Commuting - Rain Jackets

hello again,

Since im on a clothing kick, I have many pieces of outer wear but none that are cycling specific

im wondering if purchasing a cycling specific jacket is worth the effort or stick with all my other stuff.

I know while peddling I wont stay super dry (sweat) im looking at keeping cold rain off me during spring/fall.

my biggest interest in a cycling jacket would be the PIT ZIPS and the long tail which makes sense.

My favorite jacket right now is an orvis Wading jacket but it is a tad short and I do get some water on my lower backside.

I could care less about any rear pockets or "Breathable" Breathable doesnt work when your working.

I guess its wether or not pit zips and the longer rear are enough of a comfort issue to warrant a purchase and keep with the bike.

I also have a full length parka and a few longer hiking type shells but they are a tad long in the front and are annoying.

I know many will suggest a cape (practical for sure) but In upstate NY, decent downpours are usually accompanied by lots of wind and I dont want to Sail.

many thanks

"John"

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442587547&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692501&bmUID=1138820367095

Keep ya dry for hour or 2
And its on sale, 50 bucks canadian

Breathable is a big factor, the trapped sweat gets cold.
It's too hot (sweat) or freezing when you drop the high output.
I'm using a Wetskins jacket for wet riding. Rather than breathable fabric like gortex, it has zippered vents under the arms that I open when riding hard.
Works pretty good.

Get a cycling-specific jacket for sure. long tail, pit zips, reflective piping are all pluses.
Try Bellwether and look at Burley. Both breathable and totally waterproof.
Breathable does matter. I got a performance and it isn't breathable and it's a real drag as soon as you get warm. The other two I have are breathable and I notice it. Spend some money and it will last for years.

If you do go waterproof/breathable instead of water resistant, and want as good as possible....
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=169807

Theres a thread where you can get some info or areas to start researchign yourself.

Look for a jacket that has a ventilation flap in the back. "Breathable" doesn't mean squat when you are exerting yourself in a bike in 100% humidity. Pit zips are nice as well as adjustable wrist bands to allow air flow into your arms.

Look for a jacket that has a ventilation flap in the back. "Breathable" doesn't mean squat when you are exerting yourself in a bike in 100% humidity. Pit zips are nice as well as adjustable wrist bands to allow air flow into your arms.

+1

I can overheat a breathable softshell going up a hill :)

i have had REI goretex jacket that was great untill i grew out of it! moved "up" to Performance goretex jacket, been using it for 2 years now, NO complaint! it has ample pocketes, zippers, tail, hood, etc. i did have a Bike Nashbar jacket (goretex) as well but sent it back, i did not like its design.
in the summer rain, i call it "goresweat" but still is better than other standard plastic or rubber covers.

I know many will suggest a cape (practical for sure) but In upstate NY, decent downpours are usually accompanied by lots of wind and I dont want to Sail.

many thanks

"John"

Quick, cheap and easy solution - get a cape and belt it. You still get the coverage of the cape without the sail effect. Even better, get a belt that you can sew a length of reflector fabric to.

Belting a cape might solve its aerodynamic properties, but once it gets up in the 60s and raining I like the ventilation of a cape. I use a Red Ledge breathable jacket from Campmor. Its a breathable fabric with pit zips and its fairly cheap. I agree that breathable isn't perfect, but it does help in conjunction with pit zips.

I got a waterproof/breathable from here:
http://www.bicycleclothing.com/
I like it. I've worn it every day for the last 3 months, it makes a decent windbreaker, and the pit zips are nice even when it's 25*F out. It works very well indeed as a rain jacket.

many thanks,

Looks like ill get a CyclEing rain jacket. I Do like the one that J & G makes as it looks like a well thought of design with the double flap constuction ,pit zips ...

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND

"JOHN"

I find my Performance illumiNITE Cycling Jacket works great in the Rain/Snow. It is a reflective, water-resistant Teflon-coated poly microfiber illumiNITE jacket. Mesh lined vented back. It is sooooo light I can't believe it keeps me DRY!

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/75/10_5673HVZ.jpg

I find my Performance illumiNITE Cycling Jacket works great in the Rain/Snow. It is a reflective, water-resistant Teflon-coated poly microfiber illumiNITE jacket. Mesh lined vented back. It is sooooo light I can't believe it keeps me DRY!

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/75/10_5673HVZ.jpg

Does it keep you dry riding in rain for 1.5 - 2 hours, or does it keep you dry riding 30 min to work? I have water resistant stuff that works fine for commuting (20-30 min) in light rain but not for longer rides or heavier rain.

I too am looking for rain-gear, and I'm thinking about getting the breathable jacket and pants combo from the bikeclothing link above. It looks like its a good balance between high quality/cost.

Does it keep you dry riding in rain for 1.5 - 2 hours, or does it keep you dry riding 30 min to work? I have water resistant stuff that works fine for commuting (20-30 min) in light rain but not for longer rides or heavier rain.

Much depends on the downpour. Where I ride, it's not unusual for a tropical downpour to dump 3 or 4 inches of rain in 30 minutes. Basically, in that sort of rain, forget about keeping dry -- it isn't going to happen. Go for warmth.

Much depends on the downpour. Where I ride, it's not unusual for a tropical downpour to dump 3 or 4 inches of rain in 30 minutes. Basically, in that sort of rain, forget about keeping dry -- it isn't going to happen. Go for warmth.

That's when I go looking for shelter.

That's when I go looking for shelter.

Why? Riding in heavy rain is fun and liberating. The heavier the better.

If its cold, I can ride under a firehose and stay dry. But your in australia, and i reckon its hotter there :)

Once it gets up into the 60's and above I cant wear any waterproof and not overload it.

the Performance Nanaimo jacket is garbage....all it's good for is a light drizzle...go spend your money on better.

I have the Illuminite pants, and they seem to offer good rain protection...I'm going to buy the jacket as soon as I get the cash....just dropped $300 on a niterider HID setup, so my bike bucks are gone for a while.

check eBay for gore-tex zipper rain-pants. i got replacement pair for pretty cheap, i think they were under Golf catagory, no "bid war".
there may be bargains for quality gore-tex/breathable jacket as well, just be patient!