Endura Pakajak

First things first: well done Endura, I like the name,"Pakajak", sounds like "Crackerjack", and indeed "Snack-A-Jack" so we've got off to a decent start. Apart from that, the Pakajak is a lightweight windproof that's also showerproof and easily stowable, which are other good features.

The Pakajak is made from a ripstop polyester fabric with the cuffs and waist elasticated to seal you in. There are flaps on both sides of the zip to stop the wind blowing through, the outer one extending over the top to create an effective chin guard. That zip, by the way, is from YZZ and the puller locks in place wherever you position it.

You get vents under the arms. Plenty of windproofs have something similar, but most don't. I find these vents useful. Although the fabric is already fairly breathable, they help keep the humidity level down when you hit a climb or someone in your ride group puts the hammer down.

Fair enough, you could take your windproof off when you start to overheat, but you don't want to be doing that all the time. If it's a short climb you might just want to open the front zip. Do that and the cool air that comes in exits through the vents, so you create a through draught without the whole jacket ballooning out Michelin Man-style.

The cut is slim throughout. The Pakajak fitted me close to the body and there's not much excess around the arms. I like that. Tops that flap around in the wind (that's wind, not wind) just wind me up (that's wind; not wind). I still had enough space to put a few bits and pieces in my jersey pockets - a pump, spare tube, arm warmers - without any trouble. The neck is high and very slightly elasticated to draw it in while the rear panel is considerably longer than the front so you can drag it down to cover your lower back and butt.

The Pakajak keeps the rain out better than many other windproofs that I've used. It doesn't come with taped seams or anything like that so if get caught out in a storm wearing this you're going to get wet, but it'll keep out a shower easily enough and road spray won't get in.

There are more minimalist windproofs out there than this one. The mesh and the storm flaps add a little weight and bulk but you're still looking at just 154g. It's negligible. The Pakajak fits into its own little stuff sack (assuming you want to use the stuff sack) that's 14cm long with an 8cm diameter; that's small enough to fit into a jersey pocket with space to spare.

It's available in men's and women's versions, each in five colours and all with reflective trim on the shoulders, sleeves and back to help get you seen at night.

Verdict

Vented windproof jacket that's also showerproof and a decent price