What to wear in the rain on your bike commute (and what not to wear!)
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- čas přidán 28. 05. 2024
- I’ve never given much thought to getting through rain on a bike commute, preferring instead to just power through the downpours. But I thought I’d spend some time figuring out a better way. So here is my journey from fairweather to rain-ready urban bike commuter.
Here's the Vaude rain poncho I ended up buying: www.vaude.ca/en/product/cover...
(Note: I say in the video that Vaude is a Canadian company, but I was mistaken. It's German).
Here are two other cycling rain ponchos/capes that are, by most accounts, very good:
Cleverhood: cleverhood.com/
The People's Poncho: www.thepeoples.co/collections...
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Tom Babin is the author of Frostbike: The Joy, Pain and Numbness of Winter Cycling: rmbooks.com/book/frostbike/ - Jak na to + styl
Rainsuit is the way to go in the Netherlands (a lot of rain and a lot of wind). Ponchos make you a giant sail and you won't get anywhere but downwind. Just make sure it has lots of air gaps and breathable material, quality makes all the difference between a rainsuit and a sweatsuit.
Wetsuit is the next step, and gumboots. Might as well put on a cyclops too, or swim goggles.
Any rainsuit brand recommendations?
I can't remember what they're called or the brand but there was these clothes I got before after seeing a british video 10 years ago. It's just like regular khakis and dress shirt but the water just rolls off them. Same with wine and other stains too. You just shake off a little before you go in and you're all dry.
@@blueyonder1233 anything from Vaude. Cheaper versions from Decathlon are good as well
Yes and under the pocho water splashed from the ground to your legs. I tried a pocho and in the end I was nearly as wet as with a not water proofed rain coat. Pocho is for amateurs, not for pros who ride their bikes day by day.
I've been commuting for 49 years and have settled on the Cleverhood cycling poncho for the last 10 years. It solves several serous problems of rainwear: the front of the poncho covers the handlebars and your thumbs anchor it's position through little thumb straps. This allows air flow over your body ( don't get hot and sweaty), and the poncho covers your legs and pants keeping your lower half dry. The ponch os made out of reflective fibers so that you are visible. Motorists have decreased ability to see you so visibility is key. Also, rain often starts and stops quickly. It's easy to throw the ponchon our off as needed and roll it up, put it in a pannier. Hope this helps.
Wow. That's a great answer. Thanks.
Vaude is a German company that's pronounced [fa͜u’de].
They are REALLY into being green and sustainable, it's basically the most sustainable you can get as a clothing manufacturer (except for not producing any clothing at all)
They make great products and still produce at least some sizeable part of their portfolio here in Germany.
All of my bike gear is from Vaude and I love it. Not easy to find it here in Italy but e-commerce helps me out. Ciao
Canada import possible??
found the streaker
@@JayzTwoCentzIG
Yes of course!
Just go to vaude.ca , though I of course don't know if any brick and mortar stores close to you carry it, if you're comfortable with online shopping you can certainly get their products without you having to import them.
I use rain coat and waterproof pants and rubber boots. Incase i get splashed. Getting splashed and wet only pisses you off. So i like to be dry
I live in Ireland so rain is just expected. I went the other way, I don't try to stay dry at all. I simply wear thin cycling/running gear and have a change of clothes with me. This type of clothing keeps me warm when it gets wet but dries very quickly. Just embrace the rain!
I feel like Ireland/UK have a constant drizzle rather than occasional torrential downpours so that strategy actually works
Or ride naked. Then all you have to do is put clothes on when you get somewhere.
@@kishascape it also feels great against my 😏
Actually, how much it rains in Ireland is greatly exaggerated. I live in Ireland too and I checked with the Met Eireann (Irish meteorological service) website and on average for the east coast, there are 151 days of the year when it rains more than 1mm of rain per 24 hour day.
2, 3, 4 or 5mm of rain isn't a whole lot even if it all falls on you in 10 minutes.
And even then you'll dry off quick enough.
It's a case of put up and shut up a cara.
I've ridden a couple of times in the rain here in Florida. I learned that no matter what I do I'll get drenched so I wear light bike shorts and shirt that dry quickly and change when I get where I'm going. Unfortunately shoes and socks tend to stay wet. Everything in my pannier is bagged in plastic including my change of clothes and spare shoes.
The eternal conundrum is that the more effective clothes are at keeping water out, the more effective they are at keeping water IN, or in other words, your sweat will have nowhere to go. The poncho looks like a nice compromise, though for those without fenders, the water slung up by the front tire are going to get you nearly as wet as the rain itself would...
For me, rain gear isn't about keeping dry as much as it is about keeping warm when riding in the cold rainy weather. For warm rain, I just enjoy getting wet, and wear clothes that dry quickly, and pack spare clothes in a dry bag, if I'm biking to a destination where I have to look presentable.
This is my logic exactly.
Ride naked, got it.
A fellow rainlover! You chose wisely XD
Too much fear about getting wet is unfortunately making people miss out on a nice experience.
@@dallysinghson5569 There's nothing nice in getting wet. I don't want to get to school and sit for hours in soggy clothes. It would be very uncomfortable and I would look weird.
As a cyclist in the Netherlands, I use rain pants and a rainjacket but the rainpants has zippers and buttons which allows me to have easy ventilation and remove my rain pants while keeping my shoes on. a hard shell jacket I use has zippers at the armpits so you can get enough ventilation. I wouldn't remove my rain gear when I go to the supermarket. Only if I go to uni or work.
Throw in some overshoes and bad weather will never be a problem. I commute almost 50km a day by bike and the only weather i truly hate is when its extremely windy (i guess i could buy an ebike for that). Rain never bothers me with the right raingear. Ponchos are indeed terrible and catch way too much wind.
This
I guess you have to appreciate that they at least made 3 holes into the garbage bag before they sold it as a poncho
LMAO
I love bike commuting. Get some exercise, and being out in the weather is always fun. Less stressful than a car as well.
Wear a baseball or cycling cap on under the rain hood and strap the hood down tight. Hoods that secure with straps aren't much better by themselves; they often come down over your eyes when you secure them tight enough to stop the wind blowing them back and your face still gets wet anyway. Having a cap on underneath is the perfect solution - the hood keeps your head and the cap dry, the cap keeps the hood above your eyes and the rain off your face, and the hood stops the cap blowing away in a gust. Mwah.
That and Adidas track suit over you regular clothes. The slav way. Get the ones with the side zip pants and you can just yank them off into the air like in the partyboy prank video whenever you get somewhere.
Excellent tip about the hat! Thanks
What works even better in my experience is a mountain bike helmet (which has a visor) with a rain cover over it. Head stays totally dry besides a few drops on your chin, and more importantly, no rain in the eyes.
As someone who lives over next to Portland I deal with rain a lot and having a warm pair of waterproof gloves, water resistant leggings, and a light raincoat are my biggest helps. Before I had storage on my bike for a spare pair of shoes I had some covers that worked well and if it was particularly wet I'd toss on my rain pants. I'd rather be a bit hot then soaking wet.
"Used condom" lmao. Nice vid shifter!
That particular comment had me dieing lol
Live in London Cycle daily all year. Spring/summer: Embrace the rain, get some moisture wicking clothes and your sorted. Comfy, look great and your dry 20min after arriving.
Winter/Autumn: Hardshell Alpine Jacket w stormhood (breatheable, designed for mountaineering, will keep you dry in the craziest torrential rain or snowstorm, lightweight) . MTB mudguard trousers (easily slips on ontop of normal trousers, breathable, works great in massive downpours)... Only dowside is a good alpine hardshell and mtb trousers will set you back £200 - £300. But if you plan to cycle daily rain/sleet or snow, its the best and only option really.
Edit: For winter get some water resistant gloves. Cycling in even light rain w no gloves when its less than 5C outside absolutely sucks
This channel only has 3.45 thousand subscribers? No way, that's absurd. Mark my words, in a few months this channel will have 50K+!
You made my day with this comment. Thanks for watching!
Youre almost right! He is almost there!
Finding the best way to stay dry in the rain was a bit of an adventure, so thanks to all of you who offered suggestions!
Vaude is a European company, not Canadian. It is based in Tettnang, Baden-Württemberg.
Wear helmet dude
Hi Shifter, i have to be gratefully thankful to this invaluable video🙏 your research and real world information has helped save my days! I live in Florida with ton of rain, with the information you left in the link i bought 2 Cleverhood rover ponchos to use. Life is a lot easier and efficient to commute with rain poncho. Excellent channel and information. Thank you so much again .👍👍👍
I use goretex active jacket, you sweat a lot less in it compared to regular goretex, its made for jogging/cycling. Reguular goretex works better for hiking.
I also use goretex overtrousers, find ones that have zippers on the sides of the legs, it makes it much much easier to take off.
I'm still undecided for glasses or cycling hat, it depends in the angle of the rain and amount of rain.
For heavy rain, especially in winter months, you need waterproof gloves, otherwise your hands will get red from raindrops/cold.
Go check out Amsterdam based brand MAIUM. They offer versetile rainwear. I'm not wearing anything else in Dutch weather. Rainjackets that don't look like rainjackets and keep you dry as can be.
My favourite thing is a really long Rains raincoat. It covers my legs enough so that my knees don't get soaked. I like my black one, so it looks really minimalistic and smart. And fenders are a must, long ones. An Ass Saver just doesn't cut it.
Rain gear was the MOST challenging aspect of my NYC commute - particularly for my feet. I tried everything and settled on keeping extra socks and stuff packed in plastic in my backpack and an extra pair of shoes at the office! Rain gear will keep you dry, but you'll also sweat - which can be a ... wash
Today was my first commute in the rain this year, it was unepected but I muddled through in a t-shirt and shorts. How apropos that this was recommended to me!
How do you like it? Is it more convenient, enjoyable vs wearing a body condom?
@@dallysinghson5569 Never wore a body condom. It's warm year-round here so I don't wear a lot. If you're not racing your bike, you don't need to be wearing super tight clothes around town.
When I was a kid I used to ride my bike 5 miles a day to get to school and back. I got a poncho one year, I carried it in my backpack and waited for my chance. I had an aunt that lived a few blocks from school and I'd usually wait for my mom to get off work to pick me up when it rained but it wasn't too bad at the start so I went for it. It was a lot like your first poncho except really thick with snaps, it was designed to stand around and light walking. The wind picked it up and I was fighting a sail created by the poncho. I'd gone too far, the rain picked up and turned into a downpour. I ended up just pushing the bike home but there was a lot of lightning and I thought I was supposed to be riding so the tires would insulate from grounding. Pretty scary ride for a 12/13 year old.
Decathlon has a cycling specific ponchos. I use that. Then wear jeans/trekking pants. For shoes, I use a waterproof pair of shoes
If you haven't already try out some waterproof socks. I do messenger work in them for 8+ hours the rain and still have dry feet at the end of the day.
Rain.
Other biker: “Nope, another day...”
Shifter: “Perfect!”
The trick is not staying dry, but maintaining thermal control(layering), ride control(good. rain specific tires) and vision control( anti-fog goggles). I've got a boatload of gear I never use anymore. All weather related. All from trial and error in over 30 years of cycle commuting, utility cycling and touring. My rigs are pretty stripped down and effective for me in the specific, but may not apply to everyone.
The main thing to is never work in your commuting clothes and never commute in your work clothes. Head to toe. Use cycling specific gear on the commute and work specific clothing on the job. Find a place at work to change clothes completely and keep hangers at work to dry your cycling gear. Turn everything inside out as they will dry completely during your work day.
I should probably do a video of my own, but I'm simply too busy. If I get a few likes and people are interested in my perspective I'll post back. The above suggestions are all tried and true. If you simple adopt those and apply them to your commute they'll go along way to helping your situation.
BTW, my commute was 42 miles RT w/a 550 ft vertical drop in and 550 ft vertical climb homeward. So, I know my ****. lol
yes, so seems like the purpose of 'rain' jacket is to be wind proof and light in weight rather than being waterproof?
What about shoes? What kinds of shoes are able to be soaked through but dry out in a day?
I favor gortex rain gear instead of a poncho. My commute can involve some brutal headwinds and I want something fitted, not a fancy sail. I've found that personaly my legs dont get all that sweaty unless it is either very hot or I'm pedaling as hard as I possibly can so the gortex shell works fine over my work jeans. My torso does get sweaty and what I've found works best is a jacket with plenty of vents. Idealy you want one with a vent flap on the back and armpit vents that can be zipped open/closed as needed. Adjust the pit vents so they give airflow without being a rain scoop, your arms block most of the rain. You'll still be a bit sweaty but not horibly so.
I just wear my work pants under the rain shell and a lightweight base layer shirt under the jacket. When I get to work I strip off the rain pants and jacket, change my shirt and I'm good to go. my pants actualy alow for puting it on over shooes but I need to change into my safety boots anyway, I dont ride in those heavy clodhoppers unless I have no choice.
For non work commutes the pants dont look overly out of place so no reason to strip them off while your in the store/pub/diner. The jacket likewise is not out of place the times of the year that its rainy, take it on or off as apropreate.
That said rainy season here is late october to mid april or so. Probably a 70% chance of hiting rain any given day during that time period and from december to febuary its going to be cold rain. Even if its not rainy in the morning at minimum the gear's stuffed in my bag because the after work trip might be. Usualy its cold enough to just use the gear as a windbreaker even if its not raining though.
You’re honestly my favorite cycling channel
Here in the UK cyclists can expect rain, it's part of the experience. Cycling specific ponchos are okay but we get a lot of wind here so they blow around like a sail.
A breathable waterproof jacket, like Gore Tex, and Gore Tex overpants works great. Many jackets have ventilation zips to help wick away sweat and some have longer sleeves so the they don't ride up your arms. Waterproof shoes are helpful too if the rain is really bad. You can take your overpants off once you arrive at work.
In fact one of my waterproof jackets is Canadian, LOL, and it has underarm ventilation zips. The company is called Arc'teryx.
Many thanks. This is a great solution. Your content is always well thought-through, down to earth and, above all, really helpful.
Thanks so much for watching!
I live in Florida... I keep 1 or 2 disposable ponchos in my backpack always. They suck, but they will cover you and your backpack and can tuck under your butt and go over the seat. Fenders are important, nothing like showing up somewhere with a giant skidmark, but an emergency crap poncho can protect you from that. Emergency ponchos are only meant to use when you get caught out in the rain and weren't prepared to go out int it.
A decent poncho like what you ended up with is much better and can also be carried for when you get caught out in the rain, and would go farther towards actually going out in the rain intentionally.
In the end, a suit bottom that you can wear over pants with a bike purpose poncho top would be a good way to go... Specially if you wear a backpack.
Generally, it's about getting through the rain, and not being in it. If you're looking to purposefully be in the rain, then you don't wear a backpack, you wear a highly repellent suit and slickers, and understand that the repellent will only last so long and you'll need to refresh/reapply it.
Or, like others have said, just get wet and enjoy it.
For me, it's about getting to work. I wear a backpack to go to work so I can carry all I might need. As far as "changing" clothes, I'd hardly consider pulling rain pants off from over my regular pants an awkward ordeal. I might be awkward, but it's not like I'm getting undressed.
Mostly... You just accept that you will get wet and cope with it the best you can be prepared to cope with it. If you are looking to be dry and çomfortable in the rain.... well... Ride in an enclosed vehicle.
Vaude is a German brand btw, so it is pronounced [fau'de].
Yes, I’ve been informed that I was mistaken about Vaude’s origins. Thanks for the clarification
I have been wrong, too, I thought it had something to do with the Swiss canton Vaud.
Poncho it is! Thanks, Fun timely vid.☀️🚲days ahead.
Great video! This is very helpful as I try to ride around in the rain or snow here in Utah. I got fenders but never knew about bike specific rain ponchos, that is next on my list of things to get!
Patagonia rain ultra thin jackets work great and slots to open below the arm pits to breathe😉
Well my Dad told me that in Holland in his youth, he would wear wool pants, socks and rain jacket. Wool keeps you warm even wet and dries out quickly.
Great video, I have ordered the Vaude poncho. Looks excellent.
Thanks for the Vaude poncho tip--I'll check that out. It might be just the thing for short trips in not too heavy rain. However, here in Denmark the rain often comes with a lot of wind (no to mention water splashes from cars driving through puddles) so for that we still need something to fully cover our legs. Normally, my wife and I are using Haglöfs L.I.M. pants that have a full-length zipper so that you can take them on and off without having to take your shoes off. Combined with a Haglögs L.I.M. jacket, you have a very lightweight package that doesn't take up much space in your backpack or cycling bags. But yes, on longer commutes you will get sweaty ...
Awesome video
Nice and usefull video, thank you for sharing!
Great video, mate!
I live in a temperate rain forest and commute on my bike. I just wear a proper rain jacket with vents, and a layer of wool (usually smart wool) under my clothes (wool leggings are amazing!) so if my legs get a bit wet, I'm not chilled.
Storms come with rain, what else comes with a storm, wind! I can’t imagine going anywhere but straight backwards if I were to wear a poncho parachute in a gnarly headwind.
I watched one of your video and I spotted you had mounted your U bolt lock to your front fork . What a great ideal !
Thank for all you do
Garry Raleigh N.C.
Thank you for posting this very helpful video.
:)
When I lived on Vancouver Island I found my Gore Tex rain jacket plus rain pants with the under arm vents and side vents on the pants open was the best for me. Stayed properly dry but enough ventilation to stop the sweat getting unmanageable and I'm a pretty sweaty person normally. Also briefly used the one use only style rain suits for really bad days before I had the proper stuff, they lasted about two to three rides before the holes got too big.
Here in Seattle my kit is:
- thin long sleeve running quarter zip (sunny days, for SPF)
- thin waterproof bike jacket with pit zips
- thick neoprene water resistant bike jacket (it's very rarely rainy and cold here, but it usually survives a downpour too since it's from Gore)
- waterproof chaps I imported from the Netherlands (cover thighs and knees; keep these in my bag for light/surprise rains)
- full zip rain pants and a bag for them
- waterproof shoes
I can easily wear work attire (jean, sometimes flannel lined when it gets cold enough, plus a top underneath. It takes 30 seconds to pull off bike outer gear when I get to work or outings. I tried the hood thing but it felt dangerous and was a complete fail if you wear a backpack and/or use an ebike, imo. The chaps are amazing and easy to whip off even if I'm running late though they do look silly; they're three snaps (hip and each thigh) plus Velcro on each knee). Good, comfortable gear is well worth the investment if you bike daily.
This was funny and entertaining…Thanks😊
Overshoes are a must, even with long mudguards, your feet still get wet from the spray & shoes take ages to dry out.
Bought a off-brand poncho at a bike store 30 years ago when I was more into cycling. Wore it a few times on the bike, but loved it more off-bike since I was able to keep my backpack as well as my oversize body dry. Wish I could find one now. Thanks for the video.
Greetings from Lviv, Ukraine
Thank you, great content, and very helpful! I recently got the rain pants from Rains, because my normal pants were getting soaking wet pretty quickly in heavy rain. Now after watching this video I'm considering getting a poncho, cool stuff.
--I don't ride out in wind that's strong enough to push me around, or when rain is intense enough that visibility feels too low. That said, I've rode to work in relatively heavy rain many times over the years. I've found the following to work just fine: Leather shoes, jeans, polyester/cotton jacket with a hood, cap, tuck in your shirt, wear trouser clips.
-Dry, leather shoes for rain that aren't very open at the top. Openings at the top would let water in on foot, as well as cycling. I'd avoid synthetic shoes because your feet won't breathe in them. If you can't find footwear that's reliable enough for this, bring dry socks and keep a pair of shoes at work.
-Jeans. I did not have a coat guard, chain guard or proper fenders at the time, so they'd get a bit dirty sometimes. Avoid driving through ponds if this is you, you'll get the insides of your legs covered in water and dirt. I like jeans for this role because they don't soak up much water, and dirt falls off easy when it dries. I'd be dry in 30min or so at work. They're also breathable and hard to tear, so they're good bike wear for safety reasons. But do get proper fenders, a coat guard and a chain guard. These will make a world of difference.
-A jacket made of polyester and cotton, longer than the waist line. Mine is 65% polyester. Breathable and keeps my shoulders completely dry. I have a hood, but hoods tend to interfere with visibility and hearing. Make sure to consider this when picking a jacket.
-Wear a cap. The bill of the cap will stop rain from getting in your eyes, and it will stop your hood from sliding down over your eyes.
-Tuck your shirt into your pants. This is important whenever there's any kind of cold weather. It makes a world of difference in keeping our bodies at a comfortable heat during riding in wind and/or rain.
-You should already be wearing cycling trouser clips to stop your pants from catching on the bike. During rainy weather, they stop water from splashing up your pant legs.
--Remember to be well lit, even during day time, ride slower, and give yourself more time to steer and break than usual. Have fun and travel safe. 🚲 🚲 🚲
Wow Vaude did a Great Job with that poncho, it has all the features that would give you better flexibility, and ofcourse shield against rain.
@4:03 "They sure look happy", LOL! Pictures like that are *so* funny XD
That Vaude poncho looks really good for avoiding condensation..! Even looks like it packs fairly small.
wish you did this for rain shoe covers and helmet covers. really good video. subscribed to the wet journey! lol
Always on the lookout for ponchos to get my daughters out in the rain. Thanks for the heads up on the Vaude brand, don't get enough of gear that made in canada
It's holding up very well, but I was mistaken about the brand. It's German.
I just bought myself "Rainlegs", which cover just for the front / top side of your legs (quads and knees). Only straps on the back, so sweat should not be an issue. Also rolls up quite small, so you could potentially keep it in your riding bag for emergencies. Might not be enough if it really pours, but for lighter rain (or just to protect against cold winds) it looks good. Not tested with rain yet.
I usually wear a running jacket for running in the rain when riding in not so good weather. I admit to not riding anymore when the weather conditions are truly horrible as opposed to just kinda bad.
Oh and definitely wear a baseball cap under your hoodie to keep the rain from running all over your face. Nice, waterproof gloves are a must as well as frozen fingers are dangerous, you can lose the ability to brake if they get really cold. A pair of plastic bags over your not quite so waterproof gloves can help in a pinch but if you want to ride often in cold, rainy weather invest in good gloves.
Rainlegs and cap, i agree 100%
I used a thick 55 gallon garage bag that I cut arm and head holes in. Worked great!
I've got something similar, and it's great at keeping you dry while still giving significant amounts of air flow. But ponchos still have a big problem: they turn you into a big sail. So you basically cannot go fast, and if it's windy/gusty, you have to be careful not to be thrown off your bike.
For commuting it's a good option overall, because it really works well in terms of keeping you dry. But when I'm going for a fun ride, I'd rather have a jacket, or even just a t-shirt that would dry fast (depending on the temperature outside), because I get no annoying flapping fabric around me that could get caught on something and cause a crash.
I'm surscribed, you make great videos everytime!
I commute on a speed pedelec (45 km/h or 32 mph e-bike). Poncho's aren't great at higher speeds... Personally I prefer to just cycle in cycling gear (a 40 minute commute makes you a bit sweaty anyway, so changing clothes is a good idea), getting slightly wet in a cycling clothes is not too bad. If there's a real downpour I do wear a rainsuit, rain trousers and a pair of waterproof MTB shoes. Works well for me!
I'm going to be starting bike commuting next month and we tend to have rainy Springs in my neck of the woods. Thanks for a very informative video. Also, your "I look like a used condom" quip with the poncho definitely had me laughing out loud. :~)
Thanks for this review and info. I'm doing serious research into rain-cycling commuting at the moment because I live in Ireland and the weather is getting crappy now for winter!!
Glad it was helpful! Good luck getting through the rain.
Very Good Video
It´s a tough one. But for me when I used to cycle at work I would just always have a shirt at work to change into.
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So often you can either just miss/escape a heavy shower, or in contrast unexpectedly get badly caught in a sudden downpour, that planning ahead sometimes is counterproductive / just a waste of time.
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If the weather is really that bad, cycling is probably more dangerous anyway [more traffic, poorer visibility for cyclists and drivers, much worse stopping distances, slippery road surfaces etc.] so it is best to find alternative transport if you can.
Especially if it is raining and windy - and now you are wearing the equivalent of a sail as clothing!
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Otherwise, just have a light rain jacket handy, and accept the fact that your head and upper thighs will get wet, but usually the rest of you will keep dry and you won´t overheat.
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cheers!
JB
I also have the Vaude poncho, in red, it makes my 16km commute viable in the rain.
Good video. I like the double breasted trench coat as the fabric overlap completely covers the legs in cold or rainy weather. Lately I have been trying a high visibility raincoat with elastic leg clips to keep the coat on the legs. The original rubber Mackintosh had leg straps in the coat. Shoe covers are also nice at keeping the feet dry, but is is a good idea to wear wool socks and pack extra in case the feet get soaked. Check the weather radar and wait out the storms and make a break for it when you have the opportunity.
what I learnt from cycling to Vancouver from Calgary, is what to wear in the rain depends on the temperature. If it's cold, then I wear the jacket and pant with vents open.
If it's warm enough to wear only my bike shorts, that's what to do.
I live in Victoria, BC. I have a ultra-light poncho for hiking. Why have I never considered wearing a poncho while riding my bike?! I need to look more into this. Thank you so much for this video! I can't believe I didn't put these two ideas together. I ususally just pack spare clothes in my backpack and just embrase the bitter january rain.
You could try Veltop. It’s a bicycle windscreen which converts into a cover (like an umbrella for bicycles). Fixes to handlebars. Great for everyday commuting. Happyrainydays do long raincoats which have an extra foldout section that zips over to keep your legs dry when cycling. Better than bicycle ponchos. You could also try Yakkay helmets which do a raincover hat if you want an alternative to using a hood.
Currently I am using an old German army poncho which is made of rubberised fabric. The thing is huge, I tuck it between me and the saddle to keep the rain out at the rear and the front is big enough to go over the handlebars. With a pair of overshoes it is like having full bodywork.
Come the day it dies, I will get the Vaude poncho to replace it. Vaude make really good stuff - I have a couple of their tents. The company's designers seem to understand what their products are meant to do and make them accordingly, no fripperies, just excellent design and function.
Ponchos are also the best for commuting with a folding bike, they keep you AND the bike mostly dry (better use gaiters too). When you have to fold the bike and carry it with you on the bus or a train, it makes a lot of difference: you can quickly remove your poncho and fold it away, then put your folded bike between your leg and not be a nuisance for anyone.
I live in the North of England, very rainy at times but also a lot of hills, waterproofs can soak me from the inside out when I get hot. So I tend to dress lightly and just put up with the rain. I'm lucky enough to have a place to store a fresh change of clothes and an area in which to dry any wet clothes.
im about to purchase a gortex rain suit! i had one years ago! i road hard in rain cold freezing weather! was very breathable ! very light and lasted years! anyways worked for me. good luck
I carried a rain jacket which squeezed down to a very small item . The hood had those squeeze things which kept the hood on. It kept me dry & clean.
My go-to is a goretex rain jacket from North Face and a hat, which I think is much more manoeuvrable than a hood, and better in keeping the rain out of my eyes. If cold, combine with a snug shawl to properly seal.
I'm mostly too lazy to put on my rain trousers, I only ever wear them if it's pouring down (and have them with me). In stead, I have a reserve kit at work, so I can change if I'm too wet.
Good video man.
Glad you enjoyed it
Get yourself a pair of heals-boots covers from Vaude as well. I have figured out that these are getting wet the most during the cycling. Poncho + these are keeping you dry, but just from outside
just got a Cleverlite cape from the Spacing Store (in Toronto but shipping across Canada!) - very happy with it so far
Good option. And I was wrong about Vaude being a Canadian company, so This is a great option
00:34 Fantastic match cut, Tom.
I live in Seattle. It rains a lot here. I ride everywhere I go. Bicycle ponchos are ridiculous; I virtually never see anyone using one, and for very good reason. If you're riding less than 10 km one way, you're not riding super fast, and it's not very warm, a rain jacket and rain pants are by far the best option. If you're sporty, or riding a long way, just wear wool or Lycra below the waist. If it's warm, I agree with the person from Indonesia: just dispense with rain gear entirely, get wet, and change later. At temps above 12-14C, riding in rain gear just makes you went from the inside.
The problem with even a nice bike poncho (gortex or the like) that I've found is that they are both a wind sail (you REALLY feel the resistance if it's windy), and I didn't like the way it felt like it was limiting my range of motion on the handlebars. It might have been the particular cut of the local person that made mine.
Bicycle riding will always get you wet but when it rains you will always get wetter, be it from the outside or from the inside, the most important is to not get cold.
Around here (Portugal) when it rains it is also very windy so no flapping stuff for me, road cycling clothes, no hoods I wear instead a helmet cover, shoe covers, gloves, shorts and if it's cold knee covers I can ride this way down to -2 although when it rains it usually doesn't go below +5.
With a change of clothes on the bag and a hot bath at home riding in the rain just adds to the mystique. I like it.
I live in North Vancouver & ride all winter, here are my rain tips:
Ebike changes the game, no longer sweaty underneath.
Waterproof rain pants. Waterproof jacket. Half height rubber boots.
Warm & waterproof gloves. Waterproof toque under regular helmet, or better just have a winter helmet = ski helmet.
Ski googles with a clear lens for heavy weather. Clear lens is critical. As are googles. Glasses don’t work once it really starts raining.
I went with MEC for the pants and reflect360 for fully visible jacket.
Netherlands brand Agu focuses on apparel for bad weather urban cycling, maybe worth to check them out too.
Thanks for doing the research! I actually order one of the rain ponchos from Vaude. I love it!
Hope you like it!
Hi Tom
I know we all don't like helmets, but in the cold weather I don't mind . My balaclava under my Helmut and my shower cap lol. Works pretty good . I need try a a poncho . I do like rain pants .great channel . Be comfy lol
Outdoor research's helium line is great. Hiker before bike commuter. Great out to in airflow and hood with stiff brim and a rear cinch that stays on when you hike or bike.
poncho is the way to go
I appreciate you trying these out so we don't have to. Also my approach to rain is a jean jacket and baseball hat. I just accept that my pants and shoes will get wet, but hey thinner stuff dries faster. Honestly I'd rather be rain soaked than sweaty.
Fenders/mudguards really help keep your feet dry which is important if you're not changing shoes and I'm a big fan of merino wool socks and tops which retain warmth even when damp.
I got stuck in the rain the other night. I was wearing a heavy wool cardigan so while I got soaked, I was super warm, but... Yeah, I had to wring it out afterwards lol. This will help a lot.
That poncho is a nice choice.
I have something similar.
My sister bought it So I have no idea how much it cost. But it's well worth it.
However I usually wear something like when I ride in the rain. And change into something dry when I reach my destination if necessary.
PEACE !!!!!
My experience in souther California in the winter on the rare occasion we do get rain (chilly but not freezing) - it’s not the wet that gets me. It’s the cold. Wool is your best friend. Polyester teeshirt and shorts, just like in the summer. Wool sweater on top along with wool socks (feet get cold too). Windbreaker on top. I get drenched, but it isn’t a big deal as the windbreaker keeps me from getting cold. Pack work clothes in rainproof paniers or ziplock bags if you’re just using a basket. Don’t forget dry socks as walking around the office with squishy wet socks is rather unpleasant. And a front fender (along with some clear glasses/goggles) is necessary if you don’t want all the water from your front wheel getting blown up into your face.
Cool content, I also use ponchos when it rains, in my country the rainy season falls for about 6 months. I thought wearing a poncho while cycling was weird, but after I saw this video, wearing a poncho is cool and practical...
so it opened my mind that ponchos are a great idea when it rains

Hope it works out for you. Thanks for watching!
New subs here... Keep it up bro... I am new in cycling!
Showers Pass. Jacket and pants. Both very breathable and very waterproof. Got jacket bug enough for a big wool sweater in the cold weather. Got me through seven winters commuting in Halifax, Canada.
The gore-tex jacket you used is one of the best, for hiking and backpacking. I'd recommend a different brand that is of similar quality for biking in the rain.
The Outdoor Research Foray Jacket. The current model is the Foray II. There is one feature that makes it better for riding than most of it's competitors, OR calls it "TorsoFlow Venting". It's more than just a gimmick. Most quality Gore-Tex jackets have pit-zips to let you ventilate a little better by opening up a seam under your armpits and upper arms. The OR Foray jacket has 2-way zipper pit zips that go down the side of the jacket all the way to the hem. You can open from the top (under your arms) to any length along the side of your torso. Or, you can open up from the bottom hem on the side of your jacket all the way up under your arms. This is just like the 2-way zippers on the front of may hiking jackets but, instead, an each side!
Opening up both of these makes the jacket work more like a poncho!
I've ridden with my Foray for about 5 years and have found it works very well and still allows a good amount of ventilation.
New sub here, like the content so far and the rain video is great! have not gone through all your content as of late but will do soon. What about snow riding? As I'm not a new rider meaning I have ridden bikes my whole journey in life. I am just getting back on the bike here in Ottawa at 53! I agree with your Duch upright bike video as my first ride out after a tune up I was told off by one of the roadies apparently competing the Tour de France here on bike days (weekends where they close the roads for bike riders) in Ottawa. So have you any fun content about first timers do's and don'ts and I guess etiquette? (why so serious ) have fun, enjoy and looking forward learning more for the others as well as your self .
French people here, and I also, like many, settled for rain coat and overpants (protecting both shoes and pants, and that can be removed workout taking shoes or pants off) . Works the charm. I got both from decathlon that offer very decent products, never the best of the best but with extremely good quality price ratio. Both are also very visible (bright yellow) and whole not very sexy, I think visibility is mandatory if biking in traffic when it's rainy
I also think fenders are a must go.
Saludos del la ciudad de los charcos , la CDMX
Mudguards! I picked up a short sleeve rain jacket a couple of years ago, it’s genius.
For the best rain gear you have to step away from the bicycling shops/online and go to HUK FISHING RAIN GEAR!
I purchased a Huk "Gunwale" Jacket and Pants set and a set of waterproof overshoes by USHTH (they really are!). When they arrived, the very next day we have a torrential downpour! So I put the whole set on and walked out into the torrent of rain and down to the end of my driveway where there was a foot-deep river running down the street! Quick specs:
Windproof, 100% nylon shell with DWR finish, taped & sealed seams, 10K/15K waterproof/breathability rating, moisture-wicking inner layer, adjustable hood, zipper pockets, underarm ventilation and packable!
So in I went!
(great video)
I remained dry throughout. The hood on the jacket is large enough to wear while using a helmet, closes with velcro and tough strings; has ventilation under the arms you can open (I did and it works!) to keep you a bit cooler. You do get semi-hot in this as it is waterproof but it didn't make me sweat on the 14 mile ride I took later in a less-torrential rain. The pants fit nicely (I'm old and fat and I got "Large" size) if not a little snug (because I'm fat) but are long enough to go over the top of any shoes you'll be wearing or, in my case, my waterproof rain boots, into which my size 11 riding shoes (not clip shoes) fit perfectly! I chose to wear my pants over the boots but the boots have a mid-calf upper so you could tuck the Huks inside.
Huk costs a bit more than your standard cheap Amazon gear, but believe me, it's worth it!!
I live in the west coast of Scotland and it can get pretty wet here. I take the approach of scuba diving. I know I am going to get wet, it’s just important to stay warm (but not overheat). I wear a jacket and quick drying shorts, and if I am still a little cold I just cycle a bit harder. I feel like I’m having a shower. I also make sure I have a change of clothes, including underwear, wrapped in a plastic bag inside my rucksack. Also, a helmet with a visor.