Wind/rain jacket suggestions?

[out_spokin']

Hi all,
I'm in the market for a new jacket. I'm narrowing it down but want to see if you all know of something I'm missing. Here are my criteria:

• Cycling-specific
• Wind and water-resistant (waterproof not necessary)
• Good breathability
• Pit zips!! - MUST have. I don't care how breathable something is, pit zips extend the range of a jacket in a way that works best for me.
• MUST be a visible color - yellow, orange, or bright color (not red)
• Fitted, NOT baggy/loose
• As packable & light as I can get given the other criteria
• Made in North America or as non-sweatshop as I can find

My top contender at the moment is the Shower's Pass Double Century, though I'm worried about what looks like a looser fit and some reviews say sleeve length can be short...I'm tall (5'10") with long arms.

What else should I consider/try? Thanks!!

[Biciclista]

showers pass. hands down.
TE sells it.

[out_spokin']

Good to know you're a fan! Alas, TE doesn't sell the Double Century...I think I found an LBS with one in stock to try the fit, but will look around a bit still based on my failure to be happy with one yet.

[out_spokin']

OK I tried the Showers Pass Double Century. AWESOME orange color, lightweight, and pretty packable. Also made in China. And not quite as form fitting in the body as I hoped -- I really don't want it to flap. They had something like 5 men's smalls and larges, but no mediums, so couldn't try that.

I'm starting to consider others that have some other underarm venting but maybe not pit zips. Aarg. Still looking...

[Biciclista]

the showers pass elite is what i have. It was made in Viet Nam but who knows where they are making them now.

[Cataboo]

I use the cutter event cycling jacket. There's a review here:
http://2cycle2gether.com/2010/09/cyc...north-america/


No, it doesn't have pitzips. But it's way more breathable & comfortable than my goretex rain jackets with their pitzips wide open.

[radacrider]

For me, I've been using the Showers Pass Elite 2.0 all through our wet times in Portland. It has been great. Probably not as packable as the Double Century, though. Good luck.

[Xrayted]

I too am in PDX. The land of the unending rain. I love my Showers Pass Jacket. Breaths great, keeps me dry, gets noticed by cars and is all around the best jacket I have ever owned for biking. No others have even come close to this one.

[Catrin]

Have been considering a Showers Pass....but since I never MEAN to ride in the rain am trying to decide if the expense makes sense. I do see a hardtail purchase in my future...

[out_spokin']

@Cataboo - that's a really helpful link, thanks! I love finding people who care about and help get the word out about various options that are more "fair trade" than our typical gear. Unfortunately it doesn't seem like Backcountry/Cutter is making a jacket this year...at least I can't find one anywhere...

@Kiwi Stoker - thanks!! I'll check that out...if you have any experience with their fit I'd appreciate it.

And for you PDX folks...I know if I ever again live in a rainy place all my gear will come only from recommendations made by PDX commuters. Y'all KNOW rain. While I grew up on the (rainy/foggy) CT shore, I'm now addicted to Colorado sunshine, so my needs are more around a jacket that can handle the cold mountain air at the start of a ride, and the afternoon thunderstorm later on in the day...so the SP Elite 2.0 is more of a full on contender (and less pack & stash) than I need.

I love getting this kind of feedback! The forum rocks...

[Cataboo]

Outspokin, I think ebay's the only source for those cutter jackets now. I have a medium that's on the tight side for me somewhere in the for sale section. It is a "snug" cut.

[Velocivixen]

Endura Luminite, Flyte or or Gridlock. I'm buying the Luminite now because it's considered a "Fall/Winter" jacket and we're into Spring now. My LBS is selling it at 50% off ($70 vs $140). In Oregon it's cool/rainy about 8 months of the year, so I don't care that I won't be able to wear it when it's 85 degrees! I am not sure where the jackets are manufactured, but Endura is a Scottish company.