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Softshell Trainer
LS Jersey
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Overall:
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Vitals
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Manufacturer:
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Model:
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Item:
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Long Sleeve Jersey
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Website:
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Showers Pass Softshell Trainer Page
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Weight:
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N/A
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Materials:
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The Trainer is comprised of three layers. The outer layer is made
from a lightweight softshell fabric which is a 4-way stretch
polyester double knit coated with a DWR finish. DWR stands for
Durable Water Resistant. A waterproof membrane makes up the
middle layer of fabric, with the inner layer consisting of jersey
mesh to facilitate breathability and moisture transfer.
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Sizes:
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S, M, L, XL
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Fit:
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Athletic
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Colors:
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The Softshell Trainer comes in Black or Yellow with Black accents.
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Design:
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Anatomical cut
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We liked
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As cyclists, we are always looking for the best of both worlds.
What if you had a regular winter jersey that was also windproof,
did the impossible by creating something we have all been
wanting: a garment that feels and wears like a jersey while
offering the rider jacket-like protection from the elements.
The Trainer is made out of three materials. The outer layer has a
water and windproof membrane bonded to the inside of the
softshell fabric. It also has a soft wicking jersey mesh fabric
laminated to the inside of the membrane which transports
moisture away from the body to the surface of the garment.
The Showers Pass Trainer is one of the top long sleeve jerseys
on the market today and has a lot of great features to offer any
cyclist. To start with, the Softshell has reflective piping on the tail
and collar of the garment, a reflective logo on the left sleeve cuff,
and reflective lettering on the front chest.
The fit of the Softshell Trainer is a racers cut, which means that
this jersey is lean, mean, and ready for competition. While you
may be tempted to layer up, don't treat the Trainer like it's a jacket
because it's not. For most conditions, you will only need a base
layer underneath the Softshell.
One thing that I quickly noticed about this hybrid jersey/jacket is
that Showers Pass utilizes black tape to cover the seams of the
garment. The waterproof tape seals the seams of the jersey,
protecting riders from the liquid sunshine typical in the Pacific
NW. I was very pleased with the seam tape that Showers Pass
used, which is really durable and has a rubbery texture to it. After
evaluating the Trainer, it is clear to me that the material is nothing
short of industrial-grade waterproof seam tape.
On most garments, water seepage is very common around the
zipper. In construction of the Softshell Trainer, Showers Pass
addressed every part of the garment that water could get
through, including the zippers. When you zip up the main zipper
of the Trainer, you will see that the zipper track has a stiff rubbery
coating, sealing it off from the elements. Most rain gear on the
market does not have this level of protection as the companies
will put a flap behind the zipper and call it good. Waterproof
zippers are a very nice touch!
If you are out training and get caught in the rain, there is no
doubt that the Softshell Trainer is going to keep you warm and
dry. But you also have jersey pockets in the back and they are
open. Showers Pass' innovative design has planned for this very
situation by constructing a water drain in the back pockets if you
are unfortunate enough to get water there. Remember the fabric
is waterproof so any water on the pocket insides will have to
drain out.
On the interior of the Softshell side panels, there are draw cords
to adjust the fit. However, these are different than any draw cord
system that I have seen. Most draw cords have a spring-loaded
stopper with a button that must be depressed to release the
pressure on the cord. The Showers Pass mechanism has no
moving parts but utilizes an notched tube where the cord can be
manually wedged into the slot. Less moving parts equals less
things that can go wrong. This design is simple, effective and
light.
A majority of rain jackets on the market have vents that are
located in the arm pits, side panels, or back of the garment. At the
start of a ride, the vents are generally closed until the rider gets
warm and opens them up. But opening vents that are located
under the arm pits can be a tricky thing. Solution. Showers Pass
has put their vents in a slightly different place on the Trainer. By
moving the vents slightly forward, they act like air scoops, but are
still near the arm pits so that you can easily get to them without
performing yoga.
We said that the Softshell Trainer had many features, and one
often overlooked detail is that this jersey has it's own loop for
hanging. After surviving a rainstorm or washing machine, your
Softshell Trainer will need to be hung up. Hooks can damage the
fabric, and hangers are not always available. By having a
dedicated loop for the jersey, you increase the life of the
garment. After all, it's job is to protect you, so you should protect
it!
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We didn't like
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While two colors are definitely better than one, we would still like
to see the Trainer available in more color options. Regarding the
reflective details and piping on the jersey, there is a minimal
amount of coverage. More reflective details need to be added for
better visibility.
As the Softshell Trainer only has two pockets in the back, please
make them a little deeper. We love that it has a waterproof zipper
pocket in back, but we found that it was challenging to retrieve
items while riding. If the opening of the pocket were increased, it
would be easier to get items in and out of the pocket.
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The final say
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Given the choice between a winter jersey or a rain jacket, I would
choose the Softshell Trainer. This garment rocks the cazbah in
form and function! It wears like our favorite sweatshirt from
college, only this one is wind and water proof with pockets!
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