Howdy all...been going through our gear and writing more reviews. Just posted our review on the Rain Shield O2 Rain Jacket. For $25 it's a great lightweight and inexpensive rain jacket!



If you're touring for just a few months in the summer and expect only intermittent rain, it might just be the right jacket!

https://pathlesspedaled.com/2011/01/g...shield-jacket/

-Russ
www.pathlesspedaled.com

I've had two of these jackets and they work well. Mine have tended to let a little water in during a long (hour plus) wet ride, but not enough to be a problem. The jacket breathes well enough that I wear it for running in the rain as well. As you say in your review, the biggest drawback with the O2 gear is it's fragile. I pack mine with the zipper closed, in a plastic sandwich bag to limit the chances of it tearing. With care I get two winter commuting seasons out of these jackets, which may not sound impressive- but they breathe better than any raingear I've owned, they're really lightweight , and inexpensive enough that I don't find their relatively short life to be an issue.

Frogg Togg DriDuck is pretty much the same thing, and even cheaper. Disposable rain gear. Highly water resistant, not waterproof. I found the pants tear at the seams rather easily when stressed as happens when cycling. Had no problem at all with the jacket.

Has anyone had any experience with any of the other Frogg Togg gear? I have been looking at the Tekk Toad and a couple others for my commute. I want waterproof, breathable, but affordable!
Thanks

"Waterproof" is the description that is often stretched a lot in advertising about breathable raingear. The Dri Duck and O2 line mentioned above is highly water resistant, not waterproof. If you do a lot of riding in light rain, or a little in heavy rain, you'll be soaked in either.

I have a set of Frogg Togg 'Road Toads' sent to me for evaluation. Due to their bulk, I found them unsuitable for cycle touring, but otherwise seemed acceptable. Would be much warmer than Dri Ducks or O2. A buddy wore a Road Toads jacket for a 2 week tour as a wind break. It never rained. He was not bulk concious.

The heavier Frogg Togg suits would offer more protection from rain and cold, and be much more durable. Their are pretty blousey and bulky. Their 'Horny Toad' line, $99, has heavy emphasis on being totally waterproof, and breathable. Being waterproof was not emphasized in the 'Tekk Toad' line.

All the waterproof and breathable stuff is pretty much just that as long as you're standing still or walking. Put it under stress, as in cycling, and much of it turns out to not be totally waterproof.

The Northface Venture suit, at $140, is totally waterproof, breathable, durable, light, functional, and very packable. Not warm.

Thank you Cyclebum. My commute is only about 7 miles one way and I in a cold area. I'll check out some other gear online and see what I find. I am somewhat concerned about warmth from my outermost layer but I can also layer underneath.

Thanks again!!

After a 3-hour ride in steady rain the O2 jacket kept me totally dry except along the zipper. I had a nice racing stripe down the front of my wool shirt.

You'll definitely want to size up if you plan to use this as a winter jacket. It has a very snug fit and a rather short sleeve length.

Otherwise, this jacket is a steal. It does a decent job keeping you dry, it's light, it's inexpensive, and it packs down to a hearty pancake.

No argument from me on your impression. My reference concerning the light DriDuck stuff was mostly about the pants, not the jacket. Less stress on it.

I had one of the o2 jackets 3-4 years ago. It did not breathe well, nor was it waterproof. It also started coming apart pretty quick too. I chucked it into the trash in disgust one day.

I've been using a Showers Pass Touring jacket for 2 years now. It is (so far) waterproof in heavy downpours, and it breathes pretty good due to the venting in the sleeves and back. It's also held up well. It cost 5X as much as the O2 jacket, and is probably worth the extra cost in longevity alone.

It does not pack as compactly as these cheap jackets, and it's heavier, but it is waterproof and made to last. I also got the hood that mates to the jacket. A jacket without a hood will not keep you dry for long.

Its a bit more expensive but i got a columbia rain jacket this fall and so far has kept me completely dry since, i got it at close out at cabelas for 60 bucks, it breaths really good, plus it has its own packable pocket and packs down to less than a pair of boxers

Hyjacking this thread a bit, but since deciding to make myself totally waterproof when conditions require it, I've figured out solutions for my feet and hands that cost very little and are practical, versatile, durable, and functional. Might give you useful ideas for your commute in cold, wet conditions. Neither pass the fashion test.

For feet, I engineered shoe booties out of 4 mil plastic sheeting, duct tape, and velcro. Really not that hard to do. Just common sense really. I cut out some of the bottom where feet hit pedals. Velcro for closing the back. Tops high enough for rain pants to cover well.

For hands, after discarding many ideas gathered from a couple of forums, I decided a layering approach was best. Just today lucked upon some 'chemical protection gloves' at a tool sale that will make a good outer layer, over standard insulated gloves, and maybe liner gloves. I normally wear a medium insulated glove and the size 11 in these fit over them comfortably. On/off as needed.

As you commute, I'd stongly recommend you check out the North Face Venture rain suit. Yeah, it's pricey, but for frequent use, justifiable.

I used DriDucks jacket and trousers for a few months, but I trashed the pants pretty quickly and I found the fit to be terrible. The material feels very nice and is definitely waterproof, but the zip isn't and that's a big problem. The O2 may be better made.

For hands dish washing gloves or the lightweight green nitrile gloves you can get from Home Depot wiork well. However I use a pair of light water resistant over gloves

https://www.rei.com/product/766531.

For the feet I use bike booties. I've recently bought a Marmot Mica shell on sale for $70 as it was last years stock.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7R6OA...eature=related

I'm impressed by it. It kept me dry shovelling in a recent snow storm, so. it's waterproof and breathes well too.

For light showers I love the Rapha Stowaway (definitely not inexpensive) and use a shower cap to keep my head dry

Exactly, 'cept I found the pants especially not to be waterproof at all. Too much stress caused the fabric to allow water to penetrate quickly.

OK for occasional use in light rain. Justified by the price.

same opinion here