Search for new Rain Jacket

[RangerTom]

Hello Everyone,

I've been watching for a cycling rain jacket to replace my 30 year old Early Winters goretex jacket. I've had my eye on the Showers Pass jackets sold by ACA and wondered if anyone had any comments on these or any other jacket they really like. I'm partial to breathable fabrics after my good experience with the Early Winters used for a lot of cycling in addition to backpacking, skiing and general outdoor use.

Sounds like the Showers Elite version might be a bit more trim, I might prefer one with a little more room (sounds like the case with the Showers Touring). Also the Elite uses eVent fabric, the Touring uses Artex.  

Looking forwards to hearing any suggestions - I think ACA has a sale on their store items until the end of the month!  

Thanks - Tom

[JimF]

Hi:
Take a look at http://www.bicycleclothing.com/Rain-Capes.html
if you're not absolutely determined on a jacket. I found it to be a better choice on tour: best "ventilation" and coverage. Good riding.

[dombrosk]

I'm a big fan of the "eVent" fabric.  I've been using a Pearl Izumi jacket made of it for 3 years now with good service.  It's so breathable that I can wear it as a windbreaker, and I once biked for 3 days in Western Montana in a constant cold rain and was very comfortable.  My previous experience had also been with GoreTex and the improvement was astounding. I haven't had any experience with the "Artex"

[RussellSeaton]

I rode with the Showers Pass jacket on a ride.  Borrowed the jacket.  It was their high end model of jacket.  Kept me warm and dry I guess in the chilly rain.  I say dry I guess because all zipped up to keep the rain out did not let any of the perspiration out.  Heavy jacket.  Not packable unless you are carrying panniers.  Ideal jacket for cold weather riding where you know you won't take the jacket off.  Or heavy rain in cooler temps.  Not really a carry along just in case rain jacket.  Its too heavy for summer riding.  Great for winter and maybe, maybe spring and fall.

[staehpj1]

I have always preferred a lightweight coated nylon (Sierra Designs, I think) jacket that packs tiny.  I get soaking wet from sweat in it, but in the past I never found the breathable fabrics any better.  I was still wet, but colder with any of the breathables I tried and they didn't pack small.

That said, I have since bought a BioVent jacket (Canari Eclipse).  It packs small, is supposed to be good in the rain.  So far it has been comfy as a windbreaker and good in light rain, but I have not yet used it in prolonged hard rain or toured with it so the jury is still out.

[paddleboy17]

I have an MEC Bernouli Gortex Rain Jacket.  It might be two heavy on a 90F day, but have worn it on a rainy 80F day, and a lot cooler.  Looks like it is out of production.  MEC (www.mec.ca), looks to have replaced it with the Woosh Jacket (75-denier polyester laminated to a waterproof-breathable Entrant® EV non-porous membrane with a nylon tricot backer).  It has the same look and ventilation features of my jacket.

MEC makes pretty good stuff.  Yes getting it shipped across the border is a hassle, and the exchange rate used to be better.  I have had good luck with everything that I ever bought from them, including my panniers.

You can get by down to 55F with the jacket and just tights.  Below that and you might need rain pants too.

Danno

[driftlessregion]

I find rain pants to be too heavy to justify taking on tour for the little time they might get worn. Your tour might be in cold weather and rain often enough to make it worthwhile. I have had good luck though with tight lycra leg warmers in rain down to 32 degrees. The tight fabric makes it impossible to get waterlogged.

[paddleboy17]

The trick in touring, is to make each item you take serve multiple functions.  That said, I think if the temperature range was cold enough, you could justify taking rain pants.  The rain pants could also be your in camp pants you wore after you stopped riding.  

I probably would not bother with coated nylon low end rain pants.  But if I felt I needed pants to wear in camp, why not make them serve double duty as rain pants.

Danno

[RangerTom]

Thanks for all the responses. I ended up purchasing the Showers Pass Touring Jacket through Adventure Cycling. Looks like a very nice product - I'll report back on how it works out if we ever get rain again in our Sierra foothills region. Thanks Again