# Commuting/bike packing waterproof **URL:** \ **Category:** What to Buy\ **Tags:** kit\ **Created:** [September 10, 2026, 8:54pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/commuting-bike-packing-waterproof/5888 "2026-09-10T20:54:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tim\_k7906](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/tim_k7906/32/1961_2.png) [@tim\_k7906](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/tim_k7906)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2026, 8:54pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/commuting-bike-packing-waterproof/5888/1 "2026-09-10T20:54:33Z")
My old commuter waterproof is beginning to fall apart, and with winter coming I’m looking for a replacement. Would also be the jacket I use for bike packing or other occasions when my Shakedry jacket is too delicate. Main features I want are good waterproofing, good breathability, durable; available in colours other than black; at least one front pocket (chest or side is fine). Happy to pay for good quality; don’t care about weight or packability. Current ideas are the Albion Pertex All Road, Showers Pass Elite III or Rapha Gore-tex Rain Jacket (current model with the ePE membrane). Thoughts on those, or other suggestions, welcome. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_Cartwright](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/tim_cartwright/32/5386_2.png) [@Tim\_Cartwright](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/Tim_Cartwright)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2026, 7:59am UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/commuting-bike-packing-waterproof/5888/2 "2026-09-12T07:59:59Z")
I’m not sure where you are in the world, but the New Zealand company Ground Effect is highly recommended. Their gear is designed (and made) in NZ, by bike riders. My wife and I have been using their stuff for over 20 years, commuting, and touring. Their rain jackets and overpants range from bomb proof through to shower proof. Some of them roll down into a “bumb bag” , which is very handy for days of intermittent rain and milder temperatures. [Waterproof Shells Tagged "Men" - Ground Effect](https://www.groundeffect.co.nz/collections/waterproof-shells/Men) We are Melbourne based, and delivery and returns policy have always been faultless. Safe riding! ---
**Author:** ![Patrick\_Stuart](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/patrick_stuart/32/1184_2.png) [@Patrick\_Stuart](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/Patrick_Stuart)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2026, 1:46pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/commuting-bike-packing-waterproof/5888/3 "2026-09-13T13:46:22Z")
I’ve had good luck with Shower Pass jackets over 10 years of commuting. I picked up my latest one on a good sale. It has a really bright hi-vis yellow color, but I wish I had opted for the more expensive model with pit zips for the ability to dump even more heat. ---
**Author:** ![William\_Tsang](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/william_tsang/32/4048_2.png) [@William\_Tsang](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/William_Tsang)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2026, 8:16pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/commuting-bike-packing-waterproof/5888/4 "2026-09-13T20:16:50Z")
+1 on Showers Pass jackets (and Showers Pass stuff in general including rain pants and gloves) - there’s good reason why it’s practically the default choice here in the PNW. ![image](https://community.escapecollective.com/uploads/default/original/2X/6/63ad1bc95d9707497ef809ee2ae51cf01241e6ff.jpeg) (from the “Chilly Hilly” ride around Bainbridge Island put on every February by the Cascade Bike Club here in Seattle) I do recommend springing for a little extra to get the higher end jacket with the pit zips. My original Elite jacket was used for almost a decade of daily bike commutes with little to show for wear other than a broken zipper on the chest pocket; I only got a new one because I lost enough weight to want to size down. ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_S](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/michael_s/32/3076_2.png) [@Michael\_S](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/Michael_S)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 12:29pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/commuting-bike-packing-waterproof/5888/5 "2026-09-14T12:29:59Z")
Consider a rain poncho designed for cycling, such as those from Cleverhood. I have one from Brooks, but it looks like those may not be readily available any more. Better protection of your legs than a jacket, and better ventilation. ---
**Author:** ![tim\_k7906](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/tim_k7906/32/1961_2.png) [@tim\_k7906](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/tim_k7906)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2026, 12:22pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/commuting-bike-packing-waterproof/5888/6 "2026-10-05T12:22:53Z")
Update: I ordered the Showers Pass Elite. Looked like a very nice jacket and the material felt good, but unfortunately the sleeves were way too short for me and wouldn’t have reached the cuffs of my gloves. I had ordered the size small which was a good fit around the body. Looking at their size chart, it does show the sleeve length is shorter on smaller sizes, which I don’t think makes much sense - I’d be surprised if there was much correlation between arm length and chest circumference. Probably going to try the Albion one next.