13 of 13 customers found this review helpful.
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.
Thank you for your feedback.