"Rain" jackets
 

It's the start of another rainy season, and I need a great rain jacket. I currently have a Marmot Precip, but after an hour I feel wet. what i want 1. gore-tex rainproof. 2. lightweight and packable in a small bag.3. vents, pockets and hood is good. 4. something that looks normal around town. has anyone tried Outdoor Research "Elixer" jacket. looks nice. Is there any way to keep feet dry to?

You want a cycling specific jacket with pit zips and a back vent. Waterproof/breathable fabric is nice but you have to realise that if the outside is wet the moisture on the inside won't be going through the fabric.

I have the rain jacket and pants from J&G Cyclewear. They're quite good and have worked well for me all winter. They have vents that I can open when I start getting hot so I can continue to wear them through the spring comfortably.

http://www.bicycleclothing.com/

For feet, there are a number of options. Personally, I like to ride in my normal sneakers, so I use these shoe covers from Mountain Equipment Coop in Canada. I've tried a few others, but these work best for me.

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1205877493863

Showers Pass stuff is great

Had this jacket for about 3 years now. I used all year around. Very good wind shell, water-proof, light. No complaints. The price is worth it!

cheers

MEC Whoosh Cycling Jacket (Men's)
Product Number: 5007-952

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1205878440818

Does anybody else but me not worry about getting wet as long as they stay warm? When I read all the posts about rain gear I keep thinking I must be missing something.

I suppose it depends on what facilities you have on the work end of the commute? I just wear whatever weight jacket I need for the temps (assuming colder due to evaporative cooling) and then either hang stuff up to dry or if stuff's really soaked, toss 'em in a dryer (upstairs apartments have coin-op) for a bit.

You DONT want goretex, I own a Marmot Precip, and a multitude of goretex and its variants over the years. Precip is pretty much just as good/bad. A goretex jacket wont have you any dryer. Both are waterproof, both are breathable enough for people walking from the car to the shopping mall, neither are breathable enough for cycling.

Best cycling rainjacket is Showerspass elite. Lots swear by J&G but i have no personal experience with it so cant compare. Neither look like fashionable clothes off the bike.

A softshell is the other way, but they will start to soak through in an hour or so. If your working hard you'll evaporate it almost as fast as it comes in. Try http://beyondclothing.com/products/jackets/soft-shell/ or mec.ca for various softshells. MEC has a nice chart comparing various ones. Softshells wont pack up and fit in a jersey pocket though.

If you want a small packable shell, thats waterresistant, see the one i use on second page of this thread http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=388656

Yeah I don't mind being wet and my commutes only 17km one way. Its just when it stops raining,brrrrr...
I get all my stuff from http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/ great kiwi made cycling gear.

Anybody use the Rainshield O2 Tyvek-like jackets? Experience?

Showers Pass Elite 2.0 (made of eVent) is the top of the line. Very breathable and waterproof.

www.showerspass.com

I've got a Patagonia rainshadow and I love it, i've been out in all day soakers and it keeps me dry.