Anyone wearing Showers Pass Rain Jacket?
#1
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2011
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From: NE Ohio
Bikes: 1992 Serotta Colorado II,Co-Motion Speedster, Giant Escape Hybrid, 1977 Schwinn Super Le Tour
Anyone wearing Showers Pass Rain Jacket?
Curious as to which ones as we are looking for a lighter jacket.
Thanks!
Thanks!
#3
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2011
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From: NE Ohio
Bikes: 1992 Serotta Colorado II,Co-Motion Speedster, Giant Escape Hybrid, 1977 Schwinn Super Le Tour
We currently have Endura rain jackets. Quite heavy. In fact I wear it with a wool sweater down to 30F.
#5
Every day a winding road
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 6,538
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: 2005 Cannondale SR500, 2008 Trek 7.3 FX, Jamis Aurora
I have had the Showers Pass for years. I can't see how you can possibly get any lighter and still provide adequate protection.
#7
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Joined: Apr 2009
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From: The Pearl of the Pacific, Mexico
Bikes: '12 Rodriguez UTB Custom, '83 Miyata 610, '83 Nishiki Century Mixte (Work of Art), '18 Engin hardtail MTB
For a light jacket, you might want to check out their Shower Pass Double Century RTX. It is good for temperatures down to the high 30’s with a warm (e.g., merino) base layer underneath. It is very rainproof while it breathes quite well with its various zippers in key areas for ventilation. I bought S.P.'s stuff sack and everything folds down to a fairly small, manageable size. I used it during the last Paris-Brest-Paris and I am very pleased.
#8
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Joined: Dec 2011
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From: NE Ohio
Bikes: 1992 Serotta Colorado II,Co-Motion Speedster, Giant Escape Hybrid, 1977 Schwinn Super Le Tour
The Double Century looks good except, and I should have said before, I want yellow for visibility. Plus yellow goes with my eyes!
#9
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Joined: Apr 2009
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From: The Pearl of the Pacific, Mexico
Bikes: '12 Rodriguez UTB Custom, '83 Miyata 610, '83 Nishiki Century Mixte (Work of Art), '18 Engin hardtail MTB
Too bad that your eyes don't like the highly visible neon lime green. It's a great light jacket. Unfortunately, you have narrowed down your choices from Shower Pass to only one of their jackets. Or three if you count the orange-yellowish "gold" color.
#12
I have a Showers Pass Transit.
It has been rained on a LOT, and is very water resistant, with good ventilation. A bit heavy.
I have a Novara (model?) from REI. It is about half the weight of the Transit, but also half as waterproof. If you like vests, the sleeves are removable. If you don't like vests, the zipper system is a pain.
Anyway, if I was doing wet weather touring, I'd take the Showers Pass Transit.
If I was doing dry weather touring, it would probably be the Novara (for a rare storm, or wearing around camp in the evening), or maybe wearing it in vest mode for safety.
I think the Showers Pass Transit runs a bit large, and I should probably have gotten a Medium (almost everything else I wear including the Novara is a large).
The velcro on my Showers Pass pants doesn't line up well, and I haven't modified them for use yet.
It has been rained on a LOT, and is very water resistant, with good ventilation. A bit heavy.
I have a Novara (model?) from REI. It is about half the weight of the Transit, but also half as waterproof. If you like vests, the sleeves are removable. If you don't like vests, the zipper system is a pain.
Anyway, if I was doing wet weather touring, I'd take the Showers Pass Transit.
If I was doing dry weather touring, it would probably be the Novara (for a rare storm, or wearing around camp in the evening), or maybe wearing it in vest mode for safety.
I think the Showers Pass Transit runs a bit large, and I should probably have gotten a Medium (almost everything else I wear including the Novara is a large).
The velcro on my Showers Pass pants doesn't line up well, and I haven't modified them for use yet.
#13
I've had the SP Touring Jacket for 7? years. It is different from other SP jackets in that it is made from fabric that is definitely waterproof but not breathable. It relies on a lot of venting (back, pits) to keep you relatively dry, as in not soaking wet from perspiration. Mine has stood up to a lot of use and still looks and works well. The Touring Jacket is intended to be a rather loose fitting jacket so that air can move through the vents a bit. It is not the jacket for folks who desire a svelte look to their bicycle apparel. I also have the optional detachable hood for this jacket.
I have two other rain parkas, one GTX and one GTX XCR, and the SPTJ is the one I use most when biking or walking because it breathes better than the others, plus it's yellow color adds daytime visibility. I added some 2" Scotchlite to the back right above the vent flap for improved nighttime visibility.
I have two other rain parkas, one GTX and one GTX XCR, and the SPTJ is the one I use most when biking or walking because it breathes better than the others, plus it's yellow color adds daytime visibility. I added some 2" Scotchlite to the back right above the vent flap for improved nighttime visibility.
#15
I've had the SP Touring Jacket for 7? years. It is different from other SP jackets in that it is made from fabric that is definitely waterproof but not breathable. It relies on a lot of venting (back, pits) to keep you relatively dry, as in not soaking wet from perspiration. Mine has stood up to a lot of use and still looks and works well. The Touring Jacket is intended to be a rather loose fitting jacket so that air can move through the vents a bit. It is not the jacket for folks who desire a svelte look to their bicycle apparel. I also have the optional detachable hood for this jacket.
Is your main zipper waterproof? The Transit has a sturdy main zipper, but not waterproofed. Pocket zippers are waterproofed, but the pockets are mesh on the inside, allowing some moisture in from either sleeves, or perspiration.
#17
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Joined: Aug 2012
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From: West Georgia
Bikes: K2 Mod 5.0 Roadie, Fuji Commuter
I have a Commuter (Transit with only 2 layer sleeves) and a Club Pro. The Club is lighter and good to mid 40's. The Commuter/Transit is heavier but with much better ventilation and a drop down flap in the rear for a sure-fire dry ass in the rain. Good (with correct layering) to the 20's, maybe lower but that hasn't happened in GA.
Club Pro available in yellow. The Shower's Pass site has weights in the ratings. 13oz for the Club and the Transit is another 5.5oz. The Club Pro stuffs quite a bit smaller.
I'm happy with both.
Club Pro available in yellow. The Shower's Pass site has weights in the ratings. 13oz for the Club and the Transit is another 5.5oz. The Club Pro stuffs quite a bit smaller.
I'm happy with both.
#18
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
I've got the SP Elite 2.1 jacket and love it. Extremely well ventilated and close to waterproof. I also use as a winter jacket, and it's been great in temps down to mid-teens with proper base gear.
#19
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Joined: Oct 2014
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From: Portland, OR
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
I have 3 Showers Pass jackets. One is more than 10 years old, unlined. I treated it poorly, ripped up the barrier and now use it as the best non-waterproof cycling windbreaker I have ever had. Second (edit: the "Events" jacket) is close to 10 years, lined, and still nearly as good as new. (With the lining, it isn't your answer. It does not pack small. But the lining does mean that it take far more abuse. My regular commuting jacket. Hundreds of rides.) Newest is about 3 years old. It is an unlined replacement for a similar jacket that had zipper issues. I walked into Showers Pass with the jacket; they handed me a new one. I have stayed dry in some very heavy rains wearing each of the two newer jackets.
All three jackets are a pleasure to wear. They work very well on the bike and the details are very well thought out Gripes are very minor. (I would like to see mesh pockets on the outside so I had a better place than a jersey pocket to put soaking wet gloves when I went inside at say a coffee stop.)
Many employees and the owner of Showers Pass ride year 'round in Portland. It shows in both in their products and service commitment.
Ben
All three jackets are a pleasure to wear. They work very well on the bike and the details are very well thought out Gripes are very minor. (I would like to see mesh pockets on the outside so I had a better place than a jersey pocket to put soaking wet gloves when I went inside at say a coffee stop.)
Many employees and the owner of Showers Pass ride year 'round in Portland. It shows in both in their products and service commitment.
Ben
#20
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,012
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From: Perth Australia
Bikes: Surly Ogre, Extrawheel Trailer
Showers Pass are even popular here in Australia.
We buy online from the USA.
I bought the Elite V2 from memory and am very happy with it.
We buy online from the USA.
I bought the Elite V2 from memory and am very happy with it.
Last edited by rifraf; 01-17-16 at 08:58 PM.
#21
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 218
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From: Zionsville, Indiana
Bikes: Chapman Rando, Rivendell Atlantis, Trek 2100, Bridgestone MB5, Burley Duet, Trek 614, Super Mondia, Mercian, Rudge, Peugeot AO-8, Woodrup and F.H. Scott Dragon in the queue
I’ve had a screaming yellow Transit for a couple of years and love it. It is well-suited to commuting and touring, as it is cut generously and allows layering.
#24
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 859
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From: Reno, NV
I bought my Elite 2.0 in 2008. Although it's bulky and heavy compared to a lot of others out there, I believe it's the best designed jacket on the market. The jacket material is durable. The sleeves are wide to allow airflow up the sleeves and out the back vent. Pit zips provide more venting. It's cut a bit longer in the back for protection and shorter up front so you don't have a big jacket bulge when hunched over in the riding position.
The only improvements I'd like to see are an offset zipper at the top and sleeve cuffs that don't absorb water. They may have addressed changed the cuff material for the 2.1 version. I also have no need for the chest pocket.
For a summer tour with an occasional shower, this jacket is overkill. If you plan to get some serious rain on a trip though, this is the jacket to wear.
The only improvements I'd like to see are an offset zipper at the top and sleeve cuffs that don't absorb water. They may have addressed changed the cuff material for the 2.1 version. I also have no need for the chest pocket.
For a summer tour with an occasional shower, this jacket is overkill. If you plan to get some serious rain on a trip though, this is the jacket to wear.
#25
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 5,300
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Unrelated but wanted to pass on that the Showers Pass Amsterdam jacket is worth it. I got it on a whim to have something that looked nice going into a pub. It's turned into a multipurpose jacket for travel, durable against brambles, abrasion protection, warm and always looks good. Not a high viz jacket though.






