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

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.

Roomy enough for layering, vents for temperature regulation.

I bought this to replace an old REI rain jacket that wore out. The Elite 2.1 is kind of expensive, but it is very nice. It seems well-made. I expect it to last a while. I like the more snug fit, but I can still wear it over a sweatshirt without problem. My use is primarily for commuting, but I'll take this out on other rainy rides as well. I'm 5'11, 175 lbs.

This jacket is fantastic!

Well-constructed with tight stitching, wind-resistant, relatively light and compressible, somewhat tightrestrictive in the chest area, price is only major negative the mark-up must be extraordinary for an item made with cheap Chinese labor!

First time using the jacket was a 37 degree ride in raincorn snow for 68 miles in northern Minnesota. Cold, but survived 6 hours.

Perfect with a light shirt for >40F, add some warm layers for colder. Great looking, nice and bright, great cut. I bought 2, and both people love them.

Great shell for cold weather riding.

6'-4, 230 lbs. Room for layers underneath.

Would love to know why zipper is backwards from typical male coats.

Zipper pulls could be larger.

I've been cycling since March 2011 as my main transportation. First cycling jacket I purchased was the Netti D4 that was waterproof for a few months and excellent for single digit temperatures. Like I said for a few months it was waterproof and no longer is the insides of the jacket started to fall apart. Jackets Junk.

This Showers Pass Elite 2.1 Jacket I purchased so I have a waterproof upper body cover. From how the inside was designed I'm sure this will last as a true waterproof cycling jacket compared to the Netti D4 that falls apart on the inside. I like how much the wrist area can be velcroed tight or snugged. For the waist the left and right side can be tightened to make the bottom more snugged so less to no air flow throw the bottom of the jacket.

This jacket is much warmer then I imagined it would be which is a plus for when I try it out during winter use.

I did hear back from the folks at SP and they are pretty cool. They also offered to replace the coat if it did not meet my expectations. No questions asked. Nice. As Theo mentions they intended the reflector strips to be quite subdued so when you are off the bike you blend a bit better. Not a fail then. Apologies to them. Now given that personally I'm keeping my coat for the positives and I find the lack of reflective strips to not be a significant issue. YMMV. If you are a duskdawn commuter consider some more lights. Than again you likely are not wearing black so perhaps a non issue. Gotta rate again so I will add a star. Make it two. Fast response and offer to replace deserves credit.

I have been an every-day cycle commuter for the past five years. I commute on my road bike, no fenders, and I live in Seattle so I deal with wet weather a lot. I had a Novara hard shell jacket that I bought at REI, but it had lost all semblance of rainproofiness. Seattle has a lot of hills, and I always seemed to steam up in my jacket on wet days riding up hills. I needed something waterproof and vented. From the reviews I have found online, this seemed the best. So far, so good. I still get a little damp heading uphill from sweat, but that is primary because I ride fast uphill with a backpack. This is much, much better than the rain jackets I have owned in the past.

The jacket accompanied me on a bike ride of the Natchez Trace from Tennessee to Mississippi. We went through some rough storms but through all the rain I stayed dry and comfortable inside. There was great ventilation while peddling. Riders in nylon rain jackets were as wet inside as the rain was outside. The only thing I felt should have come with the jacket was a detachable hood.

I bought this hoping for three major things staying dry, being visable and durability. I got that and more! I love this jacket and plan on buying the hood to take it camping. It packs nicely and I wear it at night even if it's not raining. It fits me 5'1, lady 125 lbs. Bought a size small and the only thing that doesn't fit perfectly is to be expected as I have a giant headneck so zipping up the collar is comfortable albeit snug.

This is my road cycling shell from the mid-30's thru the upper 40's. Love the pit vent and long back to keep me dry.

I live on the Olympic Pennisula of Washington State, and I cycle year round. This jacket has been the perfect addition to my cycling gear. Encountering cold weather, rain, and wind, this jacket has made my rides more bearable, and comfortable. Have not found anything yet I don't like.

Vents provides breathability.

Superior craftsmanship.

Very light.

I use this jacket in rain or when it is on the chiily side (which happens rarely here in Hawaii). I have the hood also and leave it on the jacket (except I remove it when riding my roadbike because it inpedes view to the rear somewhat). I have tried a number of breathable rainjacketsraincoats and was disappointed in them all. This jacket is not perfect (it still gets sweaty in there when temperatures are warmer and relative humidity is high). These are the most difficult conditions for any breathable jacket (including the Elite 2.0), but this jacket does much better than anything else I've tried. Not only does it breathwick very well, it also has an EXCELLENT venting system consisting of a front zipper, pit zips, a vent across the shoulders in the back, and large cuffs which will let a lot of air into the jacket if they are open wide and the wrists are in a favorable posiion. (The cuff openings are a little stiff-which is good-but it would be even better if there was a built-in device of some sort for holding the cuffs fully open in a circular shape if the rider so desired.