Bendico

Hey all was wondering if anyone that is a clyde like myself is using the the Showers Pass touring jacket? I have been looking for a wind/rainproof jacket and can't seem to find one. I have looked at Aerotech Design but they are out till next fall on the one I like and being a 54" chest the Showers Pass Touring is one of the few I have found other than Aerotech's that are made for the true clydes. Any thoughts that someone might have would be of great help such as fit and likes and dislike about the jacket. TIA

mtalinm

I have one and have no dislikes with it. I couldn't find a size larger than XL and had to wait to buy until I was thinner

Wogster

Not sure about the SP, I don't use a cycling specific jacket, just the same water proof wind cheater I use for everything else....

maidenfan

I have the Elite 2.0 and its about as good as you're gonna get for a cycling jacket. I'm 6'3" in the 250-260 range and the XXL fits me well. Just remember man, us Clydes put out a lot of sweat and there isnt anything on the market yet that breathes good enough (for me anyway). I've got a $550.00 Mountain Hardwear Gortex Proshell super blah, blah blah and its still always soaking wet on the inside when I get home from whatever aerobic activity I do (dry on the outside, lol). The trick is layering "light" and going up from there. Just accept you're gonna get wet on the inside from sweat (if you ride, run, snowshoe, etc hard like I do).

Sorry for the rant - The showers pass stuff is really nice stuff - great big pit zips to help w/the above - its worth the money. My only gripe w/the jacket so far the the very hard to zip zipper, but most waterproof zippers are like that.

CliftonGK1

I've had my SP Touring for just over a year now, and put it through some very brutal testing. Commuting through the PNW spring and winter for one thing, and a season of randonneuring for another.
During my last 400k ride, it rained for the last 130k. I was completely broken, and slept on the cold, wet pavement 3 separate times; including some guy's rough asphalt driveway at 3am. My SP Touring jacket hasn't got a scratch on it, although it is quite dirty.

It's some heavy duty stuff, for certain. Weight weenies need not apply when looking at this jacket. The main fabric is about twice the weight of the Elite series, and a much heavier hand. The windproof panels at the front and on the sleeve fronts are even heavier. No matter, though. It's the toughest danged jacket I've owned. I'd gladly buy another if I ever manage to destroy this one.

pdlamb

I've been using my XL for a bit over a year now for rides in the cold and rain if it's cool enough. As maidenfan says, it's just about impossible to keep from getting damp, but it does a good job of stopping the cold wind and keeping rain out. Good ventilation on the front (two-way main zipper and pit zips). My only wish is to somehow get some ventilation in the back.

Oh, the collar is comfortable too. Some rain jackets feel like cold wet rubber on your neck, probably because they are. The fabric collar has a much nicer feel.

CliftonGK1

+1 for the microfleece lined collar on the SP Touring. Forgot about that part; yes, very comfortable.

RichardGlover

What a timely thread.

This Wednesday, I was defeated for the first time on commuting by bicycle. I've ridden in the cold, the snow, and light rain.

But Wednesday, it was a mix of heavy rain and high 30's temperatures, and my Performance Century II jacket just didn't cut it on the water resistance front. Less than a mile down the road, it was soaking through, and I wasn't about to spend the next 30 minutes cold AND wet while I rode to work.


So... I'm looking for a real cycling rain jacket.

exile

I've heard good things about them. Just a bit outside of my budget. Try a search and you might get some more opinions on them.

Seattle Forrest

This is the best way to go, by far.

Meh. It doesn't have to be like that. First, try a merino base layer, around 100 grams per square meter. That won't prevent sweat, but it will make it a hell of a lot more tolerable ... to the point that you won't always know you've been sweating. If it's cold out, use a cashmere mid layer. Cashmere loses its insulation when you begin to sweat, and I wind up not sweating at all in the stuff, even climbing steep hills, up to about 50 F. Finally, you can get a jacket that's mostly waterproof ( thanks to being DWR compatible, not to the fabric itself ) and mostly windproof, that adds almost zero in terms of insulation. I don't sweat in my Arc'teryx Accelero windbreaker jacket ( about $430 less than your Mountain Hardware ) until I stop moving, thanks to the faint breeze it lets through, and I can go a couple hours in a downpour before it soaks through, as long as I shake the water off from time to time. It's a great hiking jacket, too.

Bendico

Ok guys I like to thank everyone for the info I am going to order the SP touring today. It sounds like it the Jacket for me and I really don't need a summer jacket this is more for the spring and fall. As far as the sweating on the inside I am a clyde and I sweat like Meatloaf before a concert all the time no matter what but if doesn't matter about that its for the wind and cold spring and fall rain. Now the question is do I want to look like a big Lemon or a giant Blueberry.. LOL.

maidenfan

Cool, thanks I'll give that a shot

RedWhiteandRed

I liked Shower's pass so much I bought tow - different styles and each impressive.