Light, Breatheable, & Waterproof

The long back section on the Viper keeps wind and rain from finding your butt-crack---priceless.

WHAT: Sugoi Viper Jacket WHERE: www.sugoi.ca HOW MUCH: $115

Why review a rain jacket in June? Because it’s still raining where I live, that’s why. Rains in the winter, rains in the spring, rains in the summer…ah, the joys of living in a rain forest. Consequently, I get plenty of opportunities to appreciate the waterproofness (yeah, I’m making that adjective up—roll with me here) of things. Case in point—I’ve been riding the Sugoi’s Viper Jacket for over 2 years now and can say, without reservation, that is one of my favorite pieces of apparel. I’ll elaborate…

While many rain jackets are heavy and restrictive steam factories, the Viper successfully turns all those traits on their head. The Viper is freaky light, it stretches for maximum mobility, it’s admirably breatheable, and yet highly water resistant. How light is the Viper? It’s so light and stretchy, that I’m actually able to roll it into a little ball and store it in my jersey pocket when the weather takes an unexpectedly benign turn.

As for it’s ability to keep you dry, I’ll put it this way: the Viper will not keep you dry through hours and hours of torrential rain. This jacket will, however, keep you dry through hours of light rain and drizzle. Admittedly, that doesn’t sound so great, but consider this—the Viper is the epitome of light and breathable, whereas most rain jackets are heavy, portable human steamers.

Other nifty features? Mesh underarm vents keep you cool and sorta stank-free. An extra-long back keeps icy rain water from getting in and sneaking down your butt crack when your in that stretched out Superman riding position. Finally, reflective details around the zipper make you a tad more visible to all those weaving, DUI drivers. The Viper comes in light blue, dark blue, yellow and black. Size-wise you’re looking at Small to 2XL. The price is admittably a little steep, but that’s the downside of technology—all them space shuttles and SWAT-trained monkeys don’t come cheap.