I've had a Showers Pass Club Pro jacket for a year now, though I confess I haven't used it much. The few times I've used it, it's been great. It does trap in some humidity and heat, but it could be worse. Lately, I've worn it with a sweater under it, and it keeps me as warm as a winter coat would, so I'm happy. It has the pit zips, and they probably do help. One thing I like a lot about it is that it is so reflective.

Can't argue w/ $78. Can also troll ebay for Burley Rock Point, the coat the SP elite is based on. It's every bit as good as the elite but it has a proprietary fabric instead of event. The main point of the RP and the elite is that the fabric matters less than extensive ventilation, cuff to waist pitzips and back flaps.

There is a S rockpoint right now, they are asking $89.

I should add, I still have my rockpoint but I decided I don't want blue, only hi-viz (despite the reflectors). Once I started looking for hi-viz, couldn't find a coat w/ comparable ventilation and what passes for breathability until I worked my way up to the SP elite which is what I wear these days.

I had similar experiences with my Touring model. The CS woman at SP told me that their clothing is pretty much done after two years. I'm pretty sure J&G will be my next jacket.

I think the reason the J&G will hold up better and be more waterproof is the seamless top and zipper flap design. If you look at this jacket, there’s no way for water to get in like most seam taped and exposed zipper jackets.

http://www.bicycleclothing.com/Breat...inJacket_1.jpg

Thanks for all the good posts in this thread.

I see that Showers Pass has a sale on right now, Nov 30. For instance, the Elite 2.1 jacket for $162 instead of $249.

It's 35% off everything, through Dec 2.

i bought a J&G jacket on the recommendations in this thread and have been very happy so far. I ride with the pit zips open and usually the front zipper mostly unzipped. I'm not a believer in breathable waterproof fabrics but I don't get too wet using it as described.

Well since I last posted on this very same thread sometime last year. I have had the J&G jacket since May. And it's performance is just as good as the SP. It is outstanding in a downpour. I don't get any leakage around the zipper. I did on the SP. The pit vents are huge compared to the SP. A real plus. It only has side pockets. Which are big. A rear pocket would be nice. The zipper is far superior to the SP. And in the cold snap we had recently. I rode in 12f and the jacket performed great as my outer shell. Good windproof and coldproof. Now we'll see how long this one lasts compared to the three years I got out of the SP.

Seeing J&G come up I wanted to share my experience with the company. It was/is not good.

I purchased their waterproof rain pants. For various reasons I did not get around to using them in actual rain for quite a while. When I did I found that beyond a drizzle or light rain they leaked at the seams. I emailed J&G on October 1, explaining that I liked the fit and finish of the pants and that the material itself is waterproof, but that the seams are not. No response. So I called them several days later and left a message. On October 9 I received an email telling me how to treat the pants with DWR. I emailed back that waterproofness of the fabric was not the issue, that they were suggesting a solution to a problem I was not having. I have not received a reply to that second email.

My experience with mom and pop shops in cycling and other areas is that they are very responsive to the customer. That has not been the case with J&G. It was frustrating that they did not respond to an initial contact, did not read my email well enough to address my issue and that they didn't bother to respond when I emailed a second time. In each communication with them I was polite and civil. A product that underperforms and poor customer service is not a winning combination.

DWR surfactants Break down .. washing, in detergents ruins it , they contain 'wetting agents' a surfactant with opposite effects .

I had a Showers Pass. I now wear a jacket from MEC (Canada's REI). Save your money. The supposed breathing through the fabric is negligible compared to simply opening the pit zips. Buy for the design and cut, not for the material.

My Showers Pass does seem to hold in heat and moisture, but I'm learning to deal with it. I can't compare it with other jackets without the pit zips, because I don't have one to try currently. I trust it's good. I'm not melting in the jacket, so I think I got my money's worth. I like the cut, and I like the extreme high visibility. It also has a fabric collar on the inside, which is a huge unexpected bonus.

I never believe the claims of waterproof and breathable. In my experience, you get to choose one.

After close to four years my SP Touring jacket and Club Convertible pants finally failed. At first I was kind of pissed and the SP CS didn’t give me the warmest feelings. So, I’ve been ready to try the J&G stuff until today. I’ve left four voice messages with J&G to ask some questions. None of them have been responded to and they didn’t answer the phone again today. Although some of my previous conversations with SP concerning the life span of my gear didn’t go my way they were always responsive. SP does have an excellent two year warranty that if needed should compensate for anything that goes wrong. Today I was speaking with a SP CS guy who has convinced me that the upgrades to the Transit jacket and Club Convertible pants are worth a try. Plus they are 35% off right now. This time I will wash the gear more frequently and evaluate it closely when it come close to the end of the two year warranty period.

Today my new Shower Pass Transit jacket and Club Convertible 2 pants came in the mail. I also received a Portland cap, which normally goes for $40, as a free gift during their 35% off sale. The improvements in the jacket and pants are very noticeable. It was raining big time today. So, I took the new gear for a two hour ride in 45F rainy weather. It worked as advertised! I was bone dry and never felt over heated even with all of the vents closed. I liked the idea of J&G but I’m glad I stuck with what I know.

Maybe this would fit your bill? This works just as good as the expensive ones: Voler: Voler Clear Rain Jacket

I've used Marmot Precip pants and jacket for years and years.....Work great,.... $100 for both if you look around.....2.5 layer material,which means the scrim is attached to the membrane....3 layer the scrim is seperate.

I woundn't wear Showers Pass stuff if you gave it to me....What makes the Chinese people that sew Showers Pass stuff better than everyone else?

They make nice stuff.....It ain't THAT nice.If I'm paying 3-4-500 dollars for rain gear....Should I really have to worry about buying another at some point?

That's more than I paid for my first nice bicycle.....That's more than the down payment on my first house!...Still have both of those...:)

Weird, I am shaped like Gumby (I'm 6'2" with a 37 sleeve and a 30" waist) and I didn't like the fit of the Elite 2.1 (size L) that I tried on. Sleeves too short, body much too big.

I ended up buying a Gore jacket instead.

I'm nothing like that Gumby (at 5'5" and a 29" waist), and the Elite 2.1 (size S) fits me perfectly. It feels like it was designed for me. :)

Problems with my Unused but not current design SP Touring Jacket. Bought this maybe 3-4 years ago and for whatever reason never used it. Finally wore the jacket from work where I stored it as there was a terrible storm and I had 25 miles to get home. The jacket did the job, but I noticed 2 things.
A) The drop tail inside coating(?) which was black scraped off on my saddle, I can understand some issues there. B) The Inside White coating flaked off in several areas. THAT I was worried about.
Called CS at SP and said the coating failed and it IS NOT covered in the Warranty, so I would get a credit towards a new jacket of 50% or so.
Hmm, so much for the lifetime or satisfaction warranty.

So it sits in my closet again until I figure how to resolve this issue on the jacket.

I just wore this jacket in the rain today, it worked great, never even got damp. For $13 plus shipping it's a killer deal, I just hope Voler keeps making them, their on closeout right now with just two sizes left, Medium (which is actually small), and large (which is actually medium). Search for a coupon like I did and get another $1 off.