10 January 2008
Raingear review: O2 Cycling Series rain jacket
Posted by todd under: Raingear; Reviews .
This review is of the O2 Cycling Series rain jacket, manufactured by Rain Shield Inc. of Minneapolis, Minn.
LIST PRICE: $25.59-$34 online (1, 2, 3, 4).
BACKGROUND: I bought this jacket, along with the O2 Rainwear pants, about two years ago. I wear it during a commute of three miles, and about a half-hour, each way. I ride in the clothes I wear at work. This jacket comes in five sizes; there is a size chart on the company’s Web page (it’s on the lower right of each product description). I wear a size 42 suit jacket, and the XL fits me fine. The jacket relies on a laminate made with polypropylene. The company calls it “microporous film.”
PROS: I have worn the jacket in lots of rainstorms, and it has performed almost flawlessly. In very heavy rain — and I mean VERY heavy — I have gotten a little wet around the collar, because the collar is a bit loose for me. The jacket is lightweight (the manufacturer says it weighs 5 ounces). It packs tightly into a stuff sack that comes with it (below, next to an average-size Bible). The jacket generally breathes well. The color stands out well enough to provide visibility in traffic. The material feels a bit papery-roughish on the skin, but it’s not uncomfortable. The jacket is longer in back than in front, to keep you covered as you lean over the handlebars.
CONS: The jacket does not have a cinch at the waist, nor does it have pockets. It also has no hood, which I consider a benefit but others might not. Because the jacket is light, I tend to wear it only on warm/hot days. On cold days, I like to wear as few layers as possible, and I can get away with wearing a heavier rain jacket over a turtleneck (if I were to wear the 02 jacket, I would need another layer). The 02 jacket is prone to tearing; the material on my jacket has started to shred at the cuffs (see center photo at right).
VERDICT: This jacket provides excellent protection from the rain. As for comfort, it would be fine in the cold with enough layers under it, and it works great in warm-to-hot weather. I’m not saying you won’t sweat in this jacket, but it breathes well enough that you will be drier with it than without it during a slow to medium-paced commuting ride on a wet spring or summer day.
Since it can be rolled up tightly, it’s perfect for carrying in a bag every day. Under heavy use, durability could be a problem.
If you plan to carry it just in case, or wear it only on warm or hot days, both of which I do, I highly recommend it. I very highly recommend it if you are just getting into cycling, and you need something that will keep you dry at a reasonable cost.
In fact, I can hardly imagine that you will do better than this performance at this price. You can always buy a heavier-duty jacket (spending three to five times as much) later if you want to.
OTHER REVIEWS: Amazon.com; especially note Kent Peterson’s review, he says he does a lot of riding and recommends the jacket even more highly than I do. Here is a great discussion of this jacket and others.
In fact, I almost ALWAYS wear one (while riding a bike anyway). (On the other hand, if YOU don't want to wear a helmet, I have no problem with it.) I don't remember what happened on this particular day. Fortunately for all of us it makes for a less-nerdly picture. My exceptionally talented professional photographer friend Charles Bertram took this photo.
I asked my 6-year-old son, Caleb, an avid bicyclist and artist, to draw a bike for me. I think he did a great job!
