Can riding in the rain be not miserable? Also related safety questions for bad weather cycling

[toontra]

So while Brand X will fit some feet better, it may not fit other feet better.

Indeed. It's going to be a personal thing. For me Sealskinz have always been a poor fit no matter the size, especially at the ankle - even the ones with elasticated cuffs. So much so that there was little point in using them as rain ran straight down inside.

The encouraging thing about the ones I posted is the good overall fit, and particularly a snug fit at the ankle, which gives me hope that will prevent rain getting in from above.

[mattheus]

...
Indeed. It's going to be a personal thing. For me Sealskinz have always been a poor fit no matter the size, especially at the ankle - even the ones with elasticated cuffs. So much so that there was little point in using them as rain ran straight down inside.

My £10 Sealskinz are still in the trial phase. I haven't been brave enough to test the ankles for water-tightness; this seems to be a key aspect of failure for footwear in long deluges.

What I did try was wearing them with waterproof trous; this is a 100% win strategy for me. It's worked with my (rather old and cheap) Goretex socks inside summer shoes. Of course it totally protects the ankle-top potential failure point!

The Sealskinz did stay dry inside with this arrangement, so I guess the main body was working OK. Durability will be the next test ...

[freiston]

Wow! Four pages of replies and no one has mentioned glasses.

page one:

A cap helps keep rain off the glasses,

Like I said a cap helps, it isn't perfect, but having it pulled down as far as possible and keeping you head down as much as you're comfortable with helps. Any cap will do, though the Sealskin waterproof one also keeps the head warmer.

Another benefit of wearing a peaked cap (a decent sized peak, mind you) is that if you pull a hood up over it, it makes the hood turn with your head when looking over your shoulder or side to side at a junction.

Re. waterproof socks, I bought a pair of the Endura ones, to be worn with sandals. I've tried them on for size when I first got them and they felt good but I haven't worn them on the bike yet. I've linked them below but I'm sure I paid a lot less - I hope I did!

https://www.endurasport.com/hummvee-wat ... 28382.html

[axel_knutt]

Wow! Four pages of replies and no one has mentioned glasses.

I took mine off, as my eyesight is (was) better than rainy spex. There was one occasion coming off Dunmail Raise into Grasmere when the rain was filling my eyes faster than I could blink it out, because I had to squeeze really hard with my eyelids, but I just blinked one eye at a time.

[toontra]

Wow! Four pages of replies and no one has mentioned glasses.

I just use my fingers as windscreen wipers every so often. Even in heavy rain that usually gives enough vision.

[pjclinch]

...
Indeed. It's going to be a personal thing. For me Sealskinz have always been a poor fit no matter the size, especially at the ankle - even the ones with elasticated cuffs. So much so that there was little point in using them as rain ran straight down inside.

My £10 Sealskinz are still in the trial phase. I haven't been brave enough to test the ankles for water-tightness; this seems to be a key aspect of failure for footwear in long deluges.

Rest assured they will fail there with enough water working its way down your leg. If you look at the tight rubber seals on dry suits that's what you need to stop water working its way in to cuffs and the like.

What I did try was wearing them with waterproof trous; this is a 100% win strategy for me. It's worked with my (rather old and cheap) Goretex socks inside summer shoes. Of course it totally protects the ankle-top potential failure point!

Yup, you need to keep the tops of the socks dry (or nearly so) to keep your feet dry. The inner lining tends to be pretty good at wicking anything from the top through the rest of the sock, especially with gravity giving it a helping hand

Pete.

[Snoopy]

When I started riding , plastic bags inside shoes for keeping feet dry.
Peter Storm to keep the wet at bay .
Brakes that's a story in itself.


I have to admit kit has come along way

[Colin63]

My latest kit (lower half) for riding in the rain is:
The Vulpine 'gravel' trousers that I mentioned in another thread
A pair of thick walking socks
A pair of Grubs Frostline Wellie boots
The boots are brilliant… spacious, warm and dry with good grip on the pedals.

It has been raining cats and dogs all day today, but I didn't even have to change into dry clothes when I got to work.


… Admittedly I drove to work. Not even I'm going to ride in today's weather

[snusmumriken]

Although I wear Lycra shorts on the bike, I always wear wool cycling jerseys. In light rain (or as a windstopper), I add a plain Pertex shell. Plain Pertex is much more permeable from the inside than is Pertex Shield, and you can top up its ability to shed rain on the outside with NikWax DX. The net effect is the same as a Buffalo shirt, but with the advantages of being more adaptable, and not getting smelly. It's surprising how comfortable you can be in rain with this combination. My Pertex shell is a cycling-specific one made by Montane. It scrunches up to the size of a cricket ball, and very light. Maddeningly, Montane don't make them anymore. I guess DIY is the answer for my next one.

I've owned good breathable waterproof tops, but if it really rains, I prefer a cycling cape, which needs to be not too light. I can take off the Pertex top once under the cape, and stuff it in a jersey pocket. The cape covers my (leather) saddle, handlebars and hands. The only real downside is not being able to see the front wheel, which unexpectedly comprises my ability to deal with slippery manhole covers and potholes. Otherwise, it's really cosy.

[mattheus]

My Pertex shell is a cycling-specific one made by Montane. It scrunches up to the size of a cricket ball, and very light. Maddeningly, Montane don't make them anymore. I guess DIY is the answer for my next one.

This is what led me to believe there isn't a god. (Or that he doesn't love cyclists?)

One of the best - and certainly best value - bits of cycling kit I ever owned.

[axel_knutt]

My Pertex shell is a cycling-specific one made by Montane. It scrunches up to the size of a cricket ball, and very light. Maddeningly, Montane don't make them anymore. I guess DIY is the answer for my next one.

This is what led me to believe there isn't a god. (Or that he doesn't love cyclists?)

One of the best - and certainly best value - bits of cycling kit I ever owned.

I had a couple of them, and quite liked them, otherwise I wouldn't have bought the second, but...
The neck hole was a bit too small, so I couldn't zip it up fully, and....
The Hi Viz yellow faded in little more than a month, and became a Lo Viz creamy white.

[Brickboy]

I've not tried a cape but I like the idea. Any suggestions as to what to get? I've not seen any since I was small in the 1970s!

And, riding on flat pedals for commutes I usually wear, allegedly, waterproof material walking shoes. The waterproof claim is nonsense of course. What would be a better choice to at least give me a chance of dry feet.

It would make a nice change to have a slightly less soaked personage on those great occasions when the heavens open!

[pjclinch]

And, riding on flat pedals for commutes I usually wear, allegedly, waterproof material walking shoes. The waterproof claim is nonsense of course. What would be a better choice to at least give me a chance of dry feet.

As per the answers upthread a bit, there's no particular problem making a shoe out of waterproof material, your problem tends to come from water by-passing it via the big hole in the top your foot goes through.

In heavy and/or set-in rain you need a combination of waterproof trousers that cover the tops of boots or some sort of overshoe/gaiter or similar, otherwise water will run down your legs, soak your socks and then work its way into the shoes.

Years ago a pal was determined to have dry feet on a hike. She had waterproof hiking boots covered by waterproof over-gaiters and inside were waterproof over-socks... but she didn't put on waterproof over-trousers, and ended up pouring a puddle out of each boot where the water had arrived via soaking into her trousers and following the call of gravity.

It's possible your notionally waterproof shoes leak as well, of course, but it's easy to find out. Put them on some kitchen roll, fill them up with water and see if the paper towel stays dry. If it does, they don't leak (except via that big hole at the top).

Pete.

[ANTONISH]

I've not tried a cape but I like the idea. Any suggestions as to what to get? I've not seen any since I was small in the 1970s!

And, riding on flat pedals for commutes I usually wear, allegedly, waterproof material walking shoes. The waterproof claim is nonsense of course. What would be a better choice to at least give me a chance of dry feet.

It would make a nice change to have a slightly less soaked personage on those great occasions when the heavens open!

A cape is very effective at keeping off the rain.
In my youth I enjoyed going out for a ride in the rain - I had a Sou'wester too - don't see many of those nowadays.
Unfortunately in today's traffice conditions I find a cape too risky - signalling being very difficult.
The last time I used my cape was some years ago when I rode the Danube cycle route, which is wide and traffic free.

[Carlton green]

And, riding on flat pedals for commutes I usually wear, allegedly, waterproof material walking shoes. The waterproof claim is nonsense of course. What would be a better choice to at least give me a chance of dry feet.

Pete’s reply above struck me as an interesting insight. Walking boots are intended for walking over rough and sometimes wet terrain and expect water from underfoot. With gaiters I’ve walked through some pretty wet places and got by ok. On a bike water comes at us from above the sole so entering boots via the upper and holes/openings in it.

Over trousers seem sensible to me too - and have certainly saved me from soaked trousers - but in practice (as opposed to theory) where do they drain to?

I take it that you have full mudguards plus long flaps, flaps might seem an unnecessary gimmick but I was surprised by how beneficial they are.

I don’t ride far in the rain and avoid it when I can, but if I had to cycle in wet weather then I’d pragmatically consider over-trousers and wellingtons. In the winter months it’s not unusual for me to cycle in wellingtons, and particularly so when going off to the woods with my dog. It don’t look stylish but I’m past caring about such things.