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review
£30.00
VERDICT:
Unique and capable foul weather cover, not quite as breathable as some
Weight:
75g
Contact:
At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.
What the road.cc scores meanGood scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.
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- Appalling
The Showers Pass 2-D Helmet Cover is a wind and rainproof cover designed to keep us dry and comfortable, whatever the gods bestow. However, its internal climate control is not as good as Gore-Tex helmet covers.
Available in day-glow yellow or stealth black with 3M reflective detailing, it's made from durable polyester with waterproof taped seams. Being a one-fits-most product, it employs elasticated draw cords with finger-friendly toggles to achieve a precise fit.
It's proven fully compatible with assorted road, trail and commuter helmets. The detachable hood-cum-gaiter, which looks rather like the back of a French legionnaire's hat, might not win any style awards but channels rain/sleet/snow on to the shoulders, not down the neck. It adjusts for rider size via a Velcro tab and apparently doubles as a LED mount.
November's stormy start was an been ideal testing ground and I can confirm the cover works extremely well. Despite two hours' relentless rainfall, I remained completely dry and while a smattering of hail stung my face, icy particles just pattered harmlessly atop the fabric.
Crosswinds could be felt streaming through the fibres, so the cover doesn't completely hinder ventilation but without inducing painful 'ice cream' headaches on long, exposed descents. That said, while I've never come close to feeling boiled in the bag, my head felt decidedly clammy after two hours at a steady 20mph. This hasn't been my experience with helmet covers made from more breathable fabrics such as Gore-Tex or eVent.
Unlike cheaper, 'shower cap' helmet covers, there's none of the annoying flutter that can impair concentration, hazard perception or just casual conversation on group rides. Our day glow yellow model stuck out like the proverbial sore thumb, a real boon on murky mornings, albeit a faux pas down the pub.
Trucks and similarly large vehicles seemed more aware, noticing me sooner, although one construction worker decided he'd use me as target practice, passing within a few inches.
As the blurb says, blinkies can be tethered to the Velcro tab but anything larger than a bobby dodger tended to rattle against the helmet, which tested my patience over washboard surfaces.
Speaking of washing, it hasn't developed a particularly grimy patina despite regular traffic-jamming. Showers Pass recommend hand-washing in cool water with mild detergent. However, I'm pleased to report ours responded well to low temperature machine washes with similar technical wear and using liquid soap.
Verdict
Unique and capable foul weather cover, not quite as breathable as some
road.cc test report
Make and model: Showers Pass 2-D Helmet Cover
Size tested: n/a
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
"Keep the Elements on the outside where they belong. Lightweight waterproof fabric is fully seam taped. Removable drop down rear brim directs rain onto your jacket, not down your neck. Reflective trim on three sides for high visibility. Adjustable circumference and depth - one size fits most helmets."
A lightweight rain cover for helmets that pretty much does exactly what it says in the blurb.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
* Removable Gaiter channels water onto your jacket
* Durable, waterproof breathable polyester fabric
* Seam taped construction for maximum waterproofness
* Double drawcord design adjusts to most helmets
* Hood adjuster tab doubles as light loop
* Reflective trim on back, sides and gaiter
Rate the product for quality of construction:
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
6/10
Very competent in the main but loses a mark since it doesn't breathe quite so efficiently as others and thus became a little clammy in milder weather.
Rate the product for durability:
7/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
7/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
6/10
Very comfortable in most contexts, although blessed with a decent shock of hair, I found things became slightly damp given an hour blasting along at a steady 20-odd mph.
Rate the product for value:
7/10
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Overall, the Showers Pass 2-d helmet cover fits most genres of helmets in seconds and does exactly what it sets out to. Heavy rain remains firmly outside and the gaiter system does a superb job of channelling water harmlessly away from one's neck. It doesn't breathe as efficiently as eVent or Gore Tex, which could be a consideration on longer rides.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Fit, weather protection and clever design.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Breathability wasn't bad by any means but didn't keep pace with more sophisticated and expensive fabrics.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.
Would you consider buying the product? Yes.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, so long as they were able to accept some minor limitations.
About the tester
Age: 40 Height: 1m 81 Weight: 70 kilos
I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,
Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)
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23 comments
Yes I know it's over two weeks old...but I just had to revisit and laugh at the pics once again...hahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahaahaha
£30 to look like a glans and sweat like a fat lads sac?
No thanks.
I would rather be wet or dead or both.
Oh dear.......................
I think I'd rather get wet TBH.
More like Shower Ass!
The reviewer does not look happy being photographer in that bad boy!... And I'm sure the picture won't have made his FB profile pic!
What a crock.....yes, that's it Crock!
I can kind of see a situation where their maybe a practical usage for this item. But it does strike me as unwieldy and odd looking but each to their own I'm sure some people will love it. That said if this is the future of cycling headwear then I'll keep an open mind and never say never I may well develop one.
www.tinpony.co.uk
Words fail me, surely this MUST win the festive prank award ?....
*raises sword*
"CHARGE!"
"Unique".
Oh yes, indeed.
I would rather leave the bike at home and get the bus than have to wear that. Shockingly bad design, as bad as the shoe covers. Let me get some scissors to a carrier bag and see if I can get a 3.5 star review.
Waterproof mullet
LOL, had exactly the same thought.
You get a free Confederate flag and a General Lee sticker set for your bike. First 100 get a Dukes of Hazard DVD.
ba ha ha ha ah ah ah aha ha ha a haa
one of those few occasions where the term 'rather be seen dead than wear this' is fitting
Has a certain Vic and Bob look about it eh.
I'm just going to get the shoe covers, cut some holes in them and pull them over my head.
Hahahahahahah
I honestly don't think I can remember a single occasion, ever, when I've got rain down the back of my neck.
I certainly can though!
This design is basically the same as our military rainy weather caps, and would work very well.
Ugly as sin, but hey-ho.
He looks so pleased about being photographed wearing that.
He's thinking "there's going to be some right piss-taking in the comments for this one!"
New slogan: Showers Pass: because lycra, clippy-cloppy shoes and a helmet doesn't look stupid enough...
Just when you thought Showers Pass couldn't possibly top the sartorial elegance that is http://road.cc/content/review/139478-showers-pass-club-shoe-covers ...