Hot
- Fully seam-taped Artex 2.5-layer fabric for waterproof, windproof, and breathability
- Side vents help circulate air and reduce overheating
- 360 degrees of 3M Scotchlite reflective piping for added visibility in low light situations
- Two zippered side pockets keep items safe
- Eco-friendly dyes used in the manufacturing process
- Lightweight and packs down to fit in a backpack or hip pack
- Adjust fit with a double toggle hem cinch
- The feminine silhouette of women’s version reduces bulk
- Versatile jacket for riding, commuting, hiking, or running errands
- Machine washable in cold water on gentle cycle
Not
- Dark color options are not as visible on overcast, rainy days
- The hood is not removable
Showers Pass Syncline CC Jacket – Men’s & Women’s
Price: $135 MSRP
Color: Black, Berry & Leaf Green (women’s); Black & Firecracker (men’s)
Sizes: S-2XL
Fit Style: Regular
Availability: Online, retail
How Obtained: Company Sample
RBR Advertiser: No
An Entry-level Rain Jacket With Performance, Style, and Durability
If you’ve shied away from purchasing a Showers Pass jacket because of the price tag, take a second look. Their Syncline CC jacket in men’s and women’s versions has an entry-level price of $135. It has a Company rating of 4-stars for breathability and waterproof, taped seams, and great styling.
The company’s ratings are clarified below; while waterproof garments can’t truly be breathable, the use of venting (zippers, core vents, and cuff adjustability) helps to prevent overheating.
| Fabric Type | Artex 2.5 layer |
| Breathable Rating | 4-star fabric rates at least 10,000g/m2/day, and the jacket has multiple venting options. Venting options like core vents, front zippers, or open cuffs allow you to adjust airflow. |
| Waterproof Rating | 4-star garments use only fabrics rated 3,000-15,000mm, and have taped seams. If all vents, zippers, cuffs, and collar are sealed, this garment should keep the elements out for most rides. |
The more expensive Showers Pass jackets have higher-end features like larger mesh-lined core vents, reinforced shoulders, and detachable hoods; the Syncline is still a great rain jacket for commuting, trail rides, hiking, or everyday use. I don’t recommend the Syncline for spirited road rides because of the hood. However, it can fit under a helmet or tucked inside the collar if you so choose.
Style and Fit
The Syncline jacket is quite stylish, with several of the color versions sporting accent zippers. The company sent me the green leaf jacket with berry-colored zippers (see picture below). Both the men’s and women’s versions are ‘regular’ fit which allows for some layering when temperatures drop. The women’s version has a feminine silhouette, reducing fabric volume and lessening flapping in the wind. Also, a double toggle hem cinch at the bottom lets you adjust the fit.
A friend of mine also has this jacket and loves it. The only negative comment she had was it could be a little longer for more coverage in the back. The length was okay for me, but I’m 6’ and short-waisted (long legs, shorter torso); she is 5’6” and longer in the torso. Showers Pass offers extended sizing from small to 2XL, allowing you to find the right fit.
Other features of the Syncline that keep you dry include fully taped seams, Artex™ 2.5-layer fabric for waterproof, windproof, and breathability, and adjustable wrist closures. When low visibility is an issue, the jacket has 360 degrees of 3M™ Scotchlite™ reflective piping for added safety. The piping is subtle yet effective and doesn’t detract from the stylishness of the jacket. However, I still question company’s that produce black rain jackets for biking. You want to be seen, and on a gloomy rainy day, black is the last color I would select. But that’s just my opinion.
Eco-friendly and Washable
Showers Pass uses Clean Color Technology to produce the Syncline CC: Bluesign System-approved dyes that keep harmful chemicals out of the manufacturing process to be more eco-friendly. This process helps to protect both people and the planet.
The jacket is machine washable in cold water, and the company recommends washing once a month. The reason is dirt in the zippers can put unnecessary wear and tear, possibly causing damage and a shortened lifespan.
Bottom Line
The Syncline CC is an excellent entry into a high-quality Showers Pass jacket. At $135, you get a waterproof, windproof rain jacket with style and features that will give you years of wearability.
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.
I have this jacket and have used it on light rain/snow mix when hiking in the Colorado mountains. It goes in my pack for any hike/backpack trip. Haven’t needed it for cycling-yet. It breathes and is comfortable. I like the hood and the pit zips.
This jacket is actually an extremely good jacket, highly underrated! I bought one last year and had the chance to be wearing it in a downpour while riding, I never got wet or even slightly damp, and I didn’t start sweating due to no ventilation, my previous jacket while it had ventilation but it was only in vents, it didn’t ventilate through the fabric like the Showers Pass Syncline jacket.
This jacket is a great jacket at a great price, and a lot cheaper than Core Tex jackets.