Rain gear...
 

Can anyone suggest a nice, light weight windbreaker/rain jacket that I could purchase online. It's looking like rain right now and I'm kinda worried(not that a new jacket could help me tommorow) so I thought I should go ahead and get prepared.

The Burley Rockpoint jacket is great. It is well ventilated and the cut is good for riding. Not cheap, but made in Oregon, where they know rain. I had a bad rain jacket, then I bought one of these and the difference is huge. http://www.burley.com/products/raing...int+Jacket&i=0

I got a hella rockin Northface coat at Sports Basement for like $80, it usually retails at $200. Sweet!

That burley link is worth it for the picture at the bottom.

As far as waterproof/"breathables" go, I have found jackets made with goretex paclite to be best (in terms of breathability). I don't really mess with anything waterproof in the summer, it feels better to just get wet. For cooler weather, I have a moonstone "nemesis" jacket I found on clearance online. Most of the less expensive proprietary membranes breathe in a manner I find, well, sucky at best.

I have a Craft rain jacket that has been pretty nice. Can't seem to find my model on their site now though.

i've heard good things about the craft rain jackets.

i have a Gill rain jacket that works really well, in addition to that, i also use sealskins gloves. if i was in a colder climate, i'd probably use the chillblocker gloves too.

a good set of full fenders works wonders for keeping you dry as well. i didn't appreciate a front fender until i had one and it actually kept my feet dry.

don't know of anything specific, but some good sites to check
http://www.sierratradingpost.com
http://www.altrec.com/shop/dir/outlet/
http://www.rei.com/outlet/index.html
http://www.ems.com/

If you've the time, you should try stuff on at a shop. Either a LBS, or an outdoor/camping store. I've used regular waterproof/breathable "hiking" outerwear, and although not cut specifically for cycling-they work well.

My current cycling jacket is a now discontinued REI model (?Randoneur jacket), which is cut well for cycling (short waist length, but with a long fold up "tail", longer sleeves, large pit zips+breathable fabric).There are a coupla REI stores in the Chicago area link to mapquest. The REI stores around here usually have a clearance rack of bike clothes (returns&discontinueds), allways worth a look & cheap.

and you could check their online cycling jacket clearance rack ;)

http://www.rei.com/outlet/category/2...SHP_CYCLING_SA

i got a sweet rei jacket at a thrift store for like $2 the other day
i'm psyched to ride with it on in the rain, its got a longer cut in the back which i hope will keep my ass dryish
i also have an old lacoste light nylon thing that is pretty ok and folds up into a little pouch

i'm sure none of this helped you at all

if you can afford it, you can pretty much never go wrong with Patagonia. My Lightning jacket has served me through many trips and countries very very well. There are also numerous other lighter, more breathable jackets that are more wind-proof oriented, but are still water resistant.

I miss the days of getting that stuff at cost...