Kawriverrat

I'm a arborist by trade (monkey in a tree with saw) these pants by arborwear, their tech pants work well for rideing in the rain or riding in general when one wants pants & spandex isn't what one wants & your going to get wet regardless.
They dry pretty fast are very comfortable, creating no hot spots from friction. They are a nylon material that feels just like cotton. They will outlast 4-5 pairs of most any other pants. I wear mine when commuting in the rain.

Tech Pants || Arborwear

energyandair

I commuted by bike 12 months / year for 4 years prior to retiring 2 years ago.

The few days I'd drive were either because snow accumulation or ice on the ground made cycling unsafe, I was fighting a cold, or I needed the car for some purpose other than just getting to work

The rain gear would get wet but I almost never did except for face, and in warmer weather, my head and hands.

The ride was a bit over 5 miles with a bit over 200 ft of climbing one way a bit over 80 ft the other. It was invariably enjoyable though putting the rain gear on and off was something I could have done without.

My set up for rain was:

• Bike with fenders and good lights
• Showers Pass Elite eVent JacketThe best I could find and a size up to improve venting. It matters which Showers Pass Jacket you have
• Showers Pass eVent Pants The best I could find but I don't think they make these any more
• Goretex lined Boots or Shoes (with waterproof covers in heavy rain)
• Clear plastic shower cap over Helmet for heavy rain and over bike seat when parked outside
  Detachable Showers Pass Hood under helmet in cold wet
• Goretex mitt shells over gloves or mitts that varied with season

The outfit was chosen for best function rather than minimum cost but it was a whole lot cheaper than a 2nd car and I didn't want to give myself excuses not to ride when the weather wasn't great.

Most of the rain here occurs in the cooler months. With the weather here the excellent performance of the gear was enough for most days. On the warmer rainy days, I could keep condensation under control by slowing down and taking a few more minutes for the trip. Keeping dry in really warm rain is of course harder (but less critical).

All of my Showers Pass gear has stood up well.

The jacket in particular has seen very heavy use. For 4 years it was my go to jacket to ride, walk the dog or trip around town for most the year. For the past 2 years the use has been lighter as we have been in the Southern California desert through the colder but it is still in good shape. One thing that may have helped its longevity was getting an XL rather than an L as it probably reduced stresses on the fabric as well as greatly aiding venting in warmer weather.

Gresp15C

This is somewhat of an aside, but I've had my rain gear lose its water resistance. Doing a bit of research, I learned that even gore-tex depends on some sort of surface coating, that wears off over time. There are products you can buy to restore the coating -- REI has something for a few bucks. It comes in a spray bottle, you spray it on, then run the item through the dryer on medium heat.

I also suspect that UV from sunlight may cause the material to degrade. I used to transport my rain gear rolled up in my basket. Now I keep it in a draw string bag, to keep the sun off of it.

Naturally, dealing with weather is a horses-for-courses thing. I'm lucky to have a job with somewhat flexible hours and casual attire. My approach to rain gear is just to play the percentages. I don't expect to stay dry under all conditions, but I can reduce the risk of getting soaked, to an acceptable level. For this reason, I'm OK with just a moderate duty rain jacket and rain pants.

Bike Gremlin

I wear clothes that dry fast. With "active" underwear that doesn't get cold and sticky even when wet. So I get soaked, change to warm dy clothes, have clothes dry.

jwarner

As has been said, good fenders (with mud flaps even) and lights (because drivers seem to get dumber when it rains, especially as it starts getting darker in the fall) are fairly essential. Beyond this, I wear an REI jacket made with Event fabric (and I am super impressed with the fabric for breathability, durability, and water "proofness"), and a pair of old Mountain Hardware lightweight hiking rain pants. This is the outer layer. Under this, I wear either shorts, or a pair of thermal sport tights on the bottom, and usually some kind of wool or synthetic top (in layers depending on temperature). As for my feet, if it is a serious downpour, I wear rubber boots. Oh yes, I'm one of those freaks who doesn't wear a helmet unless there is snow and ice on the ground, so add a waxed flat cap or wool beanie. Of course I change at work.

This basic set-up doesn't change too much as we transition to snow and ice here in Anchorage. I might add another layer on top, switch to my ski shell, and add some warmer gloves, boots, and a face mask, but generally, if I'm cold, it just means I'm not pedaling hard enough.

Good luck.. I actually really like riding in the rain and snow.

TransitBiker

Where do i buy one of those really far down covering alu front fenders that has the mud flap sitting like 2 inches off the ground?

- Andy

noglider 

At your local bike shop.

WarrenR

Lots of good stuff on here. I commuted for about 12 years and the only thing I used additionally was a pair of Gators. They were Gortex and came almost up to my knees. They had a hook at the bottom that hooked to the lace on my shoe and did a good job of keeping the water running down my rain pants from going in my shoes. That was the only way I found that kept my socks and feet dry.

El Cid

So many replies, but I can't help throwing in my two cents. I commute by bike year-round here in Waterloo, ON. Notwithstanding this last winter (which was glorious), we usually get cold rains with the temperature moving just above and below freezing, giving a perpetual mess of wet, crappy weather. Even without rain, the road always has dirty, wet slush.

My rain jacket and pants are both gore-tex, made by The North Face. I've had them a couple years and they still work well. Back before my clipless days, I used to wear Bogs (insulated rubber boots) during cold rain. The boots were tall enough that the pants could go down over them, and then I would tighten up the velcro straps at the bottom of the pantleg. No water ever got in, either from rain or road spray. This winter I'm buying waterproof clipless boots from 45 Degrees North, and they should be tall enough I can still get the rain pants all the way over and then velcro the pantleg tight.

I like my Showers Pass softshell gloves for cold rains. They aren't windproof, and I don't wear them too much below freezing. My windproof gloves aren't waterproof, but they don't need to be, as there won't be any rain in the extreme cold.

scoatw

That stuff is Nikwax. You can buy it at most Sporting Goods stores, so check there first before you order it online. It's decent stuff. It does what it says it does which is restore the waterproofness of your synthetic jacket. I used it on the one Showers Pass jacket (I've had two of them) for about the last six months before I replaced the jacket due to extensive wear.

TransitBiker

They do not have them at the nearest one. I am convinced it is more of a hobby for the owner vs a serious effort to operate a useful bike shop. Perhaps he has grown cynical.

Next time i head over to abington wheel wright i will ask them, as i need to give them a thing for my charity ride anyways.

I just do not want slush getting on my shoes/ankles or the crank this winter.

- Andy

noglider 

Good thinking. If Abington doesn't have them, they know how to get them for you quickly.

TransitBiker

They all ready combed the whole place for me to give me free tubes specific to my bike's 2 tire sizes for my charity ride, so yea, definitely.

I go to doylestown once a week, and they are pretty much right off the bus route 55, which also serves doylestown, so that is also a plus!! Bus goes by (actually over) a train station i can also use to get home, so that's probably going to be how i do it sans bike.

- Andy

robert schlatte

SKS longboard fenders. Try Amazon.

RubeRad

I don't know that I'd "swear" by it, but I've been known to do it. Foot, sock, shoe, plastic grocery bag, and tie it around your ankle (above the sock) by the handles. You may need to rip the handles off at one end to make it long enough to wrap and tie. Any place there's a ridiculous amount of bag flopping around, tuck into the shoe. You can clip into pedals no problem (bag might get torn in that one spot), but it still does a fine job of keeping feet dry. Single use, just throw it away when you reach your destination. I keep a small plastic container in my pannier that is stuffed full of half a dozen or so plastic grocery bags.

Also helpful if it's cold and dry, if you want to avoid froze toes. Bag goes between sock and shoe, go ahead and trim it all off where it sticks out of the shoe, nobody else needs to know.

Bizman

I use 2 rubberbands per foot to hold the bag(s), one around my leg and one thqt goes around the top and bottom of my foot. When it is real cold out or I will use two or three bags per foot, works great! Bags are cheap or basically free and they are recyclable.

RubeRad

I know, right? I'm just glad I can occasionally stem the tide of grocery bags overflowing out of that sack in the pantry.

sm1960

I always carry a baseball hat in my bag. I wear it under my helmet in the rain, keeps my glasses dry and a shield if a car is spraying me.

Warm rain, love it. Thunder storm, feels like an adventure.

Cold rain, deal with it.

fietsbob

Doesnt even have to be aluminum, I just get 2 rears... then add a milk jug sourced mud flap.

putupwet

Hey JWALL0804 - I'm just a bit south of you in OlyWA. I broke through the rain wall last winter and am hoping to do it again as the rain sets back in. Fortunately, my short route to work is 3.2 miles. I stay reasonably dry by taking it easy on the way in to keep my heat down. My stuff includes a Jamis Coda Elite (quite similar to your bike) with Portland Design Works Full Metal Fenders - City, a Showers Pass rain jacket with pit zips, some REI basic gore-tex-like rain pants, a waterproof hat-jacket-thingy for my helmet (Sugoi Zap Helmet Cover), and some old North Face Hedgehog gore-tex shoes. I have an Ortlieb rear pannier that keeps stuff very dry, including my little micro-fiber towel that I use to wipe down any wet parts when I get to work. I keep my fancy shoes at work and just hang the rain gear in my office, put on the shiny shoes, and get bizzy with it. I'm reasonably dry within 20 minutes with my desktop fan blowing me dry and cooling me off. I do a stink check occasionally with co-workers, and no complaints yet. This might be related to what I put in my body (food) and what I don't (twinkies, cheetos, etc.). Things I'm missing for this winter that I'll need to sort out - waterproof warm gloves and a face shield for the helmet to keep my glasses dry and my eyes from watering so much. Maybe there are some ideas here for you. Good luck, and ride your bike. Wet's not bad.

tim

g0tr00t

Waterproof lights. I have a 600 watt in front (blinky) and the red rear 1 watt
I wear this jacket


I know its no rain coat, but I can't stay dry in Florida monsoons.

I wear biker shorts and a vest plus pack a towel. At work, I roll up my clothes in my towel, roll up and twist dry. then hang on my bike and put a fan on them. My helmet has the visor and clear glasses. I also have an REALLY OLD pair of shoes with clips. Stuff newspaper into the shoes at work and also position on bike to get some air from the little fan.

I also have a Chrome Messenger back and that is TOTALLY waterproof, so laptop and work clothes are dry. I have never tried to stay dry, I just want to be seen. My rain bike also has fenders, single speed Langster and I even added these lights (which A LOT) of friends/cagers say they can see me from far away while driving into work. The biggest obstacle for me to overcome while riding in the rain is not caring how crazy I must look and realize, if I look crazy, they see me

scoatw

Homemade mud flaps. https://phred.org/~alex/bikes/fendermudflap.html

Ray Lovinggood

I've found the "cycling cap"; i.e., the cap with the short brim, works well under the helmet, at keeping rain drops from hitting me in the eye. I do wear prescription glasses all of the time and would have thought they would keep the rain drops from hitting my eyeballs, but in some rains, there are always some rain drops that sneak by my glasses and hit my eyes. The short brim of the cap pulled down low does a very nice job of stopping those pesky drops.

Yea, the "cap" part is a very open-mesh weave and only slightly slows down the water from getting to my head, but in warmer weather, that is not a factor.

A baseball hat under the helmet might do the same thing. But only if the hat is worn with the bill facing forwards...

velocity

All really good stuff here: I just want to add that keeping your bike tuned up and greased/oiled well the night before, tires pumped and fender'ed is the best anti water sling prep. Also if you have had to make mechanical adjustments during a rainy commute the "wetting factor" is ten fold.
Here is my rain commute kit 40 degrees to 59.9 degrees
1) Showers Pass jacket with opening air arm pits
2) Gore-Tex pants that are vented and have very tight seal zippers
3) Gator neoprene shoe covers
4) Cycling brimmed cap under helmet (Cheap on the fly)
5) Clear safety glasses (Remington)
6) water resistant Rudy Project cycling back pack. keeps your stuff dry and doesn't move on your back.
7) Pearl Izumi P.R.O. Barrier WxB Glove *****
Enjoy the fall colors
V

Tundra_Man 

Yesterday I rode 24 miles in the rain. I got wet. I lived.