REVIEW
Showers Pass EcoLyte Elite Weatherproof Vest
Showers Pass
The design philosophy of Showers Pass is immediately evident in donning the EcoLyte Elite. Stand bolt upright and the fit is a bit weird. The back is long, the front is short, and really nothing feels quite like it's in the right place. Like my Chromag gloves that only fit properly when my hands are curved - for example, gripping a handlebar - the magic of the EcoLyte comes to bear on a bicycle. Sitting, standing, and even when I'm off and pushing up a steep hill the cut is excellent.
This is a cycling garment. The generous, and removable, hood fits comfortably over my helmet. It's vented and also has massive pit zips for those grinds where even the most premium membranes don't qualify as breathable. The whole piece fits easily into its back pocket so it can be strapped to a hip bag or handlebar or stuffed into a pack or frame bag.
Showers Pass makes the EcoLyte Elite in two colours that are bright enough to pop in the dank, dark, forest.
Both men's and women's cuts come in Harvest Gold (yellow) and Glacier (teal) and in five sizes: S through XXL.
All you have to do to experience this excellent weatherproof vest is to buy one, and then remove the sleeves.
The 'eco' in EcoLyte references Showers Pass effort to make more environmentally friendly cycling products without sacrificing performance. The face fabric and liner are made from 100% recycled materials, the Clean Color dyes are made from natural ingredients, and it uses recycled zippers for the vents and rear pocket.
Maybe more importantly than that, Showers Pass does repairs on products they sell including older and out of warranty products. Just email them photos of the damage and they'll confirm what they can do.
I've ridden Pipeline more in '23 than any other trail. It's often sandwiched between a couple of other trails, so I guess I could say it's my jam. A huge thanks to everyone working on it.
Ken & Co. do a wonderful job of updating and replacing features and maintaining the sport surface while honouring the character of the trail and the folks who worked on it before them.
I also want to mention Showers Pass has a generous, and interesting, two-year satisfaction guarantee. This is a one-time exchange of goods, for the original purchaser, for something of equal value. I've never heard of a similar program but here are some examples they provide where someone may use it:
- Realized you bought the wrong product for your needs? Covered.
- Went for a hike and realized you don’t have room to layer? Covered.
- Figuratively exercised your butt off and now your pants are too big? Nice work if that’s what you were going for. You’re covered.
- Friend made fun of your yellow jacket and you wish you had a red one? If finding more supportive friends isn’t an option, they’ll exchange your jacket.
Please note as you move into the next section that none of those bullet points above includes 'I chopped the sleeves off and now want them back on.'
I love pulling a hood over my helmet on a cold day when the skies open up. The EcoLyte hood fits over my Kali Invader without issue, and it's easily removable for folks who'd rather not have one. Photo: The Clairebarian
Desleevification
Excited about the idea of a three-layer, taped-seem, weatherproof-breathable vest? I get it, I'm out in wet weather regularly and I haven't ridden in a jacket in over a year. There's only one issue, and that's the fact this product is totally off-menu.
Off-menu, and, unlike the We Are One Arrival A140 I've been riding, there's not really an option to go back to stock. My guess is that more than a few folks who run hot like I do would be very well-served by a weatherproof vest in our mild rainforest climate.
I can't comment on how the EcoLyte performs as a jacket, with sleeves, because the only time I had it on was while the seamstress decided where to chop them off. I can guess from how much I like it as a vest that it would be great, but I'm done with riding in jackets so I don't have any weight behind that opinion.
I can't decide if this looks like a rad example of all-out charging, or an early '90s retro-grouch demonstration that mountain bikes don't need suspension because their arms have so much travel. Maybe both?
Layering is life here on the Shore and I'll vary from a lightweight hydrophobic long sleeve, like the MEC Core Train I'm wearing in these photos, review pending, all the way up to a fairly heavy weight Merino jumper for winter riding. I also use my weatherproof vest as a wind layer when it's not raining, so occasionally I'll wear it over a short sleeve shirt as well.
Compared to my now retired, vestified 7-Mesh Guardian jacket, the de-sleeved EcoLyte has a firmer face fabric that took a ride or two to get used to. Now I wear it like skin, especially down to the excellent on-the-bike cut, but worth noting all the same.
I'm positive this vest will spend many a wet fall, winter, and spring day sampling the awesome and ongoing work on Lower Crippler. Thank you for your hard work and artistry, Andy!
Here I'll add links to the women's and men's sizing charts. Showers Pass sells a lot of its gear direct to riders and includes a helpful matrix for folks in between sizes. I'm wearing a men's large and it's true to size. The men's and women's fits are available in the same colours, Harvest Gold (yellow) and Glacier (teal), and I know at least one woman who prefers the cuts of their men's gear, so that is something to consider when looking at sizing charts.
Currently, Showers Pass is selling the men's or women's EcoLyte Elite for 481 CAD, in either colour (edit: MEC has both men's and women's versions for 370 CAD). I have a future EcoLyte vest project coming up when the rain really hits in the fall, but in the meantime check out the Showers Pass links above for more information.
Height - Steve Buscemi-ish
Wait - Patiently
Ape Index - T-Rex
Age - The same as DOS
Favourite Trail(s) every week - Pipeline (thank you Ken!) to Lower Crippler (thank you Andy!)
Favourite Song(s) this week - I'm Your Man. Nick Cave (covering Leonard Cohen)
Favourite Colour - Cosmic Lilac
Bar Width - It depends
Reach & Stack & ETT - It depends
Crank Length - 175mm except when it's 170mm
Wheel Size - Hot For Mullets
Comments
OldManBike
9 months, 2 weeks ago
“So, I want to buy a jacket from a brand that doesn’t really make mtb gear, then cut the sleeves off of it, then write a review of it. Cool?”
“Well, only if you promise to do the photo shoot in a fullface without eyewear, on a purple full rigid.”
“Done.”
Thank god for open-minded editors.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Hahahahaha. That’s almost sort of how it went down, but it started with a pitch to Showers Pass about cutting the sleeves off a perfectly good, brand new, jacket.
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What is “MTB gear” really? In those photos I’m wearing an MEC long sleeve shirt and some MEC pants. I’ll be writing about them in a bit but suffice to say they’ve both held up awesome, the pants are stretchy and come in way more sizes (waist and inseam) than any MTB pants I’ve seen and their cost:quality:comfort ratio is pretty rad (they run a bit hotter than my other pants for warmer-weather use).
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I have never found eyewear that works for me when I really need eyewear.
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earle.b
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Ridgewalk or Mochrilero? I need some fall / winter pants.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Mochilero stretch. The only caution I have is I can’t remember if you ride in knee pads?
The front pocket zipper could potentially be annoying for folks riding without knees. It doesn’t bother me at all wearing the pants as daily… well… pants, and I always ride in knee pads. No issues for me.
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earle.b
9 months, 1 week ago
Was close to pulling the trigger then noticed they are nylon and not polyester. Nylon absorbs about 3-4% water when wet while polyester doesn't absorb any and dries faster. As a pant to wear for wet weather it would make a difference.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
Interesting! I’ve had them soaked through in a proper deluge a couple times now and would have thought they’d gotten that saturated. I think my Riv pants are nylon too so that’s my main recent comparison.
*edit: yes, 96-4 Nylon/Spandex for the Rivs.
OldManBike
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Mtb gear is gear that’s made by someone likely to pay an mtb website to advertise, right?
I too like non-bike tops (in my case Rei and smartwool quarter-zip merino longsleeves). I’ve had less luck with non-bike pants playing nicely with saddles. No eyewear works more than an hour into a really sweaty ride for me, but otherwise I have no issues there.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 2 weeks ago
“Mtb gear is gear that’s made by someone likely to pay an mtb website to advertise, right?”
Touché!
Hahahaha
———
*edit:
(Though I’ll note that I reached out to MEC in this case as part of my effort to refresh/restart the conversation about min-maxing with some hopefully MTB worthy gear for much less than MTB-specific gear prices)
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Ride.DMC
9 months, 2 weeks ago
A rain vest with a hood is such a paradoxical fashion choice, like wearing a wife beater and a toque.
But I suspect that functionally it works quite well.
I would not have the stones to cut the sleeves off a ~$500 jacket though.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 2 weeks ago
To be fair, I got here by first chopping the sleeves off of old jackets that were near the end of their life. One from Gore and then my 7Mesh Guardian.
Next time you have an old jacket you’re retiring anyway, maybe give it the snip and try it out? I’m all in now.
…
I wear toques ~ all year round with t-shirts. I mean… they have sleeves but otherwise I feel a bit seen.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Any excuse to share more Pipeline photos that Meg took… this 7Mesh Guardian served me as a jacket for years before being vested near the end of its life.
Pretty jazzed to be starting from new with the EcoLyte.
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fartymarty
9 months, 2 weeks ago
It's like the upper body equivalent of wearing shorts.
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Velocipedestrian
9 months, 1 week ago
I'm sold. I did start the process by patiently searching the second hand clothing places, so my $80 jacket + $55 tailoring got me here.
The high neck + hood really make it vs a 'normal' gilet, it holds way more heat with the zip full up, then dumps it super fast when I open it.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
Great colour and in great condition?! OR makes great product.
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Velocipedestrian
9 months, 1 week ago
Yeah, I was stoked to find it. My potential donor jacket was pretty wrecked.
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Guy Elliott
9 months, 2 weeks ago
I had Sateen convert a 20+ year old Burton AK 3L snowboard jacket into a riding vest last fall, and it became my go to for most rides (used over a merino long sleeve). The best part of this is that the jacket had been collecting dust for a decade and now sees 3x per week use 5 months a year.
I'm so converted to the way of the converted vest, that am considering changing my EMJ into an Emotional Support Vest.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 2 weeks ago
“The best part of this is that the jacket had been collecting dust for a decade and now sees 3x per week use 5 months a year.”
That’s so sweet. Have any photos of it?
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I’m also pondering the ESV route.
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Morgan Heater
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Those skinnies would have me sweating regardless of my clothing choices.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 2 weeks ago
It’s all about nomenclature. As long as I think of them as ladders, logs, and planks instead of “skinnies” I tend to do okay.
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Tjaard Breeuwer
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Alli can see in the photos are terrifying wet bridges, rocks and roots. I don’t know how long I’d have to live in a climate like the PNW before I’d feel comfortable on that!
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Andrew Major
9 months, 2 weeks ago
You just need a vest to give you a warm enough but definitely not too warm hug and it all just works out.
(Awesome brakes and sticky rubber help too)
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Vik Banerjee
9 months, 2 weeks ago
My favourite riding vest is starting to get threadbare. Of course the company discontinued the vest. But, they make the jacket version still so I suspect I'll be following in your footsteps at some point and get the jacket sleeves hacked off. The vest is amazingly versatile in a wide range of conditions. Their jacket is a sweat-fest for any high extertion activity.
I keep hoping that sanity would prevail and they'd make the vest again, but no luck so far.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 2 weeks ago
What brand? What model? Inquiring minds must know!
The Clairebarian recently outgrew just the shoulders in an old MEC jacket (it’s a lot shorter than it was too, but perfect for MTB) so she’s trying #VestLife this winter too.
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Vik Banerjee
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Patagonia Houdini Vest. Packs up to nothing. Massive comfort range/impact on my trail happiness. Fit happens to suit me very well. Has been quite robust given the weight/packed size/fabric. If they made them again I'd buy two!
The jacket version is a decided Meh! It does nothing really well other than pack small. If you are doing anything more than standing around it's a sweat locker. Good as an emergency layer, but not something you want to wear on the regular.
FWIW - Patagonia does make a more breathable "Air" version of the Houdini jacket at double the cost of the base version. If you really want a packable jacket that's less sweaty and you have the treasure.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 2 weeks ago
I have a Giro vest that does a good job for regular vest duties. But I find it’s in the liquid sunshine that clothes become more of a challenge at it’s pretty useless in those situations (DWRMA).
“FWIW…”
This is always a challenge for me in talking about emotional support jackets. It lives in my pack and rarely comes out. Lightest weight and durability (living in said pack) at lowest cost, for a reliable piece of kit, sort of all come into play over breathability.
That said… maybe I need to turn my ESJs into ESVs?!
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Vik Banerjee
9 months, 2 weeks ago
We definitely have some different winter riding clothing needs. So I understand why you'd want the Showers Pass vest vs. what I would prefer. I max out at light drizzle. Beyond that I am heading home. Most of the time I can schedule my winter rides so it's just after or just before it's going to rain steady. I get really rained on in the winter once or twice. So I'm after warmth and breathability more than weather resistance.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Ha, where I’m quite enjoying the fact it’s raining on the day this went live. The vest and I are headed into the forest.
Vik Banerjee
9 months, 2 weeks ago
My enthusiasm for rain riding stops after steady drizzle, but it returns once the rain drops fall as frozen flakes. In fact I'd say a good snow ride is better than a good summer ride. ;-)
OldManBike
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Just chiming in to offer a different view on the Houdini jacket. It’s probably my all-time favorite mtb gear. Massive comfort range, unnoticeable weight, packs small.
I have the Houdini vest too but I miss the hood’s warmth too much to wear it as often.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 2 weeks ago
So…I’m reading that a vest with a hood would be perfect?
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Morgan Heater
9 months, 2 weeks ago
The Houdini's aren't water-proof though.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Apparently it’s weird I like riding in the rain?
Vik Banerjee
9 months, 2 weeks ago
If you have an OG Houdini jacket or the current "Air" version they breathe pretty well and I'd say they are a good option. The current "normal" Houdini is different than the OG version and the premium "Air" version and is more akin to wearing a trash bag when it comes to breathability. It gets confusing talking about them as there are 3 different products that all are "Houdini Jackets".
The lack of waterproofness is a benefit...if...it comes with a high level of breathability...and...you don't ride in heavy rain. The current "normal" Houdini fails IMO because you get poor breathability combined with poor weatherproofness.
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Vik Banerjee
9 months, 2 weeks ago
"The Clairebarian recently outgrew just the shoulders in an old MEC jacket (it’s a lot shorter than it was too, but perfect for MTB) so she’s trying #VestLife this winter too."
Once you go vest it's hard to go back to jackets for high output activities. Good to learn that early.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 2 weeks ago
I’m hoping that’s the case and there’ll be a lot less costume changes on the trail. It’s been my experience riding with kids that clothing is always a challenge.
On rainy days, I can start cold and warm up. But they need to start comfortably and then shed for the climbs, and then often layer-on for descents.
Fingers crossed that #VestLife does for her as it does for me. If yes I’ll be tempted to get a new jacket and de-sleeve it. The one we vested is pretty beat but still good for proof of concept.
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Velocipedestrian
9 months, 1 week ago
In my experience "Be bold, start cold" is less applicable for kids - just getting out and into the activity is them being bold. Type 2 fun needs building up to.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
Yeah, I tried it a couple times with my grom and then gave up… okay, wear your jacket for 2.5 minutes and then I’ll strap it to my pack.
el_jefe
9 months, 1 week ago
New 7mesh S2S Vest might fit the bill.... new AirMap stuff they JUST released....
https://7mesh.com/en-CA/products/mens-s2s-vest
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
That's a nice-looking piece - I hadn't seen the new 7Mesh stuff. I do have to wonder about how weatherproof it really is? Maybe enough for most folks buying a vest but for me it's waterproof or bust.
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GB
9 months, 1 week ago
Pictures in the wet ,dripping with color . Thats why I love riding here .
MTB apparel such as shorts generally do not provide an affordable option. MEC probably has quite a few shorts I would consider wearing . I have some very light weight walmart shorts for our now hot summers , zippered pockets , proper fit . Then for fall , winter triple stitched over built spandex blend shorts from Sombrio. The Pinners have vent zippers in the leg panels. I use them ! I was shocked to discover full price is 200$ ! I paid less than half .
I'm more like a spoiled kid and dress warm at first . That's where a pack comes in handy to dress down as I heat up.
Perhaps half my clothes are mtb specific.
Luv these alternatives.
Thanks .
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
Cheers!
“I'm more like a spoiled kid and dress warm at first . That's where a pack comes in handy to dress down as I heat up.”
Hahaha. You’re not the first adult to me, in as many words, that “Be Bold, Start Cold” is not for them.
And, yes, Meg killed it with these photos.
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Bli33ard
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Is that colour called "Golden"?
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Andrew Major
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Yes, the yellow is called ‘Golden’ or ‘Harvest Gold’ depending on where you look.
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Bli33ard
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Maybe they have a shell called "Wind"...
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mrb-mtb
9 months, 1 week ago
I just came across this and thought you might be interested!
https://www.endless.cc/products/rain-gilet-pale-green
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
That’s neat, it’s the only current factory weatherproof vest I’ve seen. Definitely a roadie gilet fit though?!
I’m quite square & round (plane dependent) for anything road fit.
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mrb-mtb
9 months, 1 week ago
Yeah, it definitely looks a bit tight.. I'm tempted to buy a size up though just to try it out after all your raving about waterproof vests, especially as it's on sale at the moment. No hood though. Does that ruin the whole concept?
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
I love having the hood (my Gore didn’t, my 7Mesh did) in a proper deluge but honestly, since the one in the EcoLyte is removable I usually just leave it in the tail pocket or in my pack. Takes 30 seconds to install and I usually don’t mind its absence.
I know that doesn’t answer your question very well, but it’s the best I had.
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Velocipedestrian
9 months, 1 week ago
See above for the hood meaning a higher collar. Traps more heat when you need it.
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