What is the best rain jacket for cycling

[joep2517]

I'm looking for a quality rain jacket. Breathable and packable and if I'm in the rain for an hour - I'm reasonably dry. I don't think I want a hooded jacket, just a good quality rain jacket. Any recommendations?

Thanks,
Joe

[miguel]

i would advise against the rapha rain [s]sponge[/s] jacket

[parris]

Also stay away from the Specialized Aquaveto jacket.

[Kirk Pacenti]

I haven't tried it yet, but I am thinking of picking up Giro Neo Rain jacket.

http://www.giro.com/us_en/products/m...in-jacket.html

Cheers,
KP

[zennmotion]

Best, as in best but not necessarily designed to pack into a pocket? I've never tried one but the new Sugoi RSX Neoshell is supposed to be the latest and greatest in breathable waterproof fabric, though the cut/fit doesn't always work for everybody. I am very happy with my Showers Pass Elite 2.0 (now2.1 updated a little) with the Event fabric- these are often cited as a standard for comparison, the fabric is often used in high-end mountaineering hard shells. I've ridden in all day hard rain in mine. Pit zips are key must-haves IMO. But if I were in the market for a new one, I'd surely check out the Sugoi, which claims it doesn't need them, though I'm skeptical.

[jmoore]

[zennmotion]

Originally Posted by Kirk Pacenti

I haven't tried it yet, but I am thinking of picking up Giro Neo Rain jacket.

http://www.giro.com/us_en/products/m...in-jacket.html

Cheers,
KP

Yeah, the neoshell fabric, same stuff Sugoi uses, didn't know there were others out there already.

[zennmotion]

Originally Posted by jmoore

I used plastic bags and cheap clear plastic jackets for years for touring and carrying for unexpected weather. Whatever happened to functional simplicity? Oh, wait. Texas. You don't get an opinion on rain jackets

[joep2517]

Originally Posted by jmoore

I was so close to say "and no trash bags!" but I didn't so well done!

[moose8]

I have a cutter one made of event fabric and it works great. The brand doesn't exist anymore but showers pass uses event so you might want to look at those.

[tiretrax]

Packable and able to withstand an hour of rain are diametrically opposed, in my experience. Have you tried a Castelli Gabba jersey?

[jmoore]

Originally Posted by zennmotion

Oh, wait. Texas. You don't get an opinion on rain jackets

I usually wear a vest.


I do have a Castelli rain cape thing. It's one of those almost see through things. It works well if I need it. But this question is certainly better answered by someone from the PNW

[notoriousdjw]

I second the showers pass recommendation and also consider pit zips to be mandatory. REI made a rain jacket from Event fabric with no pit vents and it was a unwearable above about 40F. In Seattle it seems like 75% of commuters wear a showers pass jacket.

[bikingshearer]

The best rain jacket is no rain jacket at all. After about 10 minutes, they all leave you about as wet from sweat as you would have been from the rain.

The best solution is what the Brits call a rain cape (basically a purpose-made poncho) and fenders on the bike. Without the fenders, the cape is pretty much pointless. With the fenders, you get lovely air flow and a great deal less discomfort.

A proper rain cape has a strap attached inside the back of it to secure around your waist to keep it from billowing out. At worst, it should have a long enough tail to sit on to prevent billowing. it should also have some sort of system for keeping the front end in place. Some have thumb loops, some have loops for the brake levers.

You will look a tent moving down the road, and wind can be an issue, but rain capes + fenders is the way to go.

[joep2517]

Originally Posted by tiretrax

Packable and able to withstand an hour of rain are diametrically opposed, in my experience. Have you tried a Castelli Gabba jersey?

I haven't but I know they are a go to jersey. I need something to fit over a jersey. Will the Gabba work?