Andre

It took me a while to figure out the best combination of rain gear but i think i finally have the perfect combination. I live just outside of vancouver bc so there is a lot of rain but the temp. does not get to low.
My lower body i put on underwear, i find the groin needs more wind protection than other areas, then i put on lightweight nylon biking pants and over that i put on a pair of rain pants. I really like the rainpants because they have goretex on the front of the pant and the back of the pant is just nylon. This works out well for me because i ride a recumbent so i don't need all round protection.
My upper body i wear two shirts that wick sweat away and over that i wear a water resistant biking jacket.
I wear a balaclava on my head, i have yet to pull it all the way over my face, and lined leather gloves for the hands.
I also have nylon booties to put over my shoes which i find keep my feet dry but they also do a great job of insulation for keeping the toes warm.
I stopped posting for a long time but i am always reading the forum and find it a great source of information.

Steele-Bike

Finding the correct combination of rain gear can be quite the chore. I ride in a decent amount of rain, but somehow never guess right on what I should wear. As you said, a wicking layer is very important as is a wind proof layer in colder weather. It really surprises me how little I have to wear in freezing temps. Even in temps in the 20's I only wear a t-shirt and a light-weight gore-tex jacket. I think it is easier to dress for a 35 degree rain than it is for a 50 degree rain. I just hate that clammy feeling.

aerobat

Just be careful you don't dress too lightly, in case you have to stop to make a repair, especially if you are wet. You can always carry an extra fleece shirt or vest etc. in a pack for those situations.

swekarl

The lightest rain gear however, is to bike naked. OK then, in briefs. I’ve done that on warm summer days and it’s like bathing as long as you keep up the speed and make sure you put on something warm as soon as you stop.

As for colder days I’m planning to buy something expensive... Since I don’t ride a recumbent, I need biking rain gear that goes all the way down your back even when you’re ”lying” on the handlebar. And biking gear is always so expensive compared to what you can find in the outdoor supermarket.

Chris L

The most important thing about rain gear is warmth. Forget about trying to stay dry, because that is impossible in some of the conditions I have ridden in. Just wear enough to ensure that the temperature while you're riding is bearable. For commuting, carry a dry change of clothes wrapped in a solid plastic bag inside your pannier.

Once this art has been mastered, riding in the rain is actually better than riding in the non-rain. :thumbup:

MichaelW

Ive been wearing Goretex on wet rides for a few years now, but even in the cold, it feels clammy and the water wicks it way inside the wrist cuffs.
Over this winter, Ive been using a Mardale pile and pertex jacket, and have been much more comfortable. Im now confident enough about it to leave my goretex behind.
Buffalo make a cycle-specific p/p jacket.

Goretex is a lousy material for dry weather cycling, so if you use one, I would recomend leaving it in the bag until rain precipitates, and wear a cheaper windproof instead.

Im about to go off on a Sunday morning ride. Its cool and foggy with high humidity and dew dripping off every surface. Goretex only works if there is a differential in humidity ie damper on the inside.

LittleBigMan

Me too, Dave. :thumbup:

In cold temps, I always take a dry change for emergencies, along with my spare tire, patch kit and CO2 pump. When it's cold, I seem to get wet from sweat, and I could chill if I have to stop for a while without a change.

UncaStuart

Time for my normal plug for wool. As a long-time kilt wearer I can attest that wool is cool in summer and warm in winter. As a former letter carrier I can attest that wool is great for 6-hour walks in the rain. As a bike commuter I can attest that wool is the thing for staying warm even when drenched.

An often-used part of my wardrobe this time of year are my wool t-shirts. I wear a regular jersey over them, for visibility (my one complaint about wool is that the few manufacturers insist on using dark colors), and perhaps a vest. Of course, this is the San Francisco Bay Area, so freezing temperatures are rarely reached during commute hours, and rainy days are usually 10 degrees F warmer than clear days.

MichaelW

Knitted wool sweater is my usual mid-layer, between my Paramo mountain shirt and a windproof.
During the recent freeze, Ive also been cycling with thick woolen gloves instead of my thinner winter cycling gloves.

The only advantage of synthetics is when you immerse them in water, and can wring them dry.

Ellie

I've always found that on a bike a perfectly good pair of woolly gloves suddenly seems like a lot of holes linked together. A lot like non-windstopper fleece.

I'm using windstopper fleece gloves this year, and I'm really pleased with them. But they say don't wash on them, and I really think they're going to smell bad by the end of the winter. Not to mention all the times I've carried my bike around whilst wearing them. Anyone got any suggestions?

Ellie

Matadon

Not sure; they can likely be dry-cleaned. Best to contact the manufacturer for cleaning instructions.

I've got a set of non-washable Gor-Tex gloves that I clean by hand, in a sink, with a small amount of mild soap and cold water.

MichaelW

The hole sydrome is because the knit is not dense enough. I used to have some lovely Barbour gloves that were totally windproof, but of course lost one.
In my poorer cycling days, I used to wear wool fingerless mitts on less cold days.

Bike gear needs to be washable, and keep its properties after many washes, or it is simply impractical.