Showers Pass Refuge

On foot or bike, Showers Pass is turning locomotion into a four-season pursuit. With a legacy that started on the roads of rain-blessed Portland, the company continues to help more outdoor athletes (and commuters) prevail in turbulent weather. The Refuge Jacket, a top seller, is the quiver-of-one model for the Active Junky multi-sport athlete. While heavier than some shells, the Elite 3-layer build comes ready for battle with full taping, unbeatable water resistant Aquaguard Vision zippers and reflective trim encircling the jacket. Testers took the two, extended-length front zip ventilation panels to task, using them to manage during extreme efforts (we call them mountains in Colorado). The adjustable hood can be removed and proved to be less of a gimmick than expected as did the drop-down tail for cycling. Gritty determination is the game here, with serious value at well under $300.