What makes a great cycling jacket? For commuters and performance-seeking riders, the answer is a balance of weather protection, breathability, and a fit tailored to your riding positon on the bike. The Elite Jacket from Showers Pass was the first product from the brand and years later, remains the heart of the line up. The new iteration is titled the Elite III, and is the latest refinement of their core model utilizing Porlite fabric, a new textile created with sustainability in mind.
Features (via Showers Pass)
- Porlite waterproof-breathable membrane
- Fully seam taped with water resistant zippers
- PFAS Free
- 3M reflective materials
- Chest pocket and large back pocket
- XL core vents and back vent for flow-thru ventilation
- Packs into back pocket
- Soft lining at collar
- Adjustable hem cinch
- Compatible with optional accessory hood
Why Porlite Technical Fabrics
Showers Pass regularly changes up the materials they use in their jackets, improving comfort, performance, and environmental sustainability in their designs. For the last few seasons, they’ve revamped their lineup, moving away from PTFE (commonly used in waterproof membranes like Gore-Tex) and PU fabrics due to the health and environmental concerns. PTFE production historically used PFOA and PFAS, synthetic chemicals linked to health issues and toxins, (note: Gore-Tex and other manufacturers have phased out PFOA as well) as well as environmental concerns. There are similar issues surrounding PFAS-based DWR coatings and PU, another common material used in waterproof coatings and membranes.
Porlite fabric was developed (read more about it on the manufacture’s website here) to provide a more sustainable alternative to traditional waterproof membranes like PTFE, without sacrificing performance. It emphasizes reduced energy and water consumption during production, as well as the use of a less environmentally harmful material.
On the bike
We’ve tried a lot of Showers Pass cycling jackets over the years, and have found they’re some of the best cycling jackets for bike commuting in inclement weather you can buy. Designed and tested in Portland, Oregon, we have no shortage of rain in the wet season, and a dedicated cycling jacket for performance in wet weather is a staple for core cyclists. Like the other pieces in their commuter collection the Elite has a cycling specific fit to minimize bunching in the front while protecting your backside from rear tire splash.
Through its various iterations, it been refined with the goal of balancing weather protection and breathability with a cycling-specific fit. Over the years, I’ve found that breathable jackets are a compromise; staying completely dry from rain means you’ll end up sweating. Multi-layer fabrics are great, but wind flow from the front zipper and the pit zips are key to managing moisture.
The downside of breathable fabrics are they’re great until you’re stuck in a downpour or in hardcore rain with wind. Those wicking fabric pores that let water bead and run off work until water pelts them. That said, I had no issues staying dry from water kicked up from puddles or precipitation wearing the Elite 3, though I didn’t stay in the wet stuff long enough for it to wet through.
I’ve found the Elite is best for commutes or gravel rides, though I got out on my mountain bike as well to test it. I prefer it on the pavement, as I tend to sweat a lot trail riding. The extended coverage on the arms is great on cold drizzly mornings, but on trail rides I found myself pushing up the sleeves as it got warm.
One feature I like that’s new on the Elite 3 is the sternum snap; it helps hold the jacket closed when unzipping it for ventilation, and does away from the double zip tab style. If you’ve ever gotten frustrated with zippers that fail prematurely, you’ll appreciate this feature.
Fit and Sizing
At 5’10” and 174lbs, I’m running the size medium Elite Jacket. It is a streamlined performance cycling silhouette. I find the size medium to be a good fit that allows me to wear a base layer and a short or long sleeve jersey underneath, including a light vest if needed. If it was cold and I needed to wear a softshell, I would have to go to the next size up or a bigger, more relaxed fit jacket.
I’ve been bulking up a bit in my shoulders the last season or two thanks to regular gym time to rehabilitate after a shoulder surgery plus training for competitive SUP (stand-up paddleboarding), but I don’t feel any restriction of movement. (I’m still getting used to the idea of sizing up on jackets – I used to wear a small but at this rate I may have to consider sizing up to a large in the future)
Elite 3 vs Ecolyte Elite Jacket
We recently tested the Men’s EcoLyte Elite Jacket, which uses the same Elite design in the torso, but in a different fabric. There are a few small design differences, but the pattern for the most part is the same in the body. The biggest difference is how they fit in the sleeves, with the EcoLyte having more of a taper.
The EcoLyte Elite also comes with a removable hood, whereas the Elite III does not, though it can be purchased and added. Visually, the biggest difference is how reflective elements are added – the Elite III uses larger reflective materials, whereas the EcoLyte’s reflective elements are far more subtle. The EcoLyte color options are also “earthy”, whereas the Elite 3 uses bold colors to stand out in traffic and reads “cyclist“.
Overall jackets are similar, but in my head the EcoLyte is the one I’d wear mountain biking, whereas the Elite 3 is better on the streets. The EcoLyte doesn’t have adjustable cuffs at the wrists to save bulk, whereas the Elite 3 has velcro/hook and loop adjusters at the wrists, which provide more ventilation options on cold morning rides. In terms of waterproof/breathability, I’d be hard-pressed to tell you the difference, though the sleeves on the Elite 3 can be pushed up on my arm when I get warm.
Both jackets are considerably more lightweight and breathable than the waterproof Leatt jackets I tested some years back.
Elite 3 vs Refuge Jacket
I tested the Showers Pass Refuge Jacket a few years back as well. It’s a versatile outdoor jacket that works great on the bike, as well as other outdoor sports like skiing, hiking, or anything where staying dry is paramount. If your riding position is more upright and at a casual party pace, a multi-sport fit option like the Refuge Jacket is a better match for that riding style.
The updated Refuge is also made using the Porlite materials, and has many similar features. A great option for the commuter cyclists, it’s longer in the front than the Elite, which is shorter to avoid the bunching that happens in a lower riding position. If you’re looking to purchase a versitile waterproof jacket that can handle commuter duties, rainy day hikes, and even work as a ski shell, the Refuge is the way to go. The fit is a bit more relaxed which adds a bit of space for more warmed air or layers. It also has adjusters at the cuff to keep cold air out.
If you’re looking to be less sweaty on the bike and pedal at an aggressive pace, the Elite 3 is a better option. If you’re going to get dumped on and wear a backpack, I’d go Refuge. That said, they’re both great options for winter in the Pacific Northwest.
The Showers Pass Elite 3 Jacket sells for $339.00. Learn more at ShowersPass.com.