emor

I used a Center For Appropriate Transport "rain cape" for three Northwest winters. I really loved it, especially for commuting. I am a super-heavy sweater, so the most expensive Gore-tex is more akin to a plastic bag than breathable space-age tech. The CAT cape is coated nylon, so it's light, durable, and packable. It probably weighed around a pound. I've never even seen a canvas rain cape, so I don't know how they would compare.

Since the CAT cape is designed specifically for cycling, it has some nice features: reinforced holes for your hands. This holds the cape over your legs, so you don't have to wear rain pants. I usually wore thick wool socks with a spare pare to change into at work. Lightweight rubber shoes (REI had some for sale last winter) and gaiters would work too. It also had a strap that clipped around your chest to keep it from billowing out behind you. After using it for a while, I sewed on a second one below the original for even better billow-control.

It kept me really dry in all but the worst downpours, which is perfect for the NW since it's usually drizzling rather than storming up here. And it is true -- if you get warm easily, you will very much appreciate the huge amount of airflow. Much more comfortable in that regard than any other rain gear I've used.

Touring, however, is another question. It creates H U G E wind resistance, so a long day wearing this thing was absolutely awful. On a tour of the coast I would stop and take it off the second the rain stopped so the riding would be easier -- and then stop again ten minutes later when the rain started again. All day, every day that it rained. It was worth it, because the wind resistance was just that horrible. At some point I gave up and let the front flap loose without my hands in the hand holes. This created another problem -- a big truck passed me, and its shock-wave blew the cape up and over the top of my head, blinding me for a terrifying few seconds. YIKES! And for all this trouble, I got pretty-near soaked anyways. I much envied my companions' simple rain-jackets (but they got soaked too).

So -- great for commuting (if you can stand being bar-none the nerdiest cyclist for miles around), terrible for touring.

Last winter, I took it off when the rain stopped on my way home from work and put it down and rode off without it. It didn't rain for another week so I didn't realize I'd lost it until it was long gone. Oh well. Now I use a mid-level Showers Pass jacket and I guess I like it better. It's easier to deal with, for sure.

https://www.catoregon.org/?page_id=536

Gotte

Wow, that yellow and black one looks like something from Earth Wind and Fire's Boogie Wonderland. All you'd need is some sequin tights and an afro. Of course with an afro, you woudn't have to bother with a helmet, but I imagine the wind resistance would be a more of a hindrance than a poncho.
Talking of wind resistance, you should see the speed I travel when I'm touring. I'm so slow that blowing a gale, I doubt I'd feel it. But we'll see. I'm off on Monday to Bavaria, and though the forecast says sun to start, there's rain forecast for later in the week, and some thunder, so I'll report back on how well I and the ponch do.

djb

reading these posts take me back to when I was a teenager, would have been the last time I used a rain poncho---I second the wind being a total pita. I wouldnt use one, not touring beside cars and trucks. I recall gusts of wind filling my poncho sail-like and moving me a bit, would NOT want that in a touring situation.

I understand the theory ofa pooncho being more breatheable, and Im sure they work well in non windy conditions better than rain jacket, rain pants, but for the safety side of things, and the "slow down effect" (think 1/4 mile dragsters or the Space Shuttle upon landing.....thanks but no thanks.

what can we say, no matter what we wear, being in the rain for a long time is a pain in the keester and puts me in a foul mood.

azesty

z

djb

chuckle, now that is good timing with that comic!

johnr783

I will probably buy a rain cape and use that for future rides. I didnt particularly like using a jacket either.

Enthusiast

I'm considering using a poncho/rain cape for my rain gear and shelter, as in ultralight backpacking.

My concerns: I don't use fenders so I'm worried that I'll be drenched by the wheel spray flung up under the poncho. Also, the talk about wind resistance has me worried. I tour at a fairly high speed (~17mph) and with a fairly aggressive position (handlebars 4" below seat level) so I was hoping the poncho might act like a sort of fairing. This doesn't seem to be others' experiences. Thoughts?

uciflylow

I tried and have a rain cape made for cycling. I TRIED to like it and just couldn't get around the wind resistance issues it caused. I have since gone back to a light weight jacket and just use leg warmers or wind front tights if it's real cool. The only time I can ever see a cape being an advantige is for somone woh commutes short distances in regular cloths for a trip to the store or work.
For anything more than very short hops, give me a jacket!