Rainwear for the legs/feet--what do you use?
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Rainwear for the winter/spring--what do you use?
So I'm guessing that a warm spring/winter is going to bring some rainy conditions in the next few months, and with the tax refund coming I started thinking about any clothes I might need. I really don't have much in the way of rain gear besides a PI Zephyrr jacket and some cheap-a$$ performance brand nylon pants that aren't waterproof anyway.
What do you guys wear in the rain? I'd be looking for something more form-fitting/cycling-specific if possible...
What do you guys wear in the rain? I'd be looking for something more form-fitting/cycling-specific if possible...
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Last edited by DrPete; 01-09-07 at 09:24 AM. Reason: title
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I don't worry about the lower parts too much, 'cause they usually get wet from sweat anyway.
Upper body, I have a plastic overcoat kind of thing. It's just simple plastic, nothing special. Not breathable or anything.
A buddy of mine just got and highly recommends the Assos ClimaJet but at nearly $200, it's a bit steep for what I'd use it for (it only rains ~December through ~March around here, and not constantly...usually some breaks to get out riding). If you plan to ride in the rain a lot it might be worth it.
Upper body, I have a plastic overcoat kind of thing. It's just simple plastic, nothing special. Not breathable or anything.
A buddy of mine just got and highly recommends the Assos ClimaJet but at nearly $200, it's a bit steep for what I'd use it for (it only rains ~December through ~March around here, and not constantly...usually some breaks to get out riding). If you plan to ride in the rain a lot it might be worth it.
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Originally Posted by nother]A buddy of mine just got and highly recommends the [URL=https://www.lickbike.com/productpage.asp?PART_NUM_SUB='6355-00
Assos ClimaJet[/URL] but at nearly $200, it's a bit steep for what I'd use it for (it only rains ~December through ~March around here, and not constantly...usually some breaks to get out riding). If you plan to ride in the rain a lot it might be worth it.
it does the job, remarkably well, but it's kind of delicate.
i'd suggest spending that kind of money on an assos intermediate jacket. not exactly water proof, but SO versatile, and combined with a good baselayer you can cope with most wet and cold conditions above freezing.
now, to get to Pete's question: i ride in wet conditions quite a bit over in NL. I just make sure my knees and feet are warm, and that my feet are covered in booties.
if it's really something you're concerned about, get fenders.
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If it is raining hard and windy I usually just wear a 5-11 fitted t-shirt under my jersey.
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Originally Posted by botto
now, to get to Pete's question: i ride in wet conditions quite a bit over in NL. I just make sure my knees and feet are warm, and that my feet are covered in booties.
if it's really something you're concerned about, get fenders.
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Hehe... I have a pair of PI Escalation tights that are AmFIB (which is fairly waterproof) up the shin to the knee, and those seem to work OK. I'll stick with that.
Our team is wearing Giordana this year and they have a nice-looking rain jacket that retails for $129 or something like that--a little more reasonable than Assos, and I might get a discount. Guess I'll look into that.
Our team is wearing Giordana this year and they have a nice-looking rain jacket that retails for $129 or something like that--a little more reasonable than Assos, and I might get a discount. Guess I'll look into that.
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Fenders. And plastic grocery store bags, snugged up nice and neat with a little duct tape. Looks like hell, works perfectly fine.
But really, fenders.
But really, fenders.
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I use a towel, kept in the back of the truck, along with a change of clothes.
And tinted rear windows.
And tinted rear windows.
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fenders and booties wont keep your feet dry, and if its 30-35 degrees F and raining you will want dry feet or you wont be out there very long I dont care how much of the rest of you is dry
two ways to keep the feet dry, neither work 100% but they do keep your feet warm enough to where it doesnt matter
1) one pair of socks, preferably wool, thin plastic grocery bags over them followed by another pair of socks
or
2) goretex socks, which you will have mixed results with, if its really pouring rain and its cold, they dont work too well
keeping the legs dry and warm isnt too tough, even el cheapo rain pants seem to do ok most times
two ways to keep the feet dry, neither work 100% but they do keep your feet warm enough to where it doesnt matter
1) one pair of socks, preferably wool, thin plastic grocery bags over them followed by another pair of socks
or
2) goretex socks, which you will have mixed results with, if its really pouring rain and its cold, they dont work too well
keeping the legs dry and warm isnt too tough, even el cheapo rain pants seem to do ok most times
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I've avoided serious rain so far. Am/Fib toe covers have kept my feet dry through light rain and some big puddles. No problems in 70 degrees or in the low 40s. PI makes some full Am/Fib booties.
I don't understand why a lot of wind/water resistant tights don't have those panels in the back to protect against all the stuff the rear wheel spits up at you.
I don't understand why a lot of wind/water resistant tights don't have those panels in the back to protect against all the stuff the rear wheel spits up at you.
#12
downtube shifter
Usually, dependent on temp:
65-80+ - feet, black regular cycling socks, no overshoes, since at these temps my feet won't freeze if wet
legs, mild pre-ride balm, thin smear of vaseline, no knee warmers
55-65 - feet, smartwool light socks, defeet overshoes
legs, pre-ride balm, thick layer of vaseline
45-55 - feet, defeet wool socks, PI overshoes
legs, warm pre-ride balm, knee warmers
In the past, I have not ridden in rain conditions below 45. For the future, I have bought a pair of iBex leg warmers made of climawool in front, which will allow me to zip over my overshoes. I also bought a pair of DeFeet wool knee warmers for when its cold but, not freezing. I have yet to try these out since its been mild in the NE.
The above is for training rides (1.5-3hrs). For short commutes and such, I have 3/4 knicker pants or rain pants available if need be.
65-80+ - feet, black regular cycling socks, no overshoes, since at these temps my feet won't freeze if wet
legs, mild pre-ride balm, thin smear of vaseline, no knee warmers
55-65 - feet, smartwool light socks, defeet overshoes
legs, pre-ride balm, thick layer of vaseline
45-55 - feet, defeet wool socks, PI overshoes
legs, warm pre-ride balm, knee warmers
In the past, I have not ridden in rain conditions below 45. For the future, I have bought a pair of iBex leg warmers made of climawool in front, which will allow me to zip over my overshoes. I also bought a pair of DeFeet wool knee warmers for when its cold but, not freezing. I have yet to try these out since its been mild in the NE.
The above is for training rides (1.5-3hrs). For short commutes and such, I have 3/4 knicker pants or rain pants available if need be.
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Originally Posted by timmhaan
what kind of booties do you have? i still get damp feet even if i wear my booties. they just seem to be water resistent until they get saturated after about 30 mintues. i have a new set on order from performance that are supposed to be better in the rain. i guess we'll see.
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Originally Posted by DrPete
Hehe... I have a pair of PI Escalation tights that are AmFIB (which is fairly waterproof) up the shin to the knee, and those seem to work OK. I'll stick with that.
Our team is wearing Giordana this year and they have a nice-looking rain jacket that retails for $129 or something like that--a little more reasonable than Assos, and I might get a discount. Guess I'll look into that.
Our team is wearing Giordana this year and they have a nice-looking rain jacket that retails for $129 or something like that--a little more reasonable than Assos, and I might get a discount. Guess I'll look into that.
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Originally Posted by sogood
Find it hard to believe that there are no truly waterproof overboots.
there is no such thing as a waterproof watch, and they have seals and gaskets.
#18
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For rain jackets, i would think showerspass have decent offerings.
Their Protech jacket is similar to the Climajet Jacket, but at only $100.
Their Protech jacket is similar to the Climajet Jacket, but at only $100.
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Originally Posted by botto
why is that so hard to believe?
there is no such thing as a waterproof watch, and they have seals and gaskets.
there is no such thing as a waterproof watch, and they have seals and gaskets.
Let's see, Gortex liner? Surly that'll work ok.
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Originally Posted by timmhaan
this is about as close as you'll get:
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I haven't generally worried about the lower body for reasons mentioned above. I bought a Gill Adrenaline jacket that has worked ok so far. Wore it on the wet Seagull century this year. About 60deg and rainy.
For the feet I have some LG booties. They do a decent job if it is cold. If it is warmer I just wear my backup shoes and let them get wet.
I guess if it were colder I would want some pants. But honestly any colder (50's or below) AND rain, I am gonna do something else.
I also like the SK Raceblades. Quick on and off, and while not full fenders it keeps the front spray off your chin and the back spray off your back (and off the guy behind you).
-D
For the feet I have some LG booties. They do a decent job if it is cold. If it is warmer I just wear my backup shoes and let them get wet.
I guess if it were colder I would want some pants. But honestly any colder (50's or below) AND rain, I am gonna do something else.
I also like the SK Raceblades. Quick on and off, and while not full fenders it keeps the front spray off your chin and the back spray off your back (and off the guy behind you).
-D
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My waterproof ensemble:
Torso: Gill Adrenaline jacket. This is a pretty good jacket, and was only about $120 at Performance. It's made of eVent, a fabric that is supposed to be the most breatheable waterproof. Pit vents, cycling cut.
Alternate: I have a Columbia Solstice "soft-shell" that I received for Christmas. It's got a DWR coating, and I think it would keep me pretty dry in light rain, but I haven't tried it yet. Does not block all wind, but is lined, so fairly warm. Jury's still out on it, but I think that a water-repellent non-membrane soft shell could be better than a true waterproof for the typical cyclist.
Legs: I have a set of Performane Naniamo rain pants for the commute. Coated nylon, supposedly breatheable, but not really. Cheap and beats getting wet.
Recreational rides: If I'm not commuting, I wear some Adidas windfront tights ($35, Price Point). But I've not ridden them in serious rain yet.
Feet: I heard that booties leak, so I bought some Sidi Winter Storm shoes instead. These have kept my feet reasonably dry. Sometimes my socks are a little damp after a ride, but I don't know if that's sweat or leaking. Not very warm shoes, but I am satisfied with their dryness - and I don't have to mess with booties!
Torso: Gill Adrenaline jacket. This is a pretty good jacket, and was only about $120 at Performance. It's made of eVent, a fabric that is supposed to be the most breatheable waterproof. Pit vents, cycling cut.
Alternate: I have a Columbia Solstice "soft-shell" that I received for Christmas. It's got a DWR coating, and I think it would keep me pretty dry in light rain, but I haven't tried it yet. Does not block all wind, but is lined, so fairly warm. Jury's still out on it, but I think that a water-repellent non-membrane soft shell could be better than a true waterproof for the typical cyclist.
Legs: I have a set of Performane Naniamo rain pants for the commute. Coated nylon, supposedly breatheable, but not really. Cheap and beats getting wet.
Recreational rides: If I'm not commuting, I wear some Adidas windfront tights ($35, Price Point). But I've not ridden them in serious rain yet.
Feet: I heard that booties leak, so I bought some Sidi Winter Storm shoes instead. These have kept my feet reasonably dry. Sometimes my socks are a little damp after a ride, but I don't know if that's sweat or leaking. Not very warm shoes, but I am satisfied with their dryness - and I don't have to mess with booties!
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Originally Posted by sogood
Find it hard to believe that there are no truly waterproof overboots.
when it comes to riding in the rain, especially a cold hard rain ie temps below 40 F that few people ride in that kind of weather very often
and few people voluntarily ride in the rain period, so waterproof feet doesnt get much attention, why should it? not much demand here for this kind of thing
you going to have other issues with the bike in weather like that too, like brakes that dont work very well, or at all when you have to ride in freezing rain if its really coming down hard
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Originally Posted by okpik
well, if you searched a forum like this or others similar to it you would probably notice two things
when it comes to riding in the rain, especially a cold hard rain ie temps below 40 F that few people ride in that kind of weather very often
and few people voluntarily ride in the rain period, so waterproof feet doesnt get much attention, why should it? not much demand here for this kind of thing
you going to have other issues with the bike in weather like that too, like brakes that dont work very well, or at all when you have to ride in freezing rain if its really coming down hard
when it comes to riding in the rain, especially a cold hard rain ie temps below 40 F that few people ride in that kind of weather very often
and few people voluntarily ride in the rain period, so waterproof feet doesnt get much attention, why should it? not much demand here for this kind of thing
you going to have other issues with the bike in weather like that too, like brakes that dont work very well, or at all when you have to ride in freezing rain if its really coming down hard
#25
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Originally Posted by DrPete
Hehe... I have a pair of PI Escalation tights that are AmFIB (which is fairly waterproof) up the shin to the knee, and those seem to work OK. I'll stick with that.