Rained like hell in sf today for the first time since i started my commute.
Can someone school me on wtf to wear when commuting fixed-gear-specifically in the rain please?

TRIEDandDIDNTwork:
Raincoat + windbreaker = failed
Cotton slipon sneakers (duh~) + socks = failed
no fenders = dumb ass fail
chromebags + knogoffs = sucess! waterproofeded

A smile.

What do you wear when commuting in the rain to keep dry? don't OT please gaize

Wear whatever you usually wear then throw on a water-proof windbreaker.

i love riding in the rain. cept when cars cut me off, then it's worse.

but when it's wet out i'm just like "god damn i love riding a bike!" it's one of those "i shouldn't like this more than regular but it just makes me realize how much i love the world/my life/being alive"


be sure you have waterproof everything or wool or both. clothes can get pretty ruined with road grime if you don't have fenders, but that's not the number one reason to have full fenders. the number one reason to have full fenders is that unless it's cold enough to freeze rain, the wet will soak your feet without fenders just from running down your shins, and that's what nightmares are made out of.

i commute fixed in the rain with waterproof pant shells from performance bike and a waterproof taku jacket from rei as written about here.

i hate the pants and normally just wear swrve knickers and smartwool long johns, which work ever better, but without fenders my shoes fill with water and for work i have to pack a change of pants. that means more time before i'm at my desk, and i don't like mornings as it is.

Marmot Precip jacket with hood- not as good as my Helly Hansen that got gashed. Will be patching the HH soon.
Red Ledge rain pants.
Tall Leather Thinsulate or Gore boots. Slathered with Sno-seal.
I have some midtop boots also that I'll wear but they also require gaiters if it's raining good. (see cc700's comment on rain running down shins and into shoes!)
TurfKing thermogrip gloves. They don't keep hands dry but warm enough.

On the bike: Backscratcher. Thinking about rigging up a full front fender on one of my MTBs for when I have to roll out in the torrential downpour.

Also, if you want waterproof shoes, wear a plastic bag on the inside and use a pair of booties to cover your shoes.

A word from a messenger friend of mine: Get those heavy duty umbrella baggie when you're downtown. He said those are the best ****.

Over the summer, I gave up on staying dry and went with a swimsuit.

Dude, rained all day down here in Monterey.

I was so ****ing happy.

I haven't seen rain like this since leaving Portland.

Ah, easy for me. Rain pants (the kind that go over regular pants), and a jacket that is waterproof or will dry easily. To water proof my stuff, I put a trash bag in my bag like you would a trash can. Have the sides hanging over. Put your stuff in like usual, and then put the bag over it (no tying involved). When you're at you destination roll the bag half way down, so you won't have to repeat the process if you're going out again.

Sometimes I'll roll out in some polypro tights if its a light rain. They keep me pretty warm even if they get a little damp.

It's just windy and misty over here in Canadia and I'd love to pick rain over wind ANY day.

I love training/riding in the rain, always feel it brings the best out in me.

I don't mind getting drenched I use a base layer with full legged bibs, a wool jersey and a waterproof coat and a heavier weight pair of wool socks.

In certain instances no matter what you do you will get wet. In this case it's best to have some wool base layer so that you will at least stay warm. I really haven't found a way to keep the inside of my shoes and socks dry. On a long day in the rain touring in nor cal I tried plastic bags, it was a big fail. I've also tried wearing my gaiters, but I overheated like a mother****er. I'm tempted to try waterproof booties, but still concerned water would run off the rain pants into them.

Most times rain pants and jacket will work, but I try to wear as little as possible underneath while still staying warm. Boxers under the rain pants, long sleeve wool base layer under the jacket. The inside of rain jackets when they get all sweaty feel nasty against the skin, hence the long sleeve base layer. Otherwise I would usually prefer a t-shirt under the rain jacket, depending on temps.

Today it started raining once I got off the bus and I didn't feel like pulling out the rain gear so I just kept going, but I was wearing wool t-shirt base layer and wool sweater. The sweater got wet, as well as my jeans, but I was very comfortable overall.

Oh yeah, did I mention WOOL?!?!

good tips guys.
keep posten' if you want to share more. thx gauise <2

At first, when I read your OP, I wondered what the hell fixed specific rain gear was. However, it's true that exertion is usually higher on the fixed, thus you overheat and sweat more. I'm leaning more and more towards just forgoing the rain gear and wearing wool long johns with shorts/knickers, and wool tops (unless it's just really dumping). There just isn't a jacket made that will release perspiration fast enough to not make you wet and nasty from sweat. On a geared bike you can just gear down and take it easy....

This is what I did just the other day.... without fenders because I thought the sky would clear up..... I was wrong... I was wearing jeans too! I would've worn a cycling bib or tights with leggings underneath if I planned ahead.

Wet jeans are the worst.

You probably know this, but avoid cotton. Cotton + rain = hypothermia on a 65 degree day.

OH my. The weight, the cold, the chafing. Wet jeans have it all!

If it's 65 and raining I just wear a Speedo and aqua socks.

Lots of trash/grocery bags. Make sure there's an air hole on the one for your head.

mudflaps (esp front) really help

Wool, FTW.

+1