Rain Gear?

[Meowkungpow]

I rode my first charity tour ride yesterday. It was supposed to be 17 miles but the group I was with got lost so we ended up doing 20.

It was terrible weather, cold and raining. I had a wind shell/ rain repellent type jacket, but not something that could really hold up to being soaked riding in the cold rain for two hours. I shivered involuntarily for about 30 minutes after we stopped.

After seeing several better prepared people (not all though), I have decided I may need an actual rain jacket, some sort of ear warmers, and possibly a helmet that doesn't let rain roll directly into my eyes.

Given that its getting warmer, is now the time to load up on stuff for cold weather/ rain?

What specific items have you all found the most helpful in your rides?

[Crankin]

Although others will tell you differently, I prefer having a cycling specific, fully water repellent rain jacket, with pit zips. Yes, you will heat up wearing a water repellent jacket, but if you are doing a charity ride in the rain, what would you prefer... heating up a bit or hypothermia? The pit zips allow you to cool yourself somewhat.
You can get a helmet cover that goes over your helmet that is waterproof, which works better in really pouring rain. I have several head covers for warmth that go under your helmet, but none of them would keep the rain out.
Wool socks (you can get thin cycling specific wool socks for warmer weather) and toe covers if it's like in the 50s and raining. Dressing in layers for days like this helps, particularly, a merino wool base layer.
You need to be wearing clear cycling sunglasses to keep the water out of your eyes.
Shivering involuntarily for 30 minutes is serious stuff.

[marni]

I usually wear arm coolers which allow my arms to stay reasonably warm- then I wear a Showers Passing rain coat with a mesh insert under the shoulder flap, pit zips and will roll up small enough to fit in a pocket on the jersey. I carry a pair of disposable gloves for tire flats or to keep my hands dry. Under my helmet I wear a buff which although it doesn't keep my head dry, at least soaks the water away and wicks much like wool. Of course, most of the rain I ride in (Texas and the south don't you know) is warm enough that my concern is more about trying to stay cool enough than warm enough. That being said, I have ridden with the above combo in some fairly low temps and while I haven't been toasty warm, I at least have been warm enough to function. I love my showers pass rain cioat and my arm coolers.

[ny biker]

I have a Showers Pass jacket, similar to the Elite jacket.

http://www.teamestrogen.com/showers-...0-b100094.html

It's not cheap, but it's a great waterproof jacket. Unlike Marni's, mine does not fit well into a jersey pocket, but I have a small handlebar bag that I can keep it in while I ride, if needed.

I wore a similar jacket (different brand but made from the same fabric) during a century ride in heavy rain with temps in the 60s. With a long-sleeve jersey underneath, I was comfortable. I've also worn it with a long-sleeve jersey and a wool base layer on a cloudy day with temps in the high 40s, and felt I would have been more comfortable without the base layer.

I also have a head cover from Showers Pass, though I've never used it. It's like a hood that attaches to the jacket and goes under the helmet.

In terms of when to buy, by now most places have probably sold most of their winter clothing. The sales start earlier in the spring. But it never hurts to look -- you might get lucky.

[Kiwi Stoker]

I tend to forget about water repellent and go for layers.
I usually have a wool undershirt and a long sleeved jacket with wind blocking. Yes both get soaked but they stay warm. The main part I find really annoying is water in my shoes sloshing around. So I wear Seal Skin waterproof socks and overshoes with long tights. That normally keeps most of the water out of my shoes. I also clip on the visor to my helmet and have a polar fleece buff (it repels water) around my neck which I can pull up if my cheeks get too cold.

However if you really want a good rain jacket look at the She Shell from Ground Effect (www.groundeffect.co.nz). This jacket has pit zips, a roll away hood and packs into it's pocket and has a wait band to attach it. Comes in hi viz colours and members of my cycle club swear by them. If fact a whole group have orange ones.

[Melalvai]

I have a cycling specific rain jacket and rain pants. I mainly wear those in the winter as the outer shell wind blocking layer, and try to avoid riding in heavy rain. (It's a Phantom but I don't see that one here anymore...the current Phantom is not water resistant.) It's gore-tex and I did learn that it looses its water proofness after a couple years but if you toss it in the dryer for a little bit the heat reactivates that.