Let's say it's 60f.
- You can bike in cheap non-breathable rainwear - if you bike slowly and casually. You don't need to buy expensive rain gear just to bike a half mile to work.
- I can bike at a medium pace with more expensive, more breathable rainwear.
- To bike all out and be comfortable, I could do it in good wool.

This range changes depending on the temp outside. I can never bike full out in cheap non-breathable rainwear no matter what the temp. With more expensive more breathable rainwear I can bike full out at 40 degrees, medium pace at 60 degrees.

I would basically say that if I had unlimited money here's what I'd do:
- 55 and below: Expensive "breathable" rainwear
- 55-80: Good wool
- 80 and above: Much lighter wool, like wool shorts and t-shirt

I've often pondered whether the best case outfit for 55 and above would be waterproof breathable t-shirt/vest and shorts - enough to keep your core from getting wet, but keep enough air moving in and out via the exposed legs and arms that it doesn't turn into a sauna. But it's just a theory, I haven't tried it.

Agree with the others suggesting venting. I commuted with a Specialized rain jacket for a few years and in even moderately warm spring days, the inside of my jacket would be muggy and sweaty after ten minutes. I've since switched to using my Barbour Bicycle jacket (hard to find now) with arm and back zipper vents, both near the pits, and that works a great. People thought I was crazy cycling in a heavy waxed canvas, but I stay perfectly comfortable and sweat free up to 60 F commuting with Barbour over a button down shirt. I think the vents help a great deal.

I have a low and showers pass raincoat that pretty much sucks. I went out and bought and expensive Gore Bikewear Gore-Tex jacket and to sucks. I wear a wool base layer which get soaking wet with both jackets. I don't think there such thing as staying reasonably dry in the rain. I think it's just about staying less miserable just long enough to get on the bike.

Cold rain sucks. -20 is actually more pleasant than just above (or below) freezing and raining.

I generally wear a construction worker hoodie in reflective orange & yellow as top layer, and adjust layers below on temperature. As others have said, the point is to stay warm, dry is often futile when active in rain. I haven't pulled that out yet, but it's probably only a couple weeks.

Correct. You just need to stay warm. I've tried all types of jackets and always get damp/wet but manage to stay warm.

It's you.

YES. This.

IMO, the one thing that is even less pleasant than cold rain is hot rain (or hot/humid). If it's above about 70F, I just suck it up and get wet.

For cooler heavy rain, I'm having success with the combo of a non-breathable waterproof jacket with wool underneath - different thicknesses of wool for different temperatures. I get a bit sweaty, but not dangerously sweaty.

If it's light rain, a water resistant soft shell is better. It also does well as a windblocker for the very cold weather.

I'm still struggling to find trousers that will keep out heavy rain for more than a half hour. I might have to dump some ca$h or just make my own.

anything waterproof IS NOT breathable. Avoid waterproof.

Before you say something like that, you have to specify what you mean by ”waterproof”.

Breathable fabrics are tested both against resistance to water pressure, and for the amount of water vapour they can release.
And technically, they do work. They can withstand enough water pressure to be considered waterproof in an everyday use of the word, and still be able release a certain amount of water vapour.
But usually, as water resistance goes up, breathability goes down.
So far, I haven’t found any garment that breathes well enough for mid/high intensity activities while also being waterproof in an everyday sense.
But ”waterproof” and breathable enough for low intensity activities, sure.

No need to do that on general principles.
”Avoid waterproof for high intensity activities”, I’d buy that though.
A better recommendation would be ”do your homework before buying”.
Look at the water column/breathability balance, find out what you’re actually buying.
The jacket that’s a good choice for fishing isn’t going to be a good choice for high intensity riding, skiing or running.

So, just to confirm, that particular jacket does not trap "vapor" inside of it? I stay warm enough in my soft shell cycle jacket, I was comfortable last night riding for and hour and half in 30 degree/windy conditions, however, my base layer wicked like it was supposed to, but it just doesn't seem like there's anyplace for that moisture to "go" in my current setup. I'm warm enough riding, but immediately when I finish, I feel cold/clammy.

Try a shell with an air permeable rear panel to vent moisture.

7Mesh synergy Jersey has Gore Windstopper on the front of the arms and torso and a lycra/knit fabric in the rear.

This is just an example. There are others.


-Tim-

Sorry for the slow response, I've been traveling for a couple weeks and haven't had much time online.

The O2 rain jacket does a good job venting sweat vapor while keeping the wind and rain out. I typically ride with a wool base layer and the combo works great.

I've found at warmer temps, the O2 jacket can't vent all my sweat. So if it's rainy and in the mid-50s, I ride with a wool jersey and no jacket. (for the record, I have a hotter core than the average bear).

Thanks [MENTION=418438]TimothyH[/MENTION] and [MENTION=381190]Hypno Toad[/MENTION] I think I'll put something like this on my christmas list. The past couple of years (el nino?) have been so windy for most of my rides that I need something to help block the wind. Seems like I can stay warm enough if I'm not getting cut in 2 by the wind, though I do not think I run as warm as the average bear lol.

I’ve got that nashbar detby jacket..was like $25. I really like that. I’ve been out a handful of times in steady, cold(40ish) rain, anf was pretty comfortable in that with a thermal, wicking base layer underneath, with wool tights under spandex tights. The key is just getting stuff that doesnt hold a ton of water, and will still insulate when wet. I never truly ‘feel’ soaked with this setup, even though I am.

I actually ordered that jacket, but returned it. I only rode it once, so can't tell if it breathes well. I liked the zippers for the arm pits, though.
I really could not get used to the jacket not having normal pockets (for gloves, hat etc.). It has a small "pocket" in the back. But this is small and off the bike highly impractical. I wear the same jacket for normal use and having my gloves and hat in the back is hard to reach and to sit in a car etc.

I just wear one of the Tingley construction worker jackets.
Works on and off the bike and is much more reflective (OSHA approved). Yes I know, the fashion and tour de france police won't like it....

I came to use a lot of wicking base layers and that works regardless of jacket. Actually the inside of my jacket is wet after rides when i take it off (even with the netting), but I don't feel wet.
I found just some cheap Walmart wicking baselayer works. I also use the pant-baselayer and then just a tighter jogging pant over it. This also not approved by the LBS - fashion police, but only 20% of the price of "real" bicycle wear but works equally as well and also works in normal life without bike. I actually wear those base layer pants (they are just Long-Johns with wicking material) in my daily winter life. The top base layer actually is way too warm for this time of winter (around freezing here). I just wear it with nothing else under the jacket. when it gets really cold I will put a sweater over it. but it is really warm.

A little off-topic: I also tried out socks that wick. Tried some Carhart wicking socks for construction workers. Had some Kohl's wool socks. I ended up with Walmart Kodiak wool socks for $10 for 2 pairs. They work exactly the same as the more expensive ones for sweating, but are cheaper. The key is to get wool and not cotton. Doesn't need to be Merino or so. Whatever you have underneath, it needs to be wicking.

0 to 1*C temps today and I decided to try going without a windproof outer layer.

Instead, inspired by people using newspapers, I wore a garbage bag as one of my layers to guard against wind where needed in the front, and with the entire back area beneath the shoulder blade cut away where I needed to vent.

Laughed pretty hard as I put the bag on but it did work to some degree. Still got quite damp on the body but it was a huge improvement from wearing a (non cycling specific) water resistant jacket or coat. Crucially though was that I didn't get cold even under gusting winds as long as I kept moving. I was able to put in a good effort too.

My layers were: 2 dry fit T shirts, arm warmers, long sleeve thin shirt (will be dry fit long sleeve base layer next time), garbage bag, dry fit zip-up advertised for running.

Not sure how this setup will work below freezing; but will give it a try there sometime.

Yea, the big old Euro races were sponsored by sports news papers , the GC jersey color was the color of the paper they were printed on.

Pink in Italy, Yellow in France, someone at the top of a climb handed everyone a copy, they stuffed it under their soggy wool jersey.

All waterproof jackets are worthless unless you are just plinking along. You can get them to work by reducing your effort to a level where you aren't sweating, somewhere around zone 1, low zone 2. But you probably don't want to do that. Try a Voler Jet Wind Jacket for cooler temps, arm warmers and vest for warmer rains, say 45-50. Wear a Craft undershirt or the like under your SS jersey.

If you like plastic bags, you may like this option:
https://www.amazon.com/Louis-Garneau.../dp/B00B3XYLY4

I did the LML gravel ride (94 miles) in March with temps around freezing all day with 10-15 mph winds, cloudy but no rain. I rode with the LG base layer, long sleeve wool shirt, and team jersey. Never cold, but couldn't stop for more than a couple minutes or I'd get cold fast.

This LG base layer will build moisture on your chest, but with the back being light/breathable materials, you never feel wet/sweaty while riding.

Reference pic from LML:
93 miles - tmbimages
(Toad's on the fatbike)

I like that it is "Sleeseless" cuz there's so much sleesy stuff for sale these days

I totally missed that!

FWIW, I have one of those that I occasionally pull out when it's not necessarily that cold (i.e. in the 30s or 40s), but the wind is going to be a factor. I've also worn in in races when I really didn't want the drag of a jacket, but didn't want a frozen core, either. As the previous poster said, it can make your chest a little sweaty, but the back is very breathable, and you manage to vent most of the excessive heat and moisture through the back.

The LG fully breathable LG vest is my go to base layer when temps are in the 40s and 50s, and even low 60s - adds a layer of protection from the cold, but is breathable enough to still be comfortable even as the day and my core warm up.

BB

Wear a cape! The cape is waterproof, but the bottom of it is open, so whatever you're sweating is sucked away by the wind. I'll combine a cape with a temperature-appropriate jersey or layers, waterproof rain paints and shoe gators. I spent days pedaling through France a few years ago in this getup. Truly crazy hard rain might overwhelm a cape, but then you shouldn't be riding, anyway. You should be drinking a cup o'coffee instead.

how are those in the wind?

They don't flap around as much as you'd think. The one I have --I think it's made by Vaude--has a cinch strap around the waist, and finger straps that keep it planted firmly on the hoods as you ride. In heavy rain, you get a puddle between your arms, but that's easy to shake off. It works surprisingly well. Where it does not excell is really cold and nasty rain, below, say, 38 degrees. The cape retains no warmth, and you can feel every gust. But mid-40s and up, it works well.