Imasphere

I'm looking to buy a good rain jacket for long commutes and tours. I presently have a North Face 2 ply Gore-tex jacket, but it's getting old and it's heavy (800 grams I think). I'm looking to buy a new jacket but I can't make up my mind on what to buy. MEC has a few waterproof breathables that seem alright at good prices ($60 to $120), but I doubt they will stand up to a heavy rainfall. Louis Garneau has a VERY light breathable jacket (Wind buster superlight is the model). There's also a few companies which make those see thru plastic jackets with mesh under the arm pits for around $20. I'm sure they stop the rain, but the sweat must be terrible (has anyone used those?). Seeing that my first two Gore-tex jackets were quite a disappointement in the rain I'm wondering if a waterproof-breathable actually works. I'm trying to find something under $200, but if a more expensive jacket really delivers, I'd be willing to shed out more money. If anyone has any suggestions to the perfect rain jacket, please feel free to add to this thread.

Thanks.

Al Downie

In the UK, my favourite jackets are made from very lightweight 3-ply 'eVent' material. Gore-tex PacLite is a 2-ply alternative, but unless you buy a jacket with a (heavy) lining, the laminate can start to wear fairly quickly.

nun

I used a gortex jacket for a while, but all the zips, pockets, and the weight of the fabric made it less than idea for touring. I've tried a couple of other lightweight jackets, but I've ended up using a very cheap microporous rain jacket from Driducks, O2 makes a similar jacket, with a hood. These jackets cost about $20 and work really well. You won't be stylish, but you will be dry.

The Driducks tend to come on the large size, which works out well for commuting or touring where speed isn't an issue as it gives you lots of air flow to keep the sweating down.

becnal

Showers Pass Rain jacket. The Elite 2.0. I will never wear another jacket again.

hangman_jdf

I use a gore-tex jacket that I got from Bass Pro. It works ok, but I wish it had a little more ventilation. On backpacking forums, I've seen alot of people like their frogg toggs.

Podolak

I use the EMS Deluge jacket. It is both light and made of Gore-Tex. It works very well but it isn't cheap. Well worth it in my opinion though.

nun

Yes that's where I got the idea for the microporous approach. I find most cycling rain gear restrictive and I sweat and become uncomfortable and if a jacket is tight fitting, even if it is waterproof, when it gets wet it clings to the body and is uncomfortable. A baggy microporous jacket solves all these problems for me. Its lightweight (6oz), and keeps me dry and well ventilated

wrafl

I got mine from this place:

https://www.bicycleclothing.com/index.html

I haven't had a chance to use them yet but I think they are great. I would have gone with showers pass touring butthe on line store I checked didn't have them in stock.