I agree, if were talking end product, the make/fit/features add a lot of value. Showerspass has an event jacket, but it still lacks many features Id like to see. And it still has that potato chip bag feel to it.

It would be great of some of the big names used other materials so we had more choices. But dollars speak, and gore wont license to any company that uses competitors material. So even companies like Lowe Alpine who switched, end up switching back due to gores marketing bringing in more dollars than other materials superior performance.

Now since you have a big budget, order in a rapha softshell and give me a review before i pony up the cash and buy one myself http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/article.asp?UAN=379
Its a softshell rainjacket with a pump pocket and mp3 wire management hooks for gods sake, what else could i want !