ShowersPass.com designs stylish, breathable rainproof bike clothing.
Superior Bike Clothing
Showers Pass designs breathable, rainproof bike clothing for commuters, racers and other bike enthusiasts.
The bike clothing has won raves for its superior fit and performance from cyclists, independent bike shop owners and Outside Magazine. The outdoor journal called the Showers Pass Elite 2.0 "a wet-weather cyclist's best friend."
Showers Pass bike jackets, rain pants and vests are popular with winter hikers, Nordic skiers and runners who seek light weight, good ventilation and protection from rain and wind.
Functional bike style
Not all cyclists want to walk into a lunch meeting clad in Lycra and a bright-yellow jacket, even in bike-friendly Portland, Oregon, where Showers Pass is located.
The company offers urban bike clothing that looks good and performs as well as its traditional bike apparel. The men's Portland jacket is available in a subtle pinstripe or glen plaid, styled for the office or after-hours socializing. Showers Pass Hybrid bike pants pass as office casual, and zip off at the knee for bike commuting in warm or muddy conditions.
"It's all about dressing appropriately," says Mark Ontiveros, co-owner of River City Bicycles. "I met my wife at a high-end hotel to hear jazz, and people commented on my nice sport coat. It was the plaid bike jacket."
Bike clothing designed by cyclists
Ed Dalton, principal and co-president of Showers Pass, bought a bike when a surgeon told him to stop running following a knee surgery.
Dalton enjoyed cycling so much, he decided to purchase Showers Pass. He moved the small company, which started in California in 1997, to Portland, Ore.
Soon the former footwear designer and consultant was tinkering with the company's designs to get the styles he wanted for his new bike lifestyle.
Store owners like carrying Showers Pass bike clothing because it's functional and priced for every cyclist's budget.
"I want to carry the best rainwear, and they have it at $230," says Ontiveros. "But they also have great bike jackets at $80, at $120 and $150."
Jackets are made from durable layered fabrics and feature thoughtful touches like zippered, gusseted cuffs, hideaway reflective strips and abundant ventilation.
"Compared to Gore-tex bike clothing, there are a lot more features and benefits for the dollar," said Kevin Richardson, who represents small outdoor gear suppliers to bike store owners.
Female cyclists can find a good fit at Showers Pass, too. The women's Elite 2.0 bike jacket offers the same performance as the men's version, but is designed for a woman's figure.
The new Portland bike jacket for women is as stylish and fully featured as the men's version, and fits female curves.
Supporting independent bike shops
Showers Pass bike clothing is available only at independent bike shops and at the company's website.
"We're committed to helping independent bike dealers by not selling to big discount stores," says Ed Dalton.
Dalton and his partner, Kyle Ranson, are well attuned to the needs of smaller businesses, says Ontiveros.
"They have good inventory when I need it, and they're innovative," Ontiveros says. "I love it that they are evolving bike clothing into lifestyle clothing that works for the bike and looks normal."
Supporting the Bike Community
Dalton and Ranson also support charity bike rides for groups like Community Vision Inc., which provides housing support for disabled people, and the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Showers Pass provides bike jerseys that these nonprofits sell to raise funds.
