Commuting - Water-Resistant Breathable Shell Help

Hello,

Just another recommendation thread. Looking for something for spring/fall in Michigan to keep me dry on short commutes(under 5 miles). Looking for breathability and water-resistance. I was looking to spend around $100.

I was thinking of just getting a Marmot PreCip shell as I can get for $80 on sale now, but I don't know about their breathability. I had also seen the Sugoi Majik on closeout for $80 at REI. Don't think it breathes that good though, but it looks decent.Then there is the Showers Pass stuff and J&G. It seems as though there are so many choices, and I'm not sure which is of good construction, fit, and durability.If someone could help, I'd appreciate it.Thanks.

Ben

I can vouch for the Endura Gridlock jacket (http://www.endurasport.com/Product.aspx?dept_id=122&prod_id=128). It's a mid-weight breathable, wind and water-resistant hard shell jacket that got me through the whole of an Upstate NY winter last year, and well into our cool, wet spring. It has sufficient ventilation that I can wear it up to about 50°F, and as an outer layer into the depth of winter.

And of course, it meets your price point.

MY LBS stocks the line, so you may want to check around locally. Alternatively, Arkel sells them online (http://www.arkel-od.com/wear/gridlock_jacket/overview.asp?fl=1&site=). Sizing is true.

I'm not sure how helpful this will be, it deals with comfort more than dryness:

I use a Field and Stream rainsuit when it's about 40F or lower, rain or shine.
I sweat like a horse all year 'round, so I also use a wicking base layer.
With just the base layer and the rainsuit I'm comfortable from 40F to
about 0F as long as I keep pedaling(not counting temp-appropriate gloves and hat.)

One day in december as I was slogging along in a blizzard I was concerned about getting
chilled due to being overheated and soaked in sweat.(I was just getting used to my new
homemade aggressively studded tires.) I then noticed that the suit controlled the rate of evaporation,
and the blasts of wind that were pushing the windchill down towards zero felt like refreshing summer breezes
during a summertime ride, cooling me perfectly.

Marmot Precip is waterPROOF, a bit sweaty esp. below freezing.

an Iconic cycling shell is the MEC super microfit jacket,MEC supermicrofit iconic jacket (http://http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442628997&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692343&bmUID=1253410404147)


the J&G yellowjacket,J&G yellowjacket (http://http://www.bicycleclothing.com/Wind-Jackets.html)

are what I'd recommend.

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1009638_-1_51000_20000_51500

Cheap. packable, lightweight, fairly breathable and water resistant.

I've had the the Precip for about 4 years. Off the bike it's OK. I'm not a big fan of it on the bike. It's fine for colder rain days with a thin layer underneath. But it does not breathe too well, it feels clammy all the time, only comfortable with long sleeves under it on or off the bike. Also it's not really cut for biking, the sleeves are short, back is not long enough and hood is useless to me.

The precip is a waterproof jacket, but there are better bike rain jackets for sure.

I started a similar thread, except I'm looking for a rain-jacket first and foremost:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=587218

The Trajectory might work for you...