How to Buy Rain Gear for a Bike

If you ride in the rain, you're going to get wet, but you can remain warm and comfortable if you wear the right gear.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Booties
• Headbands
• Skullcaps
• Waterproof Jackets
• Waterproof Pants
• Waterproof Rain Gears
• Bicycle Fenders
• Bike Helmet Covers
• Bike Rear Red Flashers
• Biking Gloves
• Long-sleeved Bike Jerseys
• Goggles
• Goggles
• Waterproof jackets

1. Start with a rain jacket, either a simple shell kept in the back of your jersey for emergencies or a more technical jacket, perhaps made out of Gortex.

2. Consider breathability. Many shells aren't very breathable, but they make up for it by having a full-length zip in the front.

3. Think about fit. For cycling, you need the jacket to be long in the back and in the arms to give you full protection when you're in a riding position.

4. Purchase rain pants if you ride often in rainy or wet conditions.

5. Understand that your feet will get the brunt of the rain, and there's no way to prevent them from getting wet. If you have cycling shoes, consider booties.

6. Consider socks that won't soak up a lot of water and that will keep you warm. Some people put plastic bags between their socks and their shoes.

7. Consider headgear. You may want a helmet cover that will keep water from coming in the vents. A headband or skullcap will help keep your head warm.

8. Consider full gloves. It's very important to keep your hands warm - after all, they do the steering, braking and shifting.

9. Consider what you wear under your clothing. The items against your skin should be good at wicking moisture away from your skin.

10. Always use layers. The weather can change. You don't want to overheat or freeze.

Tips & Warnings

• Most of the water that ends up on your body comes off the wheels. Buy fenders for your bike if you plan to ride in the rain often.
• Rain often means bad visibility - both for you and motorists. Ride with a rear red flasher to make yourself more visible to others.
• Wear eye protection - glasses with large, clear lenses work best in the rain, especially those designed not to fog up.
• Experiment with these suggestions, and ask local cyclists what works well for them.

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[pondripples]

on 1/31/2009 As a former bike commuter, I think the best rain gear for a bike commuter is a poncho. By this I mean a sturdy nylon rip stop one, not one of those plastic sheeting ones. For some reason they've become hard to find. They cover you're upper body, and legs, and will even cover a backpack. They are easy to put on over any clothes, even skirts. The only catch is that they aren't as aerodynamic.

on 11/22/2005 As a lifelong sailor, I discovered that Gortex socks were the most valuable foul weather gear on my boat. Now, I use them for kayaking. With a pair of reef walkers on the outside, I have dry portages when traversing shallow streems. They come with a neoprene neck, so water can't run down your pant legs into the socks. They are warm in the winter and they breathe in the heat. No more sweaty feet. These are incredible.