nightfly

Looking for a good lightweight, waterproof jacket for around $150. Had a Marmot Mica which I lost. Was pretty good and waterproof but the hood was pretty poorly designed and it didn't fold away so it wasn't great for cycling. Am close to getting another to replace it but was hoping maybe there was something else that you guys might suggest that is really waterproof, lightweight and packable and has a hood that you can remove or fold away for biking but is useable off the bike.

Jandro 

It doesn't have a removable hood but the North Face Venture is a great jacket and fits your budget. The pit zips are great since the jacket itself doesn't 'breath' well (it's a rain shell, after all). I've found that if you want a waterproof jacket that had good heat/sweat transfer you are going to be shelling out $200+ (more like $300+) for the really technical fabrics.

I've heard really good things about Mission Workshop rain shells, but they are going to be a bit more expensive.

nightfly

Thanks.

I realize you get to pick two of these:

Waterproof, breathable, cheap.

yummygooey

i have a gore oxygen and it's good. it's waterproof and about as breathable as a rain shell will get. it would have been nice if they incorporated rear pockets and pit vents, though.

also, it looks dumb if you're not riding a bike. it's a piece of kit meant for performance.

it's not an emergency packable jacket either, it's meant for long, wet days where you know you're going to be wearing it... though you can stuff it into a back pocket if you have to.

Point4ska

I recommend the Marmot Precip: https://www.sportchek.ca/product/inde...Fc9FMgodhF0Acg

The best $80 waterproof jacket out there.

misskaz

I have a Patagonia Light Flyer which I love, but I understand they don't make them anymore. My BF did just get a Patagonia Torrentshell and likes it though. Has pit zips and the hood rolls down and stows.

trigger

They do still make the Light Flyer. I have one too. It rocks.

nightfly

Anyone tried the Pearl iZUMi Men's Select Barrier Wxb Jacket or any of their Barrier stuff?

Can get last years Light Flyer with a little stretching of the budget but only in a really bright orange/red. Was hoping for something a little more incognito for use off the bike.

misskaz

Weird, I was in a store the other day and the employee said they didn't. I see it on the website so clearly he was wrong.

I recommend being friends with a Patagonia employee. Their employee discount is 75%.

Also those Light Flyers run reeeeeaaaaaallly slim - or at least the women's sizes do. I'm 5'1" and pretty small framed and had to get a Medium... and even then I can't put too much bulk under it in the winter.

DiegoFrogs

If you can find one, the Gore Path XCR is really nice. I bought one about 5 years ago and it's been used pretty hard but still looks good. Mine is kind of olive-drab and black, which is nice because I'm a boring person.

It doesn't rain much here, but when I lived in Arkansas I wore it all the time off of the bike and it was great.

Leukybear 

+1 north face is the best bang for your dollar IMO
Stores that carry north face goods also have sales on them too.

zoltani

Lately I have been a fan of softshell jackets rather than hard shells, they just breathe so much better. While not completely waterproof they still do a good job of keeping you dry. In warmer weather I try to avoid a hard shell as much as possible. Right now I am using an outdoor research ferrosi hoody, but maybe for hours on end in a downpour you would want a hard shell.

David Broon 

I've got a badass RaceFace Softshell that I love.

Jandro 

I have a Rapha softshell and it is a phenomenal piece of kit. Not the most practical off-bike though, since it's cut for on-bike use.

Anyway, it can handle maybe 45 minutes of light to moderate rain before it starts to soak through (this is riding at a decent speed). This is true of all softshells and Rapha has arguably the best in the business (I've tried a bunch, I tend to agree). For anything more than that, you're really going to need a true rain shell if you want to stay dry/warm.

lazyeye

I have the Specialized Aqua Veta jacket. Its alright, although the rear pocket isn't really waterproof at all and it'll soak through after 30 minutes in driving rain. It retails for $120 or so.

kabex

The Chrome Storm Cobra is the best jacket I've had in my entire life and one of the best investment's I've made:


Completely waterproof and it has a bunch of cycling features. A huge back pocket that goes across the whole lower back (opens on both sides) allows you to carry tons of stuff without a bag. Cycling cut, longer sleeves, waterproof zippers, waterproof front and back pockets, hoodie, etc.

It's amazing. It's extremely compact when stored.

fuzz2050

If you don't want any style points (and trust me, you won't get any) DriDucks rain gear is absurdly lightweight, incredibly compact, very breathable, and dirt cheap. My jacket bunches up smaller than my fist, weighs about 200 grams, and cost all of $20.

Of course the fit is terrible (although it can be altered) and the material isn't all to durable, so it won't survive a crash. You also wouldn't want to show up to a party wearing one.

jocke

Looks great -- material seems to be quite soft, yeah?
Can't find much any sizing information regarding its length though. From what I can tell it looks kinda short/normal..?

nightfly

The Chrome Cobra looks pretty good. Might stretch the budget for that one. Thanks for the heads up.

kabex

I'm a super slim guy and am wearing the S size. It's pretty much cycling sized.

The material is not actually soft, it's a bit rigid but it's very lightweight and thin. It seems pretty durable too, it's also pretty stylish off-the-bike.

jocke

Cool. Thanks for the information.
Looks stylish indeed, but being 6"4 I always look for jackets that are a bit longer.

nightfly

Is the Chrome jacket packable?

kabex

Yes, I fold it to fit in a shoe compartment on my Chrome Soma bag.

nightfly

Picked up a Chrome Storm yesterday. Nice jacket, great fit. The fabric's breathability seems pretty questionable but the pit zips should help. Also fits in the bottom of my tiny Rapha Fixed backpack. I'm sure it will start raining again soon if the last few weeks is any indication so I'll have an opportunity to test sooner rather than later.

Thanks for the recommendation. Seem a bit heavier and less breathable than the Marmot Mica I had but the fit of that always seemed off, too baggy, and the hood sucked and was always in the way. Chrome cut is perfect.