Touring - Showerpas Elite 2.0

Thinking hard about ordering a Showerpass Elite 2.0 for my three week bicycle tour thorugh the Canadian Rockies in August.

Seems like an awesome design with Event fabric, pit zips & back vent. However, I have read of many quality & customer service issues which make me real nervous to buy.

I have not seen any competitors using Event with pit zips.

I though I could order from REI and get a nice warranty but they are out of stock. Anybody, know of any other reputable retailers that would stand behind Shower Pass's products?

Or maybe something new has come out with Event & pits zips which I have not seen?

I have an Elite and my wife has the Touring. We have used them for two years under some extremely wet conditions- two long Pacific Coast Trips. I have just about worn out one of REI's jackets after several years of tough use, including one cross country trip. I also wear it every day during the winter. It has faded from safety green to almost white, but it still sheds water. I like my Showerspass Jacket, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy another REI either.

PS. My wife was looking over my shoulder and reminded me that she also has an REI jacket that has chain grease all over one arm where it fell off her rack and got tangled in the chain and spokes- It still sheds water. She uses it for her commuting jacket.

Sometimes it does not matter what kind of jacket you have!
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy112/Doug64_photos/AstoriaLaborDayWeekend-1.jpg

We thought about applying for a spot on a Showerspass TV commercial;)
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy112/Doug64_photos/TrainStation-1.jpg

Added 4/27: I just road for an hour today in a downpour, and the REI jacket I was bragging on above does not seem to shed water like it used to. I was wet, but warm. It is actually seven years old and the breathable layer is worn in spots. Heck, with REI's return policy they would probably give me a new one!:rolleyes:

I have the Elite 2 after a having a Burly GoreTex that was touted as one of the best out there. The Elite is hands down far better. Get it, it'll be the last cycling specific rain jacket you'll own (unless it's stolen).

Burly (sucked)
148138

Elite 2 (rules)
148139

I have bought three Elite jackets over a years time, first for me and two as gifts after I had mine for 3months of constant riding. The quality is excellent and their service was excellent. The only complaint I have is that for the event pants the sizing is totally off in that the medium pants cannot fit a 38" waist when they said it would fit a 40" waist. I just checked their website and apparently that model of pants aren't made anymore and others have replaced it. Anyway regarding the Elite2.0 jacket it is worth it.

Well, I purchase a Elite jacket this spring after a riding day of 60 miles in a cold rain and dealing with mud on the C&O trail last year. TwoDeadPoet pulled in to our hotel smiling and comfortable in his Elite, while I, though smiling since I'm a masochist, was cold and shivering. I picked up the Elite this past Feb from BikeTireDirect.com. They had it on sale and I somehow got some other discount, so total with shipping was $190. Service was quick and shipping got in here in a week.

I've never read anything bad about Showers Pass, the company or the Elite jacket. MOst every post has been positive, but I'm sure some don't share that opinion.

Brian

+1 on the Elite jacket and pants. The latter is now available in an "MTB" version with reinforcement in the shoulders for a back pack.

I think this one is made with eVent too: http://www.endura.co.uk/Product.aspx?dept_id=122&prod_id=354

It is good to hear some nice reviews. Awesome gear if there are no defects! Good to see pictures with proof that it works well in the rain.

What is the packability of the Elite 2.0.

What is the packability of the Elite 2.0.

it's about the same as goretex, I've got a XL and it can be easily stuffed into a stuff sack about 4"x6"

The Elite 2 is really well-designed, however, the chest pocket on my jacket is far from waterproof. Despite that shortcoming, I wouldn't hesitate to buy the jacket again.

I have been commuting in Vancouver B.C. with my elite jacket since November, love it. It seemed like a lot of money at the time, very much worth it.

I've had an Elite 2.0 for about 4 years now, and use it frequently for commuting. While I like the design of the jacket and the eVent fabric, I've been quite disappointed with the build quality of mine. At about the 9 month mark, the seams started coming apart (first at the pockets, then elsewhere on the jacket). I tried contacting showerspass multiple times to ask about warranty or getting it repaired and never heard back from them, so I've been repairing it myself with a sewing machine and a little thread waterproofing.

Mine no longer repels water like it used to. Its fine for short commuting trips, but on longer rides rain starts soaking through. I should probably get some waterproofing rejeuvantor and try it.

When I get around to replacing it, I certainly won't be getting another showerspass.

Thinking hard about ordering a Showerpass Elite 2.0 for my three week bicycle tour thorugh the Canadian Rockies in August.

Seems like an awesome design with Event fabric, pit zips & back vent. However, I have read of many quality & customer service issues which make me real nervous to buy.

I have not seen any competitors using Event with pit zips.

I though I could order from REI and get a nice warranty but they are out of stock. Anybody, know of any other reputable retailers that would stand behind Shower Pass's products?

Or maybe something new has come out with Event & pits zips which I have not seen?


I see them in my REI store in Pittsburgh. I'm sure they are in others.

Here's what you do ..... Call REI's 800 number. They can search for any store that has the jacket you need. They are able to have it delivered wherever you need it. That's the bonus of REI.... it's not just an internet retailer. they have the flexibility to search store inventory and get it to the customer wherever they live.

.....I just realized they may not be the Elite jackets though, I'm not sure. It's still worth calling them though.

I

Mine no longer repels water like it used to. Its fine for short commuting trips, but on longer rides rain starts soaking through. I should probably get some waterproofing rejeuvantor and try it.

When I get around to replacing it, I certainly won't be getting another showerspass.

How often did you wash it?

Thinking hard about ordering a Showerpass Elite 2.0 for my three week bicycle tour thorugh the Canadian Rockies in August.

Seems like an awesome design with Event fabric, pit zips & back vent. However, I have read of many quality & customer service issues which make me real nervous to buy.

I have not seen any competitors using Event with pit zips.

I though I could order from REI and get a nice warranty but they are out of stock. Anybody, know of any other reputable retailers that would stand behind Shower Pass's products?

Or maybe something new has come out with Event & pits zips which I have not seen?

Count me among the Elite 2.0 users who is mildly dissatisfied. I have use this for about three years for touring, commuting and routine riding. It has performed well, but recently the seams have become unglued. I have had many jackets, used extensively for backpacking, mountaineering and backcountry skiing, where the demands are much greater (because you are carrying a pack, scraping against rocks and using your upper body extensively), and these have survived better and had a longer service life.

I will probably try another high-level brand such as Gore for my next jacket...Amongst the high-costs alternatives I suspect Showers Pass is not a standout.

How often did you wash it?Once or twice per season. I usually just took it into the shower every so often and rinsed it off.

I washed it per showerspass's instructions whenever I did.

the directions say to wash it frequently, I wore mine a lot and started to notice water coming through the shoulders after 5months of not washing it in two years use. I used regular liquid detergent then did a second rinse with this stuff http://www.rei.com/product/724690 and it's back to new. Apparently frequent washing is required but I could see in four years thinks might start to come apart. I wonder if breathable fabrics really aren't meant to be long lasting products.

I have mixed feelings about my showers pass elite. The fit is a little weird. The back is way longer than the front. I understand why they did this, but it seems like they overcompensated. I would have preferred they made a flap in the back that you could pull out, like on some other jackets out there. Then neck on mine is too small, and is sort of uncomfortable in general.

On the other hand the venting system is really nice, it gives you a lot of control. The jacket does a great job of keeping me dry in the rain. I can't speak about the durability, since I've only had it a few months.

I've had my Elite 2.0 for about 2 years now, i think
I use it on a regular basis
just yesterday I rode 88 miles in intermittent rain
on my 29er
from road to dirt
from fairly hard rain, drizzle, to sunshine

its a great jacket

often I'm using a camelbak
and the jacket fits over a camelbak
which at first seems weird, but its actually better than having the camelbak over the jacket, as its easier to vent with the jacket over the camelbak.

anyways... great jacket

I've never read anything bad about Showers Pass, the company or the Elite jacket. MOst every post has been positive, but I'm sure some don't share that opinion.

Brian

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?460261-Rain-jackets-Showers-Pass-Elite-2.0-vs.-REI-Novara-Stratos&p=7385496&viewfull=1#post7385496