Rain gear review (long..)

[Eden]

... The booties are not waterproof (but the shoes are pretty close), so given enough water it will seep in sooner or later and slosh around the insoles.

If you get a pair of waterproof booties or even a pair of gaiters you should be able to keep your feet almost totally dry! I have a pair of Sidi winter boots. They have a neoprene cuff around the top, but they are a bit big on me so it doesn't pull as snug as I might like. If I make sure to tuck my socks in well, put a pair of regular waterproof booties (I use Sugoi) over the top, and pull my tights *over* the booties, my feet will stay pretty much dry, even in a two hour downpour.

[Grog]

Thanks LPH for the detailed comments! You inspire to post a review of my winter gear sometime later this week.

Inspired by a fellow commuter, I used my rubber boots to ride to work in the pouring rain last week (with my rain pants on top of the boots). It was spectacular. Warm. Dry. Relatively comfortable. Note that I have 13-15 km both ways (total 26-30 km).

And I can vouch for the kitchen dishwashing gloves on top of a thin liner as being warm (down to +4 Celcius at least) as long as the dishwashing gloves are a size up from usual (to fit the liner and leave an insulating layer of air). Bonus: they are yellow so great for signaling.

I look like a total dork (or, for the Sesame Street fans out there: like Big Bird) but I'm dry and warm when I get to work. (I have showers but no sauna!!)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I hope no one is forgetting the benefit of having fenders and mudguards on your bikes if you do a lot of rain riding. It won't keep all the wet off, but I hear it helps a great deal.

That idea of leg gaiters is a very good suggestion! I do snowshoeing and boy do they keep my shoes and legs dry and warm!... I put them on over my rain pants and boots for the snow. These are similar to the ones i have:
http://www.rei.com/product/725915

[lph]

Oh yeah, nothing like good old-fashioned rubber boots and heavy fishermans waterproofs when it comes to staying dry! But it seems really hard to construct something that's close-cut, and works well at speed. Dressing to keep out the cold is a doddle by comparison. Sometimes I think a full-length wetsuit might be just as easy

[Grog]

I wouldn't say I was "speeding" but despite the rubber boots I was passing lots of people on the hills leading to work and back... Sure it's not super aerodynamics, but everyone is slowed down in the rain.

[SouthernBelle]

The dishwashing gloves is worth a try. I have to find a way to keep my hands warm.

[Grog]

The dishwashing gloves is worth a try. I have to find a way to keep my hands warm.

Make sure they are big enough to fit a liner glove with a bit of room to spare. If the combination is too tight, you'll be cold anyway.

They're also pretty cool for signaling.