Waterproofs

[Madness]

I know its rolling round to summer but this is england we are talking about here and even worse.... norfolk.... so

Im new to the whole using the bike most of the time thing. What so you guys (and gals) recommend in the way of waterproofs?

 

[Straylight]

I have a Gill goretex jacket, that was rather pricey when I got it (circa £140), but 9 years, and many storms later, still looks pretty new. I also have some Featherlite waterproof overtrousers, which do let the water permeate slightly, but only in the heaviest of showers. The advantage of these is that they're as thin as parachute silk, and so pack into a very small bag (that comes with them), about the sise of an orange.

 

[Mussels]

It depends a lot on your cycling, usually hardshell (normal waterproofs) keep all the sweat in so you still get soaked. Softshell let's the sweat out but also let's some water in. Then in between are other fabrics, Goretex pretends to be both but it's in the middle with good and bad parts. If youput any effort into riding you will probably find goretex can't cope with the sweat.
I carry hard shell in case I get very cold but most of the time I prefer warm and damp with a soft shell jacket. In practice hard shell only gets worn in sub zero temperatures or when I break down.

 

[musicbooks]

Hi Madness,
I bought an Endura gridlock jacket with regatta waterproof trousers and endura overshoes( get the largest size ) + Bell cycle hemet with waterproof cover.. Even in the most ridiculous weather conditions ( whichs eem to be most of the time in the UK these day, I arrive at work or home after my commute 100% dry. I hae to negotiate some serious hills and I don't sweat that much in the jacket. It has zips and flaps that allow air to circulate. Well worth the money in my book.

Jacket = £40
Trousers = £15
Overshoes = can't remember

bw
musicbooks

 

[Patrick]

I've got a waterproof jacket and trouser set from Screwfix for £8.79
Waterproof Suit 2 Piece L 42-44" - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys

They're great for heavy rain, but you've got to take them off pretty sharpish if the sun comes out or you just get sweaty.

Patrick

 

[Phil the drill]

Hi Madness,
I bought an Endura gridlock jacket with regatta waterproof trousers and endura overshoes( get the largest size ) + Bell cycle hemet with waterproof cover.. Even in the most ridiculous weather conditions ( whichs eem to be most of the time in the UK these day, I arrive at work or home after my commute 100% dry. I hae to negotiate some serious hills and I don't sweat that much in the jacket. It has zips and flaps that allow air to circulate. Well worth the money in my book.

Jacket = £40
Trousers = £15
Overshoes = can't remember

bw
musicbooks

Interesting, I have exactly the same jacket shoes and over trousers, which I agree are very good. Despite this I now only wear them in cold weather, as Mussells seems to.. I find I do sweat a lot and I get to work just as wet (perspiration wise) whether I ride my ebike or my Tricross, pretty much whatever I wear. At this time of year I tend to just wear a wicking cycling top and trousers (Lidl's finest!) and just get wet. If you are putting in enough effort you won't tend to get cold and in some ways the rain is rather nice keeping you from overheating . It makes the shower at the end of it all feel very good . This Tuesday I cycled home on my Tricross (no mudguards etc) in a torrential downpour (river coming down the hill towards me, drain covers lifting and water pouring up through them. Despite this, after a few minutes 'acclimatisation' to the initial shock of it and when fully sodden, it really wasn't that onerous a trip (8.25 miles, mostly uphill, with some very steep climbs).
Lycra clothing is surprisingly warm when wet, and still easy to cycle in, if you haven't tried it, you'll be pleasantly surprised. In winter I do wear the jacket (against the cold) and warm gloves, but would have to admit I don't wear the waterproof trousers any more I prefer the lycra, even when wet!

Phil

 

[musicbooks]

Hi Madness,
I bought an Endura gridlock jacket with regatta waterproof trousers and endura overshoes( get the largest size ) + Bell cycle hemet with waterproof cover.. Even in the most ridiculous weather conditions ( whichs eem to be most of the time in the UK these day, I arrive at work or home after my commute 100% dry. I hae to negotiate some serious hills and I don't sweat that much in the jacket. It has zips and flaps that allow air to circulate. Well worth the money in my book.

Jacket = £40
Trousers = £15
Overshoes = can't remember

bw
musicbooks

I should have said over-trousers. They are brilliant. I don't sweat very much ( a problem when I was a baby with a temperature apparently!) but you are right, the jacket does get a bit warm in temps anywhere above 16 degrees. In the summer, I wear a t-shirt and an IKEA builders waistcoat. The T gets soaked but easy to change into my shirt at work. The IKEA waitcoat is dry by the time I go home, and I carry a spare T for the homeward journey too.

bw
musicbooks