I guess I’ll weigh in. I obviously have an opinion or 9 on the topic.
The best rain gear without question is not for you, but for your bike. Fenders. Unless you’re riding through rain like we had last night (which I rather enjoyed) most of stuff that gets you wet comes from below, not above.
Rain Jackets: I own 3 great ones and 1 good one and a few really horrible ones. For me I’ve found that rain jackets are useless when the temps are over 65 degrees. If it is a real rain jacket, I generate more sweat if it is warm-ish outside than the jacket is able to wick (release). I end up just as, if not more wet than had I just worn a vest.
Jackets that I love:
- Showers Pass Elite. Expensive, pretty much bomb-proof and pretty well ventilated.
- Rapha rain jacket: Insanely expensive. Best rain jacket I’ve ever seen. Other than price (around $300) it is flawless…. although my friend Kevin discovered that they’re not fire proof. Expensive mistake.
- Pearl Izumi Elite Barrier: New kid on the block. It is light, wicks pretty well and SERIOUSLY waterproof. Pretty reasonably priced too. I got mine on sale for $120. The hood is probably useless.
- Endura Flyte: Awesome jacket starting out. Pretty expensive (I think I got it for about $220) and SERIOUSLY waterproof to start out. The waterproofing almost completely failed after 3 or 4 washings though. I washed according to directions and it still failed. I’ve treated it with XC ski jacket wash and treatment designed for high tech, membrane jackets like this and that has revived it a bit. Endura support has not helped with any kind of suggestion for how to care for their clothes so as to keep them waterproof. I will not buy, nor recommend any of their rain gear even though they start out perfect.
Lots of companies make great jackets for cycling. Gore is the one that comes to mind. My Gore Windstopper jacket works pretty well in the rain. Very well made too.
Vests: If it is in the low 60s or higher, I leave the jacket at home. As I said above, any water that they keep off me is replaced by me sweating through. I’ve got 3 vests that I love. Endura makes a great windstopper vest that works well for me in the rain. Keeps my core warm and happy even if I get a bit wet. I think it cost me about $80. My Campagnolo softshell vest keeps light storms out and keeps me super cozy and well ventilated even if I do get wet. It is a little pricy, but you get what you pay for. I paid around $200, but have gotten 3 hard seasons of riding with it and it shows no signs of wear or mortality. My Rapha stow-away vest is insanely over the top. It weighs NOTHING, keeps light rain and mist out nicely and vents perfectly. It also weighs nothing. It also costs $200.
Gloves: Nothing is going to keep your hands dry in a real rain. Moose Mitts and Bar Mitts are good when it is cold. Even they tend to send rain down your arms into your gloves and onto your hands. Do not despair!!!! Our scuba diving brethren and sistren have the answer. Castelli makes a glove called the Diluvio (Google will find them) that are made of neoprene. Your hands still get wet, but they stay warm. The palms are kinda weird, but they grip the bars really well. Trust me, these things rock. Warm and wet is better than Cold and wet any day… especially when Warm and dry isn’t an option.
Bottoms: Generally I find rain pants useless. I’ve used some of the best designed pants and they all totally fail to do anything but make my legs below the knees feel all oggie. Rain knickers, on the other hand, are wonderful. I have 2 pairs of lovely and expensive rain pants (CAnari and Showers Pass) that have been redeemed at the hands of my very sharp sewing scissors and a little time with a sewing machine. I also have a set of Endura rain knickers that, though not as waterproof as they once were, work reasonably well.
Legs: What do I do with my exposed legs? Depends on how cold it is. If it is above 55 degrees, I do nothing. I’m not made of sugar. I’m not gonna melt. 35-55 degrees I will embrocate. At the top end of that spectrum, a dollop of Bag Balm or petroleum jelly rubbed into each shin and calf keeps the water off and even helps with a little warmth. If it is cold-ish.. Mid 40’s down to about 35 and I’m going to be on the bike for a while, there are embrocations that work to keep your skin and muscles warm even in those elements. They increase blood flow and repel rain. Don’t embrocate with any of those if you’re just riding to the office. The warming effect lasts for hours and you’ll feel kinda weird sitting at your desk with your legs extra toasty. The stuff wears off, rather than washing off. When you get into the really cold weather stuff… where you’re dealing with slush and snow, I use mountaineering gators. They’re part boot cover, part over-garment. They go up to just below my knees and overlap with my knickers. They work perfectly and if you size them correctly, they give a pretty good seal around your shoes too. I’ve done serious creek crossings with mine and not had water come in the top of my boots. Most mountaineering shops have a good selection and size. I got mine at REI about 20 years ago for $20. They’re a little more expensive these days.
Helmet: If it is warm, I do nothing. My head gets wet anyways. Cooler temps might make me get out a goretex helmet cover. Sugoi, Pearl, Gore and others make great ones. My Lazer helmet has the coolest solution. They make a lexan cover that snaps over the helmet and just covers the vents. They make a clear one that looks like a normal helmet and a yellow one with the Lion of Flanders on it. I have the latter. Lazer also makes earflaps when it gets really cold. Cool company. Great helmets. Lots of people wear a cycling cap under their helmet to add a bit of warmth. If the cap is wool, it even works when wet.
What did I miss?
Glasses. Not much helps. I mentioned Cat Crap lens treatment in a different thread (google will find it). It is okay. Some friends like goggles when it gets cold. I fog all of it up. I tend to wear a hat with a visor under my helmet and tilt my head so that the rain doesn’t hit directly in my eyeballs.
Shoes! Almost forgot shoes. Lake makes rain shoes. They’re awesome!!!! Expensive though. I think they’re around $170. I love them. Shoe covers can be had for $20-40. Showers Pass makes some REALLY Nice ones, but they’re sized for going over running shoes with thick soles. I’m a size 46 (11.5 to Amerikans) and the Mediums that I got were a bit large. I strap them tight with Bike Arlington reflective gear. Lots of companies make nice neoprene ones. Pearl Izumi makes some AWESOME Ones that come with a rear flashy light built in, but they’re a bit more expensive.
Socks: Wool is your friend. Seal Skinns makes waterproof socks. I tried them and they turn my shoes into sweat buckets and give me blisters bigtime. For people who sweat a bit less than I do, I’ve heard they work well.
Did I mention that you should put fenders on your bike?
Hugs and Kisses,
Pete
.
Dance between the raindrops.
