Rain jacket?

[yetigooch]

The purpose of this jacket would be to pack small and have with us for whenever there was unexpected rain during spring, summer and fall riding. I mean a downpour, or a steady rain encountered while touring and you still need to get from point A to point B regardless of the fact that its a steady/hard rain. So, with that said if it's not packable it's a pain to always have with you. If it's not waterproof then you'd be soaked in no time, and if it's not really breathable then you'd melt because this can happen in warm temps. If we were not touring and were at home we wouldn't even start the ride in these conditions but in the summer you can always get caught. Also the Craft jacket that was suggested is not waterproof (water rating is minimal) so that wouldn't work for our purposes.

As I suggested earlier... the Rapha rain jacket is exactly what you're looking for. It is made for extreme wet weather riding but packs down to fit in your jersey pocket. It also does not come in obnoxious colors. The down side is that it is on the expensive side, but it is worth every penny. Some may think it's overpriced, but what does that really mean. Many things is life can be viewed as overpriced...but it comes down to the person buying it. If you can afford it, you will not be disappointed.

[ASammy1]

I personally don't know about this particular jacket from REI, but it's got some great reviews and not too expensive. It seems to fit the needs you described.

I don't know your size, but they have them in Plus Size too.

http://www.rei.com/product/794275

[radacrider]

I use a Showers Pass Elite 2 rain jacket. Not that packable, but it is my commuting jacket and I wear work clothes under. Way back, I use to pack those souvenier tyveks on touring/training rides. Often we would put them on backwards to cut wind chill. They roasted you, though.

I also found rain showers were not so bad, mostly it is being able to keep the extremities and core warm -- and hope you don't have to stop for too long.

Good luck.

[jordanpattern]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I'm in need of a relatively heavy duty rain jacket, because I'm about to move to Portland, Oregon! My boyfriend uses a Showers Pass jacket and loves it, but it looks as though 1) they don't have an equivalent women's model, and 2) they only go down to a women's small, which is too big for me. I'm willing to have it tailored if it's a really great jacket, but ideally, I'd like to find something that fits better off the rack. I'm thinking perhaps the Rapha jacket will be a better fit in that regard?

Any of you ladies have any words of wisdom on Rapha vs. Showers Pass? Any other suggestions?

Intended use is training rides of various lengths in rainy conditions. I don't tend to overheat all that easily, so while breathability is good, it's probably not as big a concern for me as for some other people.

[Crankin]

I have a woman's extra small Showers' Pass jacket. Not sure which model, but I got it on sale from either The Clymb or Left Lane Sports. Also, check Sierra Trading Post.

[Irulan]

You want to avoid having a seam sealed rain jacket altered anywhere other than sleeve length or hem. You want to keep the integrity of the factory sealing.

[evangundy]

These are the waterproof jackets currently carried here at Team Estrogen:

http://www.teamestrogen.com/product/...-c36-c130.html
Read the staff pick write-ups and also reviews posted by other customers. Lots of good information there.

The ones that pack small enough to fit in a jersey pocket would be:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodGB_JGOXYW.html
http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodGB_JGOXYL.html
http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodGB_JALPWO_0.html
http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodPI_11231209.html

Though you couldn't go wrong with any of them for keeping warm and dry. I have one of the Gore jackets (from about 4 years ago and I don't remember the model) and it is wonderful. It works best when the temps outside are colder than the temps inside the jacket, which helps draw out the inner sweat/moisture.

I also have an older version of the Pearl Izumi Elite Barrier WxB Jacket - It is hard to describe the material. It doesn't feel heavy enough to keep me warm and dry .... but it does. The inside of the jacket reminds me of those mylar blankets they wrap you with at the end of running/races, but it is better than that.

Edna