Touring - Rain jackets

I purchased an O2 rain jacket (inexpensive) a couple years ago. Used nly a few times and is falling apart (cheap). Now looking for another one. What are you all wearing? Any to avoid? Highly recommend? Thanks.

They don't make mine anymore, but it is something like this:

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442617573&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692501&bmUID=1144005855641

I wanted something that was waterproof-breathable, with a back vent, with a long flap in the back, and with long underarm zippers. That's exactly what I got, and I am extremely happy with mine!!

The first photo is me in my jacket. The second is the jacket in the link above.
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Do you live in the States, Dan?

Do you live in the States, Dan?


I live in Wisconsin, USA.

the poncho that was recomended to me in an earlier post is fantastic... i can't remember the brand name.. caradice or something (for $95)? anyway, it was simply fantastic. I was able to drape it over my handlebars, keeping the rain off of me, and off my legs, but at the same time it let a steady flow of cool wind blow against my entire body. I can honestly say that after using this poncho, I will never use a rain jacket of any kind while riding a bike again.


Mike

I have a MEC Supermicroft one. It wasn't really expensive, and is merely water-resistant, rather than waterproof. Has pit-zips, and is a quite good jacket. Around $65 CAN these days I think.

MEC supermicroft jacket -- men's (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442587481&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692343)

Given you are in Wisconsin, you will not be dealing with *constant* rain, so it would be a good one for you. I have a more goretexy fully waterproof breatheable thingie now that I live in the land of constant rain, but I don't think you necessarily have to go to that expense. Unless of course you have loadsa dosh. ;)

[My new one is a Sprayway paclite but I doubt you could get one over there, hence my query as to your locale.]

http://www.lickbike.com/productpage.aspx?PART_NUM_SUB='6580-50'

I have a Showers Pass Elite (http://showerspass.com/cart/product_info.php?cPath=21_25&products_id=29&osCsid=2645be13cf6786a92a5e10d8d1156e51) very nice looking jacket. Have not tested it in the rain but it held up nicely in a very windy day today.

My favorite jacket is similar to Machka's, but made by REI. The long tail flap folds up when not needed, so it looks like a regular jacket.

Currently it's a bit of a tight fit, as I've been a lazy turd for 6 months. Hence I'm not sure if I'll bring it or my regular hiking jacket on tour in a few weeks.

Best rain jacket I ever bought was a R.E.I. ranishadow, it doesn't flap in the wind yet can fit a layer under it, it has pit zips (a must), and I never get wet period.

I purchased an O2 rain jacket (inexpensive) a couple years ago. Used nly a few times and is falling apart (cheap). Now looking for another one. What are you all wearing? Any to avoid? Highly recommend? Thanks.

I have been very happy with my Race Face Aquanot jacket that I got about 5 years ago.

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/productimages/fullsize/Raceface%20Aquanot%20Jacket.jpg

Built for offroad incliment weather riding, this jacket is both warm and breathes. It has pit zips, the collar is fleece lined, it has reflective piping and the material will take a crash without ripping along with reinforced elbow pads. I don't think it's still being made but it seems that Race Face has a new lineup of jackets (http://www.raceface.com/apparel/storm-layer/index.html). I'm thinking of getting the Shore jacket.

http://www.raceface.com/apparel/storm-layer/SpringSummer-06Images/ShoreJacket-Large.jpg


Taslan construction for durability and abrasion resistance.
DWR coating on the face, laminated to a water-proof breathable membrane and fully seam sealed to keep the water out.
Seamless shoulder panels for pack compatibility.
Zippered hand pockets and chest pockets.
Added volume in arms for armor compatibility.
Stealth single-handed hem cord for a customized fit.
Full length pit zips for increased ventilation.
Micro-fleece collar for increased next to skin comfort.
Reflective logoing on sleeves for night time visibility.
MP3 pocket on inside.

The most widely worn rainjacket in the Pacific Northwest is made by Burley. Definetly the most popular raincoat in Seattle.

All the features Machka mentions, excellent vis and venting, and made in the USA at a biker, collectively run business.

i've been using the mec bernoulli (spelling?) jacket that machka may have been talking about.

man,oh man, do i wish they would bring that jacket and those nice slim-fitting, articulated, full-length zipper rainpants back. there is nothing on the face of this planet that can beat these two items of cycling specific raingear. if you're into alpine climbing, quality-wise they are similar to arcteryx outerwear.

mine are still going quite strong, but i'd buy another set now anyway just to have them 10 years down the line

if anyone from mec design or sales is reading this, please....please

I use the showerspass pants and jacket and they work well. I don't overheat and it breathes well. Most importantly I stay dry. Search the commuting forum on this subject also.

Showerspass , the Elite model made from event.

Its the best breathable material made today, sewn into a cycling specific jacket with long back, long sleeves, pit zips, back vent, etc.

Currently i dont think there is a better rainjacket for cycling made, at any cost.
The O2 jacket is really only good as an emergency shell you keep in a pannier for rare occasions.

Rain jackets have problems - mainly that although they keep rain out they also keep sweat in. Ponchos tend to work very well but in order to be able to use them you have to have a bike with FENDERS on or all you're doing is getting wet from the bottom up rather than the top down.

re: panchos...do you sit on the back flap to keep it from flailing around, or let it flail?

Rain jackets have problems ... they also keep sweat in. ....

That is why I like the Showerspass jacket...Keeps the rain out but still breathes, plus you can increase airflow with pit zips and the cuffs.

re: panchos...do you sit on the back flap to keep it from flailing around, or let it flail?


my poncho is bike specific so it fits very welll... i drape the front over the handle bars, and the back stays tight against my back, so it does not flap around.

Fenders are important when using a poncho. when you have it on right, and have fenders the only thing that gets wet is your face... eveything else has a nice breeze of cool air hitting it.

mike

That is why I like the Showerspass jacket...Keeps the rain out but still breathes, plus you can increase airflow with pit zips and the cuffs.


Same with the MEC one I've got. Before I got that one, I tried a few cheaper brands which had me soaked with sweat in no time, and made me feel cold all the time. But in that MEC one, I'm comfortably warm and dry.

For the type of riding I do ... with a raincloud over my head 90% of the time ... I discovered that skimping on a good rain jacket is not a good idea, and that my jacket has been worth every penny I paid for it.

Same with the MEC one I've got. Before I got that one, I tried a few cheaper brands which had me soaked with sweat in no time, and made me feel cold all the time. But in that MEC one, I'm comfortably warm and dry.

For the type of riding I do ... with a raincloud over my head 90% of the time ... I discovered that skimping on a good rain jacket is not a good idea, and that my jacket has been worth every penny I paid for it.

Thats what i've been telling people. Either go cheap and get a simple shell, or go for the top end models like showerspass or burley, everything in between is a disapointment. Even the 400-600 brand name raingear isnt as good. Showerspass and burley are the only 2 brands I've yet to hear anyone who owns dislike. (besides mec bernoulli now discontinued)

At the cheap end, mec still makes some decent water resistant ones, like the SuperMicroft. Good for showers and some rain. Just not great for endless hours of downpours.

Hmmmm, I just use a cheap bright orange plastic poncho from Walmart and it does a great job! Especially at $2.99! By the way, I sit on the tailflap, so it doesn't flap as much.

Definitely going poncho next year. I'm sick of all the hype about this jacket or that parka. I could sew a tent from all my mistakes. I live around Seattle and they sell the 'good stuff' here. Yeah, right. It only works if you're standing still in your 20' Olympic fishing for salmon.

i used my ground effects jacket on my last tour down through the very wet west coast of new zealand and was caught in a days torrential rain that left about a cup of water floating around in the bottom of my kayakers drybag that i use to protect my down sleeping bag.
my rainjacket performed brilliantly, and did not let in any moisture at all ... the newer models have pitzips whereas mine didn't ...
oh, and as our south pacific peso otherwise known as the kiwi dollar is dropping against the greenback, it makes it cheaper everyday for overseas folks to buy it

groundeffect rain jacket webpage (http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/product_detail.php?style=STO&category=RAI)

http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/graphics/products/front/STO-AG-FR.jpg

My Burley Rock Point jacket hasn't failed me yet. It's waterproof, cuts the wind significantly, and because it's breathable and has pit zips, I don't find that I get wet because of sweating.

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?productId=47916320&storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&langId=-1&color=SHOCK%20YELLOW&img=/media/499407.jpg&view=large

I've got a MEC whoosh. I used in in all kinds of conditions, rain, sleet, snow, sun. It's a really great jacket!!