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!
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
