Tim McNamara said:Shower Pass's Elite jacket is very good IME. I've never tried their
rain pants. I have read good reviews of Rainlegs, which cover just your
thighs.
A couple of my friends have the Showers Pass jackets, and they're nicer
than anything else I've seen. I almost bought one, but I found a
Patagonia (Lightning model) that's almost as good, for half the price (on
sale).
Compared to mine, the Showers Pass is better because:
*The Patagonia has a hood that fits over the helmet, and is attached all
the time. It gets in the way of looking over one's shoulder, etc.,
whether it's up or down. If a hood is desired at all, it would be better
to fit snugly, under the helmet.
*The Patagonia has a mesh pocket in the rear, which gets wet and dirty
from underneath, from spray from the rear wheel.
*The Showers Pass is longer in the back, giving more protection from spray
from the rear wheel.
If you do buy a Showers Pass, don't get the unlined model. The Goretex
film (or whatever it is) will wear through from the inside. The lined
models are slightly bulkier and more expensive, but worth it.
It's important for rain gear to be easy to carry. The Showers Pass was
specifically designed to roll small enough to fit in a jersey pocket,
which it does (and so does my Patagonia). Some otherwise really nice rain
jackets, like Burleys, are simply too big and bulky for many of us to
bother with -- let alone if you're carrying rain pants too.
I'm with JT on carrying just a regular water-repellent windbreaker for
warmer temps though.
Finally, most beginning cyclists spend way too much on their bikes,
and not enough on their clothing.
Matt O.