Rain jackets
 

I'm in the market for a rain jacket and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations. I live in Northern VT and commute about 20 miles round trip daily about 6 or 7 months out of the year. I'd like something that is durable - ie. not cheap plastic. I don't mind riding in the rain when the temps are in the 30s but I need to keep somewhat dry. My feet and hands can handle it if my core stays warm. I'm not worried about warm weather rain (we don't get much here) so breathability is not a major concern. I prefer something with a hood. I had a cheap Nashbar rain jacket that I got many years ago but it no longer is waterproof. I figure there must be some folks for the northwest that deal with this kind of weather. Thoughts?

Just got this about a month ago and it has worked great.

http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/...?p=83800-0-803

I wear a Heavy Carhardt, or a lighter LaCrosse, [brand] coat, both are neon lime with wide reflective bands.
there are what the roadside workers wear, not cycling specific..
I like to be seen when the weather is dark and heavy. and the wind is, perhaps, a strong Gale.

I like my Log House rain-cape - I'm a big guy, and put out a lot of body heat under full steam. The cape keeps me cool, and helps control perspiration - I don't wind up sweat-soaked like I do with a jacket. It also does a credible job of keeping my legs mostly dry - I have a pedal-forward bike, so my knees get wet. I may just need a longer model cape, tho at 6'3", that may be tricky. It packs down pretty compact (it lives in my pannier full-time), and is also fairly windproof.

I'm loving my Showers Pass Elite 2.0. It is my fourth rain jacket, and my hands down favorite thus far. Prior to that I used a J&G, which was a good value for the money, but nowhere near as functional as the Showers Pass. Others were primarily re-purposed mountaineering shells and the ol' bombproof, unbreathable $10 rubber coated poncho.

north face venture. moosejaw has the cheapest for women and backcountry for men.

When it's below around 45, I wear this one, because it's completely water and wind proof:

http://www.backcountry.com/images/it...1018/BIGSY.jpg

If it's below 45, I wear this instead, because it's very breathable, and mostly waterproof, but lets a little wind in for air conditioning:

http://www.backcountry.com/images/it...0925/BIGSY.jpg

They also work beautifully for hiking, kayaking, etc. The first one is bomb-proof.

I have a Showers Pass double century and it is a very nice rain jacket. It is roomy enough to layer underneath in cold weather. Its got nice ventilation to get body moisture out including the ability to unzip the front from the bottom up- this is nice because then it does not catch the wind like it would if unzipped from the top. I think I paid around $100 for it on sale from Bike Tires Direct.

Showerspass eVent whatever it's called w/ the optional hood. I even use it off the bike.

Showers Pass. I also wear the Double Century. It's a very lightweight jacket, but I just layer underneath it to get the temp. just right.

If a jacket made from goretex or event fabric loses it's waterproof capability, wash it in Nikwax (you can buy Nikwax at REI or on Amazon). Works great.

Showers Pass, touring. Also useful for touring!

I wore out a Performance Century jacket before that. The replacement wasn't as nice as either its predecessor or the SP.

For my rainy day commuting purposes I have these two jackets:Gerber hi-viz EMT coat and a slightly older version of this Axiom jacket. Both are excellent waterproof coats but neither is particularly breathable.

Another one for Showers Pass. I've worn mine from 75f to -14f. I wore out the first one after three years. Couldn't decide on a replacement so I bought another one. I just hope it lasts longer. I did have to use Nik-wax after the first year. But the jacket is bombproof in any weather.

I was in Portland two weeks ago for the bike show and I picked up the Shower Pass Elite 2.0. The latest version has re-positioned the pit vents to be closer to the front for easier access and you can buy an optional hood. It has been raining quite a bit lately and it is a cold rain and the jacket has been perfect. I also have a Patagonia eVent climbing jacket that cost twice as much but not really cycling specific and it is also very good for the warmer rain days. Both of these jackets are pricey but they are worth the money.

I have this model but only last years incarnation. I absolutely love this jacket. Its everything all my other high dollar bike specific stuff isn't. It runs kinda small but its a bit stretchy. I've worn it down to the mid 20 degree mark with a base layer of merino wool or the equivalent and its been great warm and breatheable and its is absolutely waterproof and makes goretex seem like a plastic bag. http://www.rei.com/product/798999/re...h-event-fabric

I love my showers pass elite, but next time I would go for the black one. I have the orangey/yellow and it looks pretty grubby now.

I got one from REI which I like, just make sure there are zippers in the pits for air as rain jackets can create more moisture inside the jacket than what they are meant to shed on the outside if its warm.

Another Showers Pass Elite here. Love the rain resistance of the jacket and the color BUT not wild on the tightness of the fit- I have the Extra Large and am tall but not all the that big and it fits tight. Don't like the cut of the rear pocket- too easy for stuff to fall out. The oversized sleeve cuffs are good for fitting over gloves/mittens but floppy and catch on upright handlebars easily. This jacket feels more like it's designed for a rainy 40 mile spring training ride on my racing bike than a jacket made for year round every day commuting and transportation on an upright hybrid.

It's like they designed it based on market research rather than purpose. In other words, the spandex crowd, of which I am occasionally one, tends to be willing to be spend $200 + on a jacket they might wear two or three times a month as opposed to the rough and tumble commuter/transport cyclist who would wear it every day but hate the price tag.

If someone knows of a good heavy duty jacket as rain proofed as this one but at a lower price and truly made for the every day, year round commuter that would be a find.

edit- I also don't understand the separately priced and detachable hood. If it's raining hard enough to wear this jacket you're going to want a hood and if you don't they should roll easily into the collar out of the way. As for me, I bought the hood for an extra $30 and promptly lost it within a month or two. BTW, I think the Shower's Pass Touring might be the better design for the commuting crowd and it's cheaper.

These look like some good options. I'm afraid the Shower Pass might be beyond my budget but it does look good. The J&G jacket might be a good compromise. I just wish more rain jackets included hoods that'll fit a helmet underneath.

The Showers Pass Double Century jacket is less than half the price of the Elite. I've got literally hundreds of commutes on mine over the last three years and it's holding up fine. As I said earlier, it's a very lightweight jacket but I view that as a positive - by varying the layering underneath it the jacket is useable in a much wider range of temps than the heavier elite. I'll ride in mine from the single digits to the 50's. I've found it to be plenty waterproof for those inevitable winter rain rides. Personally I don't ride with a hood so I am glad that the jacket does not come with one, although the standard Showers Pass hood is compatible with this jacket.

The J&G will keep the rain off you, but may not keep you dry. I have one and the sweat builds up and sticks to you. Not enough heat is vented through the pit zips and back vent to keep from sweating in any weather above 40F. That's why I picked up the Showers Pass. No rain jacket will vent enough to keep sweat from building up, but the Showers Pass vents the best.

+1
This is precisely my experience with the J&G vs. Showers Pass.

I tried the Showers Pass Elite, but found the fit too baggy and the length too short. I picked up the REI Verita (also eVent) and love it for its fit, waterproofness and breathability. But I waited for one of their 20% off coupons. I've used Gore-tex Paclite, Gore-tex Windstopper, Marmot Precip and this eVent jacket and that's how breathable they are in order (Paclite lowest and eVent highest breathability).

I have an old Helly Hansen shell which I love. Nice adjustable hood, packs in its own pocket to the size of a grapefruit. Keeps me dry. I don't know the model name - Looks closest to the current Helly Hansen Vancouver. Shop around and they can be had for $50-60.

After ripping one of the arms in the HH I got a Marmot Precip. Has an even nicer hood. Lacks mesh lining, however so I can't stand wearing it over short sleeve shirts. Doesn't seem to breath as well as the HH.

One thing I really like about my O2 jacket is the attached hood that rolls into the collar when I'm not using it. It is very light weight and I don't know how durable it will be. Most of the miles I've ridden this year have been whilst wearing the jacket, and in the rain for that matter. I use the hood under my helmet.

http://o2rainwear.com/2011/03/primary-pant/

It doesn't have mulitple layers, so when I take it off to change into a dry shirt, it's a bit gross feeling inside when I put it back on. As far as I can tell all of the moisture is from sweat, as it's the same when I wear it for a wind breaker.

I was looking at a Showers Pass Elite 2 at a lbs yesterday and thought it seemed too heavy for the temperatures I ride in. So far it hasn't gone below 25 degrees F. and I'm fine in that with a long sleeve T shirt under the jacket. Maybe one of the lighter (and cheaper!) Showers Pass jackets would work better for me. Are they all well waterproofed?