Any Inexpensive improvised rain gear out there?
 

I rode half the summer in the rain with camo shorts on.
Later I found rain resistant sweat pants that helped a lot.
But the elastic waist is going. Also being a man I have to drese left or right.
The crotch on the pants is too baggy for that.

I am wondering if there are rain resistant jackets and pants out there in pedestrian land that would work on a bike.
I say pedestrian land because it seems anything in the biking world is expensive.
I know there is often reason but I am not biking across a rain forest just getting out there enjoying life without my car.

Big trash bags are the cheapest improvised rain gear I can think of. Cut out some arm holes.

Cycling rain capes work fairly well, and weren't expensive the last time I bought one.

Rain capes are interesting.
I had never heard of them.
They sound lightweight too.

If you're going for cheap: Frog Toggs rain suit. Pros: Cheap, waterproof, packable. Cons: Carries wind like a sail, clever modification needed to prevent legs from getting caught in chain. Also, people will think you're homeless (which could also be a pro, if you dislike human interaction).

A bit more expensive, I've used the Helly Hansen Voss pants with success. Pros: waterproof. Cons: Not breathable - good for lower temperatures. If you shop around online, you can usually get them for cheaper.

Otherwise, camping/hunting/farm supply stores can often be a good source of gear without the price tag of cycling-specific gear.

A couple of grocery bags swinging from the handlebars, as well as bread wrappers around the feet would complement the thrifty/frugal look.:lol:

The frog togs are acceptable but if they make a sail i am a pretty big guy and so make a big sail.
Those hansens look pretty good and are not exorbitantly priced.
They are also not baggy in the crotch.

Thanks

This is what I use. The price is right.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Athletic-...d=actual_color

I like the color for visibility in the rain.
I can't tell,does it have a hood?:foo:

Ikea has a $7 cape/poncho which I have used on my upright bike a few times.
KNALLA Rain poncho - black - IKEA
Comes in three different colors. Not perfect and not suited for fast speeds or heavy winds but works good for slow commuting around town. Covers the legs.
For my recumbent I am using a rain jacket and rain pants from Columbia.

don't get the cheap ones at canadian tire. the disposable ones are disposable. The slightly more expensive one I put a hole in after a few months. And then it ripped. I'm on the $21 version now... I do like the poncho over the jacket because it keeps my legs dry(er) and I'm a bit too lazy to put on rain pants. I'll have to try some of the other suggestions here if my current one gets damaged.

Couldn't agree more.
There are certain things I won't buy at Canadian tire.
It's a good enough store but there is junk there as well. E.G. Jobmate.🙄

No head hole? :D

No,no head hole necessary because
Short of a biblical flood I wouldn't want to be recognized wearing a garbage bag.:)

Seriously though,any port in a storm.
If ya gotta,ya gotta.

The rain gear I want to try the most is the cape style.
It looks the easiest and quickest to put on while on the road.
The frog togs look good for when you have to go out no matter what.

Absolutely. I used to do a big two-day MS 150 ride. One year, on the ride back on Sunday, a big storm hit. There was only a slight chance of that happening so most people did not back rain gear in their overnight bags. (I brought all kinds of wet/cold weather gear). It started raining early in the ride, and it was windy and quite cold for September. Many people, including two friends of mine, stopped at stores and bought garbage bags. I bummed a shopping bag at one of the rest stops and put it over my head to keep it warm while riding.


Many people abandoned the ride. I remember seeing one fair skinned young woman wearing only shorts and a summer jersey. All of her exposed skin was pink like a raw pork roast not even a third of the way through the ride. I doubt she finished.

The rain capes can be atatched to the bars or to your thumbs trough a loop of ribbon or similar. This way it is not clinging to your body when riding and it keeps your legs dryer.

For pants I would suggest instead just two legs atatched to a belt (or trousers) a bit like what the cowboys used (in leather). That way you avoid the crotch problem and the ventilation is better, even if it is cheap (not breathable material). Also easyer to put on and take off. If you use them you need a longer coat or a cape to cower the "below belt" area.

They are called chaps if anybody is trying to google them.

I have used Cabin Creek rain capes for many years. Lightweight and work fine in all but the worst weather. Gave up on rain suits years ago. I also have a Carradice Duxbak rain cape, not cheap, but made out of waxed cotton and should last me the rest of my life.

Aaron:)

I got a free jacket with a hood.

Keep checking the Charity Shop racks for donated stuff.

Carradice rain capes will cost real money..



IDK if you can search OXFAM UK charity shops online and get them to ship them to other parts of the realm.





...

Yes it does. I actually tuck it inside the neck. Eventually I will get a real cycling windbreaker.