Rain jackets (or: summer is definitely over)

[gnat23]

So, now that I have a flashy new roadbike and have been putting ~100 commuter miles a week on her, I definitely want to keep riding this winter. However, winter in San Francisco means rain. I want to start getting prepared.

What do you look for in a good waterproof biking jacket? Are they really worth $200-300, or are those $20 clear ones ok?

I like the look of the Gore Sportive and Paclite stuff (light for layering/stashing, covered zippers, extra long back). But should I look for something with thumbholes or a hood? Vents? Tension cords? Should I snag one of those Raphas that the fixie-heads oogle over?

-- gnat! (will deal with pants next)

[Eden]

the clear plastic ones aren't really all that comfy - they basically act like a sauna so even if the rain doesn't get you you still end up all wet...

Otherwise which kind of jacket you'd want would probably depend on what type of riding you do. I have a water resistant soft shell that I just love. Much of the riding I do is too hard/fast for most of the heavy duty rain jackets - even though they are breathable they don't breath fast enough - plus they flap. The softshell keeps me mostly dry, fits close, is warm and comfortable and it dries out quickly. If I were going touring, or knew I'd be doing a lot of stopping in pouring rain I'd probably choose a more traditional rain jacket - the butt cover is really nice.
I don't find a hood to be so useful, but a stowable butt flap and pit zips are the features I'd look for in a traditional rain coat.

[velogirl]

Hey, Gnat! Congrats on the new bike......what did you get?

Are you going to use your raingear for commuting or club rides or what?

Thumbholes and hoods are probably over-kill for SF and they will also compromise your mobility/range of motion (just try turning your head with a hood on).

In my experience riding here, I rarely need rain gear for recreational riding. I used it occassionally for commuting, but we really don't get as many rainy days as you'd think.

[gnat23]

Hey, Gnat! Congrats on the new bike......what did you get?

Are you going to use your raingear for commuting or club rides or what?

Thumbholes and hoods are probably over-kill for SF and they will also compromise your mobility/range of motion (just try turning your head with a hood on).

In my experience riding here, I rarely need rain gear for recreational riding. I used it occassionally for commuting, but we really don't get as many rainy days as you'd think.

Thanks, Lorri! I splurged on a Specialized Ruby Pro. It's lighter than a fart, I swear!

I'm thinking mostly for commuting, as I'm moving to skiing and gym rock climbing for the winter weekend, uh, "cross-training". I guess I just don't want to have any excuse to wimp out when the clouds get thick on those dark December afternoons. I didn't even think about the mobility aspect. Good to know!

So, I have a wind-proof and water-resistant shell already: if I layer that with a thermal layer underneath, you think that would get me through most of it without too much misery?

-- gnat!

[velogirl]

Sweet!

If your commute is short and kinda stop + go-ish, you'll want to be dressed warmer than if you get a long, sustained ride, Gnat. The temperature will also dictate what you wear (ie early-early morning it will be cold, coming home it might be warmer). I'd say cycling clothes with your jacket will be perfect (assuming you can carry your work clothes with you to work).

Congratulations again! I hope we'll see you out there once in a while when you're not in the snow.

Lorri

[Zen]

If your commute is short and kinda stop + go-ish, you'll want to be dressed warmer than if you get a long, sustained ride, Gnat.

A cheap plastic jacket may be just the thing for that. I'd have to save up a year for some of the fancier rain gear.

[Xrayted]

I got the Showers Pass jacket and love it. It keeps me dry while breathing really well so I don't end up cooking in my own juices on the ride. It's very wind resistant and you can get a hood for it as well. There are a couple of versions of it, but I have the Elite and soon will be adding the hood to it just cuz I don't like the cold Portland rain running down my neck and back. I put light layers under it when it gets cold out but otherwise, it's great for our temps. It has reflective strips and a very visible orangy-yellow color with some black on it. The 2.0 version also has a front pocket but since it's the newer version, it's more expensive. A good jacket that can be used for regular life and all kinds of sports is priceless.

congrats on the new bike and an attagirl for commuting. I hope you like it.

[hirakukibou]

I recently got a Gore rainjacket which is a HUGE improvement to the REI one I had before. I got it because it seemed to breathe much more than the other one. I wore it during the rainy 125 mile AIDS ride I did and it kept me dry for much of it and I didn't sweat horribly like I did with the old one. The only draw back is that it is yellow, not my favorite color, but I was glad to have something that kept me dry.

[Torrilin]

I've got a Land's End gore tex jacket. Has a stowable hood, pockets, and a full front zip. It's not insulated, but it's a bit warm. I'm comfortable in it in a summer thunderstorm, but I'm easily chilled. If I were usually too warm, I wouldn't like it as well.

When it's 50F out and doing a downpour, the insulating behavior of this jacket is great. I can pair it with a thin wool sweater and be comfortable, even off the bike.

Cost was around $40.

[Velobambina]

Showers Pass Elite Jacket, as X recommended.

[KnottedYet]

NRS Endurance Kayaking jacket (pullover) about $60.

neoprene neck and wrist cuffs so water doesn't go anywhere, very breathable, very waterproof, lots of arm mobility.

Bare-bones and simple. I like it in the kayak and on the bike.

Here's this year's version: http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.a...61&deptid=2018

my much older one has the chest pocket that you have to pay extra for these days...

[onimity]

I *love* my Gore Bike Wear jacket that I got here at TE...don't think they have them in bright pink anymore tho... Here's the yellow version: http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=28629

It was expensive but worth the price IMO. It might be overkill for short trips, only but to me anything that ups my comfort level a lot & encourages me to ride in less-than-great conditions is a good thing.

I really like the relative breathability of GoreTex and love that the bike-specific jacket has a part that drops down over your rear to protect that from splatter. Works great. I wore it for an entire drizzly century a few weeks back and it was great, really comfortable, didn't get wet at all, didn't feel like I was in a sauna either.

Also the Gore Bike Wear jacket folds into its own little pouch so that you can easily wear it around your waist if it isn't raining.

Anne

[Zen]

Two of the jackets recommended here are in the $200 range.

My entire food and clothing allowance for the month is $300.
I have to think about every purchase I make, including a cup of coffee.

It might not look great, it might be momentarily uncomfortable but the cheap one will keep me just as dry.

[kelownagirl]

I have this jacket that I got at Mountain Equipment Coop. It was $65 and I love it. It is only water resistant though. It doesn't rain that much here...

[HoosierGiant]

Showers Pass Elite jacket -- can't say enough good things about it!!!