Showers Pass Men's Transit Jacket

My cycling is best described as recreational for fitness and I commute around town for errands and activities that don't require a car.

I reside in Middle Tennessee and have found that it is nearly as rainy here as in Portland, Oregon, where I lived during the early 90's. Additionally, it tends to get colder here than I recall Portland got. Because I ride year round in most conditions (because the idea of 'season' for riding strikes this non-racer as silly), I needed a loud, reflective, wind and waterproof jacket that is relatively form-fitting and in which I can secure various pocket-things usually carried on rides. This jacket much more than adequately addresses each of those items. It is so bright, it can be seen from space, and, used as a counter-intelligence measure, may in some instances blind spy satellites thus effectively defeating the need to line one's cycling helmet with tinfoil (that's a joke, laugh).

Regarding the item's size/fit, my chest is about 42 and I'm about 5'10 with an approximately 36 waist and 175. I originally ordered a Large, which is what I wear in most cycling gear, but was convinced by product reviews and the product description on this site that a Medium might fit better. I contacted BTD and they got the order changed for me before it shipped. I can wear two or three layers of purpose-designed active-outdoor clothing under the jacket or a couple of layers of street clothes - shirt, sweatshirt, and/or undershirt. The fit is good, even flattering, sleeve and tail length keep wrists and lower back covered when riding the drops.

Regarding breathability, I find the garment 'breathes' similarly to my BomberGear Radiator drysuit (for kayaking in frigid temps). Because my mutant power is sweating, no garment of this type is breathable enough to keep my various layers dry. That said, the jacket's under-arm zipper vents are helpful in temps between 55 and 65 or so. The jacket's fabric has managed to keep my under-layers from becoming totally drenched, which is to the good.

As to the jacket's waterproofness, in drizzle and light rain, it's kept the water out. This weekend, I'm scheduled to ride in a Christmas parade and the forecast calls for rain, so I'll know more then.

Although I got an excellent deal on this jacket and comparison shopped it at other online retailers and discounters, Bike Tires Direct offered the best value. That said, this product was sufficiently expensive that my wife suggested its purchase should serve as an early birthday present. Unless it gets torn up somehow, I expect to keep and use this jacket for many years.

I bought a new one to replace one I bought 5 years ago. I commute daily in Seattle so a good rain jacket is a must so when the old one started not being quite so waterproof I bought a new one. I especially like the large pit zips that can be unzipped on the fly to adjust the airflow.

Visible, rainproof and blocks the wind. Only got use it once before sub zero temps arrived, but the jacket works as advertised.

With the optional hood attached, I have never been happier with a rain jacket. It doesn't pack down very small, but with the hood off and the vents open is still comfortable when the rain stops.

I've had this jacket going on a second season. It does a great job holding out the wind and rain. I use it over the top of layers in the winter here in Colorado. A few things I've noticed. The zippers are difficult to open close. Especially the zippers on the pockets. It doesn't have back pockets to hold tubes or power bar or whatever you plan to take with you. The size comes big but that works well with layering. One last thing the fabric has turned rough after several washing's. I wash it weekly as I commute on the bus one way to work and ride home daily. I ride 5000 miles per year. If you want a no frills, tough and to the purpose jacket this is it.

I bought the jacket for riding a 40 mph motorbike in Viet Nam, having in mind the constant drizzle and occasional downpours I've experienced there in several winter trips. I took the jacket, however, on a recent late spring trip and had only a morning of misty cool rain (which the jacket laughed off) and one extremely heavy violent afternoon thunderstorm. It took nearly an hour and about 30 km to ride through the storm. The headwind was truly ferocious, slowed the bike to 40 kmh at full throttle, and the rain was extremely heavy. I should have sought shelter. Using Showers Pass jacket and pants but no rubber boots, my feet and lower legs were appropriately soaked when we rode out of the storm. Likewise, however, my waist and forearms were soaked, leaving me with dry thighs, chest and upper arms. . .not a perfect performance, but a horrendous challenge. I was only slightly disappointed to be as wet as I was, but pleased I was n o wetter. More rational usage in typical Seattle area drizzle should be perfectly satisfactory.

Very nice as described. Absolutely order one size smaller. I have other SP jackets, all large, but the Transit Jacket ordered in large was huge in the chest and arm length. I ordered another medium and it fits perfect, not tight and plenty of room for layers underneath. I am 510, 199 lbs. The Transit looks more like a functional field coat than sporty like the Elite 2.1. Both nice!

I tried out several rain jackets last Fall for my commute and this is the one I kept. In contrast to the tighter fitting, more expensive jackets in the Showers Pass and Novara lines, this one suited me best with is combo of a good fit for layering under without being overly baggy without an extra layer, multiple zips for ventilation, adequate pockets, good wind-blocking, and good visibility features. It works well in heavy rain and temperatures from the mid-30's into the 60's. I generally start on cold mornings with a polar fleece layer underneath and unzip as I go sometimes ditching the underlayer at a light. Only minor complaint is the main front zipper is sometimes tricky to get locked in and started with its double zipper (zips from top down or bottom up or both) feature.

The sizing is big. I would go down at least one size. I'm 6' 190lbs, and I normally wear large. I got a medium, and there is still some room.

I've used the jacket in relative cold (20F to 45F) and in the rain. It works well in the rain. It breathes reasonably well. The pit zips help to cool down, but it would be nice if they were a little longer.

For the price it should have a back pocket. I don't understand why cycling jackets don't have 4 pockets (2 front hand, 1 chest, and 1 back). I prefer a right handed zipper, but that's just me. It takes a little effort to get the zipper going, but no issues with the durability.

Good visibility at night.

Overall I'm pleased with the fit and performance. It would be perfect if they added a back pocket and dropped the price some.

I bought this jacket primarily for touring. It is well vented and very roomy. I will have no problem wearing multiple layers under this jacket. I would like to see more reflective material and the hood included in the price of the jacket.

I am a daily Seattle commuter so I have to deal with the rain occasionally. I have used this jacket through one season and I'm very happy with it. Always keeps me bone dry and the large pit zips let me regulate the warmth according to my need.

Wear it every day riding to and from work. Keeps me dry, breaks the wind and looks good too. Has made all the difference in my ride. I used to not ride in the rainy season but now I ride daily regardless of the weather.

I take it on bicycle rides where there is a threat of rain. It kept me dry when it rained lightly but that was only once. I've never used it yet when it rained heavy. I have nothing negative to say about it.

Terrific rain and wind jacket.

I commute a nice seven miles to the office . Very impressed how warm and comfortable this jacket is . The venting is great.wonderful product

I've used the transit jacket for over month now in my rides tofrom work by bike three-four times per week. The jacket is well made. If you are used to close-fitting cycling clothing you will find the fit to be quite roomy. While I considered getting a medium, I went with a large to allow for comfortable layering during our Chicago winters. I'm glad I did as this past November we were in the teens already and I was zipped up, layered, and comfy.

I'm also glad that I chose to buy the bright yellow color. In my commute, maybe 99% of motorists are courteous, but they do tend to be in a hurry, and they are distracted by their phones. The yellow seems to communicate my presence on the road sooner giving them more time to react and give me space.

The jacket has a horizontal vent in the back under the reflective strip. When it was warmer out, opening the arm pit zippers provided good ventilation.

My only regret in buying the jacket is that I wish I bought it last year instead of riding all winter with my 15 year old leaky jacket.

I'm super picky and tend to research products well in advance of purchasing. I tried 3 different competing products before landing on the Showers Pass Transit Jacket. My review in summary is... it works exactly as advertised! Awesome venting (under arm vents are stellar), great articulation, it breathes as advertised and the mesh lining acts as a barrier between your skin and the waterproof membrane.

This is Shower Pass's flagship commuting jacket. I purchased a version of nine years ago and finally decided to replace it. It was no longer waterproof, the velcro tabs were falling off, and it was nearly worn-through in places. I was happy to see that they still produced the model without significant changes. There is now a velcro flap behind the collar, I guess for a hood or some such. But there are not too many additional bells or whistles. The cut is great I have gangly arms and it fully covers them when I am riding. It also fully covers my long torso when I am hunched over.

That my previous jacket got me through nine Portland winters is I think a testament to the product's quality. I used it in the pouring rain and also on calm, cool days as a wind-breaker. So far, this new version appears that it will hold up well.

As a regular bike commuter, I get to spend a lot of time in my Showers Pass Transit Jacket. Love the jacket. The fit is comfortable and roomy. I fall into the in-between medium and Large, but due to my arm length, had to go with the large. Very comfortable. The pit zips ventilate well. My biggest complaint was the front waterproof zipper, which actually unravelled twice. The company replaced the jacket quickly and has since changed the zipper to a larger tooth, non-waterproof zipper, but with a flap behind it. I very much prefer that. The zipper is easier to slide and the protection is just fine. Great product and great company.

I love the jacket but I had to return the XXL for a XL and it's still to big. I wear a XXL in EVERYTHING I own save for RL Polo pullover and button down shirts and the same with Nautica . Bluntly I'm huge by most folks standards. I'm 6'4 and weigh roughly 240 depending on the season. My waist is about 38 most pants and my suit coat size is 46L generally. So when I say these things are two sizes to big you may want to heed my warning. They're a tent. I could've used the XXL as emergency shelter in a blizzard! I think Western said they have a disclaimer somewhere saying that these jackets had a 'generous cut' or some such. Whatever. If everyone were this generous, we wouldn't be facing the largest tax hikes known to mankind, but don't get me started on that.

So in closing buy the jacket, ANYTHING Showers Pass but BEWARE they're enormous. If not for the size it'd have garnered a 5 . Also Western was wonderful in the exchange, I just feel like the disclaimer should be a pop up at check out.