Best Rain Jacket?

[krazygl00]

This is apropos to the "Rain Bike And Gear" thread over in commuters, but I thought I'd start this thread to get some opinions.

For Christmas I was given an REI Novarra Express 2.0 bike jacket. I read reviews that said it had poor breathability and since I tend to sweat a lot this is an issue for me. I did a little research and found that the Showers Pass Elite 2.1 jacket is highly regarded, as is the REI Stratos.

Anyone have any input? Should I keep the Express or go for the Stratos or the Showers Pass? Or something else I haven't listed? I looked at the Stratos...what I like about it is that the fabric is somewhat of a heavier weight which I like...I don't like those paper-thin ultra lightweight jackets; I like them to have some heft and stiffness to them.

[jabberwocky]

I had a Showerspass Elite 2.0 jacket for several years. The design is good, the fabric is great, the build quality and support was abysmal. Almost every seam on the jacket eventually came apart, the zippers fell off, and the jacket ended up having to be randomly glued or stitched back together a few times a year. Support simply never responded to emails or phone calls.

I don't recommend them. Look elsewhere.

[thecyclingeconomist]

... and support was abysmal... Support simply never responded to emails or phone calls.

As long as he's buying from REI, none of that matters. You can return at anytime without reason.

"rain jacket" is too broad for me: are we talking insulated, or just a shell? Since you say something "more substantial"... I'd recommend trying on a Gore Bike Wear ALP-X or a Castelli Adriano. It's legit Goretex (note that Gore Bike Wear stuff is most definitely NOT all goretex based)

Make sure that the jacket has two-way zippers and preferably pit-zips and a good baffled vent on the back.

Just something to consider.

[krazygl00]

As long as he's buying from REI, none of that matters. You can return at anytime without reason.

"rain jacket" is too broad for me: are we talking insulated, or just a shell? Since you say something "more substantial"... I'd recommend trying on a Gore Bike Wear ALP-X or a Castelli Adriano. It's legit Goretex (note that Gore Bike Wear stuff is most definitely NOT all goretex based)

Make sure that the jacket has two-way zippers and preferably pit-zips and a good baffled vent on the back.

Just something to consider.

Just a shell, as I have plenty of insulating layers. I'm leaning toward the Shower's Pass despite Jaberwocky's experience, because I'll be getting it at REI with their return policy. Plus, the exchange will be simpler than getting a credit or cash and then ordering an Endura from somewhere else.

I read on bikeforums.com that there were some scattered quality issues with SP but the overwhelming majority had no problems.

[Rod Smith]

No rain jacket breathes much. That's hype. I've used both REI jackets and I prefer the Stratos. I think the Express might be 2 layer while Stratos is 3 layer construction which seems to hold up better. The Stratos is on sale right now, I'd go for the upgrade.

[Dirt]

Non answer answer.... Assos rS.sturmPrinz

Kept me dry and comfortable on many all-day rides in cold rain. Breathes very well. Adapts to changing conditions.

Only down side is the price tag. $550.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.

The answer, answer from me would be the Endura Flyte ($190) or the Endura Venturi II ($280). Venturi II is better ventilated. My Flyte is 3 years old and AWESOME.

As with any waterproof jacket, care is EXTREMELY important. Wash it and treat it using NikWax products using the NikWax instructions and it'll last a very, very long time and stay waterproof too. I thought my jacket had died at the end of the first season until I discovered the NikWax stuff.

[TwoWheelsDC]

Non answer answer.... Assos rS.st.

Yeah, but then you have to ride everywhere singing "Du Hasst". Big downside of wearing Assos if you ask me...

[KelOnWheels]

Yeah, but then you have to ride everywhere singing "Du Hasst". Big downside of wearing Assos if you ask me...

Hold that thought, I gotta go screw some SPD cleats to the bottom of my New Rocks...

[Dirt]

Yeah, but then you have to ride everywhere singing "Du Hasst". Big downside of wearing Assos if you ask me...

Might be an improvement over my current singing...

I love their glasses too! NOT! Though I'm sure their functional.

I am slowly building up a collection of Assos clothing. It is truly expensive, for sure. Their models are scary, for sure. The quality and function of what they sell is wayyyy over the top. Their level of service is pretty over the top too. A friend of mine crashed and totally tore up the right side of his $500 winter jacket. The shop he bought it from sent it back to Assos and they replaced the messed up panels for him for a quite reasonable price. When all was said and done, it cost him less than $100 to get it fixed. He got his jacket back and they'd put a new sleeve on it. Took a few weeks, but can any other manufacturer out there get close to that? Crash in your GORE and you've got a messed up GORE. Same goes true for every other company I know of. They say that they can't fix everything. They did a pretty impressive job from what I saw.

I know... It's a freakin' $540 rain jacket.

[consularrider]

Might be an improvement over my current singing...

... of Assos clothing. It is truly expensive, for sure. Their models are scary, for sure ... I know... It's a freakin' $540 rain jacket.

And it's black?? Why, uber image is all important in the rain?