If I had to choose one piece of equipment to buy (other than a bike) for cycling, it would be a rain jacket. Whether you occasionally roll a mile around your block or hit the hills hard in rainy locales a great rain jacket will take a ride from misery to fun.
And if I had one rain jacket to buy again and again, it would be the Endura Luminite. I like to think of jackets as a triangle — you want them waterproof, breathable, and affordable – and usually you have to just pick two. The great thing about this jacket is it’s all three, plus another favorite: it’s bombproof.
I was gifted this jacket by my fearful parents in the winter of 2011 when I began commuting, and have worn it practically daily ever since.
Although they have since taken it out of production, Endura’s newer version is just as good (if not better). Endura claims the Women’s Luminite II to be a “commuter essential.” Its fully seam-sealed, 2.5-layer waterproof fabric is fantastically waterproof and surprisingly breathable. The generous pit zips make it even more breezy, and it has successfully taken me through two winters and into warm summer downpours. You can count on it to keep you dry – both inside and out – unlike other jackets that are more generous with their definition of “waterproof” and “breathable.”
I love the zippered chest pocket, which is large enough to stash my iPhone in its enormous adventure case, and the hand pockets are fuzzy on the inside – allowing you to actually warm them up on freezing rides when you forget your gloves (ouch!).
The back is great, with enough fabric to cover my rump (helpful for the days before I got my fenders). But even cooler is the rear pocket with a storm flap. It is massive (perfect for my wallet, lock, snacks, and more) and features a LED light that is integrated right into the pocket.
This light is bright, perfectly placed, and awesome for cyclists of all kinds. If you’re in the rain, chances are you need a taillight.
Along with the LED light, the fabric is hugely noticeable. Everywhere I go with it on – including in well-lit buildings and on the sidewalk on stunning, sunny days – people comment on its blinding effect.
When I wear the Luminite, I know three things: I’ll be dry, warm, and no one will be able to hit me without knowing it.
You can get your own here: Endura Luminite Women’s Jacket Hi-Viz Yellow, L.
Just keep spinning. — Arielle