Originally Posted by
niknak
Having used many rain jackets over the years while touring, I keep coming back to my Shower's Pass Elite 2.0, despite its weight and bulk penalties. In dry climates with the occasional storm, an ultralight jacket is fine. I bring a $30 5oz. O2 Rainwear jacket. In more humid climates with frequent rain, I believe that it's the jacket's ventilation features that are more important than its fabric. Even the fanciest waterproof/breathable fabric can't force water vapor from inside to outside if outside is just as humid as inside. These are the features that I think are crucial to a great ventilation design:
- generous fit to allow layering and airflow underneath but not so baggy that the jacket flaps on descents
- wide cuffs to allow airflow up the arms
- pit or side zips to allow airflow around the torso
- some kind of flap in the back to allow air that enters from the cuffs and pit zips to escape, otherwise the jacket billows and air isn't flowing effectively inside the jacket
Most of the jackets mentioned in this thread don't have all of these features. I would use them in dry climates but not when expecting more frequent rain exposure.
these are all very good points and certainly jives with my experiences with diff rain jackets and biking. I must say that my SP Transit checks all of your points and is why I find it to be a very good biking rain jacket. The Transit certainly is bulkier than the Elite, but does give the impression that it will continue to function well for many years, it seems well made and I like the details that make it work well.
I must check, but I'm fairly certain I bought a XS and it fits me well even though I am 5'10", arms are long enough and I even have room to layer stuff underneath, and the length is fine down the back (it also has that pop out longer bum overhang section to cover your seat)
but to go back to your points, I agree with what you say and its a very good overview of what to look for in a jacket.