Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Touring
Reload this Page >

Rain gear

Search
Notices
Touring Have a dream to ride a bike across your state, across the country, or around the world? Self-contained or fully supported? Trade ideas, adventures, and more in our bicycle touring forum.

Rain gear

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-20-18, 02:15 PM
  #1  
misterp830
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Holland, Mi
Posts: 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Rain gear

planning my first overnight ride and I'm not sure what gear to get for rain. I already have a mid-weight waterproof jacket. I'd like to hear about other suggestions.
misterp830 is offline  
Old 05-20-18, 03:10 PM
  #2  
spinnaker
Every day a winding road
 
spinnaker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 6,538

Bikes: 2005 Cannondale SR500, 2008 Trek 7.3 FX, Jamis Aurora

Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3394 Post(s)
Liked 63 Times in 46 Posts
This has been discussed about 50 million times. Just do a search.
spinnaker is offline  
Old 05-21-18, 01:51 AM
  #3  
3speed
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 3,473
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 363 Post(s)
Liked 28 Times in 22 Posts
Rain coat. Rain pants if it will be chilly. Good, full coverage fenders, particularly the front(unless you enjoy squishy soaking wet shoes.
3speed is offline  
Old 05-21-18, 07:53 AM
  #4  
Papa Tom
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,440
Mentioned: 23 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 863 Post(s)
Liked 234 Times in 136 Posts
Is this a single overnight, or a series of overnights? If it's just one night and the weather forecast doesn't include rain, don't waste your time, your money, and the extra bulk. If you need the extra security, buy one of those disposable instant pancho thingies and keep it in your pack.

The few times I've been surprised by rain, my biggest problem was not my body but my bags with all my gear and clothing. I would focus on that instead.
Papa Tom is offline  
Old 05-21-18, 08:51 AM
  #5  
seeker333
-
 
seeker333's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,865

Bikes: yes!

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 282 Post(s)
Liked 38 Times in 36 Posts
Originally Posted by spinnaker
This has been discussed about 50 million times. Just do a search.
True, regular topic of discussion, comes up about once a month in warm season, along with stoves, tents, sleeping bags.

Originally Posted by misterp830
planning my first...
Showers Pass bicycling-specific rain gear is popular. Rain capes are an alternative. In warmer climes, just getting wet seems to be as effective as the sweat-shower you'll experience inside rain gear.

https://www.google.com/search?q=%22r...bikeforums.net
seeker333 is offline  
Old 05-21-18, 08:59 AM
  #6  
TimothyH
- Soli Deo Gloria -
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Northwest Georgia
Posts: 14,779

Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix

Mentioned: 235 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6844 Post(s)
Liked 736 Times in 469 Posts
Taiga helmet cover

https://www.taigaworks.ca/cart.php?m...ct_detail&p=66









-Tim-
TimothyH is offline  
Old 05-21-18, 09:22 AM
  #7  
pdlamb
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,895

Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee

Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2599 Post(s)
Liked 1,924 Times in 1,208 Posts
For warm weather touring, all you need it a cap with a bill to keep the rain off your glasses and out of your eyes.
pdlamb is offline  
Old 05-21-18, 06:41 PM
  #8  
WNCGoater
Senior Member
 
WNCGoater's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Western NC mountains
Posts: 931

Bikes: Diamondback Century 3. Marin Four Corners

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 416 Post(s)
Liked 11 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by spinnaker
This has been discussed about 50 million times. Just do a search.
So has everything else that is discussed on here. In the words of Solomon, "There is nothing new under the sun." Besides, the "search function" is a joke. Good luck with that.

In warm weather I'n not sure I'd carry a rain jacket. I did a 6 day tour in April and took a bare minimum. I got caught on the first day on a 3 1/2 mile bridge over the Albemarle Sound when the bottom dropped out. No way was I stopping on a bridge in high wind, rain, and heavy traffic to put on rain gear. By the time I got to the other side I was already wet. Anyway, what I had was pretty thin cheap stuff which kept me mostly dry, in spite of it all 25 miles later in continuous rain, I was soaked and had little spare clothing. About froze to death but .. THE SHOES! I only had my bike shoes and some flip flops. My bike shoes got soaked and remained soaked until late the next day.
So even in warm weather or with premium raingear, think about your shoes. They won't dry quick.
WNCGoater is offline  
Old 05-21-18, 07:07 PM
  #9  
djb
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Montreal Canada
Posts: 13,210
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2735 Post(s)
Liked 969 Times in 792 Posts
Originally Posted by misterp830
planning my first overnight ride and I'm not sure what gear to get for rain. I already have a mid-weight waterproof jacket. I'd like to hear about other suggestions.
as others have said, it depends on how much you ride and where.
I learned a long time ago that along with a rain jacket, rain pants and rain booties to go over my shoes are worth carrying. Sure, it can be a hot day, but if you get totally soaked and it then goes down to even 20c, 68f or a bit below, being wet and in a wind will make you pretty chilled and miserable.
And yes, soaked shoes will stay wet for quite a while, so I appreciate having the three , jacket, pants and booties.

if you commute at all, these are things that will get used for years in any case, so not money wasted.

but as someone else said, if only for one night, and weather is good, get a cheap poncho and go for it.
only you can decide the priorities of how much you ride, how much you want or can spend, etc etc.
djb is offline  
Old 05-21-18, 09:09 PM
  #10  
timdow
Miles to Go
 
timdow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 711

Bikes: 2022 Juiced Crosscurrent X, 2022 Fuji Touring, 1998 Schwinn Moab (drop bar conversion), 2010 LHT (Stolen)

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 151 Post(s)
Liked 145 Times in 95 Posts
Originally Posted by TimothyH
I have been looking for a helmet cover and that one is nice! Glad you posted it.
timdow is offline  
Old 05-22-18, 06:17 AM
  #11  
3speed
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 3,473
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 363 Post(s)
Liked 28 Times in 22 Posts
Kinda funny about the flip flops - I’ll actually change into them for rain if it’s more than a sprinkle. I’ve found flip flops or sandles and thicker socks, depending on how chilly it may be, to be my preferred rain footware by far. Your feet are dry in no time as soon as the rain stops(ditch the thicker wet socks). Wet shoes are terrible and flip flops are multi-functional and useful off of the bike, whereas shoe covers are single use and nearly as bulky.
3speed is offline  
Old 05-22-18, 07:04 AM
  #12  
rumrunn6
Senior Member
 
rumrunn6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,546

Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0

Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5223 Post(s)
Liked 3,579 Times in 2,341 Posts
cycling ponchos look good
rumrunn6 is offline  
Old 05-22-18, 07:13 AM
  #13  
djb
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Montreal Canada
Posts: 13,210
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2735 Post(s)
Liked 969 Times in 792 Posts
But some can be bulky and not fun with wind. I'm not fond of them, but a light one could be a good option fof this fellow to try. Doesn't solve wet shoes, but hey.
djb is offline  
Old 05-24-18, 01:45 AM
  #14  
pinholecam
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 630
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 230 Post(s)
Liked 146 Times in 96 Posts
I like using a rain cape.
It keeps me cool and there is no condensation issue.
The added benefit is that it drapes over the handlebar bag (as mine is usually a camera bag)
There is also the added benefit that it can be used as a tarp to cover the bike at the camp site (if it rains) or as a blanket, etc.
Downside is that it is a problem if the winds are too strong.

I am usually already wearing a jacket that is rain resistant which is why I prefer to carry a rain cape over another jacket (rain).

Shower caps or plastic bags work quite well to keep the shoes dry from splashes w/ a rain cape.
pinholecam is offline  
Old 05-24-18, 05:00 AM
  #15  
indyfabz
Senior Member
 
indyfabz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,217
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18397 Post(s)
Liked 15,494 Times in 7,317 Posts
Originally Posted by WNCGoater
Besides, the "search function" is a joke. Good luck with that.
Not if you know how to use the Advanced Search function. Not perfect, but not a joke.

Try it. Search "Rain Gear" in thread titles only in the Touring forum.
indyfabz is offline  
Old 05-24-18, 07:20 AM
  #16  
jefnvk
Senior Member
 
jefnvk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Metro Detroit/AA
Posts: 8,207

Bikes: 2016 Novara Mazama

Mentioned: 63 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3640 Post(s)
Liked 81 Times in 51 Posts
Really depends on the temp. I've only bothered with rainpants (Element Pants (Yellow) | O2 Rainwear) when the temp is going to be in the 50's or lower or I really expect to be out in a rainstorm for an extended period of time in the 60s. Anything significant enough to wear a coat, I have an old Novara (REI) brand 3-layer that works well (https://www.rei.com/product/883098/n...ke-jacket-mens), as well as a lighterweight thin one (https://canari.com/products/deluge).

I generally wear the Novara when I want a proper coat that can be used off bike as well, the Canari is for times when it is rolled up in a bag for occasional might-need-it use. Both get pretty hot and sweaty pretty quick.

Originally Posted by WNCGoater
Besides, the "search function" is a joke. Good luck with that.
Probably bears repeating every now and again that Google is far better. I have changed to doing (without quotes) "SEARCH TERM site:bikeforums.net/touring", or whatever subforum (or none) that one wants.
jefnvk is offline  
Old 05-24-18, 09:40 AM
  #17  
TimothyH
- Soli Deo Gloria -
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Northwest Georgia
Posts: 14,779

Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix

Mentioned: 235 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6844 Post(s)
Liked 736 Times in 469 Posts
20% off one item at Backcountry.

A Gore Wear C5 Shakedry jacket would be nice.


-Tim-
TimothyH is offline  
Old 05-24-18, 12:43 PM
  #18  
WNCGoater
Senior Member
 
WNCGoater's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Western NC mountains
Posts: 931

Bikes: Diamondback Century 3. Marin Four Corners

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 416 Post(s)
Liked 11 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by indyfabz
Not if you know how to use the Advanced Search function. Not perfect, but not a joke.

Try it. Search "Rain Gear" in thread titles only in the Touring forum.
Maybe not a joke but I haven't had much luck with it looking for specific info about anything.

Besides, what would we talk about if everyone used the search function?
WNCGoater is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Steely Dan
Commuting
35
05-05-12 06:26 PM
Soaper
Touring
69
05-04-12 10:04 PM
jakub.ner
Commuting
36
03-09-12 11:11 PM
RidingIsGood
Recumbent
16
10-26-10 12:02 AM
Keithmj
Commuting
31
05-11-10 11:30 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.