Originally Posted by
illusiumd
That's exactly the combination I was eyeing for this winter in Chicago. The Showers Pass 2.1 is expensive but last winter I went cheap on everything so this time I'm going to splurge a bit.
Q-> Is that jacket overkill for use primarily as a shell?
Going to a windproof breathable jacket was a huge, huge improvement in winter riding for me, windproof breathable is definitely worth it in my opinion.
There's 2 questions though:
1. Whether you could get something similar in function (windproof breathable) but cheaper
2. Whether you could something non-waterproof, but more breathable
On
#1 I don't know - I know most comparable stuff is similarly priced.
On
#2 I'm researching right now, but frankly, I don't know that I'll be able to figure it out without buying something and trying it myself. The eVent fabric used for the Shower's Pass jacket is good, but I've always felt like it would be nice if it was more breathable (but it is technologically possible to make something that's more breathable and also windproof?). I've looked into Windstopper - windproof but not waterproof - and just haven't been able to figure out if it's more breathable than eVent fabric or not.
So is it worth the price for something that's breathable and windproof for winter riding? In my opinions it's definitely "yes". Is there something better or cheaper out there? I'm not sure.