Commuting - please recomend rain jacket for hot wheather

Can anyone recomend a waterproof (not water resistant) jacket that can be warn comfortably in warm weather? I am not trying to spend allot of cash on it! the few i have found that claim to be breathable, and waterproof are very expensive (over 100 bucks). I have no problem buying online (that is where i get most of my stuff anyway) Another problem, everytime i find something decent, they don't sell big enough! i would need XXL or preferably XXXL.

Something that can be folded up and stowed away taking up very little space would be ideal.

i commute every day, and it can rain quite a bit here in florida (with obviously high temperatures). If i must spend allot... as long as it will last for a long time i will consider it.

Please, with your recomendations, include a price, and if you purchased online, a link to it.

Thanks for the advice!

Any recommendations I'd make to fit your criteria would be expensive. The problem is the "breathing".

I use a Redrock rain suit. It folds up into a little pouch that it comes with. Breathable and water tight in my experience with it.

You might want to check this out. http://www.lickbike.com/productpage.aspx?PART_NUM_SUB='3139-10'

I just use a poncho. Why do you want a rain jacket in Florida? I live in Tennessee and rarely even use rain protection in the summer. It's the difference between being soaked with sweat or rain,(I choose rain!) A poncho is cheap waterproof, and, in my opinion, breathes better than gore-tex because of all the ventilation below. A rain jacket in the summer is like a sauna.

I just use a poncho. Why do you want a rain jacket in Florida? I live in Tennessee and rarely even use rain protection in the summer. It's the difference between being soaked with sweat or rain,(I choose rain!) A poncho is cheap waterproof, and, in my opinion, breathes better than gore-tex because of all the ventilation below. A rain jacket in the summer is like a sauna.

Yeah, I understand what you are saying. But i am talking about this time of year for instance. This mornings commute was a perfect example. the temp was about 50 degrees, with noreaster type conditions, with high (15mph) winds, very cloudy, dark, and cold persistant rain. Being soaked from head to toe in those conditions is pretty miserable.

I just came across this one... looks pretty interesting, but will probably fall apart after 2 or 3 uses...
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=137&subcategory=1215&brand=&sku=2812&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

anyone have any experience with this one? looks pretty good, but getting a little expensive
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=137&subcategory=1215&brand=&sku=10632&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

Yeah, I understand what you are saying. But i am talking about this time of year for instance. This mornings commute was a perfect example. the temp was about 50 degrees, with noreaster type conditions, with high (17mph) winds, very cloudy, dark, and cold persistant rain. Being soaked from head to toe in those conditions is pretty miserable.

I just came across this one... looks pretty interesting, but will probably fall apart after 2 or 3 uses...
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=137&subcategory=1215&brand=&sku=2812&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=
I've read stuff on the net from tourers who like those rainjackets better than gore-tex. Armpit ventilation is always a good thing, too.

I just use a poncho.

Around here rain gear keeps the sludge from cars off. When I use raingear, I sweat more but arrive cleaner and sweat seems easier to clean up than mud. Overheating is a real problem temps over 50F

What sort of poncho doesn't parachute and stays out of spokes esp on the turns??

I just came across this one... looks pretty interesting, but will probably fall apart after 2 or 3 uses...
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=137&subcategory=1215&brand=&sku=2812&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=



These are actually quite sturdy. ...They tend to be hot and pick up grease.

What sort of poncho doesn't parachute and stays out of spokes esp on the turns??
Most ponchos have buttons below the arms that keep them from becoming parachutes, if it;s super windy I'll wrap a bungee cord around my waist. I don't get ponchos that are any longer than the bottoms of my shorts, and I've never had any problem with getting it caught in the spokes,(I sit on the back side of it between my seat and rump, too.)I'd love to find a full-fledged rain cape, but they've become a coveted niche market thing for retro grouches, if anyone knows a cheap place to get one, throw up a link. :)

Most ponchos have buttons below the arms that keep them from becoming parachutes, if it;s super windy I'll wrap a bungee cord around my waist. I don't get ponchos that are any longer than the bottoms of my shorts, and I've never had any problem with getting it caught in the spokes,(I sit on the back side of it between my seat and rump, too.)I'd love to find a full-fledged rain cape, but they've become a coveted niche market thing for retro grouches, if anyone knows a cheap place to get one, throw up a link. :)

So you don't over heat in the ponco then? Hmmm sounds like a great idea...Cycle-dudes in the UK use these also...but their ponchos go over the handlebars.

Edited: Maybe you can start a thread and ask those Kiwi or UK dudes...they're miles ahead of some of us ;)

REI rain shadow bicycle jacket, I've use it for four years riding in heavey rain weather and I have to say it does everything a rain jacket should:keeps you dry, breathes well (pit zips) (back cape vent), and can fold up and fit into the back stash of a jersy. From my experience a rain jacket should be able to hold up to rain splashing onto the rider at riding pace without piercing the material and this jacket does that.
http://www.rei.com/product/14205199.htm?vcat=REI_SSHP_CYCLING_TOC Also just because the discription saids water resistant doesn't mean that it isn't waterproof, like I have said I have ridden in this jacket in full blown rain for two hours of rain time without ever getting wet or soak. I have done this while attending school for four years. So I will stand on my words that this is the jacket to have in wet weather.

Somebody said they used to just get a Hefty Leaf Bag and cut a hole for the arms and face etc. Wonder how well that works :p

I just came across this one... looks pretty interesting, but will probably fall apart after 2 or 3 uses...
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=137&subcategory=1215&brand=&sku=2812&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=[/url]

I've found these to be quite good, and cheap. I add reflective tape for added visibility. If you get the hooded version and put the hood over your helmet it both helps keep your head warmer & drier, and sends a stream of air down your back. I've found that folding the fabric in the arm pit lets me use a paper punch to increase the ventilation. This is my preferred jacket for spring to fall rain. Even with pit zips, a full cape back and front vents my Jackson-Gibbens goretex jacket is too warm for summer use.

I forgot to mention that I wear it daily commuting in the spring & fall before it gets below 40F. I've had it 4 years. Reflective tape patches on 2 tears from roadside branches, but otherwise going strong.

If you sit on the tail and hold or attach the front to the handlebars... works good for me!!

Hefty bag will work if you don't mind the geek factor.

I wear an LL Bean Stowaway knee-length hooded Gortex parka. Leave the bottom buttons unbottoned and dress lightly, and it works during a warm summer rain. It is not cheap, however -- $185.

Paul

The good folks at the Burley co-op in Eugene Oregon make a great jacket. It's my year-round waterproof shell. It doesn't fold up super compactly, but I use it summer and winter. The trick is venting, and the Burley vents well. THere are probably cheaper jackets out there, but these are made here and are the jacket of choice for commuters and messengers in the Pacific NW.

Burley's also an extremely cool company with a good business philosophy and customer service.

I have a fairly cheap Nashbar gortex cycling jacket that has underarm and back vents and the front zip has a single, not a double baffle, so it is ideal as a (UK) summer proof. It does get sweaty in warmer weather but in temperate conditions it works OK.

I have used 2 different Patagonia jackets, one is waterproof and over 200.00 and other is lighter weight and about 100.00.. Here is the info on the better of the 2.. There XXL is cut pretty generous..

http://www.patagonia.com/za/PDC?OPTION=PRODUCT&merchant_rn=7385&cgrfnbr=365993&sku=24134&ws=false&promo_cat=&promo_cat_id=

HA! nevermind. I took a trip to wally mart tonight, and found the perfect jacket... waterproof nylon, polyester mesh inside... very light! for 30 bucks!!!!

Human skin is 169% waterproof and totally breatheable. Moreso than any other product on the market. Seriously, why does anybody need a rain jacket in hot weather? Surely it's more comfortable to just get wet. If you're really bothered by it, take a dry set of clothes to change into when you get off the bike.

Oh yeah, in tropical downpours, there's no such thing as a "waterproof" jacket.