Debating between two jackets:
1- gore bike wear path
https://www.rei.com/product/789285

2- showerpass elite
https://www.rei.com/product/793724

Which would you choose?

Concerns:
Gore bike wear path
-- too many layers needed when cold?
-- too hot above 70

[liked the design of the phantom, but it seems to be primary a cool/cold weather jacket]


Showerpass
-- need extra layer for top of back during cold riding
-- too hot above 65?

Thanks

Showers Pass Elite 2.0


It looks like the better of the two jacket,

I don't understand how it can be the hotter of the 2, It has all those nice vents,
It has the nice reflective strips,
I also don't know how it would need extra layers, well I always ride with a sweat shirt and a jacket of some sort, and I have always been find,
The back pocket looks like you can get to it better, because its offset,

That's my thought, I need to get a new winter jacket

I current "have" the showerpass touring and the construction looks similar. The difference is the fabric. With the touring jacket model, the top has a netted upside down V trapezoid with about 5 inches unnetted towards the shoulders. My old jacket has full netting and so it is ok down to 20f with base layer, and any long sleeve shirt.

I really don't know of any waterproof and windproof jackets of the quality of the Showers Pass Elite 2.0 that would be particularly comfortable above 65 F. As breathable as eVent jackets are, you're still much better off with soft shell water-resistant jackets when it's very warm.

The qualities of waterproofness and breathability are in direct opposition to each other, which is why the compromises are so high-tech and expensive.

Just my opinion,

Scott

zpl - is there one jacket you can wear year round, or do you have another solution?

I don't mind being soaking wet when it's 65, just take your shirt of and ride!

I'm kinda cheap, so like to keep it under $100. Looks like they have one Small, and that's the only one on the internet, though.

My current HH jacket has lasted several years. It's a little baggy, and I think it's too warm above 60 degrees F, but works like a charm in the rain and snow.

Ya know it is too bad they can't somehow whip some style into that bright yellow Gore jacket.

I donno, maybe some nice contrasting areas... some wedges of gray or something.

Seems to me you stand out even better with some contrast, and it might even give it some style.

You basically got two kinds of jacket needs, if you are like me.

1. A jacket for an outer windblocking layer that is somewhat water resistant, but not a rain coat - for this I use my J&G Yellowjacket. I wear it year round...not the best in any category but a good all-rounder for the temp range you desire.

2. a rain/bad weather jacket - for this I have a Burley Rockpoint, which isn't made anymore. If I had to replace it I'd probably choose either the SP Elite or a MEC Whoosh. I also have a rain cape, which I like better in the summer months.

Personally, I sweat buckets during the warmer months and enjoy being rained on without a jacket if the temperature is above 75 F.

The SP Elite 2.0 is my jacket of choice for cold, dry rides or rainy rides up to about 65 F.

Scott

I have that Gore jacket. I like it a lot. It's kept me dry through some pretty good rains here in NYC. It gets a little damp inside from sweat, but nothing major. I'm 6'0" and 178 pounds. I wear a 33" shirt sleeve. The medium fits me close in the torso and is a little too long in the sleeves. By no means would I call it loose. I can easily fit a base layer and a wool jersey under it. I don't think I could fit anything more. I thought about Showers Pass. When I tried it in the shop, I didn't care for it. Too baggy, and I think I remember it having netting inside which I don't like. There is an Endura jacket made of similar material that can be had for much less. I bought Endura pants in that material for $90 and Gore pants of similar material would have been $200.

I also use another jacket/ jersey type garment for damp days that aren't truly raining and aren't truly warm. It's a Descente bit that's water resistant but certainly not this type fabric. The Descente is nicely stretchy, though.

Ok, ended up with neither, but got the illumunite seattle. There is a huge huge difference between the shower pass touring and the SP elite. The elite is a very very nice jacket. If I were in CA, I'ld jump at the SP. Unlike the touring, it has better insulation between your body and the fabric and instead of monster sleeves, you can either open them up or close the down. Decided against for three reasons: 1) $70 more, 2) worried would be too cool and would require another layer at temps 20 to 35 and 3) it would be too warm and sticky above 65. The gore jacket got great ratings and reviews for a winter jacket, but possibility tight in shoulders. I needed just one jacket, so that eliminated it.

Again I appreciate all your advice.

More power to you folks that can afford a $200 jacket. My Gore bike wear jacket was somewhere around $75 but I usually wear a $20 Columbia fleece jacket.

I have a Phantom jacket. Unless you are getting dumped on it works for me. However, that's PNW versus other areas.

I run hot at ANY time and could not possibly wear too thick of a jacket. Even when it's 40 degrees I sweat in mine.

Your miles will obviously vary being in CO.

I've got the same two jackets. I really like them both

See...freakin Goulardi is never wrong!

In my experience quality jackets last a lot longer than cheap ones, and also are much better designed, making them more comfortable in the wet and cold. I paid $300 Canadian for my jacket, and would happily do it again, and I'm far from wealthy. Over the 10 years I expect it to last it's only $30 a year, which is cheap comfort.

FWIW, Showerpass products while well designed are very poorly made.

Too bad Showerspass are no longer made in the states...one more reason to look elsewhere...and $230 for the 2.0 eVent for a glorified windbreaker that's made in China?!!!

My PI rain jacket ($100 and also Chinese) works fine for cold/rain largely due to large pit zips.

Well what is your bike: A- a toy for pleasure, or B- a transportation vehicle. If B, then instead of the vehicle being a shell with bodies inside, you have a vehicle with bodies on top and transportation aids also on top. Instead of using paint, windshields and metal to protect you from the elements, you have layers of clothing. Would you drive a motor vehicle with no paint, and no windshield? If we want bikes to be considered as serious transportation, then the cycling community must come together and not just ask how can I keep this hobby the cheapest.

Even a $200 jacket is not bad. Last jacket purchase was an outrageous $100. Today with inflation the same jacket is $150. But it lasts 5 years. So original was $20/year and current will be about $30/year. Cheaper than a fleece with several steps up in functionality.

Moreover, with the $1/mile I save, even if I only bank 1/2 of it, that's some good coin I can use to make it more likely to spend transportation dollars on things I like and can use rather than gas, oil, and expensive mechanics. So it's either support the cycling merchandisers and make it easier for others to adopt a good life style, or flush the coins down the motor vehicle depreciation rat hole.

^ I realize this is a niche activity compared to others but come on!...$200+ for nylon and a few strategically placed zippers?!?! I believe in keeping things in perspective but that is ridiculous.

I have to repeat that my main outer shell for going on 3 years now in temps down to -5 f has been the same $20 fleece jacket. If I had $200 to spend on a jacket I might. Put me in the other category for this poll.

Do you ride in the rain and snow? That's really where fancy jackets outclass cheap ones.

Yes I do. When it rains, I go to my Gore bike wear jacket. For the snow, the fleece works fine. Here's the thing though...I only have about a 35 minute commute. If it were longer, the necessity of a better jacket might become obvious.

Same here. A med weight windproof, water resistant jacket with 1-2 layers will keep me warm into the teens. Many moons ago I thought a rain cape would be the bomb. Saw pictures of Euros using them and figured they are commuting light years ahead of us so it must be good. Never did get one. If its warm enough I've decided to get wet and just change at work. Can't change when running errands, so wait out the rain or wear a rainsuit since everything is within 2mi. Heavy downpours get a rainsuit, especially when cold. You use the raincape for commuting only or leisure/training rides as well?

Wow. I would consider paying the bigger bucks when it was made in the States but if they're going lowest Chinese bidder and not dropping price... forget it.

Another vote for cheap versus $200 worth of polyester and nylon. If you fall off your bike, scrape against a branch, snag it on your desk, or get it tangled up in the wash you can destroy that stuff....at least I do.

A $20 zip hoodie works fine for me. If I get a year out of it...great. I rarely get any more out of something fancy from the bike shop, and usually get less.

My vote has to go to a jacket that I'd actually buy, as opposed to what I would like to have. I have a J&G rain jacket. $100, and I've worn mine a lot for 3 years now and it still doesn't have a single sign of wear, and I have no complaints about it.

I don't doubt that a $200 jacket might be better in some way, but knowing how satisfied I am with a $100 jacket, I'm unlikely to spend twice as much, because I don't think I can be twice as satisfied.