This colour/size is temporarily out of stock. For orders placed today we'll get one to you in a couple of weeks... or consider another colour if you can't wait.
Weight: 350 gm
anti-Cyclone | Storm Trooper | Flash Gordon | Rivet | |
Fabric | HydroFoil™ Plus | HydroFoil™ Plus | HydroFoil™ Plus | HydroFoil™ Plus |
Tape Sealed | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Venting | Chest & arms | Front zip | Zip-off sleeves | Front zip |
Hood | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Rear doubles as bumbag | Rear doubles as bumbag | Rear turns into stuff sack | Chest | |
Weight | 380 gm | 340 gm | 290 gm | 260 gm |
Sizes | S - XL | S - XXL | S - XL | S - XL |
If you haven't already heard of the Storm Trooper then you must have been living under a rock, or perhaps on a planet in a galaxy far, far away. This jacket has developed a bit of a cult following over the years, with very good reason.It's tough. I don't have to be a ***** about riding in it. I know it's going to take whatever I throw at it... like the ground.It's waterproof and breathable, and it lasts. After six years of frequent use it's only just starting to take on some water.It's got some nifty features. I don't often use the zip-away hood, but the fact that it stows away in the collar is great as it stops the collar from flapping around.It's highly visible. It comes in two really bright colours: orange and lime green. I only wish they had a colour that better expressed my inner yearning for world peace and a greater understanding amongst men.
Now, I don't really like riding in the rain, and I guess I'm not Robinson Crusoe there. But sometimes, especially in Wellington, if you don't ride in the rain then you're staying inside for half the year, or have ridden to work in morning sunshine, only to have the day pack in and dump on you on the way home. So owning a good wet weather jacket became a priority - I never really had to consider much in the hottest, driest place this side of the sun (Australia, if you hadn't guessed).The trade-off with wet weather gear is it's either light, packable and�not really going to keep you dry, or so watertight that it weighs a tonne, is like wearing a garbage bag and is only suitable for wearing for the duration of a ride because there's no way you can pack it down. Getting a good balance between the two can be a bit of a mission, and I've owned plenty of light jackets that were fantastic at packing down into a bundle small enough to chuck in the backpack or jersey pocket without creating a Quasimodo effect, but they were as good as useless at keeping anything more than a 2 minute drizzle out. The only other truly waterproof jacket I tried was so good at keeping rain out, it also was perfect for making you sweat so much that rain was actually preferable. ******, I wanted a compromise!�Who better to advise me on a jacket that would sit in-between packable and waterproof than Ground Effect. They've been riding in **** weather longer than most, and have the luxury of making their stuff themselves, so they get to try out different materials and then test them out in the real world. I asked Zane what he'd recommend, and after a few Q and A sessions via email we concluded that the Storm Trooper would be worth a shot. Before I could say 'oh ****, it's raining again', a green jacket had found its way to me. That's another benefit of buying local, quick delivery and personal service. Like.So then I had to get wet� or in this case, stay dry. The Wellington winter was kind in that it provided plenty of rain for me to test the jacket in, no matter how much I wanted to just stay inside. Venturing out into the precipitation wasn't nearly as bad as I remembered it, so long ago was it that I'd done it! Straight away I felt like I was riding in a waterproof jersey rather than a bulky jacket; movement on the bike wasn't particularly restricted, and I didn't sweat up instantly. With the armpit vents only partly open, there was enough air flow to keep me dry on the inside and not overcooking. There's also a hood for when it gets really nasty, but I didn't try it out� the hood rolls neatly into the collar when not in use.When the rain stops, you can roll and fold the jacket and stuff it into your pack, or you can get real fancy and fold it into itself to create this buzzword-approved bumbag-type package and sling it around your waist. Ground Effect are masters at incorporating this type of versatility into their jackets.The Storm Trooper is a favourite piece of kit now, and whenever it looks like there's a chance of rain it gets pride of place in my pack (yes, it even fits in a bumbag!). It's not cheap, but neither is the construction and quality, and when you know how long Ground Effect gear lasts, it's a good investment.
Hi purchased a storm trooper jacket and am a little disappointed it sweats quite badly and doesn't breathe as well as was indicated
Cycling is a highly aerobic activity - so you sweat, a lot. Even the most breathable fabrics won't actually stop you sweating and because they're windproof, you lose the cooling effect of the air rushing past as you ride. The Hydrofoil fabric is around 2-3 times more so than standard waterproof-breathable fabrics. Under arm vents provide additional temperature control, and it’s a good idea to always wear a long sleeve first layer that is made out of fabric specifically designed to wick the moisture away.
Bought my stormtrooper at the start of last winter and almost immediately realised why you see so many cyclists wearing them. I've been caught in a few downpours and even hail twice and it kept me snug and dry every time. I particularly like the high snug fitting collar, it keeps out the drips and the drafts on those cold mornings. The jacket also packs well into its back pocket to clip around your waist comfortably and has enough room to accommodate keys, phone and snacks as well(even managed to squeeze my son's jacket in there a couple of weeks ago). This jacket is perfect, everything you need and nothing you don't.
This jacket is the best cycling/multisport jacket I have ever owned. I've had it nearly ten years and its construction and performance is exceptional. I use it more for trail running than cycling and have used it in some extreme conditions, and it has never let me down. The fabric is tough, zips are good quality and in all the right places, the hood is generous, the whale tail is excellent as it keeps the bum dry and never rides up under a pack. The fold away bumbag feature is very clever and works well. Great over the wetsuit on long winter windsurf expedtions too.