Rain gear suggestions

[Catrin]

It is going to rain, they say, on Saturday. Saturday is the Indianapolis Tour de Cure which I am riding in. I've no money for rain gear between now and then - so I will just plan on getting wet like I did this weekend (which was kind of refreshing actually).

Of course I need to take care of this, but I've little budget for yet more bike stuff for awhile - nor do I want to buy junk either. What is the most affordable option for a summer-weight rain jacket? I have looked, but I don't know enough to know what is a good price for a decent jacket, or a high price for a c%#)py one

Thanks in advance!

[Becky]

What are the predicted temps and how much rain? IME, if it's going to be over 65-70 degrees, I will sweat my @ss off in any kind of rain gear. If it's just showers/drizzle, I'll take a windproof vest to keep my core a little warmer, lightweight wool socks for my toes, and just get wet. Having extra dry gloves and socks can be really nice if it's a longer ride.

If it's going to be cooler or a deluge, I wear my homemade rain shorts. Cheap Performance rain pants that I cut to bermuda short length and hemmed. They keep my butt dry, but let my legs breathe.

I don't ride in the rain enough to own a really nice rain jacket (like a Showers Pass). I usually use a Performance vinyl cheapy or a Cannondale convertible rain jacket that I got on closeout. But, again, it's gotta be raining hard or chilly before I'll wear that stuff to ride.

Have fun on Saturday, and thanks for supporting the ADA

[lph]

To tell you the truth I've yet to find bike rain gear that really works. I rarely ride longer than an hour and a half, and in light rain I do best with softshell/ windstopper stuff, like a tightfitting longsleeved wicking layer plus a wind vest. I generate enough heat to keep me warm, and enough sweat that it's a bit pointless to trap it all inside for the sake of keeping "dry". Wool next to skin is key to keeping comfortable in cool wet weather.

In heavy rain or very cold rain there's a point to keeping the rain off your body. I've had a Showers Pass jacket that was pretty good, mainly because of the awesome humongous vent on the back. Good rain jackets have to have lots of vents. Rain pants... the ones that are flexible leak, the ones that are waterproof and solid drag over the knees... best so far are a pair of old rain pants I cut up and made into rain shorts hitting just below the knee. But my feet get soaked.

The long-distance riders may have better tips, this is from the pov of a daily commuter.

[kermit]

I bought one of those cheap clear jackets from performance. It has vents under the arms and works as good as anything will. It's was like $17.99 or something. Hope the weather man lied, maybe it won't rain? Have fun!

[Crankin]

I was just going to suggest the clear cheapie rain jacket as something to buy until you can get a better option.
I have 3 rain jackets... the one I like the best is a cheaper Performance one that is well vented, with a detachable hood; it looks like an old fashioned yellow slicker. I wear it on rainy hikes, too. The other one is a Craft jacket that is very nice, but I can only wear it when it's really cold out. Sometimes I wear instead of my wind jacket in the winter. The third one was a cheap REI jacket I got for 20.00 because I needed something I could roll up and stash in my pocket. That was fine until the zipper on the back pocket broke and I couldn't roll and stash it anymore.I threw that one out.

[mariposa]

If you happen to have a cycling vest, and a microweight or lightweight long-sleeve wool shirt, wear those two in combination.

Your arms will get a little wet, but will stay warm, because the wool won't lose much warmth when wet.

And you'll be able to breathe. (I've yet to have a jacket that breathes well biking - in ANY weather.)

I like the idea that someone posted here, of carrying an extra pair of socks and an extra pair of gloves. Those two items seem to be the weak spots when riding in the rain.

Mariposa

[PamNY]

I bought a shower cap at the 99 cent store and it fits nicely over my helmet. I will invest in a more high-quality product at some point, but the shower cap does work.

I second the wool advice if it's at all chilly. My Smartwool microweight pullover works well if it's not too cold, and thrift shop wool does the job too, though I haven't found any super lightweight wool at the thrift shop (yet).

[Catrin]

I just looked at the weather, and while they are still calling for scattered thunderstorms, the current temp forecast is 90 degrees. I live close enough to the Indianapolis Speedway that I am going to try and pre-register Thursday, and then just ride to and from the track. If it is going to be that warm, then will just put an extra pair of gloves in my seat bag and not worry about anything else. Currently I cycle in Keen Commuters so I don't have to worry about socks

Now the big question is which bike to take, but I've a few days to ponder that one

[Kiwi Stoker]

I find the most annoying part of being wet is wet shoes and socks- water slooshing in my shoes feels gross and your feet don't stay warm.

Woolen socks do help but keeping at water out in the first place is good. So I would invest in shoe covers- waterproof ones, not wet suit material. And then try and find a way of making a seal or overlapping leggings over the top so it doesn't come in down your leg.

I don't wear raincoats anymore, just longsleeved, wind proof jackets with wool underneath for warmth. Otherwise I just sweat anyway.