That $80 rain jacket I bought was a total waste for commuting

I picked up this fancy waterproof jacket last fall thinking it'd keep me dry on my 20 minute ride to work. After three weeks the so-called breathable fabric just made me sweat like crazy, so I got to work wet anyway. Meanwhile my buddy just wears a cheap poncho over his regular clothes and says it works fine. He's been commuting in Seattle for two years with that five dollar setup. Did I just fall for marketing hype or are expensive cycling rain jackets worth it for someone else?

2 comments

2 Comments

finley_harris51mo ago

Oh man, that's rough. I mean, you basically paid eighty bucks to get wet and sweaty instead of just wet. Sounds like your buddy figured out the real secret: ponchos are just glorified trash bags but they actually work. Maybe it's just me but I think most "breathable" jackets are just fancy marketing speak for "you'll still be damp, just from your own body this time." At least with a poncho you can look like a confused ghost while you ride and save seventy five dollars.

taraj111mo ago

Confused ghost" is the best description of poncho life I've ever heard. Totally agree that most breathable jackets are just selling you a lie to make you sweat less, not stay dry. Ponchos are ugly but they work, and that's what really matters.