We find ourselves in the midst of spring, and the weather is as unpredictable as ever.  For those days in the saddle where the conditions could include bright sun and harrowing downpours, you need a jacket that can provide excellent rain protection while also being lightweight and packable.  We’ve expanded our selection of jackets and rainwear, and thought it would be fitting to focus on a few jackets that will keep you warm and dry and can be folded into a jersey pocket when the sun comes out.

The first jacket that stands out is the “Path” by GORE Bike Wear.  It is constructed from Gore-Tex Paclite Shell, and is thus extremely waterproof and breathable.  The jacket has a comfortable fit and features reflective piping and logos for a bit of added safety.   We have the jacket in an excellent deep blue that also goes quite well with our team colors if I don’t say so myself.  This jacket retails for $195.

The second jacket worth mentioning is the “Oxygen GT AS” again by GORE Bike Wear.  This piece is constructed from Gore-Tex Active Shell, a material that ensures even better breathability and a lighter weight than the “Path” jacket.  The fit of this jacket is a bit more of a racing cut as well, meaning a bit tighter and aerodynamic than its “Path” counterpart (despite it being a bit loose on Julie).  Additional features include a bit longer of a flap to protect your backside from the wet, as well as reflective logos.  This jacket retails for $245.

The third jacket is the women’s “Double Century” by Showers Pass, a company that is based barely a mile or so from the shop.  The shell is constructed from a waterproof-breathable fabric called Artex.  The fit of this jacket is close but is not a true racing cut, and is similarly lightweight to the other options.  Additional features include zippable vents under the arms and reflective bands.  This jacket is on sale for $70.

Staying warm and dry should be your primary concern whether your commuting from work, or building your spring base as the road season begins.  Any one of these jackets should keep you happy for those days when its hard to tell whether you’ll be bathing in sunlight or mired in a downpour.  The jackets shown here are just a slice of what we have in the shop, so if your interest is piqued please come by the shop and check out our selection for yourself.