Hi folks, has anyone got a Gill Ventilator jacket? After getting soaked to the skin quite a few times recently, and reporrofing my old Race Face Aquanot, the time has come for a new waterproof jacket.

The Gill ventilator seems to be 100% waterproof, breathable, windproof and everything you want it to be, but only costs £35. Has anybody got one? Is it really that good?

I've been playing with the outdoors for years so I know all about 2 layer and 3 layer fabircs, and tapedseams etc, but I'd be really interested to know if anyone has any practical experience of owning and using one? All the shops' websites seem to love it, I'm just suspious of something so cheap!

Hello!
I've traded mine in as I didn't find it remotely breathable! Got wetter on the inside than on the outside! Sure it is ok for slow and short commutes but I wouldn't recommend it as a main waterproof for long rides!

I though about the Ventilator but figured something that cheap wouldn't be brill so I have a Gill Freedom jacket which is about twice the price. I've never used a waterproof for biking before only windproofs but it had its first outing this weekend on a blat round Llandegla. It seemed to cope ok with the relatively mild conditions, it was a little warm on some climbs (no surprise there then) but it has pit zips which I found useful - definitely vented well. I never thought about taking it off which I suppose is a recommendation of sorts and it kept me a nice temperature and I felt pretty dry (until I put it back on after sitting in the caff for an hour eeww!).

Only gripe is the collar it has pull cord which is good but the front of the collar is lower than the back which seemed to let drafts in though that just may be my ineptness at tightening it properly.

The only thing I'm concerned about is keeping it clean to work efficiently, its covered in crap and if my proper walking gore tex was covered like that I'd be horrified. I've brushed the worst off but I have a feeling I'm going to be using a lot of Grangers! Its what puts me off buying an expensive PacLite style jacket for biking.

I ordered it and didn't like it at all, also it's gone back. As it happens, one of the blokes who works on reception at work is a cyclist, and he was there when the courier arrived with my parcel and we had a chat about cycling jackets.

I ordered a Race Face Sky Juice at the same time, to see what motre I'd get for my money. A lot more, for a bit more cash. I've kept the Race Face.

I'm still using a cheapo jacket I bought for a tenner in Lidl, which so far has kept me dry even in quite horrendous rain. It has pit zips and a hood in the collar and an extendible bit to cover your bum. If they do them again this spring, I shall buy another.