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TIP: The online Bushwalk Inventory System can help bushwalkers with a variety of bushwalk planning tasks, including: Manage which items they take bushwalking so that they do not forget anything they might need, plan meals for their walks, and automatically compile food/fuel shopping lists (lists of consumables) required to make and cook the meals for each walk. It is particularly useful for planning for groups who share food or other items, but is also useful for individual walkers.Showers Pass Refuge Jacket - anybody have?
Fri 17 Jun, 2016 9:00 am
Hi all
Looking at rain jackets to use for the cycle commute and also day hikes in the wet. I was planning to get two different ones, but chanced upon the Showers Pass Refuge jacket (https://www.showerspass.com/products/refuge-jacket). It looks like it could fit the bill for both. So wondering, does anyone here have one of these? If so, any feedback please? As this is a bushwalk forum, I guess experience would be from that angle...but if anyone has used it for both then I'd love to hear.
It does get glowing reviews, so seems a very good choice.
Looking at rain jackets to use for the cycle commute and also day hikes in the wet. I was planning to get two different ones, but chanced upon the Showers Pass Refuge jacket (https://www.showerspass.com/products/refuge-jacket). It looks like it could fit the bill for both. So wondering, does anyone here have one of these? If so, any feedback please? As this is a bushwalk forum, I guess experience would be from that angle...but if anyone has used it for both then I'd love to hear.
It does get glowing reviews, so seems a very good choice.
Re: Showers Pass Refuge Jacket - anybody have?
Fri 17 Jun, 2016 9:46 am
US$279 (+ postage) seems like a lot for a waterproof cycling jacket.
I tend to use a softshell type garment for long rides in the rain as I just need to stay warm, not dry.
In my opinion, waterproofness is less important in cycling as it is a very aerobic activity and any membrane in humid conditions is overwhelmed by perspiration. The ,most versatile wet weather garment I have is a windstopper AS vest. I quickly overheat in most jackets unless its very cold and very wet.
'ground effect' has good bicycle specific gear with lots of ventilation options. The british online shops (chainreactioncycles and wiggle) also have some very good options from brands like Endura and Altura which make good cycling specific stuff at half the price of the jacket you have linked to.
I tend to use a softshell type garment for long rides in the rain as I just need to stay warm, not dry.
In my opinion, waterproofness is less important in cycling as it is a very aerobic activity and any membrane in humid conditions is overwhelmed by perspiration. The ,most versatile wet weather garment I have is a windstopper AS vest. I quickly overheat in most jackets unless its very cold and very wet.
'ground effect' has good bicycle specific gear with lots of ventilation options. The british online shops (chainreactioncycles and wiggle) also have some very good options from brands like Endura and Altura which make good cycling specific stuff at half the price of the jacket you have linked to.
Showers Pass Refuge Jacket - anybody have?
Fri 17 Jun, 2016 10:01 am
The Showers Pass Elite is the jacket of choice for many touring cyclists. I have one and have been very satisfied with it.
I would expect the Refuge jacket to be similarly well designed and constructed.
However the cut of these jackets is cycling-specific, short at front and long tail so not so good off the bike.
I would expect the Refuge jacket to be similarly well designed and constructed.
However the cut of these jackets is cycling-specific, short at front and long tail so not so good off the bike.
Re: Showers Pass Refuge Jacket - anybody have?
Fri 17 Jun, 2016 10:14 am
I have a Showers Pass Elite 2.0, in fact it is my second one as I managed to loose the first one on the Munda Biddi Trail. It has served me well both touring (still have memories of eight hours riding in the rain) and as a commuter jacket. That said I am now heading in a bikepacking direction and it is too bulky for my reduced luggage capacity and I am selling it. It is a XL size.
Re: Showers Pass Refuge Jacket - anybody have?
Sat 18 Jun, 2016 2:07 pm
Ok, thanks all. I think I'll go for the Showers Pass Refuge as it looks a good all rounder.
Re: Showers Pass Refuge Jacket - anybody have?
Tue 12 Jul, 2016 12:03 pm
This jacket arrived last week. As luck would have it I was heading along the Great Ocean Road for a few days on that very day. Plus it was very wet few days as well. I did a few very short hikes with the jacket. Found it to be a good hiking jacket. Perhaps a longer length would be nice. But a good jacket for day hikes I think. The hood is huge (for helmet) but can be adjusted back down to a smaller size with the drawstring. The front vents are handy as well, helps regulate temperature well.
So far so good, but only very light use so far. I'll be trying it out on my cycle commute in the next few days.
So far so good, but only very light use so far. I'll be trying it out on my cycle commute in the next few days.
Re: Showers Pass Refuge Jacket - anybody have?
Wed 13 Jul, 2016 2:28 pm
Like RonK and Aushiker above, I own Showers Pass Elite. I've been overall very happy with it.
Being large gutted I'm not so impressed with the short front cut or the weight/bulk of it and have recently bought the Macpac Hightail Anorak which loses points on ventilation, which the Elite excels at, but gets points on cut, weight and bulk.
Its a trial purchase to see if its my preference on cycle touring and I'm unwilling to part with my excellent waterproof Elite until the Anorak has proved itself.
The Showers Pass also has superior wear characteristics over the Anorak, but I'm forever seeking to cut down on weight and bulk for touring and thus my flirtation with the Macpac unit.
I think you'll likely be very happy with your Showers Pass.
Being large gutted I'm not so impressed with the short front cut or the weight/bulk of it and have recently bought the Macpac Hightail Anorak which loses points on ventilation, which the Elite excels at, but gets points on cut, weight and bulk.
Its a trial purchase to see if its my preference on cycle touring and I'm unwilling to part with my excellent waterproof Elite until the Anorak has proved itself.
The Showers Pass also has superior wear characteristics over the Anorak, but I'm forever seeking to cut down on weight and bulk for touring and thus my flirtation with the Macpac unit.
I think you'll likely be very happy with your Showers Pass.
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