“The Elite is a great jacket that is up to Showers Pass high standards but its made me realize how much i need my jacket to fit the way I ride. In this review i compare it to my previous Showers Pass jacket, the Refuge. If you are a commuter, and you are on and off your bike a lot like me, I strongly recommend the Refuge over the Elite if you can afford it. However, there is nothing wrong with the design or function of the Elite in and of itself.
My general impression is that the Elite is a jacket that is great for when I am on the bike, and the Refuge is more of a jacket that is great for my whole life on and off the bike. I'm on and off my bike a lot and carrying my bits and pieces (gloves, helmet liner, headlight, earbuds, glasses etc) in the fewer pockets of the Elite was a bit more challenging than the Refuge.
What i like about the Elite:
-excellent waterproofing, as usual.
-thicker reflective stripe
-sporty look
-upper back vent
-slimmer fit, which looks great but you have to be choosier about your base layers
Where I think the Elite is lacking compared to the Refuge
-external chest pocket means that there is a seam on the outside which let rain into the pocket (though not inside to your clothing).
-armpit heat vents lack the mesh lining. This may be a benefit if you want to reach your clothing pockets, but they are also a bit harder to open mid ride compared to the Refuge's vents which are more on your front. They do open wider without mesh which lets in more breeze.
-back pocket is weirdly capacious and heavy things sit very low inside. Challenging for people with short arms as I have to twist and wriggle to reach my phone.
-no dump or handwarmer pockets.
I appreciate the Elite for what it is and look forward to wearing it this winter, but when it comes time for my next Showers Pass, it will be the Refuge again.”
