Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - summer outerwear

looking for breathable, waterproof outerwear, namely a jacket, for use in the south. i dont need some american apparel advice, or anything "hip" just something functional, cost effective, and most of all BREATHABLE! it's hot down here and rains every afternoon just about.

Waterproof and breathable; check out what is available in Goretex. Performance or Nashbar should be able to hook you up.

waterproof and breathable just don't exist together, i don't care what GORE says. you choose one or the other. a lightweight softshell will probably fit your bill well.

Why not just use your own human skin?

I always say that shirtless is the way to go in a warm rain.

[edit: I apologize for assuming you're a guy]

what kind of temps are you going to be in? how much rain do you expect? how much do you want to spend? are you looking for a jacket to wear often or only when it rains?

waterproof shells are waterproof and breathable, but they're not breathable enough for riding a bike in warm weather, raining or not.

i would recommend a softshell, but look for a thinner softshell, something made of schoeller dynamic or something similar. no real softshell is going to keep you dry in a downpour, but it will keep enough water off of you to be comfortable enough and it will dry out quickly after the rain stops.

although if you dont already have some good baselayers, you might want to get some instead of a jacket. they would probably increase your comfort level in warm rain more than a new shell.

if you answer the questions above i (and others) will be able to give more applicable advice.

Like the above posters said, Breathable and Waterproof don't match. If it's hot while it rains, I'd put fenders on the bike to keep yourself 'grime free' and buy some quick dry clothing, otherwise go with a soft shell thats water resistant. If you treat the shell with a waterproof agent such as nickwax it should last for short intense rain or long soft rain.

just get some riser handlebars

i live in new orleans, so the climate is pretty much tropical. while i dont mind riding wet, sometimes i want to go to a bar or restaurant after work and being wet isnt always all that comfortable. i keep a change of clothes at the shop i work at, and that usually works out, but sometimes it seems a jacket would definitely help. looking to spend under $100 if possible, and would only be wearing the jacket in the rain. used to sail when i was younger so i have worn some of those helly hanson, not sure of spelling, jackets and shells, but they are really baggy and cumbersome. looking for something developed more for cycling and moving around more.
is nickwax a brand name? i only commute about 6 miles so even in a steady downpour, i am not out in it long so that sounds promising. thanks for the advice and would appreciate any more.

The most breathable, waterproof fabric I've ever used is eVent, but you'll never find a jacket made of that for less than $100. I've heard that rain capes are relatively breathable. Check those out.

It's Helly Hansen, and Nikwax is a DWR (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durable_Water_Repellent) coating.

anyone have pearl izumi octane? 150 bones, but seems like it could work.

i cast my vote for shirtless

Try finding a Marmot jacket on sale. The one I have I got for $85, down from $350

www.backcountry.com or if something pops up on www.steepandcheap.com