Lana123

We are getting back into touring after some time (and 3 kids). I still have my old rain poncho (circa 1982) from Bike Warehouse. I much prefer a poncho to a jacket and pants which are too hot and sweaty. Wet lower legs are ok as skin dries pretty fast. Trouble is the poncho is quite worn. I can't seem to find a new one like it except for one I got from Campmor which had a stiff part around the neck that was very hot and uncomfortable. Any ideas?

rogerstg

You might want to ask this in the touring forum. Personally, I like the inexpensive 02 rain wear since is is very light to pack and more breathable than any heavier breathable rain wear that I've owned.

You'll find that there have been many advances in rain wear since you last toured.

Retro Grouch 

Back when men were men and bikes only had 10 gears I used to commute to work in a pretty heavy duty rubberized rain poncho. It looked like an olive drab 4 X 8 tarp with a hole in the middle for a hood. I remember draping the front of the poncho over my handlebars which actually my legs relatively dry. That's relatively dry - not real dry or even fairly dry. I think that I bought it at a place that sold budget priced work clothes.

fietsbob

Several sources , Carradice in UK, I have a neon Green 'Pro Route'
and I note Rivendale has made contract with Grundens,
the maker of foul weather gear the commercial fisher folks wear at sea on the job
to make cycle rain capes for them.. bound to be quite durable

HPM/CAT in Eugene sews some there too. lighter fabrics ..

For RG's benefit , Cycle rain capes are Cone shaped.
so will not have the volumes of flapping fabric of a camping poncho
Or Korean war surplus 'Shelter half'

atbman

They also have thumb loops and waist ribbon to keep them from blowing up. Used one for years - together with a sou'wester. Even time trialled in the latter. Referred to it as my dynamically deformable aerodynamic head cover

myrridin

I have this poncho and find it works very well.

https://www.bicycleclothing.com/Rain-Capes.html

Nightshade

Very nice! Booked marked for later use!

StephenH

I have one of those and have only used it a time or two. Basically, it seems to be the functional equivalent of an umbrella. Meaning if the wind isn't blowing and you go slow, then you can stay reasonably dry on the upper part of your body. Go too fast, or have wind, or stay out too long, and you're going to get wet anyway.

i've ridden a time or two when it was in the 70's and raining and the simplest solution was just to get wet and be done with it.

I've not been out in cold rains, but the rando guys tell me best solution is to try to stay warm rather than dry- so something like rain jacket with wool underneath.

myrridin

That hasn't been my experience. The cape works very well keeping me dry from the thighs on up. I have used it in moderate winds (15-20 mph) with no problem. When the weather was warmer, the "open" nature of the poncho did a great job of keeping me cool, something I have never been able to get any jacket to do...

In colder temperatures I would prefer a jacket/rain pants. In warmer weather, I am very happy with the cape, though I also have a pair of carradice spats to keep my legs dry if I need that as well.

I posted a more detailed review in this thread a few months ago.

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ight=rain+cape

Lana123

Thanks. This looks like a good idea and may be easier to get than the one from Carradice. The old one I had wasn't a continuous circle of fabric. It had a front section and a back section more like a regular rain poncho and I do recall I had to sit of the back end to keep it from flapping. I still prefer a poncho to a jacket so I will try this one.

myrridin

Depending on your height, the carradice poncho may be a better choice. I am 5' 9" and the J&G provides good coverage, but for someone taller (> 6'), it may not. The carradice comes in two sizes, a normal, and one for tall folks.

One US source for the carradice capes is Peter White cycles.

dcrowell

I have one of those too. I don't use it often, but really like it when I need it. There's a certain temperature range that it's good for. Below that range and my mix of wool and synthetic layers with a jacket over them keeps me comfortable. Above that range, I enjoy the feeling of the rain. Within the range, the rain cape prevents me from getting hypothermic with just one layer, or sweating to death if I had the full mix on.

That said, it doesn't work when I'm riding my recumbent.

I'm planning a 5-day mini tour in March, and plan to carry that rain cape with me.