Showers pass 2. Superb jacket.

I use mine for cold, wind, rain. Showers pass elite 2. Really superb.

Tired of getting rain soaked now that we apparently get rain in SoCal again, but completely unwilling to spend the $$$ on quality rain wear (which I'll get to wear 10 days a year,) I opted for the $15 Cannondale Clear Rain Shell. It's made of frickin' PEVA, like a shower curtain. It is literally wearing a shower curtain. It is as waterproof as waterproof can be... and yes, it can be a rolling sauna-- breathability, ZERO. But it also eliminates the need for a lined jersey, or a wind vest, or anything else. With my shower-curtain-shell, I wear a lightweight (summer) jersey and sleeves in the 40s, in the pouring rain.

I've got some $15 "rain pants" and equally cheap neoprene gloves from Amazon on order, as it's supposed to El Niño us again but good next weekend, forecast for 5 straight days of rain. I have found that I would much rather be soaked with sweat rather than rain. At least inside the PEVA curtain I'm warm. I must state for the record, it is really weird having to shop for rain gear where I live. I think I had ridden in the rain maybe 3 times in 2 years, and I've ridden in the rain 5 times in the last 2 weeks.

^ ^ Get ready for some fun new squeaks and rusting bits you hadn't experienced before.

Get the BCG running jacket from Academy. It works well, is light, and pacms down small. Only $30!

I can't do the shower-curtain thing or anything that does not breathe well. We don't get insane day-long rain here anyway. Between the two 7Mesh jackets I ordered and my other Specialized waterproof jacket, I'm good to go for road biking, mountain biking, hiking, and snowshoeing. It is snowing lightly now, and I'm getting ready to (in lieu of Zwift) hit the trails for a couple of hours. I'd wait for the snow to stop but no point wasting the one morning I am off work.

I have a question about the Showers Pass jackets. Do they pack down well? I don't mean necessarily to be able to put in jersey pocket, but in a small saddle bag? Thanks.

The elite 2 would be a bit bulky for that. I suspect they have lighter models they would do that. The

Yeah, the water resistance has to be just right or you get cold, just like you say. I do the suck test: put the fabric to my mouth and try to suck air through it. You should get a little air but not really easily. My favorite shell is the Voler Jet in Hi-Viz. That shell and I have been through some very long wet rides together. The main thing is to have enough really breathable insulation under it so you stay warm even when wet. You need just enough water penetration to cool you. I've tried wearing a softshell under the wind jacket, but it gets absolutely saturated and weighs 10 lbs. Some sort of open weave poly works well.

I have a couple of thin shells that are packable but not as water-resistant as the 7Mesh Resistance will be...fine for mist or a few rain drops here and there. I either start with polypropylene or merino base layer...usually very thin, a thick winter-weight synthetic jersey and then a shell or windproof-front jacket (I have three progressively heavier Specialized Element ones). That covers me from 20-60 degrees Fahrenheit. Actually, above 45, I don't even bother with thin merino base layer. Rain throws this out of whack, hence my latest purchase of two 7Mesh shells. This will enable me to ride in light snow and occasional rain if caught out. With my fat bike and Zwift, I should be in great shape by the time my long rides come up. I'll certainly catch my mountain biking buddies off-guard since they ride much less in the winter. Above 9,000 feet I suffer a bit more than the others. Maybe not any more, thanks to good gear.

One more update. To remedy a not-so-great week and in the interest of academic research, I also ordered the Re-Gen. By the way, I focused heavily on the 7Mesh jackets due to the recommendations of a coupe of members here. I looked at Showers Pass and GORE as well...the other close contenders.

So now I have in hand the Revelation and Re:Gen in Large and am waiting for the Resistance.

I'm 175, 5'11", and slightly top-heavy from my old gym-rat days. I wear size 42 suit jackets. I'll provide some feedback once I get a chance to wear these in rainy, snowy, cold, and misty weather. That may take a while though. If anyone has sizing questions, I'll be happy to help. I ordered all three in Large.

Please let me know about the fit of the Resistance shell when you get it.

I'm 195, 5'8", obviously not skinny and take a 42R suit jacket. The XL Callighan Jersey and L Strategy Jacket fit nicely so I really don't know what size to Resistance jacket to get. Whatever I get, there is a 50/50 chance that I'll have to exchange it so any help would be appreciated.

Your "research" is appreciated!


-Tim-

Since this thread got bumped back to the front page, I might as well post an update. My favorite and most heavily used and recommended jacket is no longer being made. The dead bird says they don't have any more in the warehouse.



Glad I have two. I'm probably going to order two more even though I can only get it in a homely color.

I'll let you know about the Resistance, TimothyH.

Seattle Forrest- better grab a couple quickly.

People ask questions and often don't take advice or never show back up, so I figured since this thread was so useful, I'd update it. My Specialized shell is nice but it does not breathe very well...not surprising. It seems like ArcTeryx, Showers Pass, 7mesh, and GORE, are the top choices.

7Mesh Strategy, Recon, Re:Gen and Revelation jackets are on sale at Competitive.

Winter Apparel Sale | Competitive Cyclist

The Recon and Revelation are 50% off.

The women's Resistance jacket is also on sale but not the men's or I would buy one.

Backcountry should have the same prices and with free two day shipping.


-Tim-

A few years ago I bought these for my wife and I. They have a surprisingly good fit for a budget brand, "just" enough room for a thin fleece on really cold days, don't feel baggy, and have a nice slim torso. I'm a sucker for a low price tag, and with mostly praise in the reviews (there are a shocking number of reviews), I gave them a shot. Based on the sizing advice between customer reviews and the sizing chart, both our jackets fit us perfectly. They are a touch too big to be considered easily pack-able, but dhb do offer other jackets that pack down smaller. All in all, I've been really impressed with it. It's been a wet winter (wet by our standards at least) and my wife has been commuting to work on hers every day. I just asked her how it's holding up and she said it's been perfect. The wet rides that I've done have been extremely comfortable. It has a thin mesh liner and pit vents to get air through.

wiggle.com | dhb EQ2.5 Waterproof Cycling Jacket | Cycling Waterproof Jackets

-Jeremy

[MENTION=184551]Chandne[/MENTION]

Do you have an update on the Resistance jacket?

March showers bring April flowers here in the South and I'm ready to order. Not sure what size to get. I'm an XL in the Callighan Jersey and an L in the Strategy Jacket.

Any feedback on sizing would be appreciated.


-Tim-

Wait for the 7mesh Oro. It will be released in the next week or so. Uses the Gore One material. Breathability is several steps higher than any other waterproof material out there. Sub 100g.

I had the Resistance, Strategy and Re:Gen. Strategy and Resistance sizing is identical in my experience.

My Resistance is a bit more snug (especially torso) than the Recon. It is also more snug than the Re-Gen though the shoulders on the Re-Gen are almost as snug. I'm 175-180 and have a Large in all. I would not want it bigger since all are a bit roomy in the torso...the Resistance is the leanest. I can layer with all. Anyway, I have a 42 chest and a 34 waist. The Resistance breathes very well and I have been using it on cold rides (no rain here yet). It is really windproof so windy days are much better now.

I'm 5'11" and 176 lbs today but my chest is a bit overbuilt. Shoulders are wide-ish so mediums would not work. If my shoulders were a bit less wide, I'd go mediums. I hope this helps. I heard of the Oro but needed something fast and while the Resistance does not pack down tiny like one of those super light wind shells. it blocks the wind better, seems much more durable, apparently completely waterproof, and I still pack it into my middle jersey pocket.

Agree. In retrospect I would agree that the Strategy is slightly roomier than the Resistance, but at least on my body certainly not enough to go up or down a size.

Resistance jacket is very good and packs down small. Two biggest drawbacks with the Oro are that material is still only available in black (though I'm told that colored fabric is now being given by Gore for testing) and it's too fragile for mtb use.

Thanks all. I've ordered both an XL and L and will keep the one which fits best.

The Oro sounds perfect for my intended use, keeping dry during the sudden thunderstorms we have so frequently here in the South.

Shucks, too many choices!!! I like the Ember color anyway.


-Tim-

I have a 4 year old Rapha rain jacket that still beads water effortlessly and is surprisingly breathable for a waterproof shell. It doubles well as a windproof layer as well (long sleeve wool underneath plus base layer in dry 30 degrees F).

If you're considering dropping that much cash for the SP offerings and also prefer a trimmer fit, Rapha is worth a look -- especially when it's on sale.

In the fall I spent quite a bit of time trying out a LOT of different high-end cycling jackets. Imo apparel standards in the cycling industry have been pathetically low until 7mesh came along. There is a newly opened Rapha store in Chicago and I was able to check out pretty much their entire line and tried on almost every jacket. They fit so poorly and the construction isn't even close to the same level compared to 7mesh. Gore Bike Wear is in the same boat; 7mesh mostly uses Gore membranes but the face and inner fabrics, construction quality and fit isn't even comparable.

Maybe I am spoiled as long-time Arcteryx user. Arcteryx is the clear king in the outdoor apparel industry, but I don't think the gap is as big to Patagonia, Marmot, etc as it is between 7mesh and the rest in cycling.

7mesh released the Oro jacket today, 93g with the new Gore material, breathability well beyond anything else currently available.. This will probably be my next cycling purchase. It's priced around the same as the Re:Gen which is a nice surprise.

ORO JACKET | 7mesh

The Oro looks great, albeit maybe a bit fragile in some ways? However, it should hold up if treated wth a bit of care. I just can't do the Grim Reaper all-black look, but will pick one up if colors come out.

Yea definitely not as tough; they recommend not using it for mtb use. It doesn't look like colors will be available with this material for at least a year (or more). A shame, I really liked the blue color on the Resistance I had. Was almost tempted to keep the Resistance instead of going with this for the color alone, loved that blue. Not a fan of the all black, but can't wait any longer. I cut my riding season a month short last year once I knew they were releasing this in the Spring.