SW Portland-based Showers Pass Clothing (4860 SW Scholls Ferry Rd.) has just released a new jacket that they tout as being the solution to the discontinued Burley Rock Point rain jacket. According to the official press release, “the new Showers Pass Touring Jacket has more features at a lower price than the Rock Point.”
As most of you already know, back in early September Burley Design Cooperative in Eugene underwent massive changes. They eliminated 39 jobs, got a new owner, and refocused their business strictly on making their popular trailers.
This news sent a scare through many cyclists because their popular rain gear was considered the best on the market.
For Showers Pass president Ed Dalton, it was a golden opportunity.
Dalton knew something was awry at Burley long before the news went public (the bike industry is always full of insider info), so he began to develop a comparable rain jacket long ago.
His new Touring Jacket is the result.
I haven’t tried it out myself, but if past performance is any indication, Dalton’s new jacket should be a winner. Earlier this year, the Showers Pass Elite jacket received a “Gear of the Year” award from Outside Magazine.
And yes, I realize Showers Pass does not actually make their jackets in the U.S., however I can vouch for Ed Dalton. I’ve seen him at the cyclocross races and I met him at the recent industry meeting at City Hall…so at least Showers Pass isn’t some nameless, faceless company.
Showers Pass jackets are available locally at the Bike Gallery, River City Bicycles, Veloce Bicycles, and at local online retailer VeloClothes.com.