stapfam

Started buying top coats when I realised that my usual wind/shower proofs don't work on the bike.

Foul and wet and I have 3. The Goretex is completely waterproof but i have the 3 layer version that is heavy and does not fold down. A Berghaus waterand wind proof jacket that is lighter and just as waterproof. Then there is my "Polar" smock. Folds into a waist pouch- quite warm but 20 years old. The lining is flaking away so is waterproof in only a few places but a joy to wear.

Shower proofs and they are only shower and wind proof. Have 2 cycling specific ones but rarely use them now as they have been improved on with better materials in lighter jackets that fold up easier.

Lightweight waterproof jackets have replaced the showerproofs and they are yellow-looser fit and fold up. Best of these is a Karimor Hiking top coat that has pit and back vents and can be dry or warm--But not both together. Close the vents and I sweat up.

And then the total Wind proofs made of Pertex. Very lightweight- completely windproof and breathes 95% of moisture away. Have 3 of these and are the jacket to start a ride on a cool morning or put in a pocket for when it cools down. Only problem with it is that it is not in any way waterproof.

Steve Sawyer

Oh - you meant great as in STRONG - man, I'm in trouble then...

h2oxtc

It would be interesting to be able to ride / try several different jackets without having to buy them. I have the Gore Phantom jacket and love it - but then I'm a fair weather cyclist. If it's guaranteed to rain, I'm guaranteed to stay home.

Road Fan

The IQ thread has a lot of people who are just too brilliant to have done well in school or succeeded wildly in professional careers --- logically, its likely that our legs all suck!

Road Fan

Ok, heading out to REI to see if I can get a Showers Pass Elite with my 20% discount!

I have a Gill jacket that is nicely windproof and waterproof, has velcro cuffs and pit zips, but the fabric is not permeable and hence the body does not vent well. It has most of the rest, and good pockets - three front and one big integral fanny pack-like one in the back. Not a good tail.

Thank you, Imelda!

TromboneAl

I bought this jacket in 1992:



It's a Novara from REI, and it will not die. It was orange when I bought it, but has changed to pink. Amazing quality. The zipper was jammed the other day and I thought I'd finally be able to buy a new jacket (in screaming yellow), but no such luck -- it fixed itself.

The side zippered pockets have become indispensable, because the jersey pockets are accessible when the jacket is on, and I like to securely zipper important things in there.

The jersey is also a Novara from REI, bought in the same year. It's as good as new.

Is Novara stuff still super high quality?

My only other jacket, is a Performance Bike version of this:



which I wore yesterday, and was impressed once again. It doesn't breath, but vents all along the bottom of the sleeve cut down on condensation. It has ripped, though, and my packing tape repairs didn't hold, so I'll either bribe the wife to sew on some new velcro, or buy a new one.

Biker395 

The jacket maven has another cycling jacket review.

I've been intrigued with the Showers Pass ProTech ST for a while. Since I could think of little else I wanted for Xmas, my family obliged.



Interesting jacket. It's clear, and the material is gossamer thin. I used it last Saturday in some breezy chilly weather, and people immediately started referring to it as the "shower curtain."

It's light and easily packable in a rear jersey pocket or a seat bag. It includes mesh lined rear pocket, and the jacket can be turned inside out and stuffed into that pocket, thus protecting it somewhat when shoving it into your seat bag.

The material is supposedly the least breathable of Showers Pass' jackets, but I found it very comfortable, and didn't feel damp in it, despite the fact that we were climbing. Maybe it was colder than I thought. lol

The cuffs are velcroed. That is a really nice feature, as open cuffs can really ventilate a jacket if you need it.

The front zipper is a two way zipper. Also really nice, as unzipping from the bottom allows more air flow through the jacket when you need it. Unlike the Showers Pass Elite and Double Century, the zipper is not waterproof. That means that it is probably less desirable as a rain jacket, but on the other hand, the zipper is much easier to operate with one hand. IMHO, that's huge, as you can quickly and easily move it to modulate air flow as desired without stopping or slowing down.

Also, unlike the Elite and Double Century, there are no pit zips. I usually really like pit zips, but in a jacket as light as this one, I think leaving them out was a good decision. They would have added to the bulk, and I frankly found that they weren't necessary.

I really liked it. It was windproof enough to be warm on the descent from Crystal Lake, and versatile and breathable enough to be comfortable without being damp while climbing to the top. I haven't had a chance to use it in the rain yet, but I think this will be the go-to jacket for shorter rides where a chance of fog, rain, or drizzle is in the offing.

qcpmsame 

Nice jacket, Vic, it looks like it would be a good one for my area, too. I received a similar jacket for Christmas of 2012 it is a Pearl Izumi, PRO Lite model that looks exactly like yours, the same sheer appearance and light weight fabric. I like the roll it up and slide it away on a jersey pocket aspect a lot when I warm up into a ride, as you said. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I have mine.

Bill

Mobile 155

My favorite. It is a convertable that turns into a vest with magnetic snaps for the removable cape. https://www.cannondale.com/morphis-jacket-22529

Rowan

I have at least 11 jackets of various kinds, with MEC being the most prolific in both rain and wind versions. A lighter weight rain jacket is my GroundEffects one with hood from New Zealand.

Pit zips have become mandatory for me for rain jackets.

Jim from Boston

On the other hand, to further seal the cuffs and close any gap that might occur between my gloves and the (elastic) cuffs of my rain/windproof jacket, I made these cheapo wrist gaiters from some old socks. I think they also keep my hands warmer by further warming the blood flow to my hands. (My forearms actually sweat underneath them.)

metalheart44

I have a Sugoi Hydrolite that I bought as a backup for those days when it MIGHT rain when on a ride, otherwise I don't ride in the rain. I am still looking for a jacket for cool days (40-50') where all I need is a good baselayer underneath and some ventilations zips. It mostly needs to be windproof and warm enough but not somehing you folks in Minnesota would wear in the winter. I'm thinking of having one made by the Foxwear guy.

Th Canari convertible or the Sugoi Versa might work.....

Gerryattrick

Never go riding without protection.

Biker395 

^ Bwahahaaaa. Now that you mention it!

blacknbluebikes 

There is no bad weather, only bad outerwear.

blacknbluebikes 

I love my Gore jacket, but I have to give the "Utility Prize" to my Canari Eclipse.
Windproof, water-repellent. (good enuf)
Light as a feather (bonus, but no insulation)
Zip-off sleeves. (need that sometimes)
The "killer app" : back pocket converts to stuff sack with built in belt.
This, to me, is awesome. Early start, cold, but by 10am, warm. Take off coat - where do you put it? Stuff it into a 7x9" sack and strap it around your waist.

nkfrench 

I've several jackets but the Canari Eclipse gets the most use.
The "stuff sack" pocket with belt is great, the back pocket is good, love that I can remove the sleeves, it is reasonably small when packed up.
I love the HiVis color.
I am wearing it between 32-65F in various configurations of baselayers, vest/jacket, gaitors.

What I wish it had was easier access to the back pockets, additional pockets on the back, cut shorter and wider to suit my Athena physique, magnets instead of zippers like the Sugoi jacket, option for a hood, more reflective elements (iLLuminite?).
The front pockets are nice when off-the-bike, but while riding I don't need anything more closing the narrow gap between thighs and abdomen.
The zipper pulls on the pockets can be awkward to operate with l/s gloves, and usually I have to use two hands to unzip the back pocket.
I tried fastening the belt strap to my bike saddle rails (jacket stuffed into its pocket), but the jacket ended up jammed between saddlebag and the rear tire. Another option to strap the pocket to the saddle rails would be nice.

I often carry a iPhone, either my workplace badge or a 4"x8" stiff plastic park pass, flask of gel, and safety glasses in the jacket pockets when I ride.

metalheart44

Anyone use the Ibex Brekaway 2 jacket?

[h=2]FEATURES of the Ibex Men's Breakaway II Jacket[/h]

• Lightweight Climawool softshell hybrid jacket ideal for aerobic pursuits
• Semi-fit
• Articulated elbows
• One hand adjustable hem toggle
• Reflective racing stripe on sleeve
• 7" chest pocket
• Center Back Length: 27" (size L)
• Machine washable
• Made in Canada

[h=2]SPECIFICATIONS of the Ibex Men's Breakaway II Jacket[/h]

• Front: 62% Nylon, 29% Wool, 9% Lycra Spandex, Durable Water Repellant (DWR C6), 22 micron, 2-way Stretch Woven Fabric, 235g/m2
• Back: (Shak Lite): 100% USA Rambouillet Wool, 21 micron, 294g/m2

- See more at: https://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/sho....RwEZAO0f.dpuf

big chainring 

I'm a wool jersey/sweater wearer. Layer up depending on temps. Below 50 degrees or if there's a north wind I put a sheet of newspaer under the outermost layer.

qcpmsame 

The lack of a pocket on the PI P.R.O. jacket is its one drawback for me. The super light weight material is nice when I don't need any insulation for those windy and just cool days. Vic's jacket licks the pocket problem. My everyday wind and rain jacket is the 50+, Champion Systems wind jacket. It has a large back pocket and the vent zippers that make things just so, it is a heavier weight material, though. With either one I can layer beneath the jacket without too much bulk restricting my movements.

Bill

a77impala

I have a Gore Windstopper that does not stop the wind! I have to wear a shell windbreaker over it.

wphamilton

Being fashion-challenged I use only a St John's Bay windbreaker for a rain jacket, cold weather, and wind breaker. These are some great looking jackets in this thread though.

metalheart44

I bought the Ibex Breakaway 2 Jacket and received it today. Nice wind blocking fabric on te front and climawool on the sides and back for ventilation. I am 5-11 190 or so and the L fits just a tiny bit loose, enough for a jersey or something underneath if need be. I am very pleased with the fit, finish, and fabric. It is almost too warm to use it right now (high 60's here), but I am sure it will be a nice jacket for riding conditions where I live in NorCal.

jyl

My daily bike commute jacket for 3/4 of the year is a Burley rain jacket. It is defiantly not breathable, totally waterproof, with huge vents. With this jacket and rain pants/booties, I can stand in the shower and stay dry. Which pretty much describes my typical winter commute.

My usual weekend ride jacket is a Castelli. Some model that they don't make anymore. Fluo yellow, not breathable, well vented, fits in a jersey pocket.

Edit: it is a Goccia, last year's model, $70 on sale.



And when it really isn't raining too badly, but is chilly, I wear a Gabba long sleeve.

Edit: that is a sort of warm and water resistant long sleeve jersey.

icyclist 

I like my super lightweight Rapha Wind Jacket. I only wear it when I think I'm in more than decent shape, otherwise I'd feel like a poseur. I got a great deal on it for working on something with Rapha a few years ago.



I like my Kucharik Route 66 jacket (while there's a full kit, I only have the jacket). I think Kucharik's quality is high and the prices very reasonable.



And one of these (the red one) Kucharik wind breakers that fits into its own pocket to create its own fanny pack: