The Product:
A Shower’s Pass Atlas Jacket, medium, bought in mid- to late winter of 2019.
What it’s supposed to do:
From Shower’s Pass’ website:
For the world traveller, year-round commuter, and outdoor enthusiast; the Atlas Jacket is optimized for those who demand visibility without compromising comfort or style. The unique MapReflect fabric design consists of 11 international cities known for cycling (Portland, New York, Washington DC, Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, London, Newcastle, Berlin, Sydney and Taipei). The screen printed reflective map pattern is visible from 200 meters with car headlights. Fully waterproof and breathable, the technical fabric provides stretch to move comfortably with a body in motion. The Atlas stands up to the elements with 3-layer waterproof breathable fabric, a PFC-free durable water repellent treatment and fully sealed seams for all weather protection.
What I use it for:
It’s my winter cycling jacket. I’m a year-round commuter. I also use it as my casual jacket. It’s my first wind/waterproof shell, outside of plastic bag-like rain coats.
How it performs:
As a cycling jacket, I use it as my outer layer, coupled with a wool baselayer and a thermal long sleeve shirt when it’s above freezing, and swapping out the thermal for a lightweight synthetic insulating layer when it drops below freezing. Regardless of what I’m layering with, I have the two ventilation zippers, which go from near the pits almost all the way down the length of the front of the jacket, open to help regulate my temperature. It’s easy to overheat in this jacket, regardless of how breathable it is, so my experiments with layering have resulted in me showing up to work a sweaty mess numerous times. For keeping me warm and dry during nasty fall and winter commutes, I’d say it’s performed quite well.
I like the reflective details of the jacket, which make it both stylish and safe. I haven’t heard anyone comment on its reflectivity, but I haven’t been hit yet, after six months of riding on suburban Detroit streets with traffic. A number of people have complimented the jacket’s patterned look and I tell them what it is (see product description above), which has garnered reactions ranging from polite interest to enthusiasm.
As a casual jacket, I wear it off the bike almost more than I wear it on the bike. It’s a great wind/waterproof shell to wear along with whatever insulating layers are necessary in a range of temperatures. Its vent zips have made it a good coat to use to do yardwork in late in fall.
I don’t particularly like using the hood while on the bike. It’s almost-but-not-quite voluminous enough to extend over the whole helmet, nor is there any way to secure it to prevent it from slipping off while riding. Speaking of which, the hood will act as a funnel to direct often cold air down the back of my neck and back. I haven’t tried wearing the hood under the helmet, but given that it’s almost-but-not-quite big enough, I don’t think that’s the intended use. The hood’s adjustability does mean that I can shape it to my head for better visibility when not wearing a helmet, but that’s casual use.
I’m also not a fan of the pocket zippers, which are hard to grasp even bare-handed. I suggest getting some aftermarket zipper pulls to make it easier.
Conclusion:
The Shower’s Pass Atlas Jacket is a very good jacket for on and off the bike with a couple drawbacks. I recommend it and Shower’s Pass in general.
The Chimerical Dark 