It depends on how heavy the rain is and how cold it is.

> 55 and light mist: wear a jersey and shorts.

50-55 and light mist: it'll be a long sleeve jersey

45 - 50 and/or somewhat heavier: short sleeve jersey and a "breathable" (hah) rain jacket and the knee warmers I'd already be wearing

heavy rain or colder still: jacket, pants, and shoe covers.

Add gloves as the temperature drops into the low 40s.

I have a rain jacket, rain pants, shoe covers, long sleeve jersey, knee warmers, gloves, and a rain cover for my pannier in it. Fenders would be nice; I'm about to crack and have a radonneuring/light touring frame made (perhaps XACD by way of Habenero; perhaps go see Nelson Titanium Products) with long reach brakes or cantilevers.

Yes. The Arkel Commuter pannier with its rain cover is sufficiently water-resistant (but obviously not immersion proof).

Burnsville to Eden Prairie via MOA

I do a 45min commute every workday year round. One thing I don't skimp on is foul weather gear. My jacket, which happens to be Showers Pass, I use year round. Makes for a great outer shell in winter. I use the Showers Pass Touring shoe covers. And those keep my feet totally dry in a steady downpour. The pants I have are O2's and those work good also. I use a waterproof fishing glove that isn't very waterproof. But they keep my hands warm in a chilly rain. Good gear makes for a comfortable ride no matter what the weather is. In winter its Sport Hill cross-country ski gear.

When I used to commute with a bike that had a rack, my pannier bag was advertised as water resistant and actually did a very good job. However, being paranoid, I acquired a really large "zip-loc" type plastic bag that I would put my laptop in for double protection.

no one wears spats? like hikers have?,easy on,easy off.Those and a cape,carradice cotton one flaps less,but is a few ounces heavier.

How do you experienced commuters deal with the rain?
Its fun when you got the proper equipment =)

What do you wear or take with you to accommodate the rain?
- I wear my cycling shorts, beach shoes, a tshirt and a windbreaker along with my helmet and cycling cap.

Do you carry a laptop with you? I have what is claimed to be a watertight pannier system, but that accountability is high.
- Nope, laptop does not leave the house =)

What do you wear or take with you to accommodate the rain?

All I have is a Patagonia rain jacket. Everything else is just jeans, regular shoes, gloves, ear warmers. Yeah I get soaked. I've been meaning to buy rain pants and find something to cover my shoes that isn't just for cycling shoes. I bring a change of clothes in my bag.

Do you carry a laptop with you? I have what is claimed to be a watertight pannier system, but that accountability is high.
Yes I carry my laptop with me - I don't have panniers though. I have the Sealline urban backpack. It's nice. If your'e worried about your pannier not being water tight you could always test it without the laptop in there and spray it with water.
Sometimes I just bring plastic bags and put my laptop in it and into my backpack.

Jeans!?

If the temperatures are above 33F, I just ride. It's actually rather fun, especially when it rains really hard. My commute is 10.5 mi. each way and I ride regardless of the weather. If it rains here, it generally will rain for the whole ride (and often the whole day).

As for clothing, I wear a rain jacket and my regular baggy shorts. If the temperatures are below 45F, I'll add rain pants, knit wool gloves, a fleece vest and a beanie under my helmet.

One thing that I don't think can be overrated is having fenders. I think it is a shame that most bikes don't include fenders but I guess that's what happens when bikes are sold as toys instead of tools. SKS fenders are great - not those lame little things that hang off your seat post but real fenders that cover most of the wheels. Adding a little mud flap at the bottom of the front fender can make a big difference in how dry your feet stay.

Another thing to consider is your visibility. Get a rain jacket that is a bright color. Cycling rain jackets often come in what I call "obnoxious yellow" and I would recommend using something like that. Remember that most people become idiots once they get behind the wheel. You're competing for their attention with the windshield wipers, stereo settings, cell phones and spilling coffee so you need to make sure that they can't miss your presence on the road. A bright flashing LED tail light might not be a bad addition as well.

I don't often carry a laptop but occasionally I do bring stuff along that has to stay dry. I use a Timbuk2 messenger bag which is fully waterproof. I prefer it to panniers in the rain since panniers are down low near and get bathed in road spray even if you do have fenders. If there's anything I'm concerned about getting wet, I'll wrap it in a plastic grocery bag for extra insurance. I've never found any moisture inside my bag but with something like a laptop I'd wrap it anyways.


As long as you have the option of changing clothes at work it sounds very reasonable. I'd much rather do that than spend that time sitting in a car.