I also tried the Machines for Freedom All Weather Jacket ($215), which was the lightweight, packable rain jacket that protected me from an intense downpour in the middle of a 30-mile cargo bike race. Their high-visibility Cloudburst jacket ($169) has been a favorite of mine for many years. In that case, I highly recommend Showers Pass, a Portland, Oregon-based company that specializes in rain gear. ★ Great Alternatives: If you bike a lot on the road, then you probably want a stretchy, high-visibility cycling jacket. It is, however, a tad small when I’m just walking around with my big head. I also like that the hood is designed to fit under my helmet, which means I can move my head and neck around a little more easily. It also has a protected flap under the front zip so I don’t get wet when I open it up, and an enormous kangaroo pocket that’s handy for stowing my shell gloves, masks, and even bike locks in a pinch. It’s cut longer in the back to cover my tail as I’m riding. Like the cape, it’s cut very generously to allow for a flannel shirt and a small down jacket underneath. These don’t pack down as small, though.Ĭleverhood is an independent, Rhode Island-based company, and its signature garment is the biking-friendly Rain Cape. If keeping incredibly dry isn't an issue for you, there are a number of lightweight PFC-free options that are a little more permeable, like Nathan’s Vamos track jacket ($100) or Smartwool’s merino anorak ($130), which uses a PFC-free DWR. However, it is priced at an eye-watering $300. It's also made from North Face's spider-woven Futurelight fabric. If I'm not wearing the Cross Chill, I like the North Face Lightriser, which is trim, breathable, and cut close to the body to eliminate annoying rustling. The company recently switched to a PFC-free DWR, but I do have to admit that the Houdini rustles, it's not terribly breathable, and I get a little clammy when I run in it. ★ Great Alternatives: The classic running jacket is the Patagonia Houdini ($109), which is super simple and packs down incredibly small. And, of course, none of this would matter if it didn't keep me warm and dry while on hour-long trail runs in the pouring rain. I usually run with a tiny Nathan running vest ($100) to carry my phone, but with the Cross Chill, I can slip my iPhone 14 into the back pocket and not worry about putting on an additional accessory. I also particularly like the placement of the big zippered phone pocket in the small of my back. The thumb holes help keep my sleeves down. Like a lot of Lululemon's gear, it's packed full of thoughtful details.
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