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Rivulet

22 reviews
Colour
Bright Orange
Size

Short, sharp and to the point. The Rivulet delivers absolute shelter from the storm with minimal bells and whistles. Compact and light when stored in your bike baggage, it's spot on for long distance endurance riding and lightweight bikepacking.

+Features
  • Lightweight waterproof-breathable 3 layer HydroFoil™ Plus fabric with fully tape-sealed seams for maximum waterproofness.
  • Full-length AquaGuard® water resistant front zip with internal flap.
  • Single AquaGuard® zipped hip pocket for storing shades or phone.
  • Über breathable fabric means no need for underarm zips.
  • Super light and low bulk at just 230 grams.
  • Thumb loops keep your wrists under wraps.
  • WhaleTail™ cut keeps all of your back covered all of the time.
  • Hazard!™ reflective trim explodes with brightness under headlights.
  • Waterproofness: 23,000 mm hydrostatic head with a water-repellent finish.
  • Breathability: 33,000 gm per sqm per 24hrs.
  • Weight: 230 gm.
  • Designed & made by us in Aotearoa | New Zealand.
+Tech

+HydroFoil™
Specifically developed for high aerobic activities, HydroFoil™ Plus combines a lightweight ripstop nylon shell with a composite membrane that is completely waterproof, totally windproof and extremely breathable. The outer fabric is the latest new-generation Pertex® Shield+ membrane. It is more than twice as breathable as most other quality waterproof-breathable fabrics, and has a small amount of stretch allowing a closer fit. The outer fabric is treated with a water repellent finish that encourages rain to bead up and roll off, while there is a lightweight tricot mesh on the inside for greater durability and improved moisture dispersion.
  • Composition: 100% nylon with PU laminate.
  • Waterproofness: 23,000 mm hydrostatic head with water repellent finish on face fabric.
  • Breathability: 33,000 gm per sqm per 24hrs.

+
Outskirts™ garments are designed specifically for women. However If you're struggling to find exactly what you need in the Outskirts™ women's range, check out our men's products for further size options. Jackets, tights and baggy tops often fit both men and women equally well.

+Hazard!™
Night travel is a spooky experience. Many Ground Effect garments feature our Hazard!™ reflective logo and piping to help remind traffic that we're on the road too.

+WhaleTail™
Ground Effect tops are cut with extra length in the back... and in the sleeves too. So when you stretch out in search of the perfect downhill position, neither your shirttail or sleeves will ride-up to expose your back or wrists to the elements.

+More than Kiwi Made
Ground Effect clothing is crafted right here in Aotearoa | New Zealand. Has been ever since we started back in 1994. Manufacturing locally works for us. We operate a quick-response system - holding minimal stock of any one item, but churning out a few more quick-smart when the pile gets low. The upshot is that we are seldom caught with our shelves empty, so orders get despatched the same day you place them.

+Compare

  Antidote She Shell Rivulet
Fabric HydroFoil™ Plus HydroFoil™ Plus HydroFoil™ Plus
Tape Sealed Yes Yes Yes
Venting Chest & arms Front zip Front zip
Hood Yes Yes No
Rear Pocket Doubles as bumbag Doubles as bumbag No
Weight 370 gm 330 gm 230 gm
Sizes 10 - 18 8 - 18 10 - 16

+Video
+FAQ

+Which jacket is best for me?
  • All our rain jackets are shells, ie. they have no insulation. Your shell is the primary defence against wind and rain - and is good insurance to take on any ride at any time of the year. They are high performance jackets made from HydroFoil™ Plus fabric, providing effective protection in serious weather but still relatively light and low bulk to carry.
  • The anti-Cyclone, Storm Trooper, Antidote and She Shell are tape-sealed and have hoods for maximum protection from the elements. They are most suited for multi-day mountain bike trips in the backcountry, commuting or touring when you're likely to encounter rain for more than a few hours.
  • Zipping off the yoke and sleeves of the Flash Gordon lets you quickly change between jacket and vest mode. The hi-visibility vest delivers a decent shot of weather protection - all with substantially more breathability than the full jacket.
  • The Rivet and Rivulet are tape sealed but have no hood. Compact and light when stashed away, but completely waterproof when the heavens open. Perfect for lightweight touring and bikepacking.
+How waterproof is it?
  • The challenge is for a jacket to keep you as dry as possible. With all shell fabrics this involves a trade-off between waterproofness and breathability.
  • Our HydroFoil™ Plus fabric is built to a very high specification with more than 20,000 mm hydrostatic head and a water repellent finish. Many other lightweight fabrics with a 10,000 mm head are also described as waterproof. However all waterproof coatings become less waterproof with time and use. Our field testing over the years has shown that the higher 20,000 mm fabric stays waterproof for longer.
  • Yet, even garments made from this most waterproof fabric will eventually leak when you're belting along at 30kph in the wet (rain gets in through the collar, cuffs or closures). So it's difficult to quantify waterproofness in meaningful terms for cycling. Keeping out the wind stops the majority of heat loss.
  • The Flash Gordon provides extended protection and is good for up to a couple of hours in continuous rain.
  • If you're heading into exposed areas for a day or longer or often ride in the rain for more than a couple of hours, then choose the anti-Cyclone, Storm Trooper, Rivet, Antidote, She Shell or Rivulet for maximum protection - with their tape sealed seams. And remember, if it all gets too grim then it's okay to hunt down a warm fire and a pint of Guinness.
  • Whatever your choice, it's important to use any shell in combination with an effective base layer (a Lightwave Merino or HyperActive top) so that any accumulated moisture is transferred away from your skin.
+How breathable is it?
  • 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.
  • Our rain shells are constructed from the latest new-generation 3 layer HydroFoil™ Plus fabric. It is more than twice as breathable as most other quality waterproof-breathable fabrics, it has a small amount of stretch allowing a closer fit - and a lightweight tricot mesh inside for greater durability and improved moisture dispersion. It's water vapour transfer rate is a whopping 33,000 gm per sqm per 24hrs. 
  • The full front zip on the Storm Trooper, Rivet and She Shell provide additional temperature control, while the anti-Cyclone and Antidote sport mechanical venting at the chest and arms. Zipping off the arms of the Flash Gordon leaves you with just a vest.

+Washing

Like the drivetrain or expensive components on your bike, proper care and maintenance is essential to extend the life of your HydroFoil™ rain jacket or pants and optimise their performance over time.

Wash Regularly
  • Accumulated dirt, body oil, sunscreen and sweat degrade the factory-applied water repellant treatment on the outside of the HydroFoil™ fabric.
  • Wash after about half a dozen outings, or after a particularly grubby ride. If it looks dirty, then your garment is definitely overdue some love.
  • No need for kid gloves - just a warm machine wash at 40º with a mild plant-based soap like Ecostore, Earthwise or Aware.
  • You can also opt for a specific sport wash like Nikwax Tech Wash or Grangers Performance Wash - around NZ$30 online or from most outdoor shops.
  • Avoid cold-water detergents and those with bleach, 'oxygen whitener' or fabric softener.
    • The cold-water varieties have little enzymes that are super-charged to brave the cold but damage technical fabrics like HydroFoil™.
    • Bleach and sodium percarbonate (the main ingredient in oxygen whitener) can also cause damage and make colours run.
    • Fabric softener and wool wash attack HydroFoil's water repellent finish.
Recharge and Restore
  • After washing, line dry or preferably give it a spin in the dryer on a warm (not hot) cycle - this helps ‘recharge’ the factory water repellent finish.
  • The factory treatment does wear off quite quickly. When the fabric starts to rapidly wet out - generally after about four washes - you’ll want to restore with a water repellent solution.
  • Ground Effect recommends TX Direct. It is easy to apply and each bottle is good for a few applications. At just $29 NZD ($10 off the usual retail price), it’s a small and worthwhile investment to keep your expensive jacket or pants humming through the winter.
  • The effectiveness of this restoration process depends on the age and condition of your jacket.
  • Note that while the fabric's wetting-out impairs performance, particularly breathability, the HydroFoil™ laminate will remain waterproof.
Store Dry
  • A damp jacket left to fester for an extended period of time in your bag will suffer. Hang it on a hook or coat hanger in a dry place between rides.

+Shipping
  • Items are generally packed and sent the same day your order is received.
  • Costs $9 by overnight courier within New Zealand.
  • NZ$12 by tracked airmail to Australia.
  • Around NZ$15-25 by tracked airmail to destinations elsewhere in the world - calculated in our shipping cart as you check out.
    • More shipping and tax details in our FAQ.
    Customer Reviews
    4.8 Based on 22 Reviews
    5 ★
    82% 
    18
    4 ★
    14% 
    3
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    4% 
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    Filter Reviews:
      SS
      01/08/2024
      Sally S.
      New Zealand New Zealand

      Rivulet for the Mongolia win!

      Recently had a Mt biking/hiking adventure in Western Mongolia and luckily for me, my mother shouted me an early birthday present and bought me the Rivulet! It was perfect for the occasion even tough it spent most of it's time rolled into my handle bar bag! We had one rainstorm during riding which was no match for my Rivulet and it was ideal for the chilly winds experienced in evenings at 2000m +. Small and light but super convenient with a good size phone pocket. Read the other reviews and bought a size up...recommend you do too!

      SS
      24/04/2024
      Susan S.
      New Zealand New Zealand

      Comfy, light weight, great colour

      I bought a size up so that I could fit a merino underneath. Jacket is great. As others have commented the side pocket is angled backwards but I kinda like it. Makes it easier to get to stuff. I wish that there was a back pocket for a water bottle. I love the orange colour.

      JP
      18/05/2023
      Jane P.
      Australia Australia

      The fabulous Rivulet

      Great jacket. Bought to replace a previous Ground Effect rain jacket. The silver inner lining had worn away. This coat is a very good fit, cuts the wind beautifully and keeps me dry. I am hoping this one will wear better and I certainly expect it will. Ground Effect products seem to be always improving its products.

      GP
      24/10/2022
      Gabhriel P.
      New Zealand New Zealand

      So far so good

      I haven’t bike to work in this when it has been negative 5 outside, that will be next winter. It has been great when dealing with the terrible cold winds that tend to be in the South Island. Only negative or positive thing depending on how you would like to read it, is that the first day I wore it I noticed just about everyone in the bike shed had the same jacket and same colour, and I work for a large company. They are a very popular jackets.

      AH
      19/07/2022
      Adri H.
      New Zealand New Zealand

      Comfortable, light and marvellous orange

      I bought this jacket to wear over thick clothing for winter cycling in the snow and bad weather we sometimes get on long cycle tours. I usually wear a 12, and had to get a 14 instead. This size not just allowed thick clothing, it was also longer. I had a few compliments on the bright orange, and realised that I actually love the colour. I would love for it to be a tiny bit longer, as my upper body is long and tops and jackets tend to be to short. However this is a great jacket and now my husband wants one as well. Perfectly wind and rain proof. Even that fine never stopping misty rain that drench everything. The service was excellent, Erin was so patient and helpful, even after I first ordered the wrong size. Love your products.