Last fall when my son and I cycled in Spain we were 'lucky' to find accommodations with a washing machine. We never figured the thing out and it ended up almost boiling my Gore Tex jacket that I'd been using for 20 years. After that incident it is now more like a cotton shirt - it offers very poor water and wind resistance.

So, what can anyone suggest as a replacement? I know that in the rain we will get wet one way or another, but I want to be the least uncomfortable possible. I am in Canada and see that MEC has some cycling jackets but the reviews are definitely not stellar.

Thanks.

Showers Pass rain gear gets very good reviews and are worn a lot here in rainy Portland (where they are headquartered). I'm pretty sure they are available in Canada.

Showers Pass Jackets    The link is to a photo of myself and companions, all wearing our Showers Pass rain jackets.  I really like mine - I have crossed the U.S. twice with it, and ridden the Western Express and Great Rivers South routes with it.  It has served me well for 10 years now, and should it ever die I will buy another.  It is a bit expensive, but worth it IMHO.  It is a little heavier than a cycling wind jacket, so I use it to provide warmth on cooler mornings as well.  The hood is an optional accessory - it fastens to the jacket via velcro - once I attached mine I have always just left it on - I wear the hood under my helmet.  I have been caught out in many heavy downpours and a few thunderstorms, and the jacket has never let me down.   It's a popular brand, so perhaps others here will chime in with their plusses or minuses regarding Showers Pass jackets.  Rain pants are also available - I have some, and have wore them, but I find that the internal sweat from wearing them while cycling makes you about as wet as if you didn't wear them, so I seldom wear them - however, they too are useful for warmth should you get caught out in a cold rain or at altitude at night.   

There seem to be a few different models of Showers Pass. Which do you have? I see that MEC in Canada stocks them.

I bought it 10 years ago, don't remember the model - I think the basics for all of them is about the same - I'm away from home now for a few days, when I return I will look at the jacket and see if it says the model name.  But just from looking at an online picture I think it was the Elite 2.1 model.  You definitely want to check prices at a few online retailers before you buy, sometimes you will find a wide difference in prices.  

Anyone tried NZ's Ground Effects jackets? They also look promising.

Another Happy Showers Pass owner here.

Hi Brent 

Yes my cycle touring rain jacket is a Ground Effect product. It’s light, highly visible and works well.

The caveat is that most of my cycle touring is in a dry climate. The rides I’ve done in wetter conditions, especially over in NZ, have proved that rain jackets are only waterproof up to a point. Their main function is to reduce wind chill. 

I did experiment on one tour with a Carradice rain cape. Air circulation prevents the build up of sweat. It was great as long as the wind wasn’t too strong. 

Thanks for the info. My original coat certainly was not waterproof, per se. It was somewhat breathable which is what I'm looking for. Anything fully waterproof will likely be stifling hot and grossly clammy.

Thank you for the info. It would seem I will need to decide between SP and GE.