Shower-proof
Shower-proof
The showerproof jacket is often a low cost, ‘entry level’ garment, and likely to offer even less water resistance than the race cape, but Hilton-Foster is fulsome in its praise.
A jacket like this is a very, very useable piece of kit,” he says. “Almost every cyclist should have one.”
He lists breathability as the chief among its usable qualities, but also cites its ability to add a layer of insulation if temperatures drop, without making the rider sweaty.
Additionally, a showerproof jacket is likely to dry quickly: a vital quality for a garment intended for intermittent rain.
In terms of keeping out the water, the showerproof jacket’s abilities are, as the name suggests, limited. Unlike the race cape, the fabric often is not laminated. Its only resistance to the rain comes from the weave.
As a result, the race cape is likely to offer greater resistance, says Hilton-Foster, but its breathability will be significantly lower. Both will offer some windproofing, though perhaps not at the same level as a dedicated fabric like Gore’s Windstopper.
Neither is likely to have taped seams: the most important feature when deciding if a jacket is waterproof.
While not quite the minimalist piece that is the race cape, the showerproof jacket is unlikely to be laden with features: lightness and packability are calling cards.
A high collar and dropped tail, however, are <i>de rigeur</i> across all brands. Pockets are likely to be kept to a minimum and will often function as a ‘stuff sack’ into which the jacket can be folded and stowed.
The Endura Pakajak pictured here has a panel to cover the zip, but not all showerproof jackets will.