I am doing a cross country ride this summer on the Northern Tier and need a new rain jacket. My two finalists are Showers Pass 2.1 and Arcteryx Beta LT Hybrid Jacket. REI has the Arcteryx jacket in stock but not the Summers Pass. Any input from current users would be appreciated.

We have gone through this in the past a few times with varying opinions. Me I am happy with my Mountain Hardwear Chinley 3L but if I were to go with a new one I would probably go with the new Gore Active (WP on the outside) or get a better Neoshell jacket to replace the RAB shell I got (Sugoi makes a nice cycling one).

If I had to pick between the two you have chosen I would go Arcteryx all the way. I have a bunch of Arc. and I love it all. They always make top quality gear that will last and last. Their A2B collection has some great stuff directed at cyclists most especially the commuter crowd but a lot of that stuff looks great off the bike or would work well touring.

7Mesh would be another one to check out as they are former Arcteryx folks who are doing cycling specific stuff. That translates to a fanatical devotion to quality gear with top level fabrics and design but all cycling.

I also vote for the arc teryx. I don't know anything about the shower pass but arcteryx quality is absolutely amazing... I personally use Rab rain jackets because they have the best fitting hoods (with or without a helmet) of any jacket that I have ever owned (even arcteryx).

When I did the NT I took two jackets.......a Marmot Catalyst wind jacket for some insulation and a Marmot Mica rain jacket. The combination gives great flexibiility and is surprisingly light. The Catalyst has been replaced by the Ether

Rain jacket, I get by just fine with Frogg Toggs Ultra lite 2 rain jacket and pants. At around $18.00 for the pair, they will keep you dry, light weight and pack down very small but not as stylish or as expensive as the others have mentioned.
https://www.amazon.com/Frogg-Toggs-Ul...0805530&sr=8-6

One reason REI doesn't have the 2.1 is because I recently bought one during the member sale. Blew nearly my hole dividend on it. Used during Easter weekend on a 57 mile day into a strong, cold, coastal headwind with showers mixed in at time. Love the jacket so far. Seems worth the hefty price tag. REI will be having their spring sale in May.

I bought the showers pass; I like it a lot. It's not as if you are going to go wrong either way. Personally I'd get the cheaper of the 2 if there is much of a price difference.

I'm happy with my jacket from J&G Cyclewear so far ( Bicycle Clothing At Its Best--and Our Bicycle Clothing Is MADE IN OREGON! ) They come in breathable and non-breathable styles. They run a tad on the smallish size, so order accordingly.

I have the pants, too, but have not had the need to use them yet.

Good folks, too. Great customer service.

My LBS socks Showers Pass & Endura.



I Moved here after a Long Tour Overseas, then I wore a Hiking Anorak ,

I liked the front pocket + handwarmer tunnel for stowing Gloves .. & the hood to pull up over my head.

I have a couple of showers pass jackets and like them very much, for minimal day rides were I dont want a hood.
I also have a Patagonia rain jacket that is Very nice, pit zipps, hood, sealed pockets, and a decent lime green color that works OK for riding. It has gone on a couple of tours with me, as its nicer in camp, and I expected a lot of rain on those trips.

But I usually take a cheap Stearns brand jacket I got at walmart. Its lighter, has a hood, is orangish, and I get just as wet from perspiration in the expensive jackets. And I bought it fifteen years ago for a tour when I forgot whatever expensive gear I owned at the time, and its held up really well. Its going with me in a couple of weeks to do a weeks worth of backpacking as well.

I do not think you can go wrong with either one, I have the Showers Pass and it is excellent, I also have some Arcteryx products and they are outstanding also both worth the hefty price tags because they not only work but work well. The only consideration you might want to think about is, if I recall correctly the Arcteryx rain jacket has a hood,which would be a deal breaker for me on a bike, unless it is removable.

Thank you all very much. I really appreciate the advice. Now I have a few other jackets to research.

I havae a Showers Pass Transit rain jacket, well made, fits me well and does a good job of being a rain jacket and has smart vents and whatnot so that it is not too clammy. It is cheaper than the 2.1 but heavier. When I looked for a new rain jacket, the transit here is $315, the Transit $225. As I use a jacket much more commuting, in all kinds of temps, I chose the heavier yet least expensive of the two, thinking it would be tougher. I sometimes regret that (only from the weight aspect) but was hesitant spending that much more at the time for the 2.1

there are all kinds of lighter more compact rain jackets out there, and I would say that if for use primarily in the summer, a cheaper lighter jacket will do the job also.

I would add that rain pants and rain booties are always part of my rain kit, I personally dont like getting totally soaked, and my shoes too, so I carry these two things along with a rain jacket. Again, in hot summer its perhaps less of an issue, but having been on trips getting all wet, wet shoes etc, I prefer to have all three with me.

you'll have to decide how much you want to spend. There is a company from Oregon that makes inexpensive, simple rain jackets and pants, cant recall name, but biking stuff made simply and reasonable prices, look into it.

I'd go for the lighter and cheaper of any choice. My current jacket is a home-made silnylon anorak, 3 oz and smaller than a fist. After going through lots of expensive jackets over the decades, I've decided to stop spending money on the problem, because I've discovered it's really not that much of a problem. Good luck with your choice--there are many options and it's hard to find what works best for you.

here is that company I had mentioned. Havent seen their stuff in person, which is very important to get an idea of the sizing, how it fits, construction, etc etc, but could be a good alternative that would allow other money to go towards things like a good tent, sleeping mat...whatever.

Waterproof Jackets from People Who Really Know Waterproof Jackets!

Having used many rain jackets over the years while touring, I keep coming back to my Shower's Pass Elite 2.0, despite its weight and bulk penalties. In dry climates with the occasional storm, an ultralight jacket is fine. I bring a $30 5oz. O2 Rainwear jacket. In more humid climates with frequent rain, I believe that it's the jacket's ventilation features that are more important than its fabric. Even the fanciest waterproof/breathable fabric can't force water vapor from inside to outside if outside is just as humid as inside. These are the features that I think are crucial to a great ventilation design:

- generous fit to allow layering and airflow underneath but not so baggy that the jacket flaps on descents
- wide cuffs to allow airflow up the arms
- pit or side zips to allow airflow around the torso
- some kind of flap in the back to allow air that enters from the cuffs and pit zips to escape, otherwise the jacket billows and air isn't flowing effectively inside the jacket

Most of the jackets mentioned in this thread don't have all of these features. I would use them in dry climates but not when expecting more frequent rain exposure.

I had mentioned that outfit a few posts earlier (yesterday). The jacket sizing runs a tad small, but I believe that is mentioned in the description - they have breathable and non-breathable and the sizes are not consistent between the two...

Not familiar with Arcteryx but have had two Showers Pass 2.0 over ten yrs and bought two as gifts. I like them a lot.

oops, sorry, didnt see that. I'm terrible with names so the name of it in your post didnt mean a thing, and I obviously missed the Oregon mention.
Re sizing, this touches on the importance of physically trying on things, I'm a skinny guy and from one brand to another of X clothing, a medium can be ok, or I can be swimming in it. Same with rain pants, some are just so billowy on me its terrible. I found a pair of North Face rain pants that work well for me, but as you say, if sizes vary even between models, then you really have to try them on.

these are all very good points and certainly jives with my experiences with diff rain jackets and biking. I must say that my SP Transit checks all of your points and is why I find it to be a very good biking rain jacket. The Transit certainly is bulkier than the Elite, but does give the impression that it will continue to function well for many years, it seems well made and I like the details that make it work well.
I must check, but I'm fairly certain I bought a XS and it fits me well even though I am 5'10", arms are long enough and I even have room to layer stuff underneath, and the length is fine down the back (it also has that pop out longer bum overhang section to cover your seat)

but to go back to your points, I agree with what you say and its a very good overview of what to look for in a jacket.

The problem that I have with the Showers Pass 2.1 is that it does not have pockets on the sides for you to use as hand warmers (conventional pockets) It does have a pocket in the back and a chest pocket. No hand warmers is a deal breaker for me. Another member mentioned the J&G cycle wear jacket. I own that one, and the pants as well. Comfortable, good design, great color (yellow) for visability. The pants are black. I find it lousy for touring. I took it on my cross country tour last summer, and wound up just as wet inside as outside in an hours time. Pit zips open, wrists loose, even the zipper down enough to allow some venting- I sweat bullets in the jacket. I will say that it is commuter grade, just not tour grade. The Arcteryx Beta AR is what I will buy next month when they go on sale locally, as I have an upcoming cross country hike in Spain to do in September. I saw the Frogg Toggs at Walmart last week. I was tempted for $18, but decided to stick to the plan of buying the Beta AR.

I have several Showers Pass jackets. The lined and not so packable Events plus a lighter and easy packing jacket. Both are excellent. The second requires care or I will tear the waterproof inner fabric but in return, it stuffs easily into a jersey packet. The lined Events is a super bad weather commuter.

Both jackets are very rider friendly and have a feature that not having is a deal breaker for me - two way zippers so I can stuff my jersey pockets with stuff I want dry, zip the jacket up and get to the stuff in the pockets without fully unzipping the jacket. (It sucks when you have to unzip your jacket and it is pouring, just to get to an energy bar or the key to your lock.) They also have good armpit vents and cuff details.

In short, Showers Pass jackets are made by riders who rid in the rain on a regular basis and it shows. (One poster says no handwarmer pockets is a deal breaker. I'd like a mesh outside pocket to put soaking wet gloves in when I go into a store.)

Ben

sure enough, my jacket is in fact a XS and I'm 5'10" and the sleeves are slightly long standing, but perfect length for riding, and while it fits my torso closely, I can still put it on with a thin fleece on.
At my height you wouldnt think it would fit at all, on paper.
The caveat here is that I weigh 140 and rather slight, so this just goes to show that you must really try on jackets before buying them, unless of course it doesnt bother you that things are overly baggy.

Helly Hansen Loke
LOKE JACKET - Men - Jackets - Helly Hansen Official Online Store

Not a traditional cycling rain jacket with a million labels and reflective velcro but a solid performer and a nice price. I have this in the deep steel color, it is a little long in the XL size which I normally wear but it's fine since it supposed to keep the rain out. The jacket also packs into itself.