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

[PH]

Most comfortable legwear I've worn in poor weather when I really do have to be out all day are the Showers Pass Skyline trousers. Ridiculous expensive, even in one of their frequent sales, but if you need to be out and want to stay comfortable I haven't tried anything else even close (Obviously I've not tried everything). They're not waterproof, they don't claim to be, if you hosed yourself down you'd be wet in no time, but for cycling they keep you dry and warm enough not to notice, while still being comfortable enough to wear when the rain stops. Lots of different fabrics, waterproof breathable, waterproof non breathable, water resistant, several thicknesses of stretchy material, lining where needed, there can't be many bits of cycling apparel as complex. They're really well made and as I'm unlikely to wear them more than a dozen times a year they'll probably outlast me.
https://showerspass.co.uk/collections/m ... yline-pant

[ANTONISH]

Cycling poncho / cape only £19.99

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/100-city- ... us%20green

Of course that brings us back into the realms of waterproof gloves - the cape covers the handlebars and hands, which works well for riding all day in the rain.
The poncho is inferior in that respect but is a good compromise.

[roubaixtuesday]

Wet ride to work today. A rare outing for my neoprene gloves (just on a whim) and waterproof socks plus a thin shell.

I wasn't at all miserable, but the huge line of motorists I passed looked pretty hacked off!

[Audax67]

Finishing our Strasbourg-Brest 1000k in the pouring rain wasn't miserable, it was effing hilarious. Mind you, it was warm.

[Blondie]

I think the choice depends on lot of whether you run warm or cold, how long you are out for, whether you plan to have a stop, and the extent of the rain.

In all but prolonged rain and depending on whether you plan a long stop a windproof often is more comfortable than a waterproof. This is if you run hot (like I do). Then think about the layers under a shell. I find a synthetic mesh base and active insulation under a shell work excellent at keeping your skin warm and dry, even without a waterproof shell. It’s like a modern version of the old pile and pertex solution but better for the higher efforts you put in on the bike. This has worked for me for the last 10 years, last wearing a waterproof on bike back in 2014.

[Pendodave]

I try and avoid cycling in the rain, but on a recent trip to Scotland I cycled through a day of fairly long periods of drizzle and steady rain. It wasn't a bad as I expected, and I was very pleased with the performance of my clothing.
Legs were Van Rysel cool weather tights with a thin insulating layer. Not waterproof, but even when they got wet, my legs stayed warm and the lack of any flap meant that pedaling was as easy as if they were dry. They also dried out quickly once the rain stopped.
Jacket was a second hand castelli shakedry jacket. I'd been looking for one for years at a decent price and eventually found one that I could justify to myself. Really excellent - fits well, waterproof and reasonably breathable.
Head - I wore a buff under my helmet. Isn't waterproof, but warm when enough to avoid discomfort.
Hands - golf gloves. Leather and thin. Kept hands warm, though obviously not waterproof. Do need to be indoors to dry out though.
So, not everything was waterproof, but I ended the day warm and dry.
Worth it for the views, too

[Cowsham]

Rain is usually the torrential sideways variety so no point in trying to get under a poncho or the like.

I don't mind the rain but if it's likely to be very wet I'll wear the Lycra bottoms and cycle jacket over a long sleeved roll neck shirt and just get soaked. As long as my stuff in the panniers is dry I don't care I'll change at work or home.

Can't stand being too cold and if it's both wet and cold it can be very harmful especially here. I remember some Ukraine doll came here in the early naughties and lost a leg ( edit both legs below the knee ) due to frostbite or just being too cold for too long -- sleeping rough after losing her job and homeless ( she was probably used to colder temperatures but a dry cold ) . I can be minus 5 and wet here at the same time ( the bitter cold can really chill your body temperature when wet ) . In 2010 there was an ice storm which I'd never seen the like of before, that was scary.

[Ferrij]

I once read long ago that it’s never as bad as it looks through a window and to just get out and enjoy, something I often do.
I use Madison defy the elements waterproof jacket and trousers which are not unreasonably priced (compared to some) but are robust and offer decent protection, though like anything, will eventually let in water in prolonged or torrential rain. Also swear by sealskin socks and gloves too.They’ve been a sound investment though as I wear them walking too so one set does all.
The main decider for me between bike or walk is my appetite to clean the bike, as I’m almost always off road and will invariably get covered in mud and other crap, and whether I’ve been warned by Mrs F that the washing machine is available…..

[Cowsham]

"and whether I’ve been warned by Mrs F that the washing machine is available….."

-------------------------------------
sealskin socks? That's several times I've heard them mentioned on this forum -- any recommendations as to where to buy a pair?

[pjclinch]

sealskin socks? That's several times I've heard them mentioned on this forum -- any recommendations as to where to buy a pair?

That's a bit like asking where to buy a Berghaus jacket - really just take your pick, they're widely available.

They work pretty well but as ever not quite as wondrously as marketing suggests. If your trousers are soaked then water can get in through the big hole at the top by running down your legs, and once it's in it'll mostly stay there, because waterproof works both ways. Another issue is if the outer gets saturated the waterproof barrier will still work but with an excellent heat conducting layer right up close to your feet they can still get quite cold. And like any waterproof/breathable membrane kit they're substantially less breathable than something without a membrane.

But in rain, combined with waterproof trousers and shoes that will keep the worst out, they're pretty good.

Pete.

[Bmblbzzz]

IME Sealskin socks work best when worn with normal socks underneath. Probably synthetic rather than cotton, as cotton just gets sweat-soaked and stays soaked.

[Vorpal]

I have to admit that unless I need to stay dry, like going to work, or something, I mostly don't bother with rain gear these days. I wear clothes for warmth, rather than dry & just get wet.

I do like my Sealskinz socks, though. Even when they are wet enough to wring out and get a fair amount of water, my feet stay warm. I obviously wouldn't want to wear them day after day, but for a day ride in the rain, they are perfect.

[roubaixtuesday]

sealskin socks? That's several times I've heard them mentioned on this forum -- any recommendations as to where to buy a pair?

That's a bit like asking where to buy a Berghaus jacket - really just take your pick, they're widely available.

They work pretty well but as ever not quite as wondrously as marketing suggests. If your trousers are soaked then water can get in through the big hole at the top by running down your legs, and once it's in it'll mostly stay there, because waterproof works both ways. Another issue is if the outer gets saturated the waterproof barrier will still work but with an excellent heat conducting layer right up close to your feet they can still get quite cold. And like any waterproof/breathable membrane kit they're substantially less breathable than something without a membrane.

But in rain, combined with waterproof trousers and shoes that will keep the worst out, they're pretty good.

Pete.

They're also excellent for keeping warm in cold dry conditions.

[Cowsham]

I do like my Sealskinz socks, though. Even when they are wet enough to wring out and get a fair amount of water, my feet stay warm. I obviously wouldn't want to wear them day after day, but for a day ride in the rain, they are perfect.

That's good cos there's nothing worse than cold feet when riding a bicycle. I find below about 4 degrees is uncomfortable and just can't get my feet to warm up even on long rides. If I get caught on my commute to or from work in rain or sleet it's horrible. In NI it's usually very cold and wet from now till about May. We seldom get cold dry weather cos of the location but at least it doesn't freeze as much.

[Ferrij]

Same here in south wales, which makes decent wet weather gear a great investment.
I haven’t bought Sealskinz stuff for about 2 years as it lasts really well and think the last time I did was either from Tredz or Wiggle/CR.
I did a quick google search and it looks as though you can buy from Sealskinz direct or Amazon now. I went mid weight which keep feet warm and dry in extremes ( wet and cold) with light socks underneath. I’ve also bought some from the middle aisle in Aldi (crane brand) which are ok, but much thinner and the waterproofing doesn’t last not last as long, though they are a lot cheaper