Rain Gear Help
 

Okay, I've been searching and searching and have been going in circles here, so I'm making a post!

I live in Texas, sweat quicker/more than most people, and need something that will be optimal for the occasional downpour that inhibits me from making it to class. That is to say, I don't need something that is going to keep me warm because I can always layer for the few days that it gets cold here. A light waterproof windbreaker with good breathability would be nice, but then we can be talking a lot of money. I need something at or under $100 ideally (I'd be willing to spend a little more for quality) that doesn't look horrific.

Here are some of the coats I'm considering:

[strike]Endura Gridlock Jacket
O2 Rainwear Hooded Jacket
Shower Pass Elite 2.0
Frogg Toggs?
Voler Jet Wind Jacket[/strike]

As you can see, I'm all over the board here. Any advice?

Edit: Post #8 for update

I have the Shower's Pass Elite 2.1 (this year's version). It works excellently as a windbreaker, heat insulator and rain jacket. It's also highly breathable with zippered openings for ventilation. My only issue with this jacket is that I get too warm if I ride in it when it's warmer than 50 degrees!

Oh, and the price. Bike gear is generally expensive, and this one is definitely not an exception.

That one sounds like it's good for Seattle, but not Texas. Thanks, I'll update my list.

You're welcome. You're probably right. I tend to be cold, so if this one gets me warmed up in Seattle, it will definitely work too well for you in Texas!

I am having a hard time trying to figure out if you are wanting waterproof shell, or water resistant wind breaker?

For commuting riders a traditional cycling "rain cape" (aka poncho) makes lots of sense, although not fashion sense.
One sits in a personal tent for good coverage and being open at the bottom the sauna suit effect is avoided.
Cycling specific designs cost from $20 to $250 depending on your requirements.
Combined w/ full mudguards commuting in wet weather is no big deal and a basic one can reside in a commuter bag for use whenever the drought breaks.

Not as stylish as having a logoed gore-miracle $$$ rain jacket handed up from one's team car but more practical.

-Bandera

+1 with Bandera.. the air flow is open underneath, the shell itself can be waterproof, Coated.

WPB stuff gets leaky in a few years . more breathable , maybe... waterproof , no longer.

For sure!

Haha, I was too :thumb:

From everything I read, it seems this would be good route, but I don't know if I could ride around looking like that. I may give it a try another time.

The lifespan of the coatings are one of the main things that worry me, but I think I'm up for the challenge of eventually re-applying the waterproofing molecules.


Well, after hours of searching and reading, I've finally decided to go with the Stoic Vaporshell. It ended up coming down to this jacket, the Patagonia Rain Shadow, and the more expensive Marmot Minimalist. I hope I'm not too disappointed! I really appreciate all the input guys. I probably would not have pulled the trigger as fast as I did if it wasn't for my backpacking trip this coming weekend at Lost Maples State Park. Watch it not even rain now!

http://www.backcountry.com/images/it...117/DARFOR.jpg

I've had 02 I say skip it, it's fine for what it is at the pricepoint but it tears so easily it's not funny.

You've had 02, what? Sorry, I don't understand.

Edit: Oh, do you mean the O2 Rainwear Jacket? If so, that's good to know.

Yup that's what I meant, if you're going to cheap out I'd recommend dare2b I just got a set of pants/jacket from them, much better quality and durability it seems but I can't give a full report as it's only been about a week.

Its the DWR surfactants ,, the water beads up if it still effective.. the opposite is wetting agents.
The 'Durable Water Resistance' chemical, is applied on the raw fabric in the mill ,

then the fabric is cut up and sewn together.

I own an Endura Gridlock. I've had it for five years now. I like it.

However, I see you're in Texas. I see Texas and I think warm and muggy. The Gridlock is likely too warm for your area.

I use the lighter-weight Endura Luminite for temps from about 55°F down to about freezing. Then the Gridlock comes out. The Gridlock isn't a winter jacket per se, it's just that I ride hard and run hot.

As for re-waterproofing, I just use Camp-Dry, about $8 a can at Dick's. One can gets me several treatments over a couple of years.

I found a decent rain jacket at Performance. Rolls up into a small stuff sack.

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes...400070__400070

I have a showers pass elite 2.1. I wouldn't rule it out yet. Excellent water resistance and excellent venting. I have never overheated in this jacket.

The OP lives in Texas, though. I've never been overheated in my Elite 2.1, either, but I tend to be cold and I live in Seattle.

Not bad on the Luminite. And thanks for the Camp-Dry suggestion. I did a quick search on it and it seems to get good reviews.

Needs more hood!


Here I am in my new coat! I'm going on a backpacking trip this weekend and I'll be bringing it along. I hope it rains a little so I can try it out :D

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps445db64f.jpg

Btw, for fitting purposes, I am 6'1" 190 lbs and a large fits nicely. I have room to layer if I want and it's not too baggy as is.

I received a rain cape from my German colleagues as a moving to England gift :lol:

However, I'd found that standard cycling tights and a water resistant jacket (LLBean) is more the enough, with GoreTex Nordic walking shoes.

The cape is still in the bag actually.

treal512, I don't follow. Is that the jacket you decided on and purchased? If you named it, I missed it.

It gets hot and cold here. I think I want a rain jacket that doesn't warm me, because I can always wear sweaters under it. In fact, when I was a poor college student, my winter "coat" was a pile of sweaters on me with a rain jacket on top.

Gotta agree with Tom here, the test for my dare2b jacket was wearing it on a warmish day and seeing if I over heated, I didn't so it got my approval. It works fine on a cold morning with two regular layers too, yet to get a really cold morning this season but that's what fleece is for.

I bolded my comments regarding the needs I was looking for in a coat and what coat I settled on below. It was the Stoic Vaporshell. And yes, I agree with everything you're saying :thumb:

So how much did it run you?

It was $90.

I may go on a short ride today to see how it breathes, but walking quickly around the house (lol) I think I felt some air moving through.

Splash test yet? I don't know why I'm so curious mine seems fine, but I am.

caped back types breathe well via ventillation..