This was one of the first "WP/B" rain jackets I tried. I liked the color and price.

Mine proved to not be waterproof - I got wet in rain. It also tore up very easily, not durable. But it was cheap, and I think this is a case of "you get what you pay for".

I see no one has mentioned it yet so I'll add my rain jacket --> Marmot Mica. I weighs 7.4 ounces, it's waterproof, and breaths pretty well. If its warm summer weather I forgo the jacket and just get wet.

Definitely a cheap item, but has been waterproof for me so far. I'm sure it won't last forever though.

I've been using Showers Pass for five years now. In the cold months, that's almost daily. I'm on my second jacket, the elite 2.0. The first one was their "Century" jacket. It wore out after three years. The zipper malfunctioned and the DWR was wearing out.The second one I received in Dec 2010 and already the zipper on the MP3 pocket is shot, doesn't work anymore. Other than that they're excellent three season rain jackets. But they're not perfect. The other day I rode into work in a torrential downpour that lasted about 30 minutes, you know where it feels like someone is holding a firehose on you. After that time, I had water leak in along the length of the zipper and some leakage in the arms. Just dampness. But in a steady rain the jackets perform admiralbly. This jacket is one of the reasons that I'm able to commute everyday in frigid temperatures. Excellent wind and cold blocker.I've had two of them now and when the second one wears out I'm going with the J&G jacket next. Just to see how they compare. But it gets good reviews too.
For the feet, if you're riding everyday, you can't beat the Showers Pass Touring shoe covers. Built to last. You can go to war in these things. Last I looked they were on sale at the SP website. They'll keep your feet dry thru the worst that Mother Nature throws at you.
For the record I use the Rainshield O2 pants. the black ones. I've had them for five years and am very happy with them.

Are these the ones you are referring to? The Showers Pass Club Shoe Covers? I couldn't find any reference to touring shoe covers.


Regards
Andrew

The Mountain Equipment Coop shoecovers are also good.

My mec's have lasted probably 15 years, and very versatile, great for when it gets colder as well.

Can either of these handle minimal walking around in mtb shoes? I've heard a lot of shoe covers don't last too long when used with spd shoes if there's much walking.

I will try to take a photo of my pair sometime to show you how they have stood up to years of mtn bike spd shoe use. I would say that I have always been careful of rough surfaces and or taking them off so not to wear them out. The mec ones are however a rather tough material, most likely heavier than the others shown.
They are pretty tough wearing, and with common sense have held up well over the years, which really has been well over 10 yrs. I do use them often in spring and fall, for wind cutting for cold when it gets below perhaps 6 or 7c. For 2 or 3c and less, I stick some old fleece over the top of my shoe for insulation before putting on rain booties.

For me, good rain booties are an extremely useful thing to own to help with riding comfort, wet or dry.

Ps, just so you know, I commute a lot, so they do get walked on regularly.

Thanks, I was thinking in terms of commuting (not that it'd be easy for me to get MEC ones). The ones I have now I've only used a couple of times in the cold (and maybe once in the rain) in part because I wear 48/49s and the covers aren't quite big enough but also they seem a bit fragile.

i have my rain jacket emm maybe 7 years now AGU poray5000 works great but you would most definitly need a light fleece under it to keep from freezing.
what is it with rain gear as soon as it gets wet you get cold.

Its called evaporative cooling .. when you sweat the water comes out of your skin..

In this case the water is from the Sky.

How about gloves for cold rain?

I have tried lots of different options. My current setup is to use the outer shell of "waterproof" winter gloves over my cycling gloves. It works for a while but rain gets through the seams if it's pouring. I'm still looking for a better solution. Ideas?

My replacement Showers Pass Elite 2.0 arrived today from BicyclingHub.com. Excellent service with delivery being quite quick from the US, which is a change from the pass. Oh for those interested the XL weighs in at 525 grams according to my digital scales and I got the Chilli Red this time which looks much better IMO than the Golden Rod colour.

Regards
Andrew

As for being fragile, I guess the only thing you can do is be careful with them, not scuffing your feet along on rough surfaces and taking the time to get them off as soon as possible.

I'm still looking as well. My hands are really the only area I am not able to keep warm on cold rainy days. I've tried plastic bags, "water proof gloves" and my hands are still like blocks of ice, when the temps are under 4C/ 38F

As for hands, I am rarely out for more than 40 mins in cold rain, 5c etc, but when its very cold I wear thin polypro glove liners under old fleece gloves, and when closer to freezing I put over these a pair of goretex overmitts (they are just a shell, no insulation. This works well for both cold and rain.
I suggest looking into the commuting section or winter riding for other waterproof, breathable gloves, as there must be good ones out there.

Fenders help a lot, I use a raincape when it rains because it allows some circulation to keep from sweating too much. If it is hot, I just get wet and let the rain cool me off. I started using Rivendell Splats on my feet, they are simple, work with any shoe and double as a saddle cover if you stop to let a storm pass.



Marc

I saw an xl showers pass 2.0 on sale on eBay this week for $155 as a buy it now price. It was new with tags and goldenrod color. I wish I saw that before I bought mine.

from the top down:
Helmet cover
Showers Pass jacket
Rainlegs
Fenders, with flap on the front wheel.
The first 4 deal with the water from above, the fenders deal with what's on the road