Maap Atmos waterproof biking jacket evaluate: A brand new normal for emergency waterproofs

I’m virtually responsibility sure in the beginning of each waterproof jacket evaluate I write these days to stipulate the adjustments within the waterproof garment trade. A lot is altering because of the ban on PFAS – so-called ‘without end chemical substances’. On the entire this can be a good factor for the surroundings, and a foul factor for staying dry; trendy, post-ban tech chemically is not pretty much as good, notably within the case of durable-water-repellent (DWR) therapies.

One optimistic factor I’ve seen although, in my third yr of curating our information to one of the best waterproof biking jackets is a shift in client focus away from merely chasing probably the most waterproof possibility in favour of a extra balanced method bearing in mind breathability and different components. This can be a good factor and has shifted the market away from merely plonking something Gore-Tex on the high of the tree by default, and I’ve seen much more jackets utilising Pertex Defend in current months than I’ve the rest. 

One such jacket is the Maap Atmos. I’ve had my take a look at pattern on the go since spring, and it’s seen use in summer time storms into the primary of the autumnal downpours. It’s, to my thoughts, one of the best packable jacket in the marketplace in the mean time, providing a reassuring stage of safety given the actual fact it may possibly compress right down to concerning the dimension of a giant apple. It’s not one thing I’d advocate if you wish to experience by way of the winter, however for spring/fall changeable rides, summer time storms, and those that need to pack as mild as potential, it’s very laborious to beat. 

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Design and aesthetics

Much less is extra, or because the late, nice Colin Chapman of Lotus put it: ‘Simplify, then add lightness’. The Maap Atmos is so simple as a water-resistant jacket will get, to the purpose you’d be forgiven for mistaking it for a wind jacket or an old style ‘race cape’. Its lightness is the function although, so that is what you’re buying and selling a scarcity of adjustability, and it have to be mentioned a level of sturdiness for. 

Match-wise it’s one other traditional highway silhouette, a lot the identical because the Rapha Professional Staff Gore-Tex I not too long ago reviewed. The tail isn’t fairly so lengthy, I think in an effort to make use of as little materials as potential. The rear hem is tightly elasticated by a skinny strip although, and given the racy intentions it’s a good assumption that you’ll possible be carrying a race-cut jersey beneath, which shouldn’t poke out and wick water up. 

Like many race-fit jackets I went a dimension up than my standard jersey, and with that got here numerous room for layering beneath for a jacket that’s probably not minimize out for tremendous chilly situations. In my right dimension, I by no means discovered any tight spots or constrictions, and in contrast to many jackets, there’s a little bit of stretch to the material too. I wouldn’t say you need to make it skintight for causes I’ll go into quickly, but it surely’s sufficient to accommodate broader shoulders or different anatomical variations. 

Just like the hem, and likewise just like the Professional-Staff GTX, the cuffs are solely half elasticated. They’re not so tight because the Rapha possibility, and whereas they don’t do fairly so effectively at retaining water out they’re consequently a lot much less of an obstacle to shortly eradicating the jacket and stuffing it right into a jersey, which actually is the MO of the Atmos for my part.

You do get a double zip, which actually is a should these days, and comes into play when utilizing it as a wind jacket very often. The true function, when you can name it such, is the material itself. The 20,000mm rated Pertex Defend membrane is sandwiched between such skinny face and liner materials that the jacket is sort of translucent when you catch the sunshine proper. Its thickness is a bonus for packability. It does trigger it to really feel rather less sturdy and protecting in unhealthy climate, however extra on that shortly.

Design notes apart, it’s aesthetically a pretty garment. It’s very a lot in line with the Maap branding, and like many different merchandise within the model’s vary, it is available in a complete host of unusually named color choices (fungi, clay, muscat, bay…). There are some minimal distinction rectangles for a little bit of visible intrigue, however that’s about it.

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Efficiency

I’m going to begin by outlining what this jacket isn’t for, that being one thing to maintain you protected against the weather for hours on finish within the chilly. For that you just want one thing with a bit extra structural integrity just like the Rapha Professional Staff Gore-Tex Jacket. Its lightness means it is extra simply distorted by the wind and notably heavy rain, and might depart the material extra prone to relaxation straight in your pores and skin. Human pores and skin doesn’t even have any ‘moist’ receptors, solely temperature and stress, however when you’ve got a gossamer-like cloth resting in your pores and skin it’s going to really feel chilly, and it’s going to really feel the stress, and your mind will inform you that it is moist. 

It will possibly stand up to some fairly protracted rainfall earlier than it will get so far nonetheless, however like so many jackets I’ve examined not too long ago the DWR offers up the ghost on the main edges, notably when you’ve bought numerous high-speed descents. As soon as this occurs you do find yourself with waterlogged cloth in your pores and skin, and particularly when you’ve bought naked arms beneath this will really feel just like the membrane has failed. It hasn’t, but it surely does quantity to a lot the identical factor when it comes to sensation. The flip facet to this although is that the jacket dries out extremely shortly as soon as the solar comes out.

Contemplating how stuffable and feathery the Atmos is although, it does actually make you rethink the way you see waterproof jackets. For years the thicker and extra sturdy a jacket cloth was, the extra waterproof it ‘felt’, however by the numbers and in my expertise this will hold the rain out in a lot the identical means as far thicker jackets. The sensation of wetness I often felt was merely a results of the material weight, fairly than the membrane failing. 

The packability is basically the star of the present right here, and it’s the explanation it’s completely good for changeable situations. In seconds you may stuff it right into a jersey pocket or bar bag with out having to meticulously roll it up to verify it suits. The reverse is then true, which means you may whip it out and sling it on as and when the heavens open – that is simply accomplished no-handed when you’re assured because of the marginally looser cuffs I discussed earlier, and a easily sliding zip. The zip is kind of low profile so slightly fiddly to find, but it surely does turn out to be muscle reminiscence after sufficient tries. 

Whereas it might not carry out as effectively in sustained rain as one thing extra sturdy, it outperforms virtually each different waterproof I’ve examined (with the potential exception of the hooded Rab CNDR Phantom) when it comes to its capacity for use as a substitute for a wind jacket. Because of this I attain for it a lot extra usually all year long than virtually the rest. The double zip actually helps the airflow, however the cloth itself is extremely breathable for such a excessive hydrostatic head determine. Maap claims a 20,000g/m2 breathability, which is principally meaningless until you’re a material tester. What it means in actuality is which you could put on it to maintain a chilly breeze at bay with out having to depend on the extra cooling properties of water falling from the sky to remain moderately snug. It is solely actually surpassed when it comes to breathability by the Castelli Gabba R, which is not almost as waterproof. 

Principally, if you’re driving in spring, summer time, and autumn, however are likely to keep away from deep winter driving, it’ll be much more helpful to you than a extra hefty hardshell. To be sincere, it’s so small it simply lived on the bike numerous the time, stuffed right into a instrument caddy, there if I ever wanted it however taking over so little area I by no means bothered eradicating it. 

I feel a current experience I did in wales sums up the proper use case. A late-summer 200km hilly blast into Wales, with an hour or two of sustained rain close to the beginning, bookended by blue skies. Gentle sufficient to not weigh me down, protecting sufficient to protect my digital camera from a downpour for a time, and breathable sufficient that I didn’t find yourself a sweaty mess at any time when the highway pointed upwards. It didn’t cease me from contracting a very terrible abdomen bug from some farm effluent on the highway, however I do not suppose any jacket may have accomplished that. Ignore the change in color of the jacket from the video to the photographs on this evaluate; the darkish pink one was my take a look at unit, and the off-white one was simply despatched for photographs because it’s the brand new season color.

Worth

Placing my ‘if I used to be spending my very own cash’ hat on as soon as extra I can perceive why seeing a $345/£270 price ticket subsequent to such a tiny garment could be slightly jarring. Making one thing this mild present the safety of a giant jacket isn’t any imply feat, however greater than that you just’re getting one thing that may most likely have much more use than a super-protective hardshell. In another a part of biking no person would bat an eyelid at paying extra for one thing that is lighter, so why ought to clothes be any completely different?

The Atmos may additionally conceivably substitute your wind jacket fairly fortunately, and supply much more rain safety than that ever may. I’ve even packed it on these rides I might often take a gilet for a bit of additional ‘I do know I’m coated’ safety. 

Verdict 

Gone are the times of selecting between getting soaked by the rain or getting soaked from your individual sweat; the Maap Atmos units the usual for packable, light-weight safety. It is sturdy sufficient to maintain you coated for spring and summer time drenching, and even into cooler autumn rides too. The POC Supreme did make a valiant case for itself within the preliminary post-Shakedry panorama, however compared, the Maap possibility suits higher, has a greater zip, and is so much cheaper in addition to being solely slightly bigger when packed down. 

Steer clear in order for you an excellent sturdy all-season possibility, however in my opinion, one thing like that is most likely going to be extra helpful to extra individuals, until you’re all the time heading out within the pouring rain.