I prefer these http://www.rainlegs.co.uk/ to rain paints, paired with a good jacket (that has long zippered opens under the armpit because when the humidity outside approaches the humidity in your jacket - guess what - it doesn't matter how permeable to water vapor your rainjacket's material is) and a helmet that has a visor. And full fenders of course, like Planet Bike's Cascadia model.
I prefer the rainlegs over rainpaints because nothing between my knees and ankles gets that wet; rainlegs aren't nearly as hot as rainpants; and rainlegs are much easier to take off (especially without removing your shoes) than full rainpants. They're now available at wallbike and other bike shops in the US now, possibly including our local bike shops, though I bought mine when I could only get them from the UK. The main disadvantage to rainlegs is that they make me look ridiculous when I'm wearing them. But there are those who'd contend I look ridiculous even when I'm not wearing them, so that's not much of a disincentive for me. Very occasionally I'll wear a full rain cape with a hood, like the dark green Carradice one pictured here: http://www.thirdwave-websites.com/bike/rain-capes.cfm when used on a bike with fenders, you don't need any coverings on your legs at all, and the air circulation keeps you quite cool. The biggest problem with them is that they're designed to be used with the swept back handlebars (and brake levers) typical on an english 3 speed (there are thumbloops inside the cape to create the tent effect, but they're not all that conducive to interface with mountain bike bars/levers or road drop bars and levers. Also, my helmet doesn't fit under the hood, so I have to wear the hood under my helmet or not at all, which means compromising air circulation or keeping my head dry. Other helmets (or heads) may fit better. Yes, I know this would be an excellent place to make a comment. Feel free. chuck -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of India Rose Viola Sent: Friday, July 23, 2010 2:21 PM To: Paddy Rourke Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Bikies] good cycling raingear Paddy, I second Michael's suggestions. A cycling-specific rain pant (I am currently using REI) and brightly colored, lightweight rain jacket (again, I currently have REI) are the essentials. My rain coat serves as my all-around rain jacket, so I have a hood that I only use when I'm not biking. Features I look for in a rain pant are: comfortable light weight zips on the bottom of each leg so you can pull on/off over clothing/shoes elastic cuffs with velcro closures articulated knees (optional) Features for the jacket: comfortable good-quality zipper large enough that you can layer underneath zip-open under arms for temp control longer in back so that it covers you in cycling posture light weight brightly colored and/or reflective taped seams/breathable material I also wear a waterproof hiking boot (Asolo) on cooler rain days. I pull the elastic cuff of the rain pant over the top of the boot so that I don't get water draining into my shoes. If you don't already have fenders I would add them in as essential rain gear. -India On 07/23/10, Paddy Rourke <[email protected]> wrote: > You all were so helpful when I asked about winter cycling clothing awhile back. > > My current raingear pretty much bites. > > I yield to your collective wisdom on good raingear. > > I need raingear that just covers my usual clothing - I don't like/want to completely change outfits. > > Any ideas? > > Thanks in advance, > > Paddy Rourke > > <(*¿*)> > _______________________________________________ > Bikies mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org -- India Viola Stretton Lab 115 Zoology Research 1117 W. Johnson St. Madison, WI 53706 608.262.3336 "How can we learn from our mistakes if we don't first acknowledge them?" -Anonymous _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org
