How are these rain jackets for commuting?
 

Hi everyone,

Currently looking for a rain jacket for commuting in the colder/wet conditions (I wouldn't worry about it during the warmer summer time ;).

I've been looking at the Marmoth Precip, the North Face Venture and the Louis Garneau Supersonic. It seems like the Louis Garneau is more adapted to biking (Full-length back and reflexive band)...However, I wonder if any of you can comment on any of those or recommend any other good one...

http://www.marmot.com/products/produ...style_id=F5491

http://www.louisgarneau.com/eng/cata...yle_no=1032165

Thanks !

mbakernet

I've got a Burley. It is specifically made for bicycle riding, even down to lengthened sleaves to accomodate the stretched out position of a rider on a bike, and has lots of ventilation zippers to keep you from getting too hot.

I have had it for a couple years and it has done well in some pretty bad weather.

Burley Rain Jacket

I would suggest NOT getting a rain jacket with a hood if you are using it to ride. The hood just gets in the way. There are helmet covers if you want to keep your head dry.

Hoods are very useful off the bike but you need something detachable or that folds into the collar.
Rear pockets are not all that useful on commuter jackets, you usually have a bag for carrying stuff, they rub with a small backpack and a chest pocket/high front pocket is more convenient and secure for wallet and gloves.

The Precip is a tremendous jacket. My brother bought one just before a research project in Panama last year. He said it was as waterproof as anything else he's tried in the humid rainforest. I'm sad I didn't buy one when I had a pro deal. Its not cut like a biking jacket, but its lightweight and waterproof. I don't have any experience with the LG jacket, but would recommend the Marmot highly compared to other jackets I've tried.

I own both a fancy Pearl Izumi and a Marmot Precip. For riding only, I find I use the Pearl Izumi almost all the time. The marmot is indeed waterproof and a great jacket, but it lacks the reflective tape of the other jacket. Moreover, I really prefer no hood and the bike specific cut because the marmot can act like a windsail. If you are active in a lot of outdoor sports and can only have one jacket, however, the marmot wins hands-down. It is a great jacket for just about anything. I just got back from riding in Sedona AZ and lent the marmot to a friend. He loved it. I do find the laminate on the marmot to feel somewhat clammy against bare skin and to be more conductive of the cold than the pearl Izumi. But I often have a long sleeve shirt on and the marmot can do everything from mountaineering to biking. You really can't go wrong with the marmot. If you go mountaineering in it, you will be thankful for the hood. I just believe there are better jackets if you are only going to ride in it.

I second the vote for the Burley. It is lightweight, highly visible, very waterproof, well vented and comfortable. Mine has served me well for two years, and especially the past two nasty days here in Portland.

Right with you there. My commute goes between southern Hillsboro and Wilsonville (about 21 miles each way; I bike only one way a day) and it was CRAPPY for the last couple days. These last few days have really put my rain gear to the test.

mbakernet

been to this canuck site yet? http://www.mec.ca/index.html? One is called Zik, the other Whoosh.

Get a jacket designed for cycling, it will have less wind drag, and fit you better for cycling.

Kool site......found and anorak that my wife been looking for

I dig the showerspass.com century jacket. Water and windproof. Pit zips.
Taped seams!

2 good rain jackets: both waterPROOF, specific cut for cycling, both with pit-zips (under arm zippers/vents).
Burley and O2Cycling. The O2Cycling even comes in a Hi-viz yellow/chartreuse!

I use a $20 performance brand cheapo...it works but it requires use of a long sleeve shirt under it, otherwise it transfers cold to you, and really, really feels horrible.

Basically it needs a fabric liner of some flavor...but at $20 and $10 for a dri-star long sleeve, it's a decent buy :)

I do dislike the useless rear pocket as well...why have it at all? Not like I'm going to keep my phone and stuff there...that's what I use my bag for.

phillybill,

I have had my gore-tex, seam sealed jacket with very refective tape all over it for about 5 years. The one with a specific cut for cycling, both with pit-zips (under arm zippers/vents), and one large vent (3/4)up the back - that one is the best, when I get really warm, it's nice to open, then when cold, cold rain, I close it up a bit...I use a recommended gore cleaner/wash/waterproof on it. No complaints on quality, but likely will have it re-taped inside.

I realize this is a canuck site, I would be interested in knowing how the whole 'free-trade' :rolleyes: thing works out for you. I know that you are South of the Border to us, and would be interested what the duty thing works out for you...somethings I know CANNOT be sent south, and MEC is aware of that and tells you in the catologue, even after exchange, duty (your pound of flesh), let me know if this works out for you.

I notice that you like fly fishing, you may want to check out another, site here it is - very good quality, if you're into that type of thing - I just go into the local shop and drool - http://www.islander.com/

My rain jacket is a Performance model. The Xalt one. It doesn't have a hood. If I get another one for rain riding, it will have a hood. A bit too much water gets down the back of my collar. Same with my rain gear at work.

Hey! Where did you get that dri-star shirt?

just wanted to add i have the non-gore-tex jacket on the MEC site, the "whoosh", and it's terrific. awesome venting and absolutely rainproof/waterproof.

another note: the blue is a really cool-looking blue.

sd

Thanks everyone.

I really like the precip (very light)....but I agree that for use mostly for cycling...something els eis probably better (the precip lacks reflexive tape, as a non detachable hood, doesn't really have acycling cut and long back)...Not sure I can get the Burley locally here in Ottawa. As for the MEC Whoosh....I've been at the MEC store to see it last night. Very nice indeed although a little more expensive...That's probably what I'll be considering...

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to respond.

Cheers

mbakernet

I'll let you know when it comes in. They did not seem to have a problem with that order. It looks like quality stuff.....it's hard to find anoraks in the states anymore.

As for myself, for the past few years I have used a Nashbar special (w/pit zips) as my Winter/Rain riding jacket and in this time of the year I use a light weight Performance Iluminlite, or I just get wet. ;)

I fly fish alot this time of the year and in the fall. In the upper Deleware by Hancock NY they have alot of reproducing brownies and rainbows. www.islander.com Nice site :)

Wal-mart. I found a black one and a tan one, both for about $10. My only gripe with the tan is how easy it snags, but they are nice.

As much as people hate wal-mart (and I do too), I do break down and buy some things there, like socks, underwear, and Dri-Star....mostly since socks and underwear anret worth time shopping around, and well I dunno of anywhere else that sells Dri-Star stuff.

By the way, it seems their selection is seasonal....T-shirts in the summer, stretch fabric polos in the fall, and long sleeves in late fall to winter.