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!
Popularity: 8% [?]
same thing happened to me. but not only because of a bag i was wearing. i got a small scratch on the arm went out in a down pour and the material started to melt. it went all gloopy and you could peel it off the mesh. by the time i got home half ‘waterproof’ material on the arm had melted away. rubbish. and it spelt. bike shop doesn’t want to know either.
sugoi hydrolite rubbish don’t buy it