FLCC> Rain gear

[Andrejs Ozolins]

Peter,

In my experience and opinion, the breathability factor isn't worth 
chasing. At their very best, none of the breathable fabrics can move 
moisture nearly as fast as you can produce it when riding at a good 
clip. And, I mean by a vast margin. The most successful rain gear I've 
used relies not on moving vapor through the fabric but on good schemes 
for ventilation. The classic in this regard was the Burley rain jacket 
-- impermeable fabric with vents all over the place that would suck air 
into the interior as you ride along and let it escape somewhere else. 
The Showers Pass stuff is also very good (and expensive) because it has 
some serious ventilation on top of good permeability. I don't think its 
pit-zips and back-vent wind up being as good as the Burley, though.

But, of course, the thing to keep in mind is that nothing can possibly 
keep you dry while riding at high effort.

I have a Burley jacket, but use it seldom. It would come into play on a 
long, slowish ride in cold rainy conditions. I never have it along on a 
ride when it suddenly starts to rain. That's because I have an O2 jacket 
that's really light and easy to cram in the seat bag. This is very 
breathable, not ventilated, and not very durable, but light weight and 
cheap. Given how seldom a rain jacket is actually useful, I think the O2 
is by far the best bet.

Andrejs

Peter Hutchins wrote:
> Does anyone have a recommendation for a good brand of rain gear? 
> Something which is breathable, water proof and durable?
>
> My current gear is waterproof but hardly breathable, I end up soaked 
> from the inside out.
>
> I don't think trash bags or ponchos are going to do the trick, though 
> plastic bags are my favorite winter bootie solution...