereas many rain jacket manufacturers looked for options to the unique Gore-tex materials that fell foul of the brand new laws, Santini continued to construct on its long-term relationship with Polartec.
Santini says that partnering with a smaller cloth home has allowed it to turn into extra carefully concerned within the improvement of appropriate options to PFAS chemical-based materials. The tip is a light-weight Polartec Neoshell.
Polartec says that Neoshell is comprised of a membrane of hundreds of thousands of nanofibers, which offers 20,000mm of water column resistance (double the business customary) but additionally 99 p.c wind safety. The NeoShell cloth has additionally been designed to permit for dynamic air change and a full vary of movement, important for cyclists.
Rear of the Santini Guard Neos rain jacket
(Picture credit score: Future)
Different options of the Guard Neos nod to its waterproof capabilities: the waterproof zips, the polyurethane-coated uncooked lower cuffs – that are stretchy to permit for simple elimination on the bike – and a polyurethane-coated thermal rear panel that ensures your decrease again is protected against rear wheel spray.
Ought to you end up in a torrential downpour, Santini has even hidden a helmet hood within the collar.
Elsewhere are absolutely taped seams and a single waterproof zip-secure rear pocket.
The journey
Autumn within the north of the UK has taken up the climate the place summer time left it – it is rather damp and delicate, an ideal testing floor for a rain jacket, however just a little heat to check its deep winter credentials.
Nonetheless, offered I layered up appropriately, I used to be instantly struck with simply how versatile this rain jacket is in various temperatures of between 7°C / 44.6°F as much as 15°C/59°.
Layering selections are made simpler as a result of Guard Neos’ shut resemblance to a softshell jacket, with a delicate, warm-to-the-touch inside layer that is comfy sufficient towards only a long-sleeved base layer on hotter days. The match is slim, and the jacket is not tremendous stretchy, so I personally discovered it just a little tight on my arms.
One thing that I am unable to abhor with conventional rain jackets is the chilly plasticky really feel of some materials, particularly within the moist, even when the within remains to be dry. For me, that is a difficulty that the Castelli Idro 3 W Shakedry rain jacket suffered from. The Guard Neos confirmed no indicators of this.
Dwelling within the hills of South Manchester, my using terrain undulates with lengthy climbs and descents following one another in fast succession. This places any rainwear to work instantly, requiring each breathability and windproofing to be top-notch, and the Guard Neos did not disappoint.
I have been shortly offered on the jacket’s wonderful air change necessities on my common rides. Even on chilly and damp days, with no actual rain, I’ve popped on the Guard Neos teamed with a thermal gilet on high.
Water beading on the Santini Guard Neos rain jacket
(Picture credit score: Future)
The Guard Neos has proven itself to be a terrific barrier to water ingress. I’ve to confess to not having been out in torrential rain simply but, however by way of drizzle and passing showers, the jacket has left me dry inside.
Santini charges this jacket at across the 20,000mm water column mark, and from my expertise, it is proving a terrific water barrier. I am desirous about discovering the Guard Neos’ efficiency on a foul moist day within the saddle. I am going to replace the evaluate when the time comes.
Worth and conclusion
The Santini Guard Neos is a superb jacket that proves helpful in a spread of situations, not simply the wettest days. The crew behind the design has seemingly gathered all the perfect bits from different rain and softshell jackets in the marketplace and scooped them into one garment.
By way of criticisms, while the minimal rear pocket does make sense from a rain jacket perspective, I missed having the chance to easily seize a snack or carry spares.
What I would not miss is the rain hood. I respect that that is extremely sensible, because it suits over your helmet and can forestall rain from dripping down your neck, but it surely’s such a stark distinction to the efficiency really feel of the remainder of the jacket. I do not assume I may ever see myself, or others for that matter, utilizing it.
The elephant within the room is the value tag: £295/$305 (£320/$270 for the male model). I perceive that this RRP remains to be slightly below the brand new Rapha Gore-Tex rain jacket, however these costs have gotten alarmingly excessive, and may’t go unmentioned in a evaluate.
It is a terrific jacket, which can little doubt be a terrific biking wardrobe staple, you simply have to actually need to journey within the rain to justify the outlay.
Specification
- Cloth: Polartec Neoshell, thermosealed, thermowelded 20.000 mm water column
- Temperatures: 0°C to +10°C/32 to 50 °F
- Sizes: XXS – XXL
- Colors: Black, Pink
- Weight: 271g (dimension small)
- Gender: Feminine, Male
