OK, so... trying to get things done on a budget. I live in the southeast, with winter temperatures that fluctuate wildly. We'll have a few days of temps in the teens overnight with highs in the 20's, followed by a week or two of 70/50 degree weather. Due to weather patterns, we almost never have precipitation when we have extreme cold temperatures. Rain in the 50's? Yeah, figure that'll happen. Days where the temp is in the 20s and 30s? Yep, I'll have that, too.

But it's unlikely that I'll have to ride in 35 degree rainfall more than once or twice a year. Or that I'll have to ride when it's snowing. We get several dustings each year, but only 6" or more in a single go every couple of years, and on days like that, I can work from home anyway.

Also, my commute is only 6 1/2 miles, and I have access to a shower and gym at work.

So... I don't need a massive rain jacket that handle serious extremes.

What I'm unsure about is whether a water-resistant jacket (that I could use a nice windbreaker outer shell) is going to be sufficient for a 20 minute commute in the rain, or if I need to drop the extra coin on a waterproof jacket that I'll only wear when it's actually wet outside.