Showers Pass Century CC Rain Jacket Review

By Sheri Rosenbaum

Hot

• Artex 2.5-layer, seam tapped, waterproof, windproof, breathable fabric
• Lightweight and packable rain jacket
• Core  zipper vents and back venting aid in flow-through ventilation
• 360 degrees of 3M™ reflective trim and bright green color increase rider visibility
• Longer sleeves with adjustable cuffs and a drop tail for better coverage to keep the rain out
• Large rear and chest zippered pockets keep valuables safe and dry
• The use of eco-friendly clean color dyes and 44% recycled nylon fabric in the manufacturing process
• Optional hood available and attaches with Velcro tabs
• Available in men’s or women’s silhouette

Not

• Venting works well but fabric not very breathable
  

Showers Pass Element Jacket – Men’s & Women’s

Price: $139 (on sale $125.10) MSRP

Color: Leaf Green

Sizes: S-2XL

Fit Style: Regular

Availability: Online, retail

How Obtained: Company Sample

RBR Advertiser: No

Kick-off Shower Pass’ 25^th Anniversary With New Century CC Jacket

Showers Pass released a new jacket to commemorate its 25th anniversary in late February. According to Jeremy Rider, PR Director at Showers Pass, “When you need a jacket that just works and is specifically designed for on-the-bike comfort and performance, the Century CC is the perfect choice.”

The CC stands for clean color eco-friendly dyes, and the jacket is made from 44% recycled nylon. The Artex 2.5-layer and taped seams make the Century CC waterproof, windproof, and breathable. This jacket is lightweight and easily packable in your jersey back pocket.

Speaking of pockets—a large zippered rear pocket and a chest zippered pocket keep all your valuables dry and safe. And when it comes to safety, since you’ll most likely be wearing this jacket in the rain or an overcast day, Shower Pass uses 360 degrees of 3M reflective trim and bright green fabric to increase rider visibility to drivers.

A drop tail with a cinch cord hem and longer sleeves with Velcro closures provide additional coverage from spray and rain. Also, the higher neckline zips closed to seal out rain and wind for added warmth.

Showers Pass touts this jacket’s fabric as breathable, but I start to overheat on my morning ride. Temps were in the high 40s, and I opened the core vents, improving ventilation. This jacket’s fabric won’t be completely breathable like any waterproof garment, but it was better than others I’ve tried.

The Century CC comes in men’s and women’s versions providing the proper proportions and fit depending on gender. The “regular” fit silhouette of the jacket gives you room to layer underneath, depending on the temperature. However, it doesn’t have the excess fabric, eliminating the “parachute” look.

Bottom Line

As with all Showers Pass apparel I’ve tested, the new Century CC jacket, you can tell a cyclist designed it for a cyclist. It is made from high-quality, durable eco-friendly green fabric with 360 degrees of reflective elements to increase your visiblity by drivers even in a downpour. It’s lightweight and packs up small enough to fit in a jersey pocket. This jacket is priced right and will give you wind and rain protection for many, many miles.

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Sheri Rosenbaum regularly contributes articles and reviews products for RBR. She’s an avid recreational roadie who lives in the Chicago area and a major advocate for women’s cycling, serving on the board of directors and volunteering with the Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club. Click to read Sheri’s full bio or visit her web site sunflowersandpedals.com.