Rain gear?
 

I'm going to start riding my bike to work, and I was curious what you guys do for rain protection? This is the time of year when we start getting storms in the afternoon, about the time I'll be leaving for work. I've got fenders on the bike I'll be using, and a waterproof cover that will fit over my bike rack. I just wonder what you guys do to cover yourselves.

I've got a set from Dare2B, the rotation jacket and the rain pants I believe.. love them, the jacket is vented and the pants are actually overpants with holes to access your actual pants pockets.
http://www.cyclesuk.com/images/Rotat...maxheight=1200
The jacket also comes in high-viz yellow.
http://www.lemarcheduvelo.eu/client/...00704_1559.jpg

I long ago gave up on the idea of raingear per se. Most of the stuff out there is expensive and doesn't hold up well, or at least well enough to justify the cost. So I wear 30gal trash bags, with neck and arm holes cut out. I keep spares both at work and home, and if I have doubts about the weather I can carry one with me rolled up.

I use better rain gear in the winter, but in cold weather, it does double duty as insulation and a wind stop, but that's too hot when the temps are above 64 or so.

The set I linked comes in at about 50 bucks total, great solution on your part though.. I just can't imagine wearing trash bags unless desperate though.

Rain gear is only useful to me if it's cool to cold. Under 60F For summer many including myself will argue that you are already set. Fenders and a cover or waterproof bag for your stuff is all you need. I add a hat with a brim helmet to stave off drops in my eyes, but that's it. If it's warm I am going to get wet either way as no rain gear will keep up with my sweat output. And I am waterproof as it turns out.

As a year round commuter I have collected 3 different weight rain jackets/pants combinations to choose from. cool, cold, and super cold. Add layers, lather, rinse, repeat.

45+ years bicycling experience. Trash bags started as a desperation move on extended tours, and worked so well that they became SOP. In the summer, I often prefer to just get wet since it's too hot anyway, but on cooler days, or when I just want to be a bit drier, my plan D trash bag is now plan A.

Yeah not nearly as many years of experience here.. but I've already trashed two previous rain gear sets and fell in love with the aforementioned set. I'll have to try out your method next time I need rain gear for cycling.

That's probably the main reason I've settled on trash bags. When you figure how often you actually wear your rain gear, you find that it's more costly than it's worth. Fine for the winter when you can use something more substantial, but the thin stuff you need for summer use us useless.

That's interesting, mine are basically just shells and I use them with the layering principle, I've got some full length base layer pants/top, depending on how cold a day for the commute etc I would do base layer, street clothes, rain layer. On "warmer" rainy days, it's Shorts/Jersey Rain gear over them, I've only overheated using that rainset once and it was a crazy day, temp went up about 10 degrees during the first part of the ride!

How far and how wet does it get.. and do you want to continue into the ice and Snow part of the year.


Its starting to Rain Less out here now ..


though I Do Remember a rainy week end, Upstate NY in August 1969. they were playing a bunch of music on a Farm there & then.


I use a Parka for the most part when it really Pours I Have a Cycle Rain Cape to put on.

My weather in California is probably a bit different than yours but we do get occasional and torrential bouts of rain from late summer storms. I prefer to just let them win and hide under cover at the closest quickie mart, grocery store, or bar on my route. Covered bus stops work too. These storms pass quickly and I rarely wait too long.

I agree with the idea that in the summer here it's too damn hot for rain gear, and it takes forever to get it put on along the side of the road. If it's a rainy day, I'll catch a ride or just take the car, but I do carry some packable rain gear in on my LHT, but have only used it about twice is 1.5 years.

I purchased Amazon.com: Sierra Designs Men's Hurricane Jacket, XX-Large, Red: Sports & Outdoors, and these https://www.amazon.com/gp/css/order-...30-2677055&sr=. Be forewarned to get a size larger than necessary in the pants.

T

Ponchos are good if you can wear shorts. With pants a rain suit is probably preferable. Shoes are the biggest issue, imo. Shoes that absorb water never seem to really get clean again after getting soaked. Rubber/plastic (non-absorbant) shoes are one solution but if you don't like wearing them every day it can be tricky deciding which days to wear them on the off chance that it rains on your way home. I've been considering getting the booties made for motorcyclists that go over regular shoes and have a sole as this seems like a sturdier option than strapping plastic shopping bags around my shoes.

I have adopted Bean rubber boots . over winter .. FWIW ponchos are flat rectangles , cycle capes are Conic. Big difference..

Pretty much accepted the fact I'll get soaked, regardless of raingear. For me, I usually wear an undershirt and an overshirt designed to wick water and ride hard for warmth. I then carry a change of clothes in waterproof bags for when I get to work.

I find rain gear only useful in the winter. This time of year, it is just too warm and I'd rather be drenched by rainwater than sweat.

I have given up on rain gear nearly completely. I get way too hot riding so the choice is being sweaty from wearing rain gear or wet from the rain. I choose wet from the rain, since I will keep cooler. But I have showers at work and I wear cycling specific clothes while riding. Otherwise I may ride really slow in rain gear for quick errands.

The only piece of rain gear I have not given up on are shoe covers. Essential piece of equipment even with fenders, unless you can magically dry your shoes at work. I have also found tights that minimize wicking down my leg, to my socks and into my shoes.

But all this goes out the window in a cold (35-40°F) rain. I wear many layers or maybe a rain jacket.

All the best, I grew up near Syracuse and I miss the summer storms, but not the summer humidity. One of my best friends grew up around you also, nice area the Souther Tier.

I don't use rain gear, I hate the "sauna bath feeling" when wearing anything that's waterproof.. When it's warm I don't care about getting wet...When it's cold rain I just wear merino wool and polyester fleece.

I have ths rain jacket. It's cloth!

http://static.bootic.com/_pictures/1...ure-jacket.jpg

I gotta get something for my legs because if its really dumping out and i have the jacket on, all the precip hitting the front torso will pour down onto my lap. If it is warm out, i just ride and get wet and it keeps me cool.

- Andy

This one for me. I can feel a little bit of wind going through at time which is perfect in hot weather

http://cdnmedia.marmot.com/images/pr...730_9029_f.jpg

I don't do rain gear over 50 to 55 or so. I get too sweaty in it. If I'm going to be wet, I'd rather it be from rain than sweat. Actually, a nice cool rain feels pretty good.

For light to moderate rain, particularly if it's above about 50f, an umbrella works well.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6118/...f8f52a6e_z.jpg
Image: Copenhagencyclechic.com

For heavier rain I'll usually use a poncho. I have a fully enclosed chaincase, spats, fenders, and flaps on the fenders which all helps a lot.

Rain Capes are more comfortable protection. Campmore Raincape is the most affordable. Brooks makes one, Carridice makes one, Grundens, Cleverhood and several other companies also. They allow enough circulation to keep me from getting sweaty like I do with a waterproof jacket. You will probably need something for the feet also.

Marc

Thanks, everyone, for all of the info! Maybe I'm just over thinking this and don't really need anything for warm days, but I can't help thinking that I'll want to try a light waterproof jacket.

I carry a change of clothes and change at the office, just like I do any other day.

If I'm wet on the way home, who cares? I'm sweaty either way.

Are y'all scared of melting or something?