Irenicus

Just curious what kind of rain pants and rain gear people are using for commutes. I've got some booties for my shoes but I'm trying to figure out what kind of pants to wear. I keep reading mixed reviews on different styles - some are way too hot and others are just poor quality.

Any recommendations are great, thanks <3

Viich

I don't bother, just get wet.

CliffordK

Look at your bike shop, or perhaps a store like REI.

Showers Pass makes solid bike clothing, but a touch on the expensive side.
I have had two issues with them:[list][*]Coat: The pockets were glued together, and came unglued. I still need to restitch it. Otherwise, it is a very good coat with good ventilation.[*]Pants: Good pants with good strength in high wear areas. The leg velcro is poorly designed, and doesn't wrap well... a bit odd for the price, but still moderately functional.[/list[

Novara made some good cycling gear. It was an REI House Brand, and I'm not quite sure what they replaced it with. CO-OP?

I do some Thrift Store shopping, and keep an eye out for good rain pants.

honcho

I have a pair of older Burley rain pants, made when Burley was a Cooperative. They've served me well but the urethane waterproof coating is deteriorating. I also have some rain pants from Cabelas, made with Ultrex breathable fabric. They're ok, but not really properly cut for cycling.

A lot of folks rave about Showers Pass rain gear but I will go out of my way to not pay top dollar for PRC/Vietnam sewn products. The "Designed in USA, made in a sweatshop elsewhere" is not how I prefer to spend what little money I have. That said, J&G Cyclewear, https://www.bicycleclothing.com , claims to make their stuff in Oregon and prices, while not cheap, don't seem out of line.

Happy trails.

GlennR

You're gonna get wet so why bother.

Embrace being a hard-arse.

Mad Honk 

I have used Burley rain gear and liked it. Suplex was the lining but after a few years it breaks down, and comes out in small patches. I now use Gore Tex for rain gear and it does keep me dry and does breath well. It is costly, but good stuff. Smiles, MH

wolfchild

I don't use any rain gear, I get wet...My bikes have full fenders to prevent road spray from messing up my clothes.

Irenicus

Well what if I told you I didn't want to be soaking wet for work? I'd prefer to arrive dry

Maybe it's just as simple as swapping out shorts but it does get cold as hell and wet through the winter here...

delbiker1 

I have a couple pairs of tights that are water resistant, nowhere near waterproof. Pretty hard to stay dry while pedaling a bike.

bpcyclist

If I had to work after riding through a bunch of rain, I would just bring a complete change of clothes. That said, the suggestion above about installing good fenders/mud guards is an excellent one. They make a massive difference, in my experience.

Rajflyboy

If it ain’t rainin you ain’t trainin

BobbyG

I've commute and have been using a rain cape for a couple of years, plus fenders, with a very long front fender with a graze the ground flap. I still get damp through persperation and rain, but it is more comfortable to wear the cape which blocks "direct hits" of rain. That's really nice when it's cold rain. In warmer weather I wear my shorts, and in cooler weather I wear my long bike pant. I have leatherette (plastic) firm-soled sneakers I wear with toe clips.

When it snows I don't wear the cape, but I do put baggies over my socks.

Kapusta

The problem I run into (and I am sure others as well) is that clothing that will keep you dry from the rain will make you wet from sweat. Yes, some good technical fabrics can help mitigate the compromise, but it is still there.

I now focus less on “how do I keep from getting wet?” and more on “how do I dry out quickly?”

That said, the best luck I’ve had were with some shell pants that were waterproof on the front of the thighs and more breathable fabric elsewhere. Do not remember the brand.

jpescatore

I've tried various fabrics over the years and decided that no matter what miracle fabric is in use, I either get equally wet from sweat, rain or a combination of both. So, my goal is more how to stay warm vs. stay dry, since the stay dry isn't happening no matter what.

So, on warm weather rides (for me that is down to about 60 degrees, YMMV) I don't add anything - just usually biking shorts and my legs just get wet.Below that I add a pair of essentially long john pajama pants or leggings made of DryLite I've had for many years and used kayaking in cold weather as well as biking. Not water resistant but keeps my legs warm enough for going down to the high 40s (all temps F...) Below that temp I'm not biking in the rain!

livedarklions

Second on the poncho, which is what I wore when I commuted. Definitely slows you down if there's wind, but works really well otherwise.

indyfabz

Never used their pants, buts I loves my Showers Pass 2.0 jacket.

JohnDThompson 

I bring my work clothes in a plastic bag and change when I get to work.

livedarklions

Guess you missed the part of the OP that says this is about commuting.

livedarklions

Where are you commuting (state, region, country)? Might help get better responses from people dealing with a similar climate.

gregf83 

This. Except I keep biking below 40F using tights on my legs. I usually keep a spare pair of bibs at work so I can start with dry clothes on the way home.

indyfabz

What does that even mean?

Maslin

I commute in Oregon, it rains.

I have Showers Pass pants, work well for keeping the water out but they're hot and the leg velcro is awkward. I have a non-bike REI rain jacket, works but bunches up in funny places.

My wife also has Shower Pass pants, as well as the jacket. It fits much better when seated on a bicycle. Kind of like motorcycle gear, it fits funny walking around, but makes sense once you climb on.

Still working on gloves. Wet isn't a big deal, but now that the weather has turned, wet=cold. Picked up some Planet Bike lobster gloves from the clearance bin, uncomfortable and certainly not waterproof. GoreTex motorcycle gloves have filled in, but they're bulky and a bit too much. Interested in the knit stretchy waterproof gloves, looks like they're $60+

livedarklions

Well, it beats "If you're not Putin, you ain't commutin'".

indyfabz

Or "If you ain't Biden, you ain't ridin'."

Rajflyboy

It’s an old Army saying

if it ain’t raining we ain’t training