Dry
March 10, 2016 10:57 PM Subscribe
What is the best rain gear for biking?
My current rain pants leak. My rain jacket gets clammy and damp inside. I have some nice Vaude shoe covers, but I want to replace the rest. My ideal rain gear is visible, breathable, flexible, and of course, waterproof. I prefer a masculine look. What should I get?
My current rain pants leak. My rain jacket gets clammy and damp inside. I have some nice Vaude shoe covers, but I want to replace the rest. My ideal rain gear is visible, breathable, flexible, and of course, waterproof. I prefer a masculine look. What should I get?
Vulpine, swrve, Levi's Commuter series.
I live in Copenhagen, and we bike everywhere, so this is geared towards urban biking, not lycra stuff.
posted by alchemist at 11:22 PM on March 10, 2016
I live in Copenhagen, and we bike everywhere, so this is geared towards urban biking, not lycra stuff.
posted by alchemist at 11:22 PM on March 10, 2016
Showers Pass. It's barely an exaggeration to say that EVERY Seattle cyclist wears their stuff.
posted by Special Agent Dale Cooper at 11:30 PM on March 10, 2016 [6 favorites]
posted by Special Agent Dale Cooper at 11:30 PM on March 10, 2016 [6 favorites]
Very low price point, avail in tall sizes, and can be found for half of retail, the Marmot Precip tops and pants do very well, and roll up/compress to the size of soda cans. I'm on year two with the pants, and despite a lot of trail time, no tears yet. The material and finish does not appear to be very durable; but my experience says otherwise.
If you are of the large posterior build; the women's pants, being all black and cut for actual cyclist thighs; also solve the classic WTF pencil pant problem that a lot of men's cycling garments present.
posted by buzzman at 4:39 AM on March 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
If you are of the large posterior build; the women's pants, being all black and cut for actual cyclist thighs; also solve the classic WTF pencil pant problem that a lot of men's cycling garments present.
posted by buzzman at 4:39 AM on March 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
Daily commuter in wet & cold climate here.
Re: Clamminess:
I have yet to find a waterproof jacket that doesn't get clammy after 45 minutes of cycling or so. I deal with it by using wool as the inner layer and changing at my destination.
Trousers:
They don't last. The membrane in the crotch area eventually gets worn through. The best so far of the breathables I've used were the Marmot Precip, they lasted about 3-4 years (15-20000 km) if memory serves.
Best of luck :-)
posted by Thug at 5:26 AM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Re: Clamminess:
I have yet to find a waterproof jacket that doesn't get clammy after 45 minutes of cycling or so. I deal with it by using wool as the inner layer and changing at my destination.
Trousers:
They don't last. The membrane in the crotch area eventually gets worn through. The best so far of the breathables I've used were the Marmot Precip, they lasted about 3-4 years (15-20000 km) if memory serves.
Best of luck :-)
posted by Thug at 5:26 AM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
I have an eVent jacket with pit zips and that will keep me dry (from both rain and reasonable sweat) nicely. I have some eVent pants that work but are overkill. PreCip pants, as mentioned above, are an excellent value. Showers Pass, also mentioned, makes excellent stuff.
Decide if you want a jacket with a hood (can go over or under your helmet) or instead want to use a helmet cover.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 6:24 AM on March 11, 2016
Decide if you want a jacket with a hood (can go over or under your helmet) or instead want to use a helmet cover.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 6:24 AM on March 11, 2016
No one has mentioned FENDERS on your bicycle yet, so I am mentioning them. It's more important to block the stuff spraying up off the ground than to wear something to keep off the stuff falling from the sky.
posted by TinWhistle at 6:27 AM on March 11, 2016 [6 favorites]
posted by TinWhistle at 6:27 AM on March 11, 2016 [6 favorites]
What about a rain cape? Does a great job keeping the rain off, and great air circulation so you don't get clammy. You don't mention your style of bicycling, but these are better suited for "dutch-style" sit-up cycling. Available in camo for that, uh, more masculine look you desire?
posted by borsboom at 6:36 AM on March 11, 2016
posted by borsboom at 6:36 AM on March 11, 2016
Response by poster: Ha ha. I guess I should say I prefer what is by convention considered a masculine cut and set of colors however, no Rambo gear required.
Thanks all for the great suggestions so far. I'll take this list to the outdoor store to shop.
posted by latkes at 6:45 AM on March 11, 2016
Thanks all for the great suggestions so far. I'll take this list to the outdoor store to shop.
posted by latkes at 6:45 AM on March 11, 2016
Nthing Shower's Pass gear; the quality is excellent and completely worth the price.
posted by scrubjay at 7:54 AM on March 11, 2016
posted by scrubjay at 7:54 AM on March 11, 2016
It's been a while since I cycled in wet weather, but when I did the conventional wisdom (which held up in my experience) seemed to be: 1) breathable fabric doesn't help nearly as much as good vents, 2) you need good fenders (many are too short to keep your front wheel from spraying a steady stream of water at your shoes, for example), 3) carry stuff on the bike nor your body (a backpack obviously won't help with air circulation).
posted by bfields at 8:34 AM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by bfields at 8:34 AM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
I like: Fenders on the bike, a jacket with pit-zips. Nylon pants. Wool underlayer. Platform pedals and water-sandals. Mountain bike helmet with a visor to keep rain out of your eyes.
posted by prambutan at 3:51 PM on March 11, 2016
posted by prambutan at 3:51 PM on March 11, 2016
I have a great North Face waterproof jacket to replace my old cycling jacket. It has taped seams everywhere inside so keeps me completely dry, it has a peaked hood which keeps the rain out of my eyes and has vents everywhere useful. It's definitely not a dedicated cycling jacket but does a great job.
The thing it doesn't have which I miss is a much lower back than front for when I'm leaning over the bars riding. My previous jacket was not vented at all which made me really hot quickly.
Also, as someone has previously mentioned, fenders! I don't use one permanently as I think they look terrible but during the winter months have an SKS removable one which goes on and off with a single clasp. It's really cheap and does the job perfectly.
posted by stackhaus23 at 7:30 AM on March 12, 2016
The thing it doesn't have which I miss is a much lower back than front for when I'm leaning over the bars riding. My previous jacket was not vented at all which made me really hot quickly.
Also, as someone has previously mentioned, fenders! I don't use one permanently as I think they look terrible but during the winter months have an SKS removable one which goes on and off with a single clasp. It's really cheap and does the job perfectly.
posted by stackhaus23 at 7:30 AM on March 12, 2016
Also, in the UK there is a store called Wiggle that sells DHB branded waterproof trousers with an elasticated waist. I spent around £20 ($30) on a pair and have used them for years ever since. They look terrible, are very basic but I wear them over my regular clothes and take them off as soon as I get to work.
posted by stackhaus23 at 7:31 AM on March 12, 2016
posted by stackhaus23 at 7:31 AM on March 12, 2016
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by little eiffel at 11:20 PM on March 10, 2016