thinkLove

Hello!

Looking for some suggestions of gear to use when the weather isn't too favorable (jackets, pants, etc). Any help would be appreciated...

Thanks!

Business810

I think it all depends on what kind of weather you consider to be unfavorable - cold, rain, snow, slush, wind?

thinkLove

Mostly just heavier rain i suppose

CastIron

Plan on getting wet no matter the gear. Fenders are good, though.

thinkLove

Indeed, but any light weight, semi-waterproof suggestions?

ravenmore

I don't understand rain coats in cycling. I get just as wet when I wear one as when I don't. Its just from sweat instead of rain. End result is the same. Maybe if it was cold or chilly it'd hold some heat in, but so would a regular jacket.

CastIron

^^ Exactly. Thermal control is the priority. A waterproof jacket does that by dealing with evaporative cooling, which a regular jacket won't do well. A Gore=Tex XCR jacket is a good but very expensive compromise. Even then, you'll sweat.

Business810

Fenders are nice in they keep the road spray and grime off of you and your bike. You'll still get wet from the rain, though. If it's warm, I just resign myself to getting wet as Ravenmore said. If it's cold, I'll wear some kind of wicking base layer and just a cheap, close fitting waterproof shell from Target. It keeps enough heat in to keep me warm into the 30 F temperature range. I still end up wet from the sweat, though.

Brandy

For rain or cold descents, I use the Showers Pass Protech. I also have the Showers Pass Double Century Jacket and it is pretty breathable. Both are very packable and will fit in a jersey pocket.

climbhoser

I have an illuminite rain jacket that works very well, keeps me warm in winter, too.

For pants I have some Novara shell pants I got from REI...awesome. Create a vapor barrier, so I sweat lots, but keep me warm down to -10degF with longjohns and fleece pants underneath. Very waterproof, too.

I also have a neoprene skull cap that is a holdover from my previous life as a whitewater kayaker. It doesn't cover ears (they make 'em that do), just the top of the head under the helmet, and keeps me VERY warm. It's not waterproof, but it's meant to keep you warm even when wet, and it works really well for rainy-day cycling.

Gloves, I have PI Lobster Claws for winter riding, and I have some Kinco leather gloves, too. I also have neoprene gloves from kayaking, that work very well for extreme wet.

Neoprene booties or even just waterproof baggie-booties are key as well.

SKS makes a nice fender for road bikes with a carbon weave look that is a nice set for rainy riding.

Good luck!

Szczuldo

so far the only thing I would recommend from my rainy riding experience are neoprene booties and some water proof gloves. If your feet and hands are warm, the rest of your body will be fairly warm as well, or at least you will be a lot more comfortable. The rest of your body gets wet from sweat anyway, an extra layer on top just to help keep your core warm never hurt but only really necessary if you start in the rain, not something i'd carry with me if there was a chance of rain though.

Fenders will be nice for winter commuting and I will probably snatch those sks ones. It will make cleaning the bike a lot easier during those times, especially since I only have 1 bike and it needs to survive.

malpag3

For rain gear on your bike, full fenders are the way to go.

As far as body covering, I use an Arc Teryx Beta AR Gore Tex shell. It's essentially a mountaineering shell that I have for a lot of activities, but it's hood is big enough to go over a bike helmet, and it's rear is a little longer than normal jackets.

Generally speaking, your rain gear for cycling doesn't need to be too over the top technical because as long as you're moving, the water is going to glide off you. When you stop is when the water gets time to settle in and soak you.

Breath-ability is key because you can end up soaking yourself with your own sweat if your garment can't transfer the moisture out.

I use the Novara Express pants as well. They're better than traditional rain pants in that they have a reinforced fabric near where the cranks are. I have shredded normal rain pants due to my chainwheel teeth before.

If i'm riding in the rain, I usually ride my foul weather bike which doesn't have clipless pedals, so I just wear water proof shoes. When I rode my road bike, I would just wear PI Cyclone Toe Covers and that would be fine for the most part.

MKahrl

Rain capes can be useful for both keeping the rain off while not making you sweat underneath. Air circulation coming up under the cape keeps you cool and dry. Handy for commuting short distances in street clothes that you don't want to get soaked. Also handy for days when the rain is off and on because you can gather the cape up and over your shoulders when it's not raining to allow you to dry out some more.

Works best in conjunction with fenders to keep water off the front wheel from pouring into your shoes.

ken cummings

Gaiters or plastic bags outside of your socks will keep the water running down you water-proof pants from getting your feet wet.

mattm

SEALSKINZ!!! the gloves are amazing, they actually stop water/wind completely. breathability is questionable however.

i got the gloves, next up are the socks. if only they made jackets...

Randallissimo

I have my eyes on a PI Zephyr jacket for this fall.