Recommendations for decent cagoule that packs in a pocket ?

[Toddy]

Son2 walks down to the station every morning, and a mile from the station the other end of the journey to his office building. Repeat in the evening.
Normally he's wrapped up in fleece and jacket, etc., but in this weather ? he's melting.

So, he needs a better, breathable, but lightweight version of the old pack-a-mac. Something he can pack in a pocket for the inevitable downpours.

I went online to looksee and I'm no wiser.

Anyone else got advice on something suitable ? Budget's fine, but I'd like something 'right'.
He's decent shape, lean, usually fits an M sizing fine. Doesn't want it fitted/fitted or too short....no bomber jackets sort of thing. It's a cagoule.

 

[Pattree]

I use the Regatta pack away stuff. It comes in a range of sizes.
He may want to re-pack it as it comes in the usual salami shape which isn’t the best for a pocket.
I bet you have a flat bag that would work.

 

[ijohnson]

Try the modern version of a pac-a-mac, a mac-in-a-sac.

They do a couple of different versions. I have one of the older lightweight running ones and my son has the normal style one. Both quite happy with what we have.

Mac In a Sac | Packable Performance Outerwear.

Mac in a Sac gives you packable performance outerwear for life on the go. You choose the adventure. We make it possible.

www.macinasac.com

 

[Toddy]

Try the modern version of a pac-a-mac, a mac-in-a-sac.

They do a couple of different versions. I have one of the older lightweight running ones and my son has the normal style one. Both quite happy with what we have.

Mac In a Sac | Packable Performance Outerwear.

Mac in a Sac gives you packable performance outerwear for life on the go. You choose the adventure. We make it possible.

www.macinasac.com

That's certainly the idea and at a good price. My only concern is that they look kind of short. He'd really prefer something that at least covers down to his crotch/top of thighs.

 

[Keith_Beef]

I never had any luck with those kinds of things in any weather over about 12°C... Even if I don't think I'm exerting myself or sweating, sweat just condenses inside and I'm as wet as if I'd just walked through the drizzle.

Much as I hate to recommend it, maybe a folding umbrella would be better.
Or a change of clothes at work.

 

[Broch]

That's certainly the idea and at a good price. My only concern is that they look kind of short. He'd really prefer something that at least covers down to his crotch/top of thighs.

There is always the Mac in a Sac poncho version

https://amzn.eu/d/8Id9x6u

 

[Toddy]

I know he won't wear a poncho, I keep a couple in the boot of the car, just in case sort of thing.

Brollies are a pain in busy city streets.....besides we get a lot of wind, and then they're another pest.

I thought it'd be easy. Just buy a decent breathable cagoule...hah!
I'm not having a lot of luck with it.

He has one, but he slipped it on this afternoon to go for a short walk and came home wetter inside than out. Turns out it's not a 'breathable' cagoule. This sticky muggy heat is miserable.

 

[Broch]

I know he won't wear a poncho, I keep a couple in the boot of the car, just in case sort of thing.

Yeh, I'm with him on that - it was a bit tongue-in-cheek

 

[Chris]

Honestly I don’t think a breathable waterproof exists, no matter the marketing.

Slightly baggy and well vented is the best you can do.

 

[ijohnson]

That's certainly the idea and at a good price. My only concern is that they look kind of short. He'd really prefer something that at least covers down to his crotch/top of thighs.

My one is mid-hip length. Tbh if a jacket is much longer I find it starts to restrict movement a bit. YMMV.

 

[Toddy]

He's just walking on pavements to and from the train stations.

Honestly 'athletic cut' is a fashion thing just now, it doesn't actually protect from the weather unless you put on waterproof trousers too...and that's just too much faff for summer downpours on the way to and from the office.
Fair enough for up a hill, and he does, but this need is just for a decently covering easily packed cagoule, for a few months. Breathability would be brilliant

He's tall, broad shouldered, lean and kind of lanky. Hip length really isn't long enough on a rain jacket.

 

[Toddy]

Honestly I don’t think a breathable waterproof exists, no matter the marketing.

Slightly baggy and well vented is the best you can do.

I think you've hit the nail on the head really.

Any suggestions ?

 

[BumblingAlong]

My request is for a breathable, waterproof cagoule with a large hood that doesn't compress the neck bones

 

[TeeDee]

Didn't Arktis produce a small stowaway shirt/over smock?

 

[Herman30]

Arktis one is not long enough.
Why on earth are rain coats of today so short, they should reach down to knees at minimun.

 

[Keith_Beef]

And I suppose that a plash-palatka is not compact or light enough.

 

[Toddy]

No, it's far too heavy, and it's hard to dry off quickly too, iirc.

Fine for hard wearing kit around a fire, safe, etc., but not commuting like this.

 

[Laurentius]

Try looking for something in military surplus, a long time ago I got a French army cagoule, not sure if it is goretex or not but certainly adequately waterproof and fairly long, it folds into it's own pocket with a belt that can be fastened around the waist, but can be stuffed into an even smaller space if you try.

 

[Paul_B]

Not light or compact but comfortable there's paramo. I wear a adventure lite Velez right now when rain is on the cards.

When at most there's likely to be only very light showers I wear a Montane windshirt. I cycle from station to work in about 10 minutes plus 5 minutes walk through the site to the office. Light showers this does well for me.

Today I was glad of my Paramo and the over trousers and the Brompton bag cover too. I got wet at the openings, cuffs of my shirt and a little bit wet at the front of my shirt too. It was less like rain and more a river flowing out of the sky everywhere today. Head to toe waterproofs were essential.

I think Rohan sell a longer cagoule called rainshadow I think. It's mid thigh iirc but a plain, zip fronted cagoule. Shapeless really and perhaps not cool.

Funny how women's waterproofs are available in longer, same with down jackets and parkas. There are more ones that are longer for women than for men. I mean what use is a parka that stops at your waist when what you want is a parka down to be at least mid thighs like the shortest women's parkas. Heck some women's coats are down to the knee or lower.

 

[Paul_B]

BTW I'm interested in something waterproof that's as packable as a windshirt from the likes of Montane but is also covering my crotch so any rain run off will hit my thighs not the crotch. That's a big annoyance for me.. Thighs can dry quickly but not the same for higher up if it gets wet from the rain.

Thinking of a longer Paramo model as they're comfortable even though they offer a bit of insulation that isn't really needed. It no handles sweat and some models have reasonable ventilation too.

ME used to offer longer waterproofs. As did Berghaus. Often just longer versions of decent "athletic" cut waterproofs that finish at the waist.

Anyway, I'm watching here in case someone comes up with a solution.