(Images: Showers Pass)_
Showers Pass, a riding apparel company based in southeast Portland, continues to push the boundary on innovative bike apparel that works in wet weather. Their latest is a jacket that packs up small and packs a high-tech rain-busting punch. I’ve got one to try out so stay tuned for a proper review.
For now, check out the press release below…
New Double Century RTX Jacket Features First-Ever 2.5-Layer Waterproof-Breathable Fabric with Double Charcoal Print
This groundbreaking new road-cycling shell raises the bar on year-round performance in variable weather conditions, next-to-skin comfort, and antimicrobial properties.
Portland, OR | February 10, 2015 — The Double Century RTX jacket is the road cyclist’s new total package in all-weather outerwear. Its revolutionary Artex 2.5DC waterproof-breathable fabric is dubbed DC because of the Double Charcoal print inside, which lifts the membrane off the skin, delivering a drier and incomparably comfortable interior. Yet for all this, it weighs just 11.2oz (317gr) in a men’s medium.
Regular 2.5-layer hardshell jackets feature a face fabric, a waterproof membrane, and a print that makes up the half layer. To offer more space between the waterproof membrane and your skin, Artex 2.5DC is printed with a charcoal material twice. This not only provides superior comfort for such a lightweight jacket; the antimicrobial charcoal also fights odors, unlike your average 2.5-layer waterproof fabric, which is lined only with cellulose.
Showers Pass president Kyle Ranson says, “We believe we’ve created a new category in waterproof-breathable technology with our Artex 2.5DC fabric. The level of comfort against the skin and the antimicrobial properties are unprecedented in a jacket this lightweight. And seven venting options allow you to dial in the perfect setup for intensity and conditions. There’s simply nothing else out there like it.”
TECH SPECS:
o Waterproof-breathable Artex 2.5DC hardshell fabric for lightweight weather protection
o Fully seam taped for wind- and waterproofness
o YKK Vislon 2-way front zip with storm flap and chin guard
o Core vents and large back vent for flow-through ventilation
o Chest pocket with audio port and large back pocket with water-resistant zippers
o Exclusive airflow-regulating cuffs
o 360 degrees of 3M Scotchlite reflective trim for maximum visibility
o Soft, moisture-wicking collar lining
o Compatible with hood (sold separately) via hook-and-loop attachment points
o Locker loop at collar
o Light loop on back vent
The Showers Pass Double Century RTX Jacket retails for $175 and is available now in Lime and White, sizes SM–XXL, for men, and Plum and Lime, sizes XS–XXL, for women.
Learn more online here (men’s) and here (women’s).
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I bought a Showers Pass rain jacket a few years ago. Never again.
It seemed to fit while I was in the store, but when I put it to use while on my bike it was seriously uncomfortable. As if someone with no knowledge of patternmaking had started with a man’s pattern and tried (unsuccessfully) to turn it into a woman’s jacket. I carefully crafted a letter to the company with suggestions for improving specific aspects of the jacket (as in, don’t have a bulky bundle of intersecting seams land in the armpit and other genius ideas) and received no response. None. Silence.
I’ve barely worn it since I bought it (on sale, no return possible), opting instead to rely on my now-antique Burley. For a recent rainstorm I decided I needed the extra rainproofness of a newer jacket. Guess what? The Showers Pass zipper broke. I’ve switched back to my Burley.
Cheap construction, poor fit (for the women’s line, at least), and dismal customer relations. Two thumbs down.
Bring Burley back!
the zipper was the first to fail on my Shower’s Pass jacket, after only a couple of uses… it failed because it lost it’s “waterproof” aspect… the lack of a zipper flap (or 2 half-flaps) means that all the water gets channeled into the zipper channel and eventually soaks through… it only got worse the more I wore it… then as more waterproofing rubber wore off the zipper it started to fail as a zipper, coming apart and snagging…
I switched to an Endura and it’s much nicer… more waterproof, more comfortable, more reflective…
I talked to the folks at Showers Pass about the “waterproof” zippers. They said that the zippers (and everyone elses zippers) are not completely waterproof. If you want it completely waterproof, you need to opt for a jacket with flaps that cover the zipper.
I like to see local companies do well, but if they don’t get things right, that’s not gonna happen. My budget doesn’t allow me to consider Shower’s Pass. I noticed that Performance bike shop now has some of their product.
In their description of thinking involved in conceiving the new jacket, in the story above, the company seems to be aware of some of the ventilation issues associated with rain gear and biking. Good ways of allowing some air flow between the jacket fabric and skin when it sweats, would definitely be nice. How well this jacket in use, can do that, I’ll be interested in hearing about.
Martha…bummer, that the good fit you thought you had in the store, didn’t carry on when riding. Don’t know if this helps, but when I’m looking for a jacket or jersey, etc for biking, in the store, with the item on, I try take the form I’d have when on a bike. With a road bike, bent over, arms and shoulders extended. For me, if the jacket binds under those circumstances, it’s a no-go.
I’m not racing, so basically, wind cheating close fitting cycling specific jackets and jerseys give way to those with a more spacious fit. I have a cycling specific gore-tex jacket from Nike’s discontinued cycling line. Looks good, nice fabric, close fitting as I described above, but prefer the roomier, yellow, water resistant running jacket I got from Old Navy.
I’ve given up on Showers Pass. Their gear seems nice at first but falls apart in record time. Rain jackets, shoe covers, doesn’t matter. Men’s, Women’s, doesn’t matter. Failing zippers, jackets falling apart–just awful build quality. There are a lot of better brands to choose from. I like Endura but REI makes nice stuff at reasonable prices too. Shop around.
FWIW, Showers Pass is based in SE Portland but AFAIK nothing is manufactured here.
My experience is the opposite–bought mine in 2002 and am waiting for a jacket in an all-reflective-dots fit to replace it. I might want to replace it for the magpie factor, I do not need to. I’d buy another Showers Pass jacket any day.
I wear a poncho made in Eugene. It scares the dogs better.
My experience is just the opposite of Martha’s. I bought a Showers Pass jacket (in the ubiquitous road-stripe yellow color) and have worn it on every commute over the past seven years in which rain and/or cold was an issue.
I still wear it on rainy days, though on dry-cold days I now wear a Gore shell that was a gift for last Christmas.
Good construction and good fit! (I can’t speak to customer relations.)
I’m down on Showers Pass as well. After a beloved Burley finally gave up after 15 yeas, I got a SP Elite jacket about 5 years ago. I’ve never really liked it mostly due to not having front pockets. Weather protection is okay but not as solid as the Burley. The zipper is starting to give some problems. Over the years I tried SP rain pants and shoe covers. They were so bad (mostly poor fit and unusual “features”) that I gave them away. I’d love to see someone make a copy of the old Burleys using modern materials.
I have Showers Pass rain pants. In a light mist they might be okay. In a shower and heavy rain they soak it up. I splurged and got a pair of Gill sailing bib overalls. Now THAT’S some serious rain gear!
I like J & G. Very well constructed, very durable. Does what it’s supposed to do.
I’m still wearing my 2006 Burley. However, I’ve had to replace the zipper. Didn’t cost too much.
The Showers Pass jackets look great and most people I know IRL (in real life) love them. I’ll get one when this Burley finally gives up.
Wish they made their top end stuff in hi viz. Just sayin.
Nice to see a white jacket. Why do women get regulated to “lady colors” . I’ve been wanting a white rain jacket for sometime now. I have a Showers Pass coat for a few years now and it has mostly held up…The top of the forearms have lost their waterproofness though, even with their recommended care.
Wow. Can’t imagine this company would ever want to have much to do with BikePortland with this kind of negative response.
I have a Transit jacket and pants I’ve been pretty happy with.
I’m really pulling for Showers Pass as a local company, and I’m hoping that this new jacket does well. I have to say, though, that my only is with a lighter weight jacket (not sure of the model). Pros: it fits me well, is easitly rolled up to put in my jersey pocket, looks good. Cons: only waterproof in light rain, pit zips are almost useless, and there is not elastic in the cuffs (not a problem now that I’m used to it, but scared the crap out of me the first time I tried to take it off while riding and got both hands stuck behind my back!) Would like to see a review on this jacket…
I love my $30 Frogg Toggs — not built for biking but cheap and they keep me dry
Meh to expensive ‘bike-specific’ clothing, much better choices in general hikking/camping gear….