waterproof jacket w/ pit zips
 

ive been doing some searching and ive come up empty, only things i can find have one or the other

im looking for a waterproof shell with pit zips for ventilation
just a hardshell would be preferable so i could layer underneath and still use it in warmer weather

my current combination is a fleece lined jacket with wind resistant outer, super warm but not waterproof and zero ventilation, turns into a sauna in about 30 mins

any ideas?

These have been highly rated by other Forum users:
http://www.bicycleclothing.com/Water...n-Jackets.html

I don't have one yet, I have one of the J&G yellowjacket windbreakers, which I love. I would like to get one of these rainjackets, but they have been out of my size (3XL) for a while now.

Kinda pricey, but made in USA. And it has the pitzips....

Endura Gridlock has pit zips and shoulder ventshttp://www.endurasport.com/Product.a...22&prod_id=128.

Novarra Stratos works for me. It looks like REI has discontinued it in favor of the Showers Pass line.
On that note, I also owned a Showers Pass Elite 2.0 and it was an excellent jacket. Good ventilation, decent breathability and excellent water resistance.

Cycle rain cape, Water proof, but open underneath .. so therein lies the ventilation..

Mine is PVC , nylon reinforced .. Grundens, made in Portugal
A Fishing Offshore foul weather gear maker.. $120 @ Riv Bike

I have a Showers Pass Portland jacket and a Burly One before that.

there is still dampness going into the 'breathable ' fabric.. pores..
and rain running into the Pit zips. even closed (Zipper Choice)

The jacket is OK , long enough to unlock the bike when it's parked in the rain.
then I Pull the Cape On over it..

Showers pass, commuter or club touring jacket.

I like my Showers Pass Touring jacket which I see is being superseded by their Transit jacket. You might find a good deal on the Touring jacket as a result.

Here are the Touring Jacket specs:

• Durable ARTEX™ 3–layer & 2–layer mini–ripstop fabrics
• Full cut for extra mobility and room to layer
• 12 inch two–way pit zips
• Two zippered front hand/cargo pockets
• Large back vent for flow thru ventilation
• Exclusive airflow–regulating gusseted cuffs
• Cinch–cord at hem
• Water resistant two-way front zipper
• Hideaway drop down tail
• 3M[SUP]TM [/SUP]Scotchlite[SUP]TM[/SUP] Reflective Material on arms and back
• Light loop on rear vent
• Soft Micro–chamois collar
• Zippered chest pocket with audio port

It's definitely cut on the larger side; that works for me, but maybe not you. Plenty of room to layer under it. The key to staying comfortable in this jacket through a range of temperatures are the adjustments to the cuffs, pit zips, and cinch-cord. Between layering and adjusting the openings on the jacket, I've worn it from the low 30s to the upper 50s degrees F. I love mine.

Showers Pass jacket ratings are all listed here:
http://www.showerspass.com/catalog/m...ite-pro-jacket

lots of good stuff guys, does "core vents" translate into pit zips? because i saw that on a lot of jackets but the terminology and lack of pictures was confusing

im trying to get an idea of what to look at before i go into shops (theyre in manhattan and im about an hour and a half away)

I'm using the Outdoor Research Foray, and I've been very impressed with it. Packs small, very waterproof and with layering, has been fine down below -13F!

Core vents often refer to vents on the chest of the jacket that can be zipped open. They usually have a storm flap to try to keep water from getting in. Some cycling and running specific jackets have a vent in the back, though I don't recall those specifically being referred to as "core vents". I prefer long pit zips to any other active venting scheme. Are you looking for a cycling specific jacket or just any good waterproof shell with vents? Does it matter if it has a hood?

cycling specific or hood doesnt matter

vents in the back is mostly useless also since id be using it with a bag to and from work/school

Interesting. I can stand/ride in a full downpour and I get nothing inside my jacket. This is true for both of the ones I've used (Showers Pass Elite, Novarra Stratos). Is the Portland a different fabric/membrane?

I've tried a cape, but found it to be a nightmare. I like clean and open, and prefer things that fit closely to my body. I tried riding with a rain cape as a storm was blowing in, and the "sail" effect was downright dangerous. Even without wind, I could feel the resistance when I rode. Not my style. I really wanted to like it, as I know they are very effective for rain, but there were too many downsides for me.

I commute in the SHowers pass Portland Jacket - waterproof, pit zips, and I can wear it at work. Warmer than optimal for summer, but it doesn't rain in the summer here.

I have a Patagonia Torrent Shell that I use as my commuting rain jacket. I decided to get it instead of a cycling-specific jacket because I wanted the hood for use off of the bike (hiking/backpacking). It's light, packs easily, has big pit zips, and I think it is a good price. Most of the major outdoor gear manufacturers such as Mountain Hardware, Marmot, TNF, etc. have similar products and most of them run around $100-$130.

I bought a Stratos not long ago - they're on sale (guess closing them out). It's a great jacket though sort of niched; great down to about 30F and above 50F it's too hot. Based on conversations in this thread I just bought a neoshell jacket from Foxwear. This stuff is amazing - very windproof and more breathable than the stratos. I've been using it in the 15-25F range and it's perfect. It's supposed to be good into the 50's - I'm ready to find out soon! Call Lou at Fox at Foxwear

I have both a J&G Waterproof Yellowjacket with pit zips and a Gore Path jacket water-resistant, wind-proof soft shell. The J&G jacket is coated nylon and not "breathable". Even with the pit zips wide open, after just ten minutes, the inside of the jacket will be coated with a light sheen of condensed water vapor. That's on a dry day. After my ~25 min commute on a downpour day it is difficult to say whether or not I would have gotten any wetter without any raingear at all! The Path jacket is a very different experinence. Without the expense of "Gore-Tex" you stay very reasonably dry, even in the steadiest downpour. I've had full out Gore-Tex in the past and IMO you get about as slightly damp in the $80 Path jacket as you do in a $200 full Gore-Tex jacket. This is to say that not even Gore-Tex is able to keep anyone who is doing more activity than watching paint dry, dry.

H

O2 rainwear primary jacket, found it on chain live for about 25 bucks and have had it for a year. good jacket.

I've worn my stratos down to -5 and it was great, and wear it all the time in single digits up to the mid 50's. I use it as an outer shell, so my warmth comes from whatever layers I find appropriate for the temp.
I've heard nothing but good reports about the foxwear - I'll check them out when the stratos wears out.

My winter jacket is from Decathlon, which is a French sporting goods store. It's fleece lined, reasonably water resistant (only gets wet inside in very heavy rain) and pretty breathable. I wear it from late November-early March, as it's good for temperatures between about -5 to 10. Warmer than that - it's too warm. Colder than that - I don't know, maybe it'd work, but it doesn't get that cold here. ;)

Good strategy! I was going to return the stratos (rei will take anything back) but it's just too nice to get rid of. Problem is that so far the foxwear is so much better I'm feeling guilty leaving the stratos hanging in the closet! Good problem to have

NB : the one Grant & Co. got Grundens to make is heavy Duty stuff, being a heavyer thick fabric It doesnt Blow around as much..

Added Benefit I dont have the wet soaked through Gloves. as they are under the front of the cape, and the awning formed by my outstretch arms means no need for rain pants.

got a Columbia Omniheat jacket from an outlet. The jacket is warm and perfectly weatherproof. The best part I love about this jacket is its texture - the jacket has "cloth/fabric" texture and doesn't look like a weatherproof sporty jacket.

Originally priced at $250, I paid $50. I guess their sizing chart was all messed up though. I'm 5'11" tall, and my S sized jacket is still slightly too large.

The jacket is durable enough for cycling. I crashed twice while wearing this jacket. No damage shown whatsoever.

+1

Endura makes excellent cycling clothing and this Gridlock jacket is a great example. I picked this up just after Christmas for commuting and the jacket has been great from 30 - 45F in rain and fog.

The Gridlock has pit zips, a mesh inner liner, velcro where you need it, reflective stripping, plus fleece around the collar. I got the high vis-yellow, it's super bright, perfect for low light conditions.

The Gridlock replaced an almost new Showers Pass club jacket and Showers Pass touring jacket. The Showers Pass jackets even with pit zips just don't breath enough and the Touring jacket is to stiff to be comfortable or compact enough to be considered pack-able.

For my needs, a jacket that would store easily in the pannier was also an important priority, the Gridlock fits this requirement.

The MSRP is $99 for the Gridlock, I picked this up from the LBS at 20% off. For cycling clothing, I considered that a bargain for a jacket of this quality.

I got a North Face Venture jacket in bright orange on sale in September. It's very waterproof, has pit vents, and is pretty breathable. The attached hood works well over or under a helmet. I've worn it a lot, and it's held up well. Very light and packable.