Originally Posted by
JackWGroves
I am have been commuting for a good year now but during that year the place where I live (Apex, NC) has been in a fierce drought and it seldom rained. A light rainjacket was sufficient for protection. Now it is winter and the rain has returned. I have fenders but what are some lightweight and easily storeable rain protection ideas? I need to cover my head, legs, arms, torso, hands and feet but I also run a clipless pedal setup. Thanks.
Not sure how cold it gets out there but Novarra Express bike pants work great for me in the rain - with a base layer they keep me warm (mind you I am in CA) I think they're like 45 bucks at REI. There is also another version by Novarra with a liner, but they're cost you about 100 bucks (probably overkill for me, but might work for you)
As stated in the above post you can get a good & inexpensive PVC shell from Nashbar - the one I've got is simple, breathable and light, again good for anything that a CA "winter" will throw at me.
For my clipless shoes I use neoprene GATORS over them, about 35 bucks, there are more expensive ones out there but these seem to work fine. Don't be like me and forget to get shoe covers - I thought I'd be OK without them - boy was I dumb - my feet were soaking wet after about a 1/4 mile and I didn't have any dry socks to change into when I got to work.
Also, you can put your feet in plastic grocery bags and put your shoes on over them - not perfect but works in a pinch. Also, depending on what kind of seat you have its good to put a plastic bag over your seat so it wont soak up water.