Author Topic: when biking in the rain ... clothing question again  (Read 4546 times)

FuckRx

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when biking in the rain ... clothing question again
« on: January 18, 2015, 01:03:27 PM »

is it better to have those waterproof pants that go over regular clothing underneath or is it better to wear those waterproof dress pants and bike in them and hope they will dry out by the time I start working without taking them off?
as far as shoes, should I wear dedicated biking shoes that I know will get wet and change to new shoes at work or put those booties or whatever over my regular shoes?
my rain jacket is awesome!! I didn't get wet under it at all when I bikes in full on rain for the first time so I'm keeping that baby. I think it's a Rainpass brand.
Last time I wore regular workout pants and the rain soaked through the pants and my boxers got wet so when I changed into work clothes the boxers were still wet so it got my pants wet :)
sorry lots of questions...
I shave my head so no problems with just wearing my glasses and my biking helmet.

Static Void

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Re: when biking in the rain ... clothing question again
« Reply #1 on: January 18, 2015, 01:15:36 PM »
I wear thin rain pants over shorts or pants (depending how cold it actually is), and thin rain jacket shell over it. Then carry change of shoes and socks in my backpack. (I've seen little rain-booties to go over shoes but haven't tried them!)

Important lesson that you only need to learn once (if you're me, a normal person would not make this mistake) is that "tucking order" is the most important thing. Like roof shingles. All regular clothes and jacket *under* rain pants. Rain jacket shell *over* rain pants.

I've seen pictures of a thing-whose-name-I-don't-know which is like a rain jacket that forms a little tent over your torso, arms and handlebars, which is supposedly better for airflow and reduces the sweat-inside-the-rain-jacket effect, especially (they say) if you're already wearing cold-weather gear. Anyone know what that is, or used one?

Armer Student

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Re: when biking in the rain ... clothing question again
« Reply #2 on: January 18, 2015, 02:24:28 PM »
the thing-whose-name-you-don't-know is called a "Bike Rain Poncho".

Depending on the length of the bike ride I would wear my "nice" clothes underneath rain gear for a short trip, and sports/biking clothes for longer trips. Reason: No matter how expensive the rain stuff is (ventilation, breathing and such things), I would sweat anyways after a few miles ..

iknownothing

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Re: when biking in the rain ... clothing question again
« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2015, 12:08:01 PM »
Couple of ideas:

1. FENDERS! If your bike does not have them, get some ASAP, they make a huge difference.

2. Shoes: Leave your work shoes at work and ride in your bike shoes. You can also get waterproof socks to wear under your bike shoes, and then just change shoes & socks at work.

3. Pants: I think dedicated rain pants are the best option. Either wear your work pants under them if your ride is short and you don't sweat a lot, or change pants at work.

FuckRx

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Re: when biking in the rain ... clothing question again
« Reply #4 on: January 19, 2015, 12:15:46 PM »
I went ahead and spent about $150 on rain pants. It's a lot but the company is local, they have a great warranty and I try to buy stuff like this for life or at least a long ass time.
I have fenders. Great idea with work shoes, I have just the shoes then that I'm gonna dedicate to rain cycling. I didn't wanna spend more money but if there is waterproof socks I'm gonna get them.

Eric

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Re: when biking in the rain ... clothing question again
« Reply #5 on: January 19, 2015, 01:37:36 PM »
Here's how I bike in the rain:  I just get wet.  When I get to where I need to be, I change into dry clothes.  It's the simplest and cheapest way.  All the rain gear will keep you dry from rain, but you'll be wet from sweat instead.  Best to just bring a towel and dry clothes/shoes.


marblejane

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Re: when biking in the rain ... clothing question again
« Reply #6 on: January 19, 2015, 03:55:05 PM »
Agree with Eric, but just with the caveat that you'll need to think ahead to getting home- putting on all that wet stuff at the end of the day is kind of gross. I usually pack an extra pair of socks (so, bike in clothes & shoes that get wet, pack dry clothes & shoes for work, plus pack dry socks for biking home...maybe a moot point if you wear socks to work).

Also, I usually just wear regular sneakers & socks. (I've never heard of waterproof socks!!) My roommate has a newspaper subscription, so we have a bunch of those plastic bags. I will put my socks on, then put one bag on each foot before putting my shoes on. I usually need to tie the bag to my ankle to get a decent seal on top.

TrMama

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Re: when biking in the rain ... clothing question again
« Reply #7 on: January 19, 2015, 05:17:48 PM »
Here's how I bike in the rain:  I just get wet.  When I get to where I need to be, I change into dry clothes.  It's the simplest and cheapest way.  All the rain gear will keep you dry from rain, but you'll be wet from sweat instead.  Best to just bring a towel and dry clothes/shoes.

This. I live in the PNW and have biked for eons. There is no "rain gear" anywhere that doesn't make you sweat like a pig. I also don't wear anything on the bike that I plan to wear in the office because biking on roads in the rain means getting covered in road dirt (fenders only decrease the wet and dirt that gets sprayed on you). My strategy is to leave my work shoes at work, wear sport specific clothes on the bike and then change everything when I get to work. Hang the wet stuff up so it dries and put it back on to ride home.

Waterproof socks that go under your shoes sound like a really bad idea. Thankfully the internet does not transmit smells . . .

tofuchampion

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Re: when biking in the rain ... clothing question again
« Reply #8 on: January 19, 2015, 08:05:24 PM »
Here's how I bike in the rain:  I just get wet.  When I get to where I need to be, I change into dry clothes.  It's the simplest and cheapest way.  All the rain gear will keep you dry from rain, but you'll be wet from sweat instead.  Best to just bring a towel and dry clothes/shoes.

+1

If it's raining, I pack dry clothes to change into, including socks & underwear. I can hang up wet clothes at work and by the time I go home, they're dry enough. I work at a hospital and I can just grab a towel from the linen cart.

 

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