New Showers Pass Metro Brings Stylish Waterproof Protection to a Lightweight Commuter Jacket

Written by Zach Overholt Jan 07, 2015 1:36 p.m. ET

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Just because you don’t want to look like a MAMIL on your way into work doesn’t mean your clothing has to be devoid of tech. Showers Pass is known for making some incredibly nice and functional outer wear along with a number of pieces designed specifically for the urban cyclist. Up to this point, most of the company’s jackets that were tailored towards commuters were their softshell pieces like the Amsterdam. While the Amsterdam is a great jacket, Showers pass listened to customer feedback and decided it was time for a lightweight, high tech rain jacket with a bit more style.

At just 300g for a medium jacket, the new Metro combines a 2.5 layer waterproof and breathable shell with interesting design to answer the call. Able to be rolled up into the size of a large water bottle, the Metro will keep you dry while looking the part both on and off the bike…

While it is designed to fit in at the nearest bar or office, the Metro still packs a number of cycling related features. Reinforced shoulders will keep your backpack or messenger bag from wearing out the fabric, while articulated elbows and adjustable cuffs and a slightly longer tail section make the fit appropriate for riding. The back pockets with waterproof zippers are angled for easy access and won’t interfere with most bags. In addition to the Artex Hardshell’s breathability, the jacket features two core vents and a separate Tail Pipe back vent to keep you dry.

Up close the fabric you’ll notice the subtle chevron pattern on the navy blue sides of the jacket which stands out against the black color blocking. Constructed from Artex 2.5 layer hardshell fabric, the jacket is seam taped and uses a 2 way YKK wide tooth front zipper with storm flap to keep you dry.

“From the street to the bike and back again, with uncompromising style and performance—that’s what we set out to deliver,” says Showers Pass president Kyle Ranson, “and it’s exceeded our expectations. The Metro performs brilliantly and looks amazing. And we put a premium on comfort: we spec’d our proprietary Artex fabric with a unique double-print technology. This lifts the membrane just a hair’s width farther away from the skin to allow it to breathe and wick perspiration better, killing any clamminess. It’s just a pleasure to ride in.”

Like a lot of Showers Pass jackets, the waterproof chest pocket offers a headphone port on the inside of the jacket. An asymmetrical front zipper is used to reduce chaffing at the neck which is combined with a soft moisture wicking collar.

If the Metro is anything like the other products we’ve tried from Showers Pass, it’s sure to be a hit. Available now in S-XL for $199.

showerspass.com

Zach Overholt

5,633 articles

Zach Overholt is the Editor in Chief of Bikerumor. He has been writing about what’s new in the bicycle world for 12+ years. Prior to that, Zach spent many years in the back of a bicycle shop building and repairing nearly every type of bike, while figuring out how to (occasionally) ride them.

Based in Ohio, Zach is now slowly introducing a new generation to cycling and still trying to figure out how to fit the most rides into a busy schedule as a new dad.

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9 years ago

Looks like a decent design –
but no pit zips, no sale.

When are all of these companies going to realize that their “breathable” fabric is anything but breathable? If they’re going to design these garments for a high aerobic activity like cycling, if they do not provide adequate ventilation, they are going to have heaps of customers who shelled out $199 for a jacket which does a really good job of making the wearer as wet from perspiration as they would have been from the rain they were hoping to protect themselves from.

pfs

9 years ago

I have a showers pass jacket from a few years ago. It uses the event fabric and even though it has pit zips, I rarely need to use them. Showers pass is the only cycling jacket that actually delivers on their breath ability from what I’ve seen and owned.

pfs

9 years ago

I forgot to mention, Showers pass – Please stop using waterproof zippers. They do not last as long and are a pain to use.

Benzo

9 years ago

I’m a bit too critical, but here’s what I don’t like:

Back Pockets = pockets I never use. I ride with a pack all winter.

However, the core vents seem to do the job that pit zips might. I’m not really sure how they compare. They should really pull in a lot of air since they are front facing. I’m guessing it would blow out the back vent, if it wasn’t blocked by my hydration pack or backpack that I carry my extra layers and/or lock in. These vents should also be pockets like the Endura MT500 jacket, then I could stash the lights I pull off my bike without digging in my pack (because the other pockets are inaccessible due to wearing my pack).

It’s also a terrible color for night riding. SO DARK!

Slow Joe Crow

9 years ago

The burning question for me is how durable is that front zipper? My Showers Pass Mountain Elite is now a pullover jacket since I had to repair the failed zipper with super glue after 2 seasons of commuting. If I had paid the $250 full list price I’d be way more pissed of than I am now having bought my jacket for $100 at the 2012 warehouse sale.
@Benzo, core vents work pretty well, my Showers Pass jacket was intended as an MTB jacket like the MT500 so it has reinforced shoulders and core vents and mesh lined side pockets that sort of act as exhaust vents. I can still work up a sweat but that requires a hard sprint and a warm midlayer.

Rider X

9 years ago

@Benzo – Black is perfect for night riding in the city… lets you hide from the cars!

Rider Y

9 years ago

Pity they don’t offer this (or their top end stuff) in a standard hi-viz option… for folks who have families.

pfs

9 years ago

@Ryder Y – I completely agree. I also have the mountain elite jacket and it has almost no reflective. I still ride to trails and cross roads with ti on. I sure wish that it had more reflective.

droid

9 years ago

For less $$ you could get a rain cape like the Carradice Duxback which covers not just your torso and arms, but your hands and legs and half the bike. Much better breathability (from underneath). No zippers to fail; easy to throw on and off with passing cloudbursts.

Or you can just get a jacket like this, but then you need waterproof gloves too and don’t forget the rain pants and taking all that stuff on or off is a very time consuming task that leaves a big puddle wherever you do it.