Showers PassMen's Elite 2.1 Jacket(Return to Product Page)

I bought this jacket to take on a cycling trip to New Zealand's south island last month. Was traveling fairly light so I intended to use this a general purpose jacket off the bike as well. It worked great on the bike, kept me dry and warm. When it got a little warm, the pit zips provided enough air to cool things down. At 5'10" & 165#, I ordered a size L to allow a little layering. Good thing I did, it fit a little tighter than I expected but fit well while wearing a jersey with base layer underneath and had enough room for a light fleece when I was off the bike, although it was a little short to cover the waste in front. While wearing it off the bike, I kept searching for a place to put my hands when it got a little cool but no hand pockets. I know, it's a cycling jacket but my older REI Novara jacket, that I ahem outgrew, had them. The quality of the material and construction is top notch. I also got the optional hood which worked OK but it would separate from the velcro attaching points easier than I liked when I wasn't using it. The chest pocket is big enough to hold my phone and the rear pouch stored held my route maps and brochures easily and is big enough for a pair of full finger gloves.

I have owned the Elite 2.0 jacket since 2008 (I think) and have worn it pretty much daily for winter commuting for most of those years. Except for dirt stains on the yellow fabric, it still looks brand new - ZERO loose threads, worn fabric, anything. On a long bike tour a few years ago, I brought another Showers Pass jacket (the Century, maybe? - trying to save weight) and loaned my Elite 2.0 to my riding partner. By the end of my three-month tour, the lighter jacket was destroyed - no longer waterproof, with the fabric layers peeling apart, the pit zippers stuck. The Elite 2.0 was still kicking, and continues to keep me totally dry and comfortable in all kinds of weather.

I am a woman, but have the men's cut of this jacket. It fits fine and I can fit it over another jacket or sweater easily. I do find that it's cut a little too short in the front, but the long back hem is awesome. It's possible this is improved in the new 2.1 cut, which I haven't tried.

My only caveat is the cuff fabric. It soaks up water like crazy and takes a loooong time to dry. Why Showers Pass didn't make the cuffs out of the same awesome eVent fabric that the rest of the jacket is made of, I will never understand.

I've been using the Shower's Pass Century jacket for the past couple years. The jacket has held up well, fits well and keeps the rain out, but it really doesn't breath particularly well. After a hard workout in Portland drizzle, I'm almost as moist as if I hadn't been wearing a jacket.

So this season, I decided to break down and spend the extra money on the Elite 2.0 jacket. Wow, what a difference. This jacket keeps me warm and dry without feeling like I'm wearing a plastic bag. Extremely well made with lots of venting options and the fabric seems to breath surprisingly well. I also feel a bit safer riding in the dark with the reflective stripes on the back and sleeves. Highly recommended.

A comfortable, affordable jacket for cycling and weather protection. It is waterproof and wind proof providing good protection from the elements. Side vents allow you to control internal temp. Generous fit.

A hood would be a welcome addition..

I love my Elite 2.0! I mostly commute but If it looks like I'm going to brave the downpour to get a great rain ride in, this is what I'll be wearing. Excellent waterproof quality, without over heating, or becoming drenched in my own sweat. If you need a top of the line do all waterproof jacket, this is it!

Used it several times in the rain and cold. Holds up very well. Zippers do not leak. Armpit vents are very good. Chest pocket is nice for a phone or small wallet. All around a really good product. Only gripe is the cuffs on the sleeves hold water.

I bought this rain jacket in anticipation of encountering rain on RAGBRAI this year. I knew from weather patterns in Iowa that there would be a great chance this jacket would come in handy. Guess what, on Friday of RAGBRAI we had a big storm come through and we got to ride in very heavy rain. This jacket stopped the rain very well and I found it much more comfortable than typical cheap rain jackets. The breathable material worked great and the two vents under the arms worked great

I had a great ride in the rain that day while others thought they encountered their worst day ever. Based on that difference of opinion, I'd say the Showers Pass jacket is well worth the money.

Long Torso 6'1" 200 lbs - bought size XL for ability to layer extensively for use in long rides down into the 30s. Besides terrific moisture resistance, this works as an exceptional wind breaker in cold weather when properly mated with underlying layers, with much more comfort than riding in a parka. Lightweight, and rolls up fairly compactly for space saving on long distance trips or bike trunk storage. I particularly like the adjustable cuffs to close tight on my riding winter gloves. Durable - my 2018 model is still working great after many rides.

Nice fabric that provides protection against the rain and the cold. Zippers under the arms are great for ventilating when you get warmed up. And the zippered chest pocket and rear pocket provide great storage for the gear you need at hand. High visibility in the day time (yellow) and at night (reflective stripes). There are other excellent products out there, but it would be hard to find one better at this price point. Not cheap, but you'll never regret spending a few extra dollars here for years of good wear.

I got over 20 years out of my last rain jacket, but had to admit that for the last couple of seasons the "rain protection" was at best notional - it had come to the end of its useful life. This is an early review, so I cannot yet speak to how waterproof this jacket is, but I am optimistic given the name, price, and reputation. What I can speak to are the jacket's other merits. I was looking for a lightweight rain jacket to do double duty as an extra layer in the colder weather. Must haves included a high, snug collar (check), adjustable wrist closures (check), roomy rear pocket (check), high visibility (check), and most critically armpit vents you can zip open or close (check). They even managed to add one more nice touch, a zippered breast pocket for a phone. And the jacket is nicely tailored with an extra long tail for better coverage - comes down to about my tailbone in the riding position. The jacket so far is excellent. Comfortable, and provides that highly adjustable extra warmth on a cold day I was looking for. I look forward to the next rainy ride!

BTW, re sizing, I am on the upper end of L, so I ordered L & XL to compare, and at 6'2", 175 lbs, L was perfect. Thanks to BTD for their easy return policy!

I replaced my original Showers Pass Elite rain jacket after 7 years of use. I got a great deal on this jacket that I couldn't refuse. It's nice to have a new jacket that repels the rain. I bought the same size as before but this one fits a little tighter. One downside for me is the lack of side pockets. There is now one large pocket in the lower back that is not so usable for me. Perhaps I will get use to it but it seems more awkward. No where to easily put my gloves when stopping. Overall I am happy with the jacket and look forward to dry rides in the rain. One other thing, the tag said Mens but the zipper is on the opposite side.

Pricey, but purchased on sale. 5' 10"/145. Bought a large to accommodate multiple layers in winter. Will work well. No side pockets for hands-would be nice. Fits well. Sleeves are long on me in the large-to my fingertips.

6' and 170lbs. Medium is a perfect fit.

First ride - nearly 3 hours in drizzling rain at 10deg Celsius, no sweating and perfectly dry.

It's often uncomfortable zipping a jacket collar right up, not this one. Perfect cut, comfortable collar.

Use on my daily rides in cool or cold weather. It has adequate ventilation especially on my back that was hard to find. I like the longer sleeves with the strap closure instead of elastic. Pockets are in right places. Overall well made and of good quality which makes for a good feel as well as good looks.

I commute with this daily around 200 weekly. I ride in every condition imaginable and plow through heaps and heaps of rain. This does keep me dry however I am usually drenched when I get home, but I'm not sure if that's water or sweat. Nevertheless when I ride I dont feel like I am getting wet and that's pretty much all that matters. I stay dry (feel like I'm staying dry) and warm. I place my cell phone and my wallet in the left breast pocket and have never had a problem with water although water (condensation) does seem to penetrate although not enough to cause damage. I've unfortunately had a few crashes in the last 7 months and the jacket has faired well - There are some battle wounds, but this jacket has many more years of life left - I would without hesitation buy another if needed.

I bought it on sale and like it a lot. It's been wet and cold this fall and I appreciate it's breathability. Pit zips are easy to use, allows me to regulate with the varying conditions we have in the northwest. The goldenrod color has good visibility for poor weather conditions.

First time use on a rainy 45 degree day with a wool jersey underneath - 105 mile ride

Worked fine and did not overheat. Side vents were easy to open and close while riding. Back pocket takes getting used to.

I wish to add that the Showers Pass Men's Elite 2.1 Jacket DOES have a zippered rear pocket, which will help keep the elements away from you and your gear. I've therefore upgraded my review to 5 Stars for the product, and 4 Stars for value (price varies; shop carefully for sales).

I purchased this jacket to replace an aging Novara jacket of similar style. The difference is that this jacket has the back vent by the shoulder blades. I found myself getting very hot in the Novara.

My initial take after several rides is that it's colder than my Novara. It's not quite as windproof, probably because of the back vent. Still, it will serve me well when it's not as cold. It's nice and lightweight compared to the Novara.

I wished I had known about the Refuge jacket when I bought this. I probably still would have gotten this one, but it would have been nice to have had the ability to ab them. The sister store of BTD, Western Bikeworks, recently opened and has the full array of Showers Pass gear.

It's reasonably water resistant. I rode today Dec. 8 2015 in one of these raining sideways days, and it kept me dry for awhile. It's always hard to know whether it's the rain or your sweat that's getting you wet. BUT, I had my cell phone in the chest pocket and it got wet enough to cause water damage to the phone. The interior of the pocket was pretty damp. So while the pockets are water resistant, I wouldn't trust sensitive electronics underneath this shell.

I am a commuter who puts on about 2500 miles a year riding to work. The jacket was on a good sale and my previous rain jacket that was 15 years old was leaking so I figured I would try this one. It is about 3 years old and is already leaking. Of course it is just beyond the warranty. Disappointing considering it was not cheap.