Great fitting rain/wind jacket. I love the long tail, venting zips and color. It is a bit heavier than lightweight jackets so I will probably just use it in harsher weather.
I specifically bought this rain jacket for my 500 mile bike ride on the Camino de Santiago, Frances Route, in mid-spring though northern Spain. It worked well through the cold, rain, hail, wind and a combination of all the above. With a tee shirt and a medium thick merino wool base layer, I never felt any biting cold on my arms or chest. I also used a merino buff to cover my face when the cold wind whipped up. I can easily recommend this jacket for cycling in rain and 30F to 60F temperature range.
This may not be okay, but here goes. I bought a Showers Pass Elite jacket in 1996, and it has been in use since. Two years ago, the pit zippers on both sides became unbonded, making them ineffective. I contacted Showers Pass about a repair on my then-26-year-old jacket, and they said to send it back to them along with prepaid postage, and they'd look at it. About two weeks later, Showers Pass returned it fully repaired with stitching and new waterproofing. Best customer service ever on a great product.
I have owned the Elite 2.0 jacket since 2008 (I think) and have worn it pretty much daily for winter commuting for most of those years. Except for dirt stains on the yellow fabric, it still looks brand new - ZERO loose threads, worn fabric, anything. On a long bike tour a few years ago, I brought another Showers Pass jacket (the Century, maybe? - trying to save weight) and loaned my Elite 2.0 to my riding partner. By the end of my three-month tour, the lighter jacket was destroyed - no longer waterproof, with the fabric layers peeling apart, the pit zippers stuck. The Elite 2.0 was still kicking, and continues to keep me totally dry and comfortable in all kinds of weather.
I am a woman, but have the men's cut of this jacket. It fits fine and I can fit it over another jacket or sweater easily. I do find that it's cut a little too short in the front, but the long back hem is awesome. It's possible this is improved in the new 2.1 cut, which I haven't tried.
My only caveat is the cuff fabric. It soaks up water like crazy and takes a loooong time to dry. Why Showers Pass didn't make the cuffs out of the same awesome eVent fabric that the rest of the jacket is made of, I will never understand.
I've been using the Shower's Pass Century jacket for the past couple years. The jacket has held up well, fits well and keeps the rain out, but it really doesn't breath particularly well. After a hard workout in Portland drizzle, I'm almost as moist as if I hadn't been wearing a jacket.
So this season, I decided to break down and spend the extra money on the Elite 2.0 jacket. Wow, what a difference. This jacket keeps me warm and dry without feeling like I'm wearing a plastic bag. Extremely well made with lots of venting options and the fabric seems to breath surprisingly well. I also feel a bit safer riding in the dark with the reflective stripes on the back and sleeves. Highly recommended.
I have had many bicycle rain jackets over the years! This is by far the best I've ever had! It breaths well, doesn't seem to stick to your skin when sweaty, has a little extra room for layering, has ventilation options, is very waterproof and is very reflective for safety in low light! I love this jacket!
I bought this jacket to take on a cycling trip to New Zealand's south island last month. Was traveling fairly light so I intended to use this a general purpose jacket off the bike as well. It worked great on the bike, kept me dry and warm. When it got a little warm, the pit zips provided enough air to cool things down. At 5'10" & 165#, I ordered a size L to allow a little layering. Good thing I did, it fit a little tighter than I expected but fit well while wearing a jersey with base layer underneath and had enough room for a light fleece when I was off the bike, although it was a little short to cover the waste in front. While wearing it off the bike, I kept searching for a place to put my hands when it got a little cool but no hand pockets. I know, it's a cycling jacket but my older REI Novara jacket, that I ahem outgrew, had them. The quality of the material and construction is top notch. I also got the optional hood which worked OK but it would separate from the velcro attaching points easier than I liked when I wasn't using it. The chest pocket is big enough to hold my phone and the rear pouch stored held my route maps and brochures easily and is big enough for a pair of full finger gloves.
I love my Elite 2.0! I mostly commute but If it looks like I'm going to brave the downpour to get a great rain ride in, this is what I'll be wearing. Excellent waterproof quality, without over heating, or becoming drenched in my own sweat. If you need a top of the line do all waterproof jacket, this is it!
I bought my first Elite jacket when they first came out, possibly years ago? I don't know. After lotsa use for commuting, travelling, fun/club rides, I finally realized it needed to be replaced. I maintained it well, but it had to go. Bought exactly a matching new one! I have already used it in all all the crazy kinds of weather the changing climate brings us. An interesting change in this product is the reversed zipper toggle, now meeting the international standard (like the woman's location here in the USA). I can get used to this internationalization with joy..
I've been using this jacket almost daily for a couple of months now. I commute by bike and or motorcycle 5 days a week. It has kept me dry even at highway speeds. The drop tail is nice for commuting, but looks strange when I'm out shopping. I find myself wearing this jacket even when it's not raining because of the the great venting. I bought goldenrod to be visible. It's definitely bright. In short I love this jacket. I just ordered some Showers Pass pants to keep my lower half dry.
I bought this rain jacket in anticipation of encountering rain on RAGBRAI this year. I knew from weather patterns in Iowa that there would be a great chance this jacket would come in handy. Guess what, on Friday of RAGBRAI we had a big storm come through and we got to ride in very heavy rain. This jacket stopped the rain very well and I found it much more comfortable than typical cheap rain jackets. The breathable material worked great and the two vents under the arms worked great
I had a great ride in the rain that day while others thought they encountered their worst day ever. Based on that difference of opinion, I'd say the Showers Pass jacket is well worth the money.
Long Torso 6'1" 200 lbs - bought size XL for ability to layer extensively for use in long rides down into the 30s. Besides terrific moisture resistance, this works as an exceptional wind breaker in cold weather when properly mated with underlying layers, with much more comfort than riding in a parka. Lightweight, and rolls up fairly compactly for space saving on long distance trips or bike trunk storage. I particularly like the adjustable cuffs to close tight on my riding winter gloves. Durable - my 2018 model is still working great after many rides.
Nice fabric that provides protection against the rain and the cold. Zippers under the arms are great for ventilating when you get warmed up. And the zippered chest pocket and rear pocket provide great storage for the gear you need at hand. High visibility in the day time (yellow) and at night (reflective stripes). There are other excellent products out there, but it would be hard to find one better at this price point. Not cheap, but you'll never regret spending a few extra dollars here for years of good wear.
I replaced my original Showers Pass Elite rain jacket after 7 years of use. I got a great deal on this jacket that I couldn't refuse. It's nice to have a new jacket that repels the rain. I bought the same size as before but this one fits a little tighter. One downside for me is the lack of side pockets. There is now one large pocket in the lower back that is not so usable for me. Perhaps I will get use to it but it seems more awkward. No where to easily put my gloves when stopping. Overall I am happy with the jacket and look forward to dry rides in the rain. One other thing, the tag said Mens but the zipper is on the opposite side.
I use this jacket frequently during winter training, It is completely waterproof, very well constructed and durable. The front pocket has worked very well protecting my phone, the collar is ample and keeps most everything out of the jacket. I'd buy this jaclet again today.
A comfortable, affordable jacket for cycling and weather protection. It is waterproof and wind proof providing good protection from the elements. Side vents allow you to control internal temp. Generous fit.
A hood would be a welcome addition..
This is hands down the best cycling jacket I've ever owned. Granted, I don't have a fleet of jackets that I interchange throughout the year. I take my time, do a lot of research, then buy an item that I use regularly. It's replacing a 30 year old Burley cycling jacket that was showing it's age. As far as cycling goes, I commute year round on a gravel and fat tire bike so whatever I buy gets regular usage and aside from recreational trail riding I live in this jacket during a 32 mile round trip suburban commute. I'm 6'2, 200 lbs so and struggle to find clothing that fits longer arms and smaller torso (much of the gear out there is too short in a L and too baggy in an XL). Either way, this jacket fits perfectly in an XL with room for layers underneath. The material is truly water and wind tight and I recently rode in a snowstorm with large, wet flakes and nothing got in. Paired with the Shower pass convertible pants, I truly feel watertight and breathable when I ride. One warning, if you carry a cell phone, I wouldn't recommend using chest pocket to carry it. The moisture you generate from sweat tend to collect on the phone (it's not from water outside the jacket, this thing is water-tight!). The vents are perfectly placed and catch just enough air to keep me cool once I start to warm up. Great jacket, well made and I'm looking forward to years of hard use out of it!
Used it several times in the rain and cold. Holds up very well. Zippers do not leak. Armpit vents are very good. Chest pocket is nice for a phone or small wallet. All around a really good product. Only gripe is the cuffs on the sleeves hold water.
Ive had many waterproof biking specific jackets over the past 40 years. The Showers Pass Elite is my favorite of the bunch. For winter, the high lined collar provides excellent neck protection. The back vent minimizes the classic exertion soaking back. The only improvement I would like is a snap closure at the neck. This would allow closure from the wind at the collar while adding some extra sweat cooling with the zipper down a bit. ( I did DIY a solution with a Velcro leather strip to anchor the existing neck hood Velcro patches.) And of course as a Portland cyclist, always happy to support a local bicycle business.
Ive had many great rainwind jackets in over 40 years of NW winter riding. The Elite has the best combination of rainwind protection and ventilation to keep me from cooking in my own sweat midway through a winter ride.
