Sugoi Hydrolite Jacket Review Via China

Loyal MtnBikeRiders.com reader, Cheong Leong of China, sent me a review he did on the Sugoi Hydrolite Jacket.

Day 1:
On the hunt for a rain jacket against the Monsoon
raining season for the next 3 months. Tried out a few
Sugoi rain jacket and finally found the hydrolite. It
was in my price range, fitted well, light and looks
cool.

It is translucent, and has a tacky feel.

Sugoi states: “True waterproof breathable protection
stripped down to the performance essentials.

Feature welded seam technology
Finished with signature grip elastic along back to
keep jacket from slipping up
3M Scotchlite Reflective Material: 15in2″

” Hydrolite is an intelligent fabric that activates
when water touches the surface causing a reaction to
the molecular structure of the membrane. This creates
a barrier that blocks out water while allowing excess
heat and moisture vapor to escape. The 4-way stretch
translucent fabric is easily packable for changes in
the weather.

2.5 Oz/Sq/Yd 100% polyester face, 100% polyurethane
laminate.”

Anyway I went home happy!.

Day 2:
It was raining cats and dogs!!! yipeeeee…. I put on
the rain jacket. It kept me warm and dry, and I felt
so cool as I walked in the rain. The fabric is pretty
cool too, when water touches the fabric it bubbled up
like a small pimple….I was like wow!!!!

Well the joy ended at dinner time. I entered the
restaurant, took off my back pack and then my jacket.
To my horror I discovered a hole on the shoulder
section of my jacket!!! The hydrolite fabric was
rubbed off. I think it could be from my body movements
against the back pack shoulder strap that caused the
rubbing and the subsequent hole.

My analysis:
Its a good jacket to keep you dry, its light but a bit
expensive. BUT its not durable, which I would expect
from a branded bike jacket. I would have expected
Sugoi to have done a field test by riders before
approving this product for production. Final word, NOT
RECOMMENDED.

I will be sending back the jacket to the local
distributor to see if i can get a replacement jacket. I hope that the Sugoi customer service
is reasonable but I’m not hopefull.

Thanks Cheong!