SHOWERS PASS ELEMENTS

£175

SPECIFICATION Weight: 468g • Sizes: S-XL • Colours: Light grey, dark grey • Women’s version: Yes • Contact: showerspass.co.uk

Showers Pass has been around since 1997 and hails from the notoriously moist US Pacific north-west. The Elements jacket is specially designed for mountain biking and uses a 2.5-layer construction. Showers Pass claims a waterproof rating of 15,000mm and a breathability rating of 15,000g for the nylon/spandex-mix ripstop fabric, which puts it mid-pack in our lineup, but should be enough for fairly sustained heavy rain.

The designers have thrown everything at the Elements jacket, which means it’s packed with features, but weighs a chunky 468g. Listing the features would take up the entire test, but some of the highlights include the hip pockets, smooth-running YKK zip and Velcro-adjustable cuffs. Arguably less important are the removable hood – it adds a lot of weight – the internal pockets, and reinforced shoulders (as riders increasingly ditch their packs). Less features would not go amiss.

The half layer is described as a carbon print liner with a natural odourresistance and drier feel next to the skin compared to most 2.5-layer jackets.

We’re not convinced by Showers Pass’s claims however, in fact we felt this was arguably the most rubbery-feeling 2.5-layer jacket in the test.

Additional ventilation is provided mechanically, but Showers Pass takes a different approach to its competitors in this test with extra-long zipped core vents. While these helped heat to escape, we found our speed was never high enough on a climb to allow much additional airflow through the jacket. Overall, breathability was average.

The hood is big enough to wear over a helmet but we found it didn’t provide as much coverage at the front as some of the other jackets, and felt tight when the collar was fully zipped up.

If you’re into multi-day winter trips or head out into the wilds all year round, the Showers Pass Elements could fit the bill, but for shorter trail rides where you’re in and out of the woods and never far from the trailhead, there are lighter, cheaper and more breathable solutions tested here.