I'm all wet, rain gear suggestions?

tacomee

I'm a member of the *used wool sweaters under a cheap windbreaker/rain coat* tribe myself. Yes, I do get wet, but at least I'm warm. Fenders help a ton on wet pavement mornings.

stevek

I have a burley rain jacket. I like it because it gives you lots of venting options. pit vents with zippers and chest vents with zippers. the outside temp determans what I wear under it. anything above about 58 and I may not wear it at all. below it I would start with a light shirt. at 35 to 40 a heavy shirt. I don't sweat much in it but on my back from my backpack.

msrw

The best rain gear I've ever used is Carradice's waxed cotton rain cape with their spats (lower leg covers). This is sufficient for most rainy days. For something much heavier, their rain pants are also good.

The rain cape is vastly better than a rain jacket, since it breaths better, since the bottom is open. It's quite different than a poncho. The waxed cotton fabric has more weight than nylon, so it doesn't flap around.

Dealers in the U.S. include www.peterwhitecycles.com, and www.wallbike.com.

mrhawk166

Along similar lines, does anyone here wear eyeglasses? It's lightly raining outside right now, in fact, and the problem I run into is rain smattering across my lenses and staying there. This makes it tougher to see during daytime, and it becomes dangerous once it gets dark...

One might recommend to wipe of the eyeglasses w/ my sleeve. Well, these are expensive prescription lenses, that I'd rather not risk scratching. Does anyone know of a good solution? Is there some sort of "RainOff" sort of coating I could treat my lenses w/ so it'd roll off? Maybe wear some sort of goggles? (But, would they not fog up inside? And these'd have to be able to be worn over eyeglasses, as I'm nearsighted.)

Any advice would be appreciated...

stevek

things are a bit blurry but I just ride without by glasses. I am nearsighted too. at night it is no big deal. if you don't travel too fast a hat with a long bib pulled down tight to your eyes may do it. or look over your glasses.

davebee

I use a Mountain Hardware Goretex mountaineering jacket that is quite short in the waist, as I have found it very difficult to find a technical waterproof jacket with a proper hood. I have found that without a proper hood, no matter what i try, water just pours down the back of my neck. For trousers i use a pair of altura bottoms (around £50) and some vision overshoes to stop the lot pouring into my shoes. Sealskinz gloves were also a very good investment. The whole lot is porbably worth around £300- £350 i would say. (£240 for the coat tho i only paid £140, £50 for the trousers and £20 for the overshoes)

veganheart

eyeglass tip. cut the brim off an old baseball style hat and use two bolts to attach it to your helmet visor. this extends the visor significantly. the rain barely hits my chin. I live in vancouver canada where it rains alot. this set up works well and is dirt cheap.

stevek

but how fast do you travel? I tired a hat and it did nothing at all. and when raining and blowing no way at all.

mrhawk166

Yes, I was wondering the same thing... when I commute, sometimes I get headed maybe 15-20mph down hills, even in the rain (although, I only do this when things look safe well up ahead). I don't think this brim trick would do it.

One idea I've had regarding this would be something like an open-faced motorcycle type of visor, ie, like this... http://www.motorcycle-superstore.co...=101&Division=1 .

Then you could just feel free to wipe off the visor w/ your sleeve, w/o fear of ruining your glasses. I guess the problem then might be steaming up the visor w/ your breath.. Hmm.

stevek

In the day I can live with rain on my glasses. at night I just take them off. things are a little blurry but it is not a problem.

mrhawk166

I wish that that was a safe option for me, but too many years of heavy computer use have doomed me to a heavy prescription , so it really wouldn't be safe for me or others if I were to do that...