Clear rain jacket
 

I am in need of a clear rain jacket. I've seen a few but most are cheap. i want one with full zipper. Any recommendations?

IMO the clear rain jackets are little better than wearing a plastic bag.

Although if you insist, maybe this one:

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za...&MODE=SPECIALS

I like my sugoi hydo-lite

it's not perfectly clear but works well

I got a Bellweather clear jacket, full zip for like $25 2 years ago. Holds up reasonably well.

A clear rain jacket *is* a plastic bag.
So instead of getting soaked by the rain, you get soaked by your own sweat.

Well, the "jackets" do have sleeves and maybe even a zipper, so I think I can stand by my original characterization of "little better". ;)

FWIW, I like my Sugoi Helium rain shell. I also have a less-expensive Louis Garneau one that's good for colder and/or heavier rains - because it's closer to being a plastic bag.

And for those that didn't notice the implications of Shimagnolo's post, I'll say it explicitly: if you ride long enough in the rain, you WILL get wet.

I have a nice Pactimo one with waterproof back and armpit vents. It also has microfiber type lining on the inside of the collar, elastic cuffs and bottom, and an inside pocket.

After the first (miserable) 15 mile ride in the rain with the clear vinyl jacket, I bought a Pearl Izumi Zephyr, and threw clear jacket in my box of assorted bike gear I no longer use.

The Zephyr is just a tight polyester weave that repels rain nicely, and also double as a windbreaker.
That Castelli Sottile in the PBK link appears to be something comparable, but also thin enough to be semi-transparent.

capo rain cape is a decent option. later.

I have the same jacket - holds up really well. But without ventilation it gets terribly hot real quick.
Ended up slicing some vents under the arms, but it's a drag when racing.

For some of us, the clear jacket is a necessity. Our kits / numbers must remain visible. I've had a beast of a time finding a clear jacket that breathes for under $100.

The PI Pro Barrier jacket in hiviz yellow is semi-transparent. They have a "clear" version too, but I haven't seen one.

It's an extremely thin, tightly woven fabric that rolls up to a fist sized bundle (or a cylinder about 1.5 inches x 8 inches), so it's easy to carry in a jersey pocket. I found it to be somewhat less breathable than I expected, and it can be noisy in the wind if it doesn't fit tightly. But I really like it's small packed size, and it handles light rain well.

I often unzip it partway to get some air circulation inside. But then it would be inflated, and not very transparent.

It's actually quite transparent unless there's an air gap between the jersey and the jacket:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_w...0/IMG_9413.JPG

Rolled up:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_w...0/IMG_9416.JPG

For me it's the wind chill (and plain chill effect) from cold rain/snow/sleet/etc that affects me.

I ride with a "plastic shell" rain jacket. Sure I get damp inside but for me the key is keeping the wind off of me. It's like the "plastic bags over your shoes under your booties" deal - your feet get damp but much drier than if they got dumped on by water.

For racing in the rain I duct tape the number to the outside of the rain jacket.

If you can find it Fox Racing sold a clear jacket with a full coarse zipper (i.e. easy to use when muddy). I have a Louis Garneau clear shell, that's velcro, and also a Descente clear shell (zipper? velcro? I forget). I've since given away my Fox jacket so I use either the LG or the Descente.

I'd MUCH rather get damp due to sweat than soaked due to freezing cold rain. I'll race with a clear rain jacket even in 50deg rainy weather. I've finished races pretty well (like winning the field sprint) and then watched as other "sleeker dressed" riders shake and shiver their way to their cars.

For me Warm > Dry.

When it's warm and raining I may use a wind vest to keep my torso from getting chilled but if it's really warm (80+ deg) then getting wet isn't a problem.

+1

yeah the Capo Rain Cape was a 2010 model and i cant find it online any where. it was dirt cheap and alot of fellow riders spoke highly of it. later.

hey rm-rf...I'm interested in how gold or silver shows up under that PI jacket. Could you put one of your gold or silver credit cards under it and take another picture? :innocent:

Bingo.

Showers Pass ProTech or ProTech ST...
I would recommend springing for the ST (taped seams)

http://www.showerspass.com/catalog/men/mens-jackets
review:
http://www.cxmagazine.com/product-re...m-showers-pass

Everything else is a Hefty Bag...