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rain gear

does anyone have any suggestions for reasonable rain gear to make it through the spring (and maybe fall)? ideally, i want something cheap, breathable, brightly colored, and of course waterproof. cheap and breathable seem to be mutually exclusive, so i'd settle for bright, waterproof, and cheap, but i haven't found anything yet, or don't know where to look.


hiddenvariable
2011-03-06 16:50:29

I spent $100 ($75 of it with a gift certificate) on a rain jacket (whatever Shower's Pass $100 jacket is called) and it still isn't very breathable.


The next one up costs $150.


sgtjonson
2011-03-06 17:18:56

A clear rain jacket and some waterproof pants will get you thru a lot. Both can be had at Performance for not much.


Next step up would be something from Endura which is kinda expensive but really nice.


mayhew
2011-03-06 17:38:11

Now's the time to hit the sales rack, @HV!

I've been very happy with my Novara Stratos rain gear from REI. Not cheap, but on sale right now.


For the jacket, do your best to find something with zippers or vents in the arm pits.


pseudacris
2011-03-06 18:10:22

This is kind of not your question, but it relates...

It's been my experience that the layer you wear under the rain jacket is just as important as the rain jacket itself, that is, you can buy a $200 rain jacket, if you wear a cotton sweatshirt under it, you are going to feel wet and you have just burned $200.

If you wear a polyester "wicking" t-shirt, with a wool sweater or shirt or even a cheap polyester fleece jacket or pullover, and a halfway decent ($100) rain jacket, that will get you through about 80% of the weather we get here. Think of what you are wearing as a system, where everything needs to work together.

+1 on the zippers and armpit vents, too.


edmonds59
2011-03-06 18:28:54

I bought an on sale $100 Nashbar Gore-Tex jacket about 10 years ago and it still is mostly waterproof, and perhaps somewhat breathable. I did have to replace the front zipper for $20, but have been rally pleased with it. Black and gold color may score points with locals, although the gold looks a bit road weary by now. Armpit zips come in handy with radical temperature swings from am to pm commute.


helen-s
2011-03-06 18:51:39

Are you looking for something racy, or something to wear while commuting?


If you're looking for commuting gear, I recommend a rain cape. I got one last year from netvlin, and it was best money I spent. Yes, I look kinda silly, but I stay dry and comfortable, thanks to the open bottom.


Chris' suggestion is right on. You lose some breath-ability with a plastic jacket, but you can't go wrong with the price.


Also, keep in mind that something that will keep the rain out also typically keeps the sweat/heat in.


bjanaszek
2011-03-06 19:03:38

Oh, yeah, Nashbar has a rain cape on sale now, pretty cheap, and there are colorful colors. Made by some company called Vaude (?). Look kind of cool. Would be something to try, if you ride a hybrid or semi-upright. I was thinking of trying one, but I think I am in and out of the saddle too much for it to work.


edmonds59
2011-03-06 19:28:47

I spray all my bike gear with scotchgard fabric protector a few times a year. It's only $6 a can & makes just about anything water resistant.


I was just at Performace yesterday & the clear rain jackets are on sale for $16.


greasefoot
2011-03-06 21:07:39

I wonder if that Nashbar cape is actually a proper rain cape, or just a poncho. Mine (made in Portlandia) has thumb/finger doodads, plus a "belt" that keeps the back of the cape from flapping in the wind.


bjanaszek
2011-03-07 12:21:47

Says it has hand loops. And it looks like the color is down to "orange". And it's 35 bucks.

Other than that I can't speak to that level of detail about it.


edmonds59
2011-03-07 12:43:12

how long a ride/heavy the rain do you guys see as requiring rain gear of some sort?


I've found that due to sweating (regardless of the sauna properties of my rain gear), I need a full change for my hour-long rides, so cold is the limiting factor. If I have on my wool undies and something (fleece or my new patrol jacket) over that, even when wet I'm not that cold.


I could see a downpour in 35 degrees with lots of downhills being an advantage, but... Do you guys have any rules of thumb you've figured out over the years?


ejwme
2011-03-07 14:53:24

Anything over a light rain and below 50F. I usually dress a bit lighter if I know I'm going to wear a rain jacket for the duration.


mayhew
2011-03-07 15:11:16

I keep a tank t-shirt ("wife beater" they are sometimes called) in my pack, along with other rain gear.


If it's warm enough to sweat with my non-breathable rain gear, I take my shirt off and wear the t-shirt under my rain jacket.


If it is really hot, I just wear the t-shirt, and put my shirt somewhere it will stay dry.


Then when I get where I'm going, I wipe myself down with the T-shirt and put my regular shirt back on. Sometimes I have to wring out the t-shirt before I wipe myself down.


Using this process means that there will times I lurk behind bushes and in alleyways for the quick-change thing.


mick
2011-03-07 16:00:34

Anything wet below 60F. Above that, it doesn't matter so much. In the torrential summer 80F downpours, rain gear loses any value except visibility.


I bought a fairly expensive GoreTex bike rain jacket from Nashbar years and years ago, and it is one of my most satisfactory purchases ever. I found that even if I was a bit damp, I could actually dry out under some limited conditions. It's not so waterproof anymore, but it's windproof and the pit zips are a boon. However, it was too warm to wear comfortably at temps > 50F.


I try to stay cool so I don't sweat too much, which is tricky. You want lots of different airflow options to make that practical. I heartily recommend a full length front zipper, pit zips and a helmet cover.


Another thing that is nice to have is a very lightweight "onionskin" type jacket that you can take off and stuff in a pocket, for those days in the high 50s, low 60s that are comfortable when you're working, but if you have to stop or if it starts to rain, get really unpleasant.

I had one made of Tyvek that I really liked. It wadded up so small I could keep it in my seat bag. You might get wet, but if you can keep the wind off, that helps a lot.


lyle
2011-03-07 16:02:22

seems like there's a trend, thank you. I end up sweating enough on the hills that lie between me and *everything of interest* that there is no happy medium - down hill wind chill is my limiting factor, something I'm still trying to get used to. I end up on the personal basting side of that line more often than I'd like, but I'm learning.


ejwme
2011-03-07 19:49:08

This is an advantage of the rain cape--air flow. I tend the wear the cape in much higher temps than I would a jacket, because the ventilation is much better.


bjanaszek
2011-03-07 20:00:00

Also, wool is good.


johnwheffner
2011-03-07 21:24:10

zippers help with the adjustment between up and down hill. Also, not sweating makes the windchill less troublesome.


lyle
2011-03-07 22:51:39

Personally I haven't had great luck with gore-tex. Most of my gore-tex jackets tend to lose their waterproofing after about 3 years. They're still resistant but considering how much more expensive they are compared with plain waterproof (non-breathable) jackets, it's not really worth it to me. Pearl Izumi's WxB line is pretty solid and I've had good luck with it.


mpm
2011-03-07 22:52:13

Lyle - not sweating while running, I have down pat. I've gone on 5 mile runs and not broken a sweat, only in the hottest of weather is it unavoidable. Biking, somehow, is completely different. Maybe after 20 years of it I'll have that figured out too :D


I tried a poncho modified for rain cape use, and it was not helpful (billowing steam bag, somehow). Wool has been a godsend in every temperature I've tried it, Icebreaker is my new favorite company. I've had the same experience with gortex as mpm - except not so breathable either (worst of both worlds).


ejwme
2011-03-08 14:27:51

Lower gears will help prevent sweating. My mountain bike has 42/32/22 in the front and 12-32 in the back, which is pretty common for MTBs. Sometimes, since I'm not usually in a hurry, I put it in a low gear just to keep from sweating. Oh, the 42 front 12 in the back isn't really big enough on the downhills but its marginally OK.


boazo
2011-03-08 15:35:52

I personally like to sweat- when going for a run or ride for the exercise, I don't feel it was sucessful unless I come back more than just glowing.


helen-s
2011-03-08 18:38:49

I dropped one of my waterproof gloves in a mud puddle this morning. Then, this afternoon I dropped my hat in a gutter. I'm clumsy at locking up my bike.


pseudacris
2011-03-10 00:13:54

I wore my new rain pants today, they are awesome. Much better than sitting around in soggy jeans all morning. Just worried they won't be as pleasant to wear when the temp is not in the 30s.


salty
2011-03-10 00:57:21

@ salty on warmer rainy days, I just wear light long johns under the rain pants. I bring a change of clothes to work inside one of those dry sacks for kayakers.


pseudacris
2011-03-10 01:00:47

In my experience nothing is really waterPROOF, it's only a matter of how long will it hold off the water. And everyone has their temperature threshold. I spent about 90 minutes riding in the rain today and was fine. Tomorrow: no way.


that-guy
2011-03-11 01:38:01

I bought a Novara water resistant jacket that's colorful and breathable for under $100. If it's very humid, I feel better off riding without it. I haven't used it in a downpour yet though from what I can tell it's not designed to withstand much more than light rainfall.


flys564
2011-03-11 14:41:08

@flyS548, if you have the Novara Stratos line, its good in a downpour. They have thinner stuff for lighter rains. I stayed dry on Thursday & was out & about for a couple of hours.


pseudacris
2011-03-11 15:06:21

i ended up getting some novarra stuff at rei earlier in the week, and just in time! it's been a wet week.


the jacket i got was great. it's orange, clearly waterproof (though i don't think it's the stratos line), and it was on clearance for half the price of the other jackets.


i'm not sure how i feel about the pants, though. the waist is ok, even on the large side, but the legs are rather tight, and i'd want to wear them over other pants (though i suppose that's not necessary, or i can wear wool tights). additionally, having to take off and put on pants makes me less likely to use them. however, it has seemed worth the trouble this week.


hiddenvariable
2011-03-11 17:16:56

Oh! Don't forget about Rain Legs! Many long-distance types swear by them. Some may swear at them, too.


bjanaszek
2011-03-11 18:56:05

My problem isn't my legs but my feet. Even with fenders, there's no way I can seem to keep my feet dry on a wet day. There's always just enough splash to get past the fenders, especially on a longer ride (> 10mi), as most of my rides are. I can deal with my legs getting wet, but not my feet.


stuinmccandless
2011-03-11 19:15:01
bjanaszek
2011-03-11 19:29:14

I have some 8-year-old goretex rain pants from REI. In the summer, I'll just wear shorts and let them dry. In the spring/fall/winter, I wear the pants if its pouring out. Since I rarely wear them, the waterproofness is still well intact. I've cycled through a couple of goretex or goretex-like jackets. They haven't fared as well as the pants, but I wear them all the time, whether it's raining or not. Currently I'm on a $100ish showers pass jacket I got at REI with one of their 20% coupon sales, with the add-on hood. When I'm wearing this gear, my pants and shirt stays totally, 100% dry. No soak through at all. My cycling shoes/face/hands get wet, but two of the three dry quick.. I keep a pair of extra socks in my desk for the shoe-soaking days.


dwillen
2011-03-11 19:56:28

anyone else have bad luck with the lining of rain jackets delaminating? I guess I shouldn't be sooo surprised given how I use/abuse them... but my 3rd marmot jacket in 8/9 years has about bitten the dust. pretty much the whole lining through the arms and at the neck (rub spots, I guess) has disappeared.


dmtroyer
2012-02-20 01:05:00

My wife's Patagonia hard shell has suffered the same fate--the lining around the neck is mostly gone. I did notice at the latest offerings from Patagonia now have the shell nylon around those areas rather than the lining. Good idea!


bjanaszek
2012-02-20 02:05:40

Showers Pass and Event fabric is what I am digging on. I have heard good things about their lower priced stuff too. As mentioned I believe the bigger issue is the base layer. I won't wear rain gear below 55F. I have some issues with my shoes but they dry pretty quickly.


orionz06
2012-02-20 12:19:06

My Marmot Precip jacket wore out exactly the same way at the neck, and it has not been heavily used. I tried fixing it with some seam sealer, but now it's just a rubbery mess.


edmonds59
2012-02-20 12:33:01

I had a Marmot that was the Precip or something similar and had some issues with it, if I remember correctly... and I completely destroyed a Mountain Hardwear Epic jacket the same way recently.


FWIW, I have this jacket now (although I didn't pay that much for it, haha), and I'm obsessed with it and would definitely recommend looking at similar products if they're still making anything like it (and I presume they make similar stuff for non-female people, too, obviously). It says the lining is some sort of fleece, but it's really just lightweight flocked fabric-y stuff, so it keeps your skin and the shell fabric from making contact in the neck and body, but it still doesn't get super-hot. The arms aren't lined like that, just the body, but the lining in the arms also seems way tougher than on the jackets I've had in the past.


2012-02-20 12:49:59

I don't understand the comment about not wearing rain gear below 55? I wear mine in any temps and it's usually the only "special" clothes I wear.


So far no issues with my showers pass jacket after 2+ years of daily use including abuse like stuffing it into a pannier.


salty
2012-02-20 13:18:00

Above 55F, my bad.


I also don't use fenders and have little issues with the gear.


orionz06
2012-02-20 13:28:21

Ah, that makes more sense - I was wondering if I was missing something... although I wear my jacket into the mid 60s, not zipped up, in lieu of long sleeves or arm warmers.


While I'm thinking about it, I found out planet bike makes extended mud flaps, has anyone seen these in stock locally? http://ecom1.planetbike.com/7028_1.html


salty
2012-02-20 13:54:48

I've not seen those locally, but that's a pretty good deal (though you are limited to the 35mm mudguards).


Of course, it's easy enough to make the same thing with some stair tread or an old water bottle....


bjanaszek
2012-02-20 14:28:17

They have different flap models for the 3 different widths of fenders they sell (35, 45, 60). Although I think next time I'll just buy the Cascadia fenders to begin with.


Also, I just realized they have free shipping on everything from the "parts" section. Hopefully these will keep my shoes a little dryer.


salty
2012-02-20 18:06:08

I'm tempted to try the jacket mark mentioned a while ago in this thread. it says it is fully lined with the "wicking mesh" which seems like a good way to protect the waterproof membrane from friction.


dmtroyer
2012-02-21 02:04:30
Hey, I wanted to post about my experience with new rain gear -- I'm now using the Rivendell rain cape, and it's awesome. I don't get wet from rain OR from sweat since it's open at the bottom. I also wear their spats and shoe covers for protecting my lower legs. I also want to recommend getting a really bright steady light for riding in the rainy dark. You need more light because rain makes a shiny surface that doesn't bounce much light back towards you. I'm using the PrincetonTec Remix, which has a really bright maximum setting.
jonawebb
2013-10-16 14:09:22
Winter is coming. I just cleaned all my rain gear with sport wash and am treating with some fresh spray on waterproofing (for breathable jackets). I've had good luck with the nikwax wash in (for simple membrane jackets) or the spray on (for the jackets with any sort of liner). I've found that you have to be pretty liberal with the application for this to work as designed. Seems like this is what is recommended for my showers pass jackets. It definitely helps after a season or two of use. The biggest feature in a rain jacket for me is giant pit zips, my REI ultralight has ones that span from near the elbow to the bottom of my ribs. I can open this up a lot and get good ventilation when it's relatively warm out.
benzo
2013-10-16 15:25:20
jonawebb wrote:Hey, I wanted to post about my experience with new rain gear — I’m now using the Rivendell rain cape, and it’s awesome.
This contraption? Not sure I'd call that awesome, personally. :) I picked up some of that Castelli Nanoflex stuff, it's pretty nice. Not cheap though. Similar idea to the Nikwax/Scotchgard stuff, but it's woven into the fibers supposedly so you never have to treat (or re-treat) it. It can still soak through in heavy rain, but the fleece backing makes you feel warm even if your skin is wet.
rice-rocket
2013-10-18 11:55:57
Yep, that's the one, Kids were mocking me as I rode home through East Pittsburgh yesterday. Awesome is as awesome does, though. I was dry and not too cold in yesterday's ugly weather.
jonawebb
2013-10-18 12:02:58
Yep, that’s the one, Kids were mocking me as I rode home through East Pittsburgh yesterday. Awesome is as awesome does, though. I was dry and not too cold in yesterday’s ugly weather.
I keep wanting to put a bright light under my rain cape and see how well it stands out in the dark; sort of a pedaling firefly effect. Of course, that may lead to other potential problems with mockery: "Is that a Maglite under your cape, or are you just happy to see me?"
reddan
2013-10-18 12:37:46
I have a Carradice rain cape that's a similar yellow shade (from the Peter White web site). It works OK. Plus, it enlists pedestrians in keeping you safe. How can a driver miss seeing you, when every pedestrian around is pointing at you? :-)
steven
2013-10-18 13:37:55
Benzo wrote: The biggest feature in a rain jacket for me is giant pit zips, my REI ultralight has ones that span from near the elbow to the bottom of my ribs. I can open this up a lot and get good ventilation when it’s relatively warm out.
can you post a link to it? I couldn't find anything lightweight like that on REI's website.
jaysherman5000
2013-10-18 14:06:28
"So practical!" "So dorky!"
rustyred
2013-10-18 14:58:53
The REI jacket looks good- too bad it does not come in a high visibility color. Does it have any reflective areas?
helen-s
2013-10-18 15:11:53
There are some companies that actually make things in the US believe it or not. Everyone mentions the China crate shipped clothing made in the sweatshops of course. Here is one that is made in Oregon. http://www.bicycleclothing.com/index.html
gg
2013-10-19 09:07:05
Thanks for the J&G link. I always forget they exist. I need a rain cape.
edmonds59
2013-10-19 09:28:13
The Rivendell cape is made in Portugal, for what that's worth.
jonawebb
2013-10-19 09:35:50
helen s wrote:The REI jacket looks good- too bad it does not come in a high visibility color. Does it have any reflective areas?
Doesn't have reflective. I think the orange color one is still very visible, despite not being day-glow bright.
benzo
2013-10-21 08:57:12
gg wrote:There are some companies that actually make things in the US believe it or not. Everyone mentions the China crate shipped clothing made in the sweatshops of course. Here is one that is made in Oregon. http://www.bicycleclothing.com/index.html
To be as pedantic as possible, it's very likely the Taslan fabric J&G uses is produced in China, which means their stuff is technically only assembled in the USA. It's certainly possible that J&G has a domestic fabric supplier, but most of the suppliers of Taslan are based in Asia. Globalization is not automatically evil.
jaysherman5000
2013-10-21 12:00:01
Aerotech designs in coraopolis makes rain jackets. The jackets do not specify that they were made in the USA, so some may be manufactured offshore. However, They do have some hi-viz styles with reflective accents at seemingly good prices. I might try out one of their jackets this winter. http://www.aerotechdesigns.com/cycling-jacket.html
benzo
2013-10-21 12:27:06
OT, but I don't have much of a problem with people making stuff in, say, China. I have a friend whose home town in China is (or was) the place where they make the toys in McDonald's Happy Meals. It's the best thing that every happened to his town. Everybody takes great pride that stuff they make is sold worldwide. It isn't necessarily the best future for America for us to be sewing together clothing in this country. That is not a high-paying job, and it can be done anywhere. So why not export jobs like that and keep the good ones here? You know iPhones are made in China, right? Do you know how much value gets added to the phone there? Not a hell of a lot. The parts are made elsewhere (e.g., the Gorilla glass is made by Corning, here), the phone was designed here. The Chinese are just doing the assembly -- and doing it well. That's not such a bad trade-off for the US. We do have to do more to ensure that foreign workers are treated well, the environment is protected, etc. And the jobs can be used as leverage to do that. I just don't think taking a job sewing together clothing away from somebody whose alternative is working on a shitty farm is helping anybody.
jonawebb
2013-10-21 12:41:23
Your theory is great, minus the fact that everyone working assembly jobs currently would become unemployed. What then?
rice-rocket
2013-10-21 12:53:04
@rr, yeah, some jobs will go away. But not all assembly jobs, since there are plenty of things that have to be assembled near their market for various reasons. And definitely not manufacturing jobs, on average -- the US is doing really well in some areas, like large machinery (Caterpillar, John Deer, GE turbines, etc.) Overall, we are better off in terms of jobs if we allow jobs we are not good at to go to other countries, and keep the jobs we are good at here. But we do have to take some of the money gained from this, which mostly goes to people at the top, and feed it back into the economy at the bottom, by investing in education, infrastructure, healthcare, etc.
jonawebb
2013-10-21 13:26:22
" Overall, we are better off in terms of jobs if we allow jobs we are not good at to go to other countries, and keep the jobs we are good at here." By "good" do you mean "cost the least amount to produce?" If I worked with you I'd say "I see you brought your rubbers!"
sgtjonson
2013-10-21 16:43:19
I prefer to buy things made here if possible. Yes, it isn't often you can find anything made here. Look at all the stupid bottled water coming from overseas on some stupid ship. That is more my issue. It isn't the country making things so much, it is the fact that things have to travel so ridiculously far. Anyway, it would be cool to support an American jacket maker and I just wanted to point out there is one. Maybe the fabric is from another country made in some machine somewhere, but why not have a job putting the things together at least? Anyway, it is a bit off topic, but the subject itself is "rain gear".
gg
2013-10-21 17:29:51
Pierce wrote:cost the least amount to produce
I mean we will have a higher standard of living if we do the things we're best at, and let other countries do the things they're good at, instead of trying to do everything ourselves.
jonawebb
2013-10-21 18:47:32
Who is "we" and why exactly do "we" deserve a higher standard of living than "other countries"?
salty
2013-10-21 20:09:23
jonawebb wrote:
Pierce wrote:cost the least amount to produce
I mean we will have a higher standard of living if we do the things we’re best at, and let other countries do the things they’re good at, instead of trying to do everything ourselves.
gg
2013-10-21 20:20:58
It's complicated. American manufacturing is excellent in terms of productivity, quality. "It" just can't compete with manufacturing in places where most of the "externalities" are pushed off from the manufacturer to be borne by the rest of society, such as environmental damage, substandard wages and working conditions, and we should not even attempt to. Not to mention that the US, in our drunken free-market dream state, doesn't have an industrial policy to support it's industries, as does every other developed country on the planet. China's government actively supports it's industries (not to mention controlling currency, but that's another can of worms). Ironically, by exporting manufacturing to China, our capitalist idealogues have inadvertently admitted that the free market can't compete with a regulated socialist state. I buy made in US tagged products whenever I can just for some assuagement of my conscience, and will pay a premium for it.
edmonds59
2013-10-22 05:47:14
salty wrote:Who is “we” and why exactly do “we” deserve a higher standard of living than “other countries”?
Wow, what a misinterpretation. I meant that we would have a higher standard of living if we do the things we're good at than we would if we tried to do everything ourselves -- as would other countries, if we allow them to do the things they can do well, and sell into our markets. Tariff walls make everyone poorer.
jonawebb
2013-10-22 07:23:43
I haven't seen compelling evidence that tariff-free trading has improved standards of living. Take NAFTA for example. We starting exporting our subsidized corn to South America. Traditional farmers couldn't compete. This also contributed to the Haiti earthquake disaster because rural farmers moved into Port-au-Prince in substandard housing after farming became unsustainable for them as well. If only they had done what their country can do best! Some of those people move into the US illegally. We don't mind sending our cheap agricultural products into their countries, but their people can't come into our country, at least legally. But the ones who get through are exploited in sub-minimum wage jobs because it's still better than the opportunity they have in their own countries, where our NAFTA is supposed to be increasing their standard of living. Now what does cheaper labor and increased unemployment due to increased job competition do to the workforce? It allows employers to keep wages low and working conditions poor. It's all about "who can produce this product for the least amount of resources?" We're pretty good at producing steel and clothes, but we believe in things like pensions, fire exits, and buildings that don't collapse. What country is best at producing rain jackets?
sgtjonson
2013-10-22 08:18:23
There's a huge choice of rain jackets here http://www.wiggle.com/cycle/cycling-waterproof-jackets/ Not exactly local but you could read the reviews and try to find the same thing over here. Capes are awful in wind and have the disadvantage that when you stop you cannot see if you're about to put your foot in a puddle (or worse). My marmot precip was Way Too Sweaty. Also have an Endura rain jacket which is very waterproof, very fluorescent, vents ok in cold weather, but not lightweight and does not pack up small, perfect for winter. Just invested in Showers Pass double century (a lucky find on ebay), so far it seems perfect. Not tested in a true downpour yet. SP have a comparison table for breathability/waterproofness on their website.
naomi
2013-10-22 08:46:49
I've had good luck with my showers pass gear, except the zippers on the pitts came unsewed and separated from the jacket. A few bucks and a trip to the new oakland tailor fixed that right up.
benzo
2013-10-22 08:59:34
Pierce wrote:What country is best at producing rain jackets?
Britain.
edmonds59
2013-10-22 09:03:45
Benzo wrote:I’ve had good luck with my showers pass gear, except the zippers on the pitts came unsewed and separated from the jacket. A few bucks and a trip to the new oakland tailor fixed that right up.
If you had to have it fixed, how is that "good luck"? Sounds like just another crap product. We have gotten used to the junk from the slave labor countries. I have no idea who makes a really good jacket. Probably no one or it would cost too much and it couldn't compete with the garbage that is shipped over from China or whatever other country is cheap to make our stuff.
gg
2013-10-22 09:27:00
gg wrote:If you had to have it fixed, how is that “good luck”? Sounds like just another crap product.
I'd say it was good luck because it keeps me dry and warm and is still very breathable. The fit was good, and there have been no other issues. I probably put a lot of stress on those tiny zippers when I'm trying to zip them up when wearing ski gloves in the middle of winter. A $10 fix to a $200 jacket is fine with me. Some items that are used everyday require a bit of maintinance. I've taken 3 pairs of cycling shoes to palermo's shoe repair and kept them going when many people would have just thrown them out.
benzo
2013-10-22 10:23:55
If you really want to go whole hog on politically correct rain jacket sourcing, there's the Rivendell "English Rain Jacket". It's made in the USA, but for some reason still English, and, best of all, it's wicked expensive.
jonawebb
2013-10-22 12:46:50
Jeepers. The Boultbee jacket is dry clean only, like all the best wet weather gear.
jonawebb
2013-10-22 12:59:25
Oooh, Like.
edmonds59
2013-10-22 13:03:08
Jeepers.
The Boultbee jacket is dry clean only, like all the best wet weather gear.
Given the price, I suspect that you get not only free shipping, but a live-in valet with a special badger-hair brush, who shall tenderly brush the road grime from the jacket each night whilst you slumber.
reddan
2013-10-22 13:19:30
Double post. "Did I stutter?"
reddan
2013-10-22 13:19:36
reddan wrote:a live-in valet with a special badger-hair brush
As long as he's English!
jonawebb
2013-10-22 13:22:41
reddan wrote:a live-in valet with a special badger-hair brush
As long as he’s English!
Given what Eric "The Chamferer" Murray would do to him otherwise, he'll be whatever nationality you'd prefer.
reddan
2013-10-22 13:45:19
Makes the Cleverhood cape I want seem like a veritable bargain. Thanks. Did not know such a thing as badger hair brushes existed. Now I need one.
edmonds59
2013-10-22 14:04:41
Did not know such a thing as badger hair brushes existed. Now I need one.
If you've ever tried to convince a badger to part with its hair, you'll understand why such brushes qualify as ostentatious luxury goods.
reddan
2013-10-22 14:27:47
Badger brushes are commonly used for applying shaving soaps, but luckily there are alternatives: (which I can't seem to find ATM, but bought one from here before) http://www.classicshaving.com/
sgtjonson
2013-10-22 15:40:23
Now my targeted ads on web sites are showing me all kinds of lovely badger brushes. Thanks internets!
edmonds59
2013-10-22 16:45:55
reddan wrote:
If you’ve ever tried to convince a badger to part with its hair, you’ll understand why such brushes qualify as ostentatious luxury goods.
Honey badger don't care.
rustyred
2013-10-22 18:13:01
Badger brushes are commonly used for applying shaving soaps, but luckily there are alternatives
"Badgers? BADGERS!?! We don' need no steenking badgers!"
reddan
2013-10-22 18:51:56
Marmot Precip is on sale at REI in Settler's Ridge for $75. Many sizes, many colors (at least tonight).
pinky
2013-10-22 20:12:01
Here are a couple of rain capes made in the U.S.A.: Cleverhood - stylish and very generous in size, with velcro tabs to snug down. Yes, I said "stylish." Center For Appropriate Transport Oregon - waxed canvas with reflective piping. Kinda narrow hand holds, but custom sizing is available. Works fine on my drop-bar bike. Also stylish. C'mon, people! We have to be the first wave of making ponchos fashionable!
kbrooks
2013-10-23 11:27:59
KBrooks wrote: C’mon, people! We have to be the first wave of making ponchos fashionable!
I was in a group of 15 riders from Meyersdale to Cumberland last week, there were 2 very stylish rain capes in the mix:
vannever
2013-10-23 12:53:10
That horse has left the barn, so to speak. Soooo 2012.
edmonds59
2013-10-23 13:22:00
@edmond's attitude: your clothes should cost at least as much as your bike.
jonawebb
2013-10-23 13:59:43
Hmm, interesting. Need to ponder that. Although my one road bike completely bollixes the curve.
edmonds59
2013-10-23 15:17:15
Well, 2012 is better than 1996... looks like we need to add fringe and/or sparkles, though.
kbrooks
2013-10-25 08:56:17
jonawebb wrote:@edmond’s attitude: your clothes should cost at least as much as your bike.
<<<<----- Pretty much equal/
mick
2013-10-28 13:54:46
Someone else in the east hills has a yellow rain cape. Riding up Greensburg Pike yesterday, I passed a woman out trick or treating with her son, in the rain. "Hi Dad!" the boy called out.
jonawebb
2013-11-01 07:59:38
Riding home on Halloween night in my Cleverhood, a girl asked if I was E.T. Shoulda said "Phone home!"
kbrooks
2013-11-04 14:50:16
I am a proponent of using rain cape / poncho for bicycle commuting or touring. But I've seen a lot of people are using it wrong. Instead of having the bottom of the front flap covering the waist, they should hold it in their hands and make it taut. This way, the rain will flow to the side of their arms and then to the ground, rather than accumulating on their pants. But it would be easier to do so with bike-specific rain capes / ponchos which have hand loops under the front flap. Rain cape / poncho, unlike the combination of rain jacket and pants, allows cool air to flow through the bottom of the poncho and bring away body heat, so cyclists wouldn't sweat much. The greatest complaint from using rain jacket and pants is that the cyclists get soaking wet from sweat even with the so-called breathable Gortex fabrics. Bicycle poncho, when combined with full fenders on the bike and gaiters on cyclists' legs, can provide a dry and comfortable ride.
ninjaturtle0304
2017-05-26 15:56:55
So, any rain capes work well with backpacks and don't cost 100+? I have to carry my lunch, coffee, and change of clothes to work and I have a waterproof backpack to keep them safe and dry.  Panniers give me knee pain lately, so I'm not using them. The only one advertised to work with backpacks I've seen is the cleverhood. It's a bit pricey and doesn't pack down much to carry when It's not raining.  Not sure if their clever-lite model works with bags. I tend to carry a nice $6 semi-disposable rain poncho in the summer, it doesn't have hand loops to keep it stretched out though. It keeps me mostly dry and vents a bit from the bottom versus a tighter fitting jacket.
benzo
2017-05-31 10:14:24
I used to use a milk crate on the back with a black garbage back over it.  Then I upgraded to panniers. But those give you knee pain   I do have shoe covers which work very well not only to keep my feet dry when it's raining but to keep them warm when it is freezing cold outside
edronline
2017-05-31 18:59:48
I wear combat boots year-round for bike commuting, and I even wore them on my 6-day GAP / C&O trip to DC last year! They are resistant to road spray when it's drizzling. I put on gaiters when it's pouring, and they are enough to keep my feet dry. They keep my feet fairly warm during winter as well. I like LAPG 8" side zip duty boots - they are cheap but comfortable.   I've also considered wearing knee-high horse riding boots to eliminate the needs for gaiters when it's pouring, but they are too medieval-looking - perhaps I'll wear them for some cosplay events instead!
ninjaturtle0304
2017-05-31 23:44:26
The latter is a fashion don't.
edronline
2017-06-01 05:46:08
Frogg Toggs are excellent at what they do, but short lived. Mine developed an annoying leak in exactly the worst spot within a month of purchase. Found it, fixed it (clear nail polish), but with each use they became ever more delicate. I'm still looking for a toes-to-top solution. Showers Pass makes a good jacket, I'm told.
stuinmccandless
2017-06-26 22:46:45
I have a showers pass jacket and pants.  I like them, they're very durable, rain proof, but also very warm/sweaty.  Good in the spring/fall/winter, not so great in the summer unless you want to be as wet inside from sweat as outside from rain.
edronline
2017-06-27 08:28:27
If you want to stay as dry as possible while biking in warm weather, a rain cape is the way to go (you'll also want fenders). You're protected from above while getting ventilation from below.
jonawebb
2017-06-27 08:50:45