Showers PassMen's Elite 2.1 Jacket(Return to Product Page)

I bought this based on reviews and it is the best cold and rain cycling jacket I own. I usually ride in groups 2-3 times a week and commute 22 miles one way about once a week all year round with a solo ride now and then. The real test came one rainy day at 38F, the jacket and hood were great for a 35 mile ride. I also used it on a group ride one Sat. morning with a starting temp at 12F for 40 miles. Both of these rides were brisk and I was able to adjust the venting easily with lobster gloves while riding. I would not wear it as a windbreaker above 30 on a dry day because I need more venting than it can provide. But in the rain and really cold it ROCKS!!!! Spend the money for a great jacket.

I no longer own a car, and I use this in combination with a pair of Showers pass club convertible pants as my raingear. I've ridden in downpours on the way to work, and it has kept me completely dry each time. I use it as an outer shell in the winter time, and combined with a fleece from the local department store and a simple T-shirt underneath that, I stay plenty warm in temperatures as low as 15 degrees. I also purchased the hood, but it does not fit over my bell citi helmet correctly, the velcro tears loose at the neck, so I cannot reccomend it. This jacket, as well as the pants, are absolutely superior products.

It rains a lot around here during the fall, winter, and spring. When not raining, it tends to be chilly and damp. I have been pleased with this jacket. I also have a GoreTex jacket constructed of slightly lighter fabric. The e-vent coating definitely breathes better, but 100 times better in real-world use would be a bit of an exaggeration. I've worn this jacket while riding in the mid-50s with the front half unzipped and the pit zips unzipped. It allows enough air circulation and breathes well enough to keep from getting steamed up inside. Zip it up when colder and the e-vent really does breath better than other coatings. The construction is real solid - a well-made jacket. If you just need a little protection from a shower once in a while, you might not get your money's worth out of it. But if you go for weeks without a bright, sunny day in the winter, it's a good choice. Good rain protection, room for some layers underneath.

Pros The Elite 2.0 is my 'go' to' rain wear for all-day soakers, long training rides and commuting. I rate it 5-stars all the way around, in spite of the price. With a long sleeve jersey or arm warmers it makes a pretty decent windbreaker. The pit zips and back vent make it easy to regulate temperature.

Cons It's a little heavy to carry all day just for afternoon storms in the summer. Although I can fit it in a jersey pocket it's a little heavy. Maybe if I had a bag to last it to?

Bottom Line Find the tool for the job. I didn't expect this to be my summer jacket. I also didn't expect to enjoy riding in the rain so much when I have this on. A quality product made in Portland, OR.

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 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.

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!

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.

I use this coat whenever the weather looks threatening at all. If it doesn't end up raining I don't worry about it because it provides excellent wind protection and the event fabric breathes very well so it's a great coat to have along most of the time.

Have used it down to 0 degrees F with layers and have stayed warm. Haven't taken a real long ride in the rain with it, but short ones have been warm and dry

I purchased two of these, one as a Christmas present and one to replace a long used but deteriorated showers pass jacket!

Fit is great and coverage makes rainy days still biking days!!!

I ride for enjoyment and I prefer to stay dry and comfortable. I saw this jacket last year and it looked good to me so I found out how its made and heard a lot of good things about the brand. I have been adding better visibility to my biking outfits and I bought this in the cayenne color which I think really holds your attention and I feel safer when I ride with it. I saw reviews which were mostly very favorable but I saw a few in which the writer was disappointed not to have side pockets. I also would prefer that but the pit zips open to the inner layer so wear a base layer with side pockets and reach inside to use those pockets, problem solved. It really is a great jacket.

I have used my jacket a couple of times, loved the fit, I ordered the large even though I am 5'10 and it fits great. really like that you can zip and unzip the underarm zippers while you are riding. great jacket. Look forward to using this for years to come.

Love the fit and colors, also that it breathes fairly well. A little warm/wet on long hill climbs but everything does a little. The stash pocket in back could be a little more accessible and a possible extra pockets for snack/water/keys, quick grab stuff. reliable and weather tough. I'd buy another, especially if there was a hood attached that would roll or stash away.

Jacket is great, it feels right when riding. Front zipper pocket holds my car keys, Iphone 6s, and nutrition bar. Does not impede the ride, and keeps you warm and dry. Goldenrod is a great color.

Michigan springtime frequently starts with 32 degree mornings and 65 degree afternoons with rain. This jacket kept me comfortable all day without getting a clammy feeling. The vent system is incredible and the fit allowed for easy movement while keeping me covered.

by looking on the calendar you would think it's time for the light shell, but it's not the case, still riding in the 40's and this jacket is not only a warm shell, but when the rain comes down you are no warmer, and dry, the vents do open it up without taking in the rain and keeping you from overheating, this is the best rain jacket and cold weather shell i've ever had

I bought this after a lot of reserach. The biggest challenege was getting reliable sizing info, especially since I had no choice but to buy it online as none of the local stores either carried it or had the right size. According to the sizing chart I should have been a medium (based on chest measurement), which is what I ordered. It was definitely a little tight in the chest but way too short in the arms so I sent it back for a large. The large was a much better fit across the chest (if a little loose) and the arms are marginal, but acceptbale. I am tall with relatively long arms so I do sometimes find it difficult to find clothes that fit well. However, given the specific purpose of the jacket (cycling) the arms should be a little longer. I also ended up contacting Showers Pass directly to discuss their sizing, which varies by jacket type. If the elite 2.1 in a large fits you there is a very low likelihood that the sizing will apply to other Showers Pass jackets. As an aside their rain pants are too short for me by a couple of inches (I have 32 waist and 34 inseam) - very frustrating.

Aside from the sizing the jacket is very light, has proven to be waterproof (and mostly breathable but it can get moist under heavy efforts). It does provide wind protection but is not a wind barrier. Love the layout and pockets - well thought out. Great ventilation.

Highly recommended, even at the price.