Hot
- New eliteAIR™ fabric technology is waterproof and has a 43K breathability rating
- Soft, flexible fabric has a 4-way stretch for freedom of movement
- Tailored fit reduces flapping in the wind
- Large core zippered vents for excellent ventilation and double as pockets
- Plenty of storage including two mesh internal pockets and a rear zipper security pouch
- 360-degree reflective elements for increased visibility in low light
- Longer rear hem for added coverage
- Soft moisture-wicking collar lining
- Fits true to size
- Cinch cord at the bottom hem to adjust the fit
- Sewn-in locker loop for hanging
- Designed for on or off the bike
- 2-year unconditional guarantee
Not
- Pricey
- Personally, would prefer Velcro wrist closures over elastic
Price: $189
Colors: Mandarin, Titanium
Sizes: S-XL (men’s and women’s versions)
Material: eliteAIR™ fabric both waterproof and breathable
How Obtained: Company sample
Available: Online or retail
RBR Sponsor: No
New name. New fabric. Awesome jacket.
Showers Pass continues to improve on their waterproof fabrics by making them even more breathable and today they launched the Cloudburst jacket with eliteAIR fabric technology. Available in both men’s and women’s versions, this packable jacket is soft, has 4-way fabric stretch for freedom of movement, and is very fashionable.
The company sent me a sample jacket a couple of weeks before the launch date so I could put it through its paces. I received the beautiful mandarin version and immediately noticed how soft the fabric was to the touch. I had to double-check the label to confirm it was waterproof because it didn’t have that “rubber” feel. Yep, waterproof fabric and fully taped seams.
I slipped it on and it’s true to size. Since my last Showers Pass review, I’ve lost weight and could have sized down. But the added room allowed me to layer as I’m testing during wintertime in Chicago. There’s a cinch cord at the bottom hem which allowed me to also adjust the jacket’s fit.
The jacket has tons of storage with two internal deep mesh pockets in the front and a zippered security pocket in the back. The back pocket is made from waterproof fabric but the zipper is not waterproof (maybe the next version it will be). A flap over the zipper will protect items during most rain events or spray from the rear tire. For even more storage, unzip the side core vents, and the mesh lining act as pockets.
This jacket is packable and the rear pockets provide a built-in zippered pouch. It takes a little doing, but I managed to get it into its pouch.
The jacket comes in two colors, mandarin, and titanium. For added visibility, there are 360-degree reflective elements that are styled nicely into the jacket design.
Besides making the rear pocket zipper waterproof, I’d like the next version to have Velcro tab closures at the wrist. The elastic was too loose on my wrists and on a rainy day I’d prefer to be able to cinch the cuff tight against my skin.
Testing Breathability and Waterproof Features
I had to be creative in testing the jacket since it’s winter. I went out in a snowstorm and shoveled 7” of snow to test waterproof and breathability. The results? The Cloudburst jacket kept me dry from the falling snow with moisture beading and running off the jacket. The material also blocked the wind which helped keep me warm. My phone stayed dry in the rear zippered pocket even with all the snow.
To attempt to test breathability, I wore the jacket on the trainer down in my pain cave. What I do for my readers! I have a Wahoo Fitness Headwind fan which was used to simulate the wind outside. My workout lasted an hour and around the 35-minute mark I opened up the core vents to allow for airflow. I lasted the hour and was not in a puddle of sweat, so I’m assuming the fabric has some decent breathability. I will update this review when it is warmer outside to test breathability properly.
Bottom Line
Showers Pass is making great strides in packable, waterproof, breathable jackets. The new Cloudburst is one that hits all the marks.
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.
Please provide some details on the “core vents”. I couldn’t see any on the pictures. From my experience I have yet to find a breathable fabric that worked well enough on it’s own so additional ventilation is needed such a pit zips and a back vent flap. Thanks. Joel Spencer
Joel,
Check out the article again. We’ve added a picture with the core vents unzipped. Best I could do right now taking a selfie. Hope that helps you visualize placement and size of opening.
Thanks for the picture. Those vents should help a bit and I like the fact that it is pack-able.
I think my older jacket with pit zips and a back vent flap is a better design. Perhaps someone could produce a rain jacket made of “breathable” fabric that also has pit zips and a back vent. The advantage of a jacket with a back vent is that it allows air to circulate. One can unzip the jacket a few inches at the neck and open the pit zips an inch or two and air can flow through the jacket while still keeping the rider relatively dry. I don’t believe that jackets of this design are being produced any more.
I bought a Showers Pass jacket that looked identical to this a couple of years ago and returned it immediately – it was like wearing a plastic trash bag ! SP seemed to be the premier wet-weather gear maker so I trusted that the jacket would be superb, but this item turned me off them pretty well forever. How could they sell such a useless garment that felt like I was in a terrarium after only a few minutes’ riding..? I’ll stick with my Assos clothing; everything they make and their gradual evolutions are truly miles ahead of anything else on the market. Their jackets and cold weather gear are a wonder of fabric engineering and of course the base layering system works a charm for every temperature level.
Hi Norbert,
I totally agree that older generation waterproof jackets were not that breathable. But fabric technology has come a long way in just the last couple of years. If you get a chance check it out.
Sure, Shari, I’ll have a look as soon as it may be safe to get into a shop where I can actually see/touch the garment. Maybe it’s not fair to judge a company’s entire product line based on one poorly designed item. Meanwhile, Assos has had a ‘magic’ set of garments that are not only really well cut for mobility in riding posture, but have also had breathable fabric for over 10 years which they used on several of their models depending on temperature range.. Yes they are expensive, but I consider this a ‘lifetime’ product as I do not ride in the rain more than a few times a year, and nothing that Assos has made has ever been a disappointment in its intended use.
Do you think they will ever make one with both a core vent and a back vent? I sweat very easily and end up cold due to the excess moisture, it be nice to get some air in the front but have also a vent to let the steam out on the back.
If the side core vents are anything like the vents in Showers Pass previous generation of jackets (one of which I own), I would pass. I really want pit zips – zippers that go underneath the arm pits and extend a bit onto the sleeves. Those offer not only ventilation, but in a previous jacket I used to unzip the zip pits all the way and be able to wear the jacket as a vest, wrapping the arms around the back. It looked a little weird, but was very practical for when I got a bit hot and the rain wasn’t that bad.
Marsha, we just added a picture of the vents in the review. The are core vents and not pit vents. I know the type you are talking about. Some people don’t like pit vents because they wear backpacks or hydration packs and they interfere with the straps.