Hein Gericke Cruise GTX Goretex Jacket

I had this jacket recommended to me when I had to do an exchange in Hein Gericke on a previous jacket and overall I'm really pleased with it.

I guess it may help to describe the type of rider I am and what I am generally looking for in a jacket.
I do about 20-25 thousand miles per year and I wear the jacket virtually every working day as I commute on my bike and can do reasonable long distances. I want a jacket that's totally waterproof but breathable as it get's used all the year round. I also just slip it on over a work shirt. I also want it to have removable lining as I wear the jacket all year round.
And lastly I expect it to have armour and to protect me to a reasonable extent in a crash.

So there we go, quite a list of requirements!!

I normally like to spend around £150 mark on a jacket, but I do find they only last me about 18 months or so before they start falling apart (Frank Thomas!).

So to the Cruise, as I say it was recommended to me and a was an extra £100 or so over the cost of the refunded jacket. I decided to give it a go.
That was 3 years ago and I have to say it's the best jacket I've ever had.
I'll copy the manufacturers blurb now so that you can see the features....

"So far ahead of [the competition] ... our testers loved it" RiDE magazine

Function: Hard-wearing waterproof, windproof + highly breathable GORE-TEX® climate membrane in Z-liner construction. 5-year quality guarantee. Optimum fit with width adjustment on the arms, waist + hem. Practical seat strap prevents jacket riding up. Waist belt to adjust width. Zip adjustable ventilation system on chest + back. Stretch inserts in flex zones. Removable storm collar. Removable thermal lining. 8 front pockets, (2 waterproof). 1 back pocket. Additional foam padding on lower back, shoulders + elbows. Reflectiver strips for better visibility. Full-length connecting zip.
Protection: SaS-Tec® CE-approved protectors at shoulders + elbows. HIPROTEC® Backshock Air CE-approved back protector. SAFE® stitch seams.
Construction: Abrasion + tear-resistant 500D fabric (100% polyamide). Original Schoeller® Dynatec (100% polyamide). Lightweight lining (100% polyamide). Removable thermal lining (80% polyester, 20% polyamide).

So lets pick out a few features that I like.......

The storm collar is good because it's removable for the summer, but goes back on in seconds for inclement weather.
It's totally waterproof and has a 5 year guarantee to say so.
There are cooling zips on each arm and on each side of the chest and the back that open up the jacket a little to get cooler when it's hot. Note however that this it not a jacket to use in Spain or somewhere hot! Perfect for the UK though.
The top two chest pockets are waterproof and big for wallet, etc...
The storm cuffs I find good as well to stop my short sleeves getting wet.
All HG stuff zips to any of their trousers which is nice. I have the Cruise trousers which are equally as good.
And overall its wearing very well, no buttons or zips broken, yet!

Any bad points?
Well where the velcro continuously touches some of the textile fabric it's beginning to fray. It doesn't seem to affect the jacket though as the waterproof membrane is hidden away.
Pretty much the same with any textile jacket is that when it's wet it stays wet, which could be a problem if camping with nowhere to dry it off.

Go and buy one immediately you won't be disappointed!