What's the most weatherproof cycling jacket?
I'm so confused by the different possibilities and terminology when it comes to rain jackets for biking. I bought a "waterproof" one, but it wasn't and I got soaked. I bought another and sweated so much that I wished I had the previous jacket. What's a good lightweight jacket for cycling that will keep me dry in moderate rainstorms? Mary Itasca, Illinois
I've also heard a lot of good things about a fabric called eVent, which is chemically similar to Gore-Tex but with a different internal structure that supposedly allows much better breathability, while still retaining full waterproofness. Pearl Izumi makes a terrific-looking cycling-specific jacket called the Channel Jacket ($200; www.pearlizumi.com) that uses eVent, although this is a men's jacket so you might need to improvise with a smaller size.
Performance, meanwhile, is selling its two-ply women's Gore-Tex jacket for a mere $170 (www.performancebike.com). This gives pretty serious weather protection, but its underarm zips and full front zip should give you enough ventilation to stay reasonably comfortable. Plus, it's worth it at that price.
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