Breatheable rain shell for summer?

[tuba_transport]

Anyone have a recommendation on a breathable summer rain shell mainly for commuting in? Extra points if it can be easily stowed in a jersey pocket.

[jabberwocky]

I honestly wouldn't bother. If its over 60 degrees I just wear shorts and a tshirt and get wet, because any shell (breathable or not) means I sweat like crazy under it. Given a choice, I'd rather be wet from rainwater than wet from sweat.

I have a showerspass elite jacket, made from eVent (which is supposedly about the most breathable water-resistant fabric out there) and I still won't wear it above 60 degrees as I just sweat too much. Its great in mid temps though (35-55 degrees).

[pbayne]

I agree that if its warm out and raining, then a waterproof shell will just make you get wet from sweat. For warm weather I will wear a very light wind jacket. Its enough to keep me from getting soaked, but I don't sweat bad, especially if I take it easy on my ride. My commute is about 30 minutes if I ride easy. My current wind shells are a Voler wind jacket which is pretty good or a patagonia houdini jacket which is awesome; its light (about 5oz.) breathes really well, and keeps me dry for my commute. If I wear it longer than an hour in the rain I will get wet. By the time I have to ride home it is usually dry again. It fits in a pocket too. Only downside is that it has a hood, which I find useless on a bike so it just flaps around or I tuck it into my neck.

[BottomBraket]

The only reason to wear a jacket (or shell) when your bicycling is because your too cold if you don't wear it.

The concept of staying dry while putting out 600 - 1000 watts is bogus.

If a breathable rain shell keeps you at the right temperature, then wear it.

In the summertime, I don't even carry a rain shell. If it’s raining to or from work, I just take off my summer jersey, stuff it in my water proof pannier, ride bear back, and enjoy the rain.

In colder weather, when you have to wear something to keep warm, I follow this maxim.

If it’s NOT raining, don’t wear anything that is supposed to keep you dry.

[CRAIG2]

+4. I think 'breathable rain shell' is almost an oxymoron. I don't think they exist. Decide whether or not you'd like to be wet from rain, or wet from sweat, and go from there. If sweat, buy a rain shell.

For rain, I like to keep my feet and a$$ dry more than anything (go figure), so I'd invest in fenders before I'd invest in a rain shell. I like keeping my stuff dry, too, so if you haven't already, invest in a good pack if you carry anything to and from work. I love my Ortlieb, but I also like my other half's Novara commuter bag - I think I might get one, too. The Ortlieb, though trendy, is bulky and anything but aerodynamic. I mean, when I wear it, people actually bother to draft off of me, and are relatively successful. :p

[tsunayoshi]

Decide whether or not you'd like to be wet from rain, or wet from sweat, and go from there.

This is tuba we are talking about, the man starts sweating the moment his foot clips into the pedals. :eek:

But back on topic, yeah, a rain layer when it is warm just turns you into a moving sauna. In the military, we would just get soaked on patrols, it was more comfortable.

[tuba_transport]

Thanks for the input. I Googled around and found some high zoot stuff for over $100 but I will just save my money I suppose.

I have a cheap rain shell I have had for several years but it is a sauna. If they are all saunas then I will just keep it.

I was also thinking in terms of keeping stuff in my jersey pockets dryer and also trying to keep road spray and all the nasties contained within off of me.

I already have some fenders and today was a perfect day for them. Much more comfortable without water getting shot up my butt.

[walsh]

Much more comfortable without water getting shot up my butt.

As Pete would say, some people in Vegas pay top dollar for that kind of entertainment.

[tsunayoshi]

I was also thinking in terms of keeping stuff in my jersey pockets dryer
put them in a ziploc baggy...should be fine except except in rain so torrential you probably wouldn't be on the bike anyway.

[CRAIG2]

put them in a ziploc baggy...should be fine except except in rain so torrential you probably wouldn't be on the bike anyway.

Those are great just to have along in general. I usually like to carry one or two just in case, particularly if I'm going to be carrying my Blackberry or my point & shoot camera. Funny thing about those things is that they don't work so well when wet. :)