Originally Posted by
illusiumd
Good thoughts. I just got the SP Elite 2.1 and am trying it out - but it's just not cool/cold enough in Chicago yet. It's definately a good jacket - but I'd like to also use it as a non-cycling snow/winter shell on top of a fleece or something. I'm so picky. I like it - but don't know if it's 250 worth of like.
Lol, you sound almost exactly like me. I wanted a winter jacket, and one that would do as much as possible for other uses, first biking in the rain above freezing, then anything else.
- Wow this jacket sounds great, but so expensive. But I'm going to order it, maybe I can use it with other things.
- Wait, it looks like eVent fabric is kinda fragile (all the most breathable fabrics are) - like fine for biking a lot a long time, but not great for having backpack straps rub against the shoulders. Plus shoulders are right into the wind - don't want that to wear through or take water.
- Ugh, for the same reasons I don't want to wear it skiing or doing anything where I expect to fall down - don't want to rip it or wear it.
- Looks like this is mostly just for biking in the winter or in rain, don't want to wear it while I have anything rubbing against it.
Actually go biking in subfreezing temperature
- Ok, I don't care about multi-use any more, just want something as windproof and breathable as possible!
If I knew for sure that the jacket is the most breathable, I'd say "get it". I just haven't been able to figure out if something like windstopper is more breathable.
Originally Posted by
illusiumd
Might go to REI and try out Novarra Express (Novarra=60/SP=250?). Was also looking at Foxwear and JG - but their colors pretty much only come in yellow and I'd feel bad ordering just to return later if I didn't care for them.
Lol that's it own dilema - spend $200 on a jacket now, or spend substantially less money only to find it to unbreathable waste all the money on it?
I've seen Foxwear before, what kept me away from them was - honestly - that a lot of their clothing looked rather unstylish. It's great if you don't care, but as a single guy I'm ok with plain but avoid "ugly".
Sorry the ramble on without a clear conclusion. Bottom line, Shower's Pass Elite jacket has worked well for me. I've just always wondered if there is a more breathable jacket out there if I give up waterproofing.