Just placed the order for a Hi-Viz Darien jacket and black AD-1 pants. Right at $1000! But, amortized over 10-20 years of use it's cheap.

Good post. I hard to learn the hard way -- buying all kinds of rain gear and mesh gear and winter and summer and then none of it lasted and none worked really well and then having to carry all that extra cr@p and not to mention the dreaded...Stop under a bridge and hop on one foot trying to put on rain gear---Never again!
I have had the AD-1 pants for many many years. They are truly rain proof. I wear them dirt biking too and in deep mud with 4x4 quads. I love those pants. In hot weather I wear just LD riding shorts and the AD-1 pants are actually nice and cool because I can vent them and the padding keeps the material off my skin. One pair of pants for year round and for all weather!! That is the way to go.
I recently bought a Klim jacket but I still have my Aerostich jacket. Excellent gear for all seasons and all weather!
I try and tell people about good gear. One good jacket and one good pair of pants- that is it. nothing more needed- ever!
Also I try and tell people that: Mesh sucks-- it is too d@m hot. Ever wonder why you dont see Bedouins wearing mesh clothing in the desert? It is because it does not work in hot weather that is why.
Buy good gear and save a lot of aggravation and money.
I will stop now.. Thanks for listening