biking nurse

Can anyone recommend a good quality waterproof/breathable rain jacket? I am looking at the
Showerpass Jackets offered in the Adventure Cycling Cyclosource.

rmwkokomo

I like the J & G Cyclewear jacket
https://www.bicycleclothing.com/Water...n-Jackets.html

Camel

I've used a bunch of jackets, with pretty good results.

The only cycle specific waterproof breathable jacket I've used is an REI model, about 5 years old. Similar to the J&G linked to above, my REI jacket has an extended tail (pretty good feature IMO).

Other waterproof breathable jackets I've used are just hiking jackets, and are just as good (but do lack the extended tail). I took one of these on my year tour, an Eastern Mountain Sports model I had used cycling & hiking for a while allready. At the end of my year tour, the it had begun to de-laminate, and lose waterproof (albeit in monsoon rain).

I'd recommend looking for a jacket with pit-zips. Even with breathable fabric, it's not enough-especially when cyclists are climbing.

jimblairo

+1 for the J&G Cyclewear jacket

ijgrant

Another +1 for showers pass.

I have their touring jacket. it works well on and off bike. It's made with good materials, so you don't feel like it'll rip if you stuff it in your pannier.

Halthane

I have a santini wind-stopper jacket that is really fantastic, but unfortunately was not waterproof. I think I'm going to try using some wash in waterproofer and see if it helps. I think trialtir.com is the only distributor here in the states.

TruckerMike

+1 for Showers Pass...but I wouldn't take it on tour as it's too bulky to pack (like all waterproof breathable jackets). More of a commuter jacket. recommend a water resistant, quick-dry microft type jacket for touring.

spinnaker

The Elite packs up just fine IMHO and on tour is the last place I want to use a jacket that might get me wet. I know the Elite keeps me nice and dry.

But be warned on the new 2.0. It has been reported that the cuffs have a material that retains water but they supposedly have fixed the problem. You might want to call before ordering.

I think the Showers Pass is a better looking jacket than the J&G,

I would really need to think hard about ordering this jacket again. The jacket is certainly fantastic but the price has reached a point where I would have to think long and hard about ordering again.

Peruano

IMHO everyone needs two rain jackets. One that is breathable but still heavy enough to cast aside 50 - 75% of the rain and allow the escape of some of the sweat. Additionally you need something that makes no pretense of rainproof but will wick and dry light rain away while protecting you from some of the chill factor. I have used my typical windbreaker for the latter, but at times its more practical and or necessary to use a polar fleece vest, sweater, or jacket. The fleece does not pretend to be waterproof but does insulate you from the chill that is the worst part of being wet. During a 650 mile trip in April - May in the midwest, I alternated between these two scenarios everyday for the first 6 days with sprinkles, some rain, 20-30 mph winds, and sleet. Go figure that we call this fun. tom

Rowan

Peruana (tom) makes some good points about carrying two jackets when touring, and I have found myself wearing one or both types at various stages through a tour.

Having said that, my MEC jacket has done heavy duty for three years and has been excellent in all respects. I also like the way the flap at the back folds up and is zipped away so it becomes a "normal looking" jacket for air travel and so on. And it has generous pitzips, which are essential. MEC's jackets come in yellow, blue or red. I'm looking forward to getting another one.

mattlavallee

i got a showers pass elite from campmor.com a few weeks ago and have been wearing it as a windbreaker and in the rain. my cuffs do retain a bit of water, but i still love the jacket. it breathes very well, is very visible without being obnoxiously colored, and looks great. on my commute i start out with the cuffs snug and front zipped up and am a little chilly, as i warm up i can just drop the zipper a little and loosen the cuffs to increase airflow and it works great. i like it enough that i've ordered the e-vent pants and the rain hood to add to it. i don't think you need 2 jackets with this one.

lighthorse

My personal opinion is that the "waterproof" and "breathable" are two concepts that are not compatible. First, I always get wet when I ride in the rain. The key is to keep warm when you get wet. Most days, just pumping the pedals will keep the furnace burning hot enough to warm you up if you can keep the wind from blasting through the jacket.
I always carry two jackets, a windbreaker for non rainy days, and my trusty Performance rain jacket. The Performance jacket is reliable, has lasted through many training days and 7 months on the road. If it rains I put the Performance jacket on ( and the pants if it is really cold). I still get wet from a number of places but stay warm while riding. If it is not raining and I put the Performance jacket on, I will get wet anyway even if I open the pit zips and put the front zipper down most of the way. That jacket just holds the heat in, as do most all waterproof jackets. If I put the Performance jacket on when it is raining and I am just walking around town, I stay dry as toast. It can handle the normal heat generated by just walking around, but not the heat generated by riding.
FWIW my wife has a Showers Pass jacket and loves it. But it also holds the heat in when riding.
Good luck with your purchase.

ernok1923

i would think that a long sleeve wool shirt or very light fleece could prove very well in this situation. plus you could still where it when it is not raining to ward off chill instead of carrying two jackets. it will probably get used more. i am definately no weight weenie, but i do think that you should get as much use out of anything you pack as possible. two jackets seems like a little redundant.

Camel

Great points, but it really depends on when and where one is touring.
I need a lot less layering while moving, but do need to bundle up off bike if it's cold (which is very subjective).

TheMadBrewer

Has anybody come across decent rail jackets in Tall sizes? I am a XXL tall -- very long body and short legs. A regular XXL leaves me exposed, even with "tails"

Cyclist0383

Where have you seen that they have fixed the problem?

Cyclist0383

The Showers Pass Touring jacket runs huge, with extremely long arms.

Cyclist0383

The pants, while very nice, aren't e-Vent.

Also, you might want to try running your cuff under the sink to see just how much water they absorb if you haven't already ridden in heavy rain. I was simply shocked (and my shirt cuffs were soaked) the first time I got caught in heavy rain. Showers Pass offered to exchange it for a jacket that has rubberized cuffs or give me a refund. They really do soak up an unacceptable amount of water, and take over 12 hours to dry.

mattlavallee

the e-vent pants weren't on the SP website last i checked, but campmor has these: https://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___51920

i have ridden in a heavy rain but it didn't last very long. i'll give the sink test a run and see how it turns out. surprising that it would be an issue on a jacket at that price. are the rubberized cuffs still adjustable?

Cyclist0383

As far as I know they are, but I learned today that they only have red in stock in my size with the rubberized cuffs. All the other stock (at least in XL) has the absorbent cuffs.

Please let us know how the sink test turns out for you.

biking nurse

Thanks to everyone for all the information on jackets. I am still looking. It seems that very few
jackets offer a hood, one of the features that I like about the Showerpass.

spinnaker

You would think they would take these of of the market by now or at least lower the price and let people know why.

Bekologist

I'm with lighthorse and purano above, a non waterproof shell jacket will serve far more utility than a fully waterproof one for summer touring. Its essential to have one when the heavens let loose though.

Then, it really doesn't matter much how waterproof/breathable it is. and once the rain stops, quick to strip it off again. Or forget, or wind up cold, and continuing to wear it. I use a old Burley raincoat or a Marmot Precip - cheap, pitzips and does the trick.

ever catch yourself at a convenience store, fully raincoated, while its 70 degrees and sunny out?

I'm trying EPIC fabrics in jackets this year for the almost waterproof jacket, I've have had great luck with it as a tent canopy.

YungBurke

+1 on the REI. Im not sure how it fares for cycle- specific work, there may be some reason why it wouldnt work well, but its one of the Cheaper gore-tex jackets ive found and it outperforms any North Face... as if that means anything

Podolak

I bought this from EMS. It has worked wonderfully. For my winter riding I sport an Exodus which I rode in as low as -1 F.