Rain and bad weather - recommendations

provizsports.com

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If you’re going to be cycling in all weathers, I’d recommend you buy a Gore-Tex Shakedry rain jacket. It is hands down the best piece of cycle clothing I own. Totally waterproof, breathable, light, and folds/rolls up to nothing.

It wasn’t cheap but it was fantastic value. Unfortunately, it only comes in black, which put me off at first, but I compensated by buying a yellow helmet and some bright lights.

If you decide you want a Pro Viz jacket instead, I have a green one in size S I want to sell (I replaced it with the Gore-Tex). Feel free to PM me.

I’ve no idea what the official temperature range is. I Googled there and I can’t find it quoted either.

My personal experience is that it’s so light and breathable that it doesn’t really add any heat. What it does is keep the wind and rain off really well, so it’ll keep you warmer that way. Then you just layer up appropriately underneath it.

Then again, I get sweaty if I look at my bike. I don’t seem to sweat any more with the Shakedry than without it, though.

Oops, I didn't phrase my question properly - I meant more how did it perform from your personal experience rather than official retailer specs.

My use case for it would be to enable me to not skip a cycle because it's drizzling or light rain. It would be a genuine game changer to slap a jacket on in those conditions that wouldn't just get uncomfortably sweaty over 40 - 60K at a medium effort. It would really open up a lot more cycling days if that was possible at temps of 13 to 18C in our humid climate.

Wouldn't really have a problem getting home with a gillet and arm warmers (nanoflex) but wouldn't really start out that way as it can be difficult to warm up in the wet and a pretty miserable experience.

I had it along for a long trip in just such weather conditions today. I really think it’s perfect for that, in terms of keeping me from getting drenched in a shower. I also commute in all weathers and find it great. The portability was a big draw for me: it rolls down to almost nothing and can easily fit in a jersey pocket.

Having said that, I sweat a lot on the bike. As in, I arrive into work needing a shower after a 7km commute (uphill, in my defence!) I don’t seem to sweat any more with the Shakedry that without it, and it does keep the really drenching rain and the wind off very well. But I’m probably not the best person to guide you on its breathability. You may want to read a few reviews online, which generally rate it very highly.

Ponchos/capes seem quite a good option, in particular

the peoples poncho

Or the cleverhood rover, there's a comparison here :

The cleveland is american so big money in duty and shipping costs but the preferable of the two. Can't seem to find an irish/European stockist

Oh yeah, mudguards are, for sure. But mudflaps make them that bit longer (without getting nasty kerb strikes and so on), protecting your feet and your chain (and your down tube cables) from the filthy road water the front wheel sprays up. You only need a front one, though I have a rear one as well, because I use trailers.

(The buddyflaps are for not spraying people in the face on group rides, I think, which is another good reason for a rear mudflap.)

Oooh, you could be little red riding hood

Proviz isn't designed for warmth but for brightness and rainproofness. If you wear a couple of thin merino layers under it you should be warm enough, though, and the microfleece collar keeps the neck warm.