O2 rain jacket- usable or don't bother?
 

Looking to get a rain jacket on the cheap. Seen these around a couple of shops locally for less than $40. http://www.amazon.com/O2-Cycling-Rai...692241&sr=8-11.

Currently using the wardrobe from my pre-cycle commuting days. Most of it is too bulky and almost all of it is too dark to be practical while riding. Hoping that Santa is bringing me the wool that I asked for, but I'm thinking about getting one of these jackets to act as an outer shell to increase visibility and hopefully increase the coverage of the vertical smile.;)

I have that jacket. It's not too bad. It could use a storm flap over the zipper, at least a little reflective trim, and velcro cuffs instead of elasticized cuffs. But it's held off rain and wind without a problem, it's light and packable, and the interior's lightly "flocked" so it's not clammy. I wear my ANSI reflective vest over it for nighttime use.

I've got the hooded version, and have to agree with mech above. On the cheap, it's not a bad choice at all.

I've noticed that wool is the best cycling fabric in the world. It can be toasty warm if you layer it right, in which case you really don't want your rain shell to be insulated. And the O2 one isn't. If santa brings you some wool, it also makes whatever else you're wearing about twice as breathable, because of the way it wicks sweat. The jacket you're looking at zips open, too, so you'll be able to dump some heat going up a hill if you need to. It should be fine.

The zipper could DEFINITELY use a storm flap. Not too bad for the price apart from the leaking zipper.

I have the hooded one.. it works great, but doesn't breath well. Anything above 35 - 40 F is too hot to wear it for me. If I'm wearing it I have to take it easy or I arrive wet on the inside from sweat.

I had one of these years ago that I got cheap from Nashbar. Mine was too tight fitting around the shoulders/arm pits, and it leaked through the back. Also it didn't breathe well. I started using a cheap REI safety-yellow coated nylon jacket after that, which was waterproof and also didn't breathe.

I have a Showers Pass Touring now. It is waterproof and breathable in the sense that you ventilate through the sleeves, arm pits and back. Fit on these jackets for me was either too tight or way too loose, and they're not cheap. Got mine on sale for ~140 from a shop in Portland. They are well constructed and don't fall apart quickly like some cheaper jackets.

I thought about getting one of those, but i ended up getting a columbia and am pretty happy i spent the extra money.

It seems like a regular rain jacket (except maybe the tail is longer). I have a Field & Stream rain jacket I bought from a Sporting goods store for the same price. To add visibility I can put a reflective vest or sash over it.

I started out with one of them, It did seem to keep the wind and rain out. However, it is rather fragile for my world.

I have the hooded version and I agree with what was said above: zipper needs flap, very delicate and easy to rip. Also it works up to some degree, it won't stop heavy, driving rain completely. But I like it despite its flaws, for the price is not bad and it packs tighly, I always have it stashed in a pannier.

I have one (got it for $20 some time ago) and love it. It breathes, packs, and dries out quite a bit better than the REI jacket I used before and has the advantage of being bright yellow (instead of dark blue). I might buy another one if I can find it in the store again, as I've put a few tiny rips in the outer shell of mine over time.

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The longer tail is part of the reason why I'm interested in it- to cut down on the back draft. I've got an old rain suit from way back, but it looks (and feels) like someone stitched/welded it from those cheap tarps. I could use it in a pinch, but IIRC the arms and legs aren't tapered or elasticized. And it doesn't exactly pack well, either.

For those who have lambasted the O2, point out comparably priced ones, and I'll take a look. Otherwise, I'll probably just go with the O2, and it looks like I'm going to have to compare prices between the hooded and non-hooded (didn't know they made one with a hood).