As summer nears its end, I’m very curious to know what everyone does to handle the rain. For myself, I throw on a pair of rain pants over rubber rain boots with a GoreTex rain jacket.
At my work desk I have an old pair of Toms shoes that I bought at Goodwill that are super comfortable - I slip into them when I arrive and out of them when I leave.
I have a waterproof Timbuk2 saddlebag-style pannier, which I use to bring my lunchbox.
If you’re intimidated by riding in the rain, give it a try! It’s really quite invigorating and people will think you’re either crazy, or a badass. Both seem fine to me!
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Seattle year round commuter. For my current short commute: a rain cape (poncho).
- it’s comfortable to wear both wet and dry
- easy on/easy off. Less fucking around trying to get geared up.
- I don’t sweat through my clothes because it ventilates like crazy
So many more reasons, but good lord those 3 are reason enough. Putting on still-wet gear at the end of the day is nasty.
I also wear rain-legs. I wear wool socks and sneakers (1 less piece of wet gear to deal with). No gloves (cape deals with the rain and wind).
Oh a rain cape! I am so interested in hearing about your experience… I’m very torn between dropping money on a Cleverhood rain cape or a Showers Pass rain jacket. Do you find that it actually protects your pants and shoes from getting wet? You mentioned rain-legs but those are just for your thighs, right?
a Showers Pass rain jacket
I have one of those. It’s got to be really wet and cold before I’m willing to wear it, because otherwise a lot of the rain it keeps off is just replaced with sweat instead. I’d love to try a rain cape.
Yea, rain cape / poncho / “boncho” is the way to go! Combine with fenders & giant mudflaps. So fast to get on & off, & the only way to keep dry and cool at the same time.
I had a rain poncho last year but I’ve decided to get a cycling jacket for this year. This is mostly due to the fact that my commute includes a 3km stretch through fields were the wind seems to always be against me.
For my legs I’ve decided to simply bring a pair of pants with me that I can put on when I get to the office, this is since my legs have been drenched in sweat no matter what rain pants I’m wearing.
I never wear a hard shell, even back when I was riding in soggy Seattle. I just get soaked from sweat instead of the rain.
In warm weather: Quick-drying synthetic fabric, usually a road jersey and Lycra shorts. I just expect to get wet.
In cold weather: Water-resistant softshell tights and jacket. I also have winter-specific clipless shoes with neoprene uppers.
Full-coverage fenders, Ortlieb bags, and bright lights are a must year-round.
Do you have clothes to change into then when you get to work?
Yes, always. I carry a change of clothes in my panniers.
I am also lucky to have a locker room with showers at the office.
Warm weather: wear quick-drying athletic clothes + SPD sandals, accept that I’ll get wet, and change clothes at destination.
Cold weather: wear sweat-wicking clothes with rain pants, rain jacket, wool socks with SPD mountain biking shoes, and change clothes at destination.
The SPD sandals are so fancy… I have a pair of those too and they’re amazing
To be clear, mine are Nashbar ones, not Shimano ones.
Raincoat and rain pants that (mostly) cover my shoes. Backup socks in my backpack.
Also, I use a rain radar app (Drops) so sometimes I wait 5-10 minutes for a dry window. However, this doesn’t work as well for convective storms or areas with poor radar coverage.
rain coat/pants, extra pair of socks
Full front and back fenders are a must for me. I also have a poncho made for biking and it’s kept me dry in HEAVY rain. My poncho was expensive, think it was called “the people’s poncho” but I love it. Even keeps my legs dry, and the hood can go over my helmet - but I don’t love doing that cause I feel like I can’t hear or see much and it doesn’t feel as safe.
Just got our first snow this week so I just put my studded tires and pogies on!
