providencebikes

i have looked over lots of products i cant seem to find a decent rain jacket , i could choose a pvc jacket but im afraid to spend 70 bucks on something that will rip , i have already spent about 100 or so on frogg toggs rain gear they work well for a few weeks but fall apart , the pants usually rip and i have to buy another pair , i reall dont know what to buy , id like a jacket thats not over 70 bucks that actually has a good review , ll bean Columbia and northface all have bad reviews for the price , any one have a real deal water proof jacket thats not pvc or if it is pvc actually worth the money ....

gringomojado

So you want "good" cheap gear?

providencebikes

i dont know what i want , i want something that is worth the money you spend , i dont want to spend money on a jacket that doesnt work ...

Dirt Farmer

I've always wanted to try this inexpensive rain jacket from J & G.

Waterproof Jackets from People Who Really Know Waterproof Jackets!

52telecaster

I use an IKEA poncho. 6.99 and it keeps me dry.

indyfabz

Showers Pass, but not if you are cheap. You get what you pay for.
/thread

Kindaslow

The best are likely Showers Pass and Endura, both of which have their best jackets costing $200-300. They are both great

kickstart

I haven't had much luck with Showers Pass jackets, seems they cut corners to offer more features. Got a J&G, simple and robust for significantly less money, has out lasted 3 SP jackets.

Kindaslow

My Showers Pass was fine, but not great. My Endura is a better jacket, but expensive.

Chandne

Competitive Cylist is having a sale on 7Mesh. The Resistance is a great rain shell that is also pretty tough. I have several of their jackets now....excellent stuff. Spend a bit and take care of it...should last years.

canklecat

Look for a Shimano Storm Jacket, Dryshield or other similar Shimano rain jacket made during the past five years. Most of them have been discontinued so they were deeply discounted to blowout prices -- $50 or less, a fraction of the original $150-$200 MSRP. Well made, really rainproof jackets, very good attention to detail.

Only problem may be they might not breathe well enough for temperatures over 70F. However it was remarkably comfortable on an unseasonably cool, overcast August day last year in heavy rain when the temp dropped into the low 70s. Even though I was sweating a bit inside the jacket it was much more comfortable than the wind chill from being soaked with rain on a summer day that felt more like early spring.

And it's an outstanding windbreaker for really cold weather. I've worn it in freezing cold dry weather with a long sleeve wicking fabric base layer to stay dry. And I've loaned it to other cyclists on group rides who weren't prepared for unsually cold weather.

I'm planning to have a shop alter my Storm Jacket to add some metal mesh grommets in the arm pits. That will help a lot in temps above the 60s without compromising too much on weatherproofing.

linberl

Buy something at REI and you can take it back if you aren't happy with it (within one year).

dabac

Is This for utility/commuting rides, or fitness rides?
Rain gear for high intensity riding is tricky.
Keep the rain out entirely, and get steamed from the inside instead.
I've long given up keeping dry, and settle for keeping warm.
For shorter, more casual rides I've been quite happy with jackets with pit zips.

blakcloud

I have the Shower Pass Elite and I cannot recommend this jacket. It was expensive and it leaks. Now I follow what dabac recommends.

bmthom.gis

When it comes down to it, you'll either be wet from the inside from sweating or the outside. Likely the only real solution is using a poncho and full length fenders to stay mostly dry. I too have embraced the wet and just focus on staying warm instead.

rumrunn6

been happy w REI's Novara cycling specific rain jacket. bought it on sale 'bout 10 yrs ago for 'bout $70. still going strong

for torrential downpour rain pants I think there are many less expensive usable options, but cycling specific will likely be more comfortable & lighter EMS full zip gore tex pants are tough as nails, but were pretty expensive when my Dad bought them for me (for hiking) prices have come down on those tho. good luck!

jefnvk

I wound up with a Canari Deluge I found on closeout for $30. Good for the price, can't really recommend it for the full $90 MSRP tho. Fully waterproof, but you'll sweat pretty good in it. For anything other than sustained heavy rains, I generally stick to my softshells. If it is too warm for softshells, I just get wet.

Does anyone cycle with a jacket with a hood on? I was thinking about upgrading for my next tour, where heavy rains are a real possibility, but the lack of cycle specific jackets with them makes me wonder if there is a drawback (visibility, if I had to guess) and better to just stick with a helmet cover.

Thanks for the heads up on the J&G, I need rainpants. Very reasonably priced if they work as well as recommendations seem to indicate.

Nachoman

It's got a fleece collar, which for me would be a deal breaker. It will end up being like wearing a sponge around your neck.

dabac

Occasionally, yes.
Climbing/skiing jackets tend to "work". They tend to have hoods sized to be able to go over a helmet.
Downside of this, they act as ship's ventilators, ramming air into the jacket.
Jackets not designed for helmet use, the hood has to go under the helmet, which may influence fit & comfort.
I'be never been particularly troubled by visibility issues. More noise and that ram air effect.

fietsbob

Stuff in the Specialist Bike sector will cost more.. Good Gear will cost More.

Try Charity Shops for used Good Gear for Less..

jefnvk

Yeah, my softshell I wear in the cold is like this, it has a very tight fitting hood I just wear under the helmet. It's not bad, but I was considering the large hood to keep any wind/rain off the back and sides of my face. Not overly concerned about hypothermia, but any steps to reduce the risk are well worth taking! Maybe I'll just look into a waterproof balaclava type thing, as I already have a hood-less raincoat that works well.

TenSpeedV2

I am not sure you have an understanding of what cold weather is. 70F and rain? I am in a short sleeve jersey and shorts and a huge smile on my face. Try riding in 35F with a wind chill of 19F in a complete downpour. My REI cycling specific rain jacket kept my torso dry. Everything else was soaking wet and I was absolutely freezing. Longest 8 mile commute of my life.

Seattle Forrest

My go to for cold weather is a very good wind breaker and a base layer, sometimes with a mid layer, depending on the weather and what I'll be doing. If I'm going for a long, steady distance (zone 2) ride, I'll wear a cashmere sweater too. If it's going to be race pace for an hour, just a base layer.

Here's a picture of me skiing up Ambilis Mountain in a base layer and wind breaker. It was 13 F.

ramzilla

I agree with some of the posters above about ski wear....... You can find good stuff in boating supply stores too. Not the big box discount boating supply. Look for the stores that sell stuff to men that actually go to sea & fish for a living.

canklecat

70F in the rain in Texas in August is pretty dang chilly when the body has been acclimated to 90-110F weather for months.

When I'm acclimated to winter I'll ride in shorts until the temp drops below 50, and then I just use knee warmers until it's below freezing. But it's a challenge to get properly acclimated in Texas when the winters careen wildly from 80 one day to 32 the next.