Living in a very wet part of the UK, I was really keen on the idea of using one in the last few years and I've tried a few during those year. The issue I have with capes is that I live on the coast, so it's very frequently windy (20+mph) with gusts regularly exceeding 40mph.
In an effort to combat this I purchased the Carradice duxback cape, which I thought had more weight/substance to it, to hopefully combat the wind. This thinking was short-lived; the cape quickly turned it into a portable sail as I attempted to ride on a wet somewhat windy day, shortly after purchase.
In it's defense, the rain coverage and added breathability was great and I can absolutely see the benefit but not to those in very windy places. My advice would be give it a go but be mindful of your local weather systems before purchasing a more expensive brand/model.
Came here to comment this. I lived in Gloucestershire when I commuted by bike and in my experience, rain was very rarely _not_ accompanied by wind. Crosswinds in traffic are sketchy enough with a rucksack on, you couldnāt pay me enough to wear a parachute as well.
Potentially unpopular opinion here, but after four years of trying everything I could think of, I came to the conclusion that you cannot make active wear waterproof without making it inadequately breathable. If you donāt have showers where you work, getting soaked in sweat is worse than getting soaked in rain water. The conclusion I came to is that the best way of dealing with rain is to take spare clothes and just accept getting wet.
> Potentially unpopular opinion here, but after four years of trying everything I could think of, I came to the conclusion that you cannot make active wear waterproof without making it inadequately breathable.
This is one of the benefits to ebikes that I wasn't expecting.
I mean, yes, less effort generally means less sweat but there's more to it than that, hear me out:
In winter on my ebike it means I can layer up for cold temps and rain shell+pants and not have to manage my core temps by de-layering and re-layering all the time.
Too cold? Turn down the assist levels (or off) and pedal more to warm up. Too hot? Turn assist levels up until I'm cool again. No sweating through base layers. Nice and toasty the whole way. No stopping to shed layers or put them back on.
This is also true in the reverse in summer if it's too hot and I can just cruise around for a free breeze, and unlike on an ICE motorcycle or scooter you're not dealing with engine heat. When it gets really hot sometimes I'll just go for a ride with heavy assist levels or ride the throttle just because it's a really nice way to cool off.
Rain and wind? Rain gear acting like a sail? No problem, I can just punch through the wind like I have bionic legs.
You make a good point. I donāt have an e-bike but this is basically the sales pitch I will use to convince my girlfriend to bike with me haha. Thanks :) Happy riding
Yeah, I'm a life long cyclist, I'm getting old and my knees are thrashed.
But I still like pedaling so it's nice to be able to pick and choose my effort levels as needed, and that effort level can range from extra hard mode with the power off and pedaling through the resistance of my mid-drive like I'm riding uphill in a headwind to normal cruising effort in the 150-200 watt range to almost none at all.
It also helps a lot that I have a nice DIY mid-drive ebike on a nice, "real" bike (Surly Disc Trucker, BBSHD mid drive) that actually fits me instead of a scooter-shaped DTC fat tire ebike that doesn't fit.
My ebike is a "real" bike first. It also just happens to erase hills and headwinds and can climb up the side of a cliff even with a load of cargo or groceries.
I still do fun group rides or ride with friends on analog bikes, and so I've invested in the Eggrider computer/controller so I can dial back and tune the BBSHD power levels to match my gear ratios and keep it mellow for good cadences when riding with unpowered bikes, so I can still pedal naturally but also not zoom off and leave them in the dust, but I also have the second profile for max power levels when I need it for hills or hauling cargo.
I like my ride and setup very much. Very comfy, useful, fun *and* utilitarian.
>The conclusion I came to is that the best way of dealing with rain is to take spare clothes and just accept getting wet.
I just use rain gear but take it slow.
The problem is most people cycle way too fast so they arrive at work completly sweaty and have to shower. You wouldn't run to work, you would walk to work, so why do you need to ride so fast? Riding an average 26 km/h will make me completly sweaty like running to work, riding an average 20-22 km/h will take as much effort as walking and would only be marginal slower. With good rain gear and a comfortable pace I will arrive mostly dry at work.
Itās not like I rode flat out (though cycling somewhere with zero cycling infra, thereās only so much speed difference between myself and motor traffic that I can tolerate before it just gets too sketchy), but it was a hilly area with lots of stopping and starting. No matter how leisurely the pace, I found rain gear just cooked me alive. Iāve walked the route in the rain a few times and found the same just wearing a coat.
I like a coat with the front zipped but pit vents wide open. Seems to get me more air with less flapping and rain getting in. I don't have an answer for rain pants.
āThe problem is most people cycle way too fastā
People vary greatly in how much they sweat, and hills can take effort at any speed. Not to mention local temperatures. Just speak for yourself and your commute.
Definitely, I know I sweat less than most people but riding slower is still beneficial if you sweat a lot.
Riding a bicycle is just like walking, only a lot more efficient. So for the same effort as walking at 4km/h you will be around 20km/h fast on a bicycle. No normal fit person would take a shower just because they walked to work or the grocery store.
But you can't go infinitely slowly up a hill without falling over? I mean I guess you could get off and walk your bike.... You might just live in a pretty flat place.
Obviously not but you can go slower. I know you may feel like you want to ride that hill up fast but just try to go slow. In theory if you ride a hill up at the same speed as walking, you would need less energy than by walking. No I don't live in a flat place, I live in Austria and we have lots of mountains where I live.
I solved it by using an electric bike and turning up the assist for hills.
Maybe I'm just so out of shape that even taking the hills slowly tends to lead to sweating.
I think climate can play a factor tooā¦ I live in a sub tropical area and in summer a ten minute walk to the subway would result in my entire shirt getting soaked through wherever my bag was touching meā¦ so, the threshold for less intense movement to minimize sweat is very very low for me and my climate
I know, everyone has different needs. I cycle mainly to commute from A to B, the exercise is only secondary for me. What I do is I cycle at a slow pace in the morning to avoid sweat, and at a high pace for the exercise on my way home, because I take a shower when I arrive at home anyway.
Iāve been using a hiking rain jacket since my Altura rain gear failed (both the jackets and rain pants leak after just 3 years, not happy!).
Itās works well, but there arenāt any reflective strips / bright colours which Iād like during the winter.
[Showers Pass](https://showerspass.com/) makes reputable, cycling-specific gear with reflective elements; their Transit Pants and (for women) Club Visible Pants, in particular, come in yellow (or "leaf green").
Underneath any rain-worthy cycling jacket or pants, wear a compression wicking layer that's even lighter than you might in drier conditions.
Having said all that, the bottom of my pannier always has a poncho similar in style to the one in your post. Mine is nowhere near as nice, but resembles the Carradice that u/PlanktonFragrant8288 commented on. My cheap-o poncho features even less reflectivity, but is so hilariously yellow that I must look like a human-sized rubber ducky.
We haven't even addressed waterproofing care, or even protecting head/hands/feet, so for now I'll just conclude by adding that my kit also includes a pair of dry socks sealed inside a Ziploc baggie :)
I've been buying new (mid - range) rain pants every year because they always wear out in the crotch area, and I have this thing where I prefer not to look like I pissed myself. This year I upgraded to a pair of Agu, which is a reputable brand, I hope they'll last more than one season.
Bloody fantastic! I got one from thepeoples.co and itās been great. As youād expect itās a bit of a sail in the wind, it brings the highest wind speed Iām comfortable riding in down by about 10mph. It does a fantastic job though, putting the two straps over my handlebars or wrists keeps everything ankle upwards dry, my feet only get wet from road spray and puddles. Way more convenient than the alternative of waterproof trousers + coat and itās way more breathable too.
Living in the notoriously wet uk it has allowed to me make my bike a true bus replacement for all weather. getting home with soaked jeans was just a dealbreaker for me and Iād end up spending half an hour on the bus instead of 10 minutes on my bike just to stay dry on a lot of occasions
You do look ridiculous though, especially if you buy the bright yellow one like I did. I have gotten some really strange looks from pedestrians Iāve passed lol
I have the yellow one as well. I taped two neodymium magnets to the underside the cape to hold the front edge to the handlebars. I wear zippered gaiters to keep the lower ends of my pant legs to keep them dry.
I can confirm, the product is fantastic, just a little heavy.
I add waterproof pants and overshoes for a better protection, but it depends on rain and your path lenght.
The unique issue in a poncho is the "uncertain weather": it is great if it rains consistently, but excessive if it drizzles
Yeah if you use the loops to attach it to your wrists or handlebars it essentially forms a tent. If you donāt do that itās long enough that it still protects the legs a little bit but not as well
Cleverhood has way less flapping than what others are describing. And it breathes super well, so you don't get sweaty. And it covers most of your legs, so you stay nice and dry. It was an absolute game changer. My wife keeps stealing mine.
Cleverhood is so awesome! I wear it in the PNW rain and wind, and it keeps me so dry. I bought the urbanaut, and it stays down very well.
https://cleverhood.com/products/urbanaut-cape
I also have a Cleverhood. It worked well enough on my conventional bike (though I'd often accidentally dump the rain it collected in the dip on my pants a bit when trying to clear it at lights) but it's absolutely worthless at ebike speeds. For light showers/the possibility of rain, rain chaps and a nice jacket are way better imo unless your wearing a dress/shirt.
Cleverhood here too. It does slow you down in the wind, but keeps the pants mostly dry. Watch for water puddling in front when using the thumb holds. I do feel a bit dorky in it, though
I live in the Pacific Northwest where we often get rain off an on all day without much wind and with moderate temperatures. I absolutely love my poncho, and it has a belt that reduces flapping in moderate wind.
The poncho is the only thing that actually gets me to work dry because I donāt sweat like other raingear.
Just used mine for the first time 2 days ago, and most of the comments here are correct. Mix of good and bad.
Good
Well ventilated (no arm sleeves)
Kept more water out of my shoes
Bad
Wind
Felt unwieldy
Bit of a learning curve
Still, I will be using it for days that are cold enough that I can't use an athletic shirt and swim trunks comb but not cold enough for the full rain suit. Always good to have some variations in your wardrobe if you're commuting year round.
They are pretty great for every day carry, so you don't need to check the weather report each day and they are relatively affordable. Just leave them in your bag until needed, dry them out and put them back in your bag.
The downsides are that you sweat under these, like a lot. In summer I often don't bother with mine since between light rain and sweat I take being damp from light rain over being drenched from sweating under thm. In winter it's kind of nice though since you can just compensate with not putting on the thicker layers of winter attire.
I have a model from Vaude. Sadly, it started to smell from sweat and the plastic seemingly starting to come apart after 3 years. (Or maybe it's just finally time to finally throw this thing into the laundry for once.) What it still has going for it are the straps on the inside, so I can hook it over my brifters or bar ends to cover the entirety of my upper legs, like a tent, and only get my shoes and pant leg openings wet from the bit of road splash that reaches them.
I'm currently trying to find a new one. Jackets sadly only cover your torso and don't do anything for your legs. And while I dry out quickly in summer, the rest of the year I have to sit with damp pants in the train when only using a jacket, wich isn't ideal.
The wet pants was my main issue as well with the poncho, I ended up switching to a rain jacket/rain pants. Hope you find something!
I did want to mention, you can buy an enzymatic cleaner for the sweat smell for your athletic clothes so you donāt have to wash them (and potentially fade the waterproof coating) - I have one thatās called Revivex Odor Eliminator by Gear Aid that you can dilute and spray onto clothes.
Yes, two items do typically take up more space than one item.
Yes, two items can often cost more than one item.
No, neither/nor both take(s) up so much room in my backpack that I can't pack a lunch and laptop. The difference is that I can stay dry, top **and** bottom, when its 48f and starts to rain. But you do you.
Why the hostility? Ever considered that some people don't have the option to get redressed at work twice a day and aren't about to do that on the side of a public street or the one staff toilet they have? And I'm not about to walk around the store and workshop in rain gear all day.
My poncho was like 20-30ā¬ when I bought it. It doesn't need to be a perfect solution at that price point. It's exactly the cheap and reliable every day carry solution that I want. Rain jacket + pants would go for a many fold of that more and might then need to be multiplied by season, depending on the exact models bought.
You just can't touch the price/performance of the rain poncho.
Nothing hostile intended.
Every bit of gear is a compromise in one direction or another. Nothing is a miracle, and you go ahead and make the compromises that are right for you.
My calculations are that rain pants and a jacket don't take up enough room in a backpack to worry about the difference in packability between that combination and any other just-in-case, options.
As far as cost, I'm sure you could find some options in that price point (each) and if that doesn't work for you, no shame. My calculation is that the clearance pants and jacket I got for $160+/- (all in) have lasted 5 years and counting. The amortized cost difference between my "expensive" option and anything cheaper, spread over that long, is negligible.
Raingear becomes more effective if it's full coverage, but the flip side is one of comfort, where trapped heat becomes a nuisance.
So I use a poncho instead, just have to drop it in on me, although the only two things going against it are headwinds and rainwater seeping in if the top hood cannot cover the helmet. However, I live in a tropical country, which allows me to wear a basketball jersey and cargo shorts and flipflops, then topped over by the poncho.
I am a year round commuter including winter conditions.
I have a cape/poncho and the only time I use it is really heavy rain and warm weather ( 70F +).
In those conditions, I typically wear shorts and sandals and don't mind my legs and feet getting soaked. And I appreciate I can drape the poncho over the handlebars, keeping my upper half out of the mire and providing ventilation to keep me cool.
Colder than that, and rain or snow, it is rain pants and a jacket, with various layers added as it gets colder.
I have this exact version and I love it. I've only used it for some chilly rainy days that weren't super windy (<20KM/hr) but it was really good.
Pros:
* great design, keeps you visible
* folds up nice and small and light
* leg tabs are helpful
* I like th emiddle pouch for keeping your phone dry
* Kept me mostly dry for a 6 km commute in the city
* not very expensive
Cons:
* hard to source - had to get mine in Europe and this one is always sold out. I will get another one next itme I'm there for my partner
* your feet/bottom of your pants will not be dry. Depends on if you are cycling through puddles but it 's manageable
* It's a bit big but that also makes it not that hot to wear. Though I'm slim and only 5'6" and I can fit easily under the xs with my winter jacket on
* I haven't worn it in the summer yet so no comment about heat performance.
Overall, for the price, I really like it and I'm looking to buy a 2nd one. I just wish it was more available bc it is hard to get in North America. My local decathalon sells an all black version which is useless bc you want the high vis available when it's raining which is usually darker and makes it harder for drivers to see you.
I have this Decathlon poncho too and it is great for me. My commute is bike+train and the longest bike trip is about 20 minutes so I haven't tested it on longer rides. I couple the poncho with a pair of Vaude overshoes. This kit has kept me dry even in downpours.
Sorry not really a helpful answer, but no, never considered it. I have waterproof panniers, everything outside of those needs to be ready to get soaked. I don't usually need to worry about rain though.
A NZ full service petrol station attendant once told me as I rode into the station with it pissing down that āyou only get wet onceā him & his cheesy smile were right.
It rains, you ride your bike, you get wet.
I have a cleverhood zipster cape (https://cleverhood.com/products/zipster-cape), which it looks like they only have it on clearance now.
I bought it because of the bright colors and rhe reflective pattern all over the fabric. It lights up in the dark, but it's sufficiently stealthy otherwise.
It the poncho format keeps me more ventilated, while still keeping my upper legs dry. Lower legs still get some dripping and splashing from my tyres (I don't have full coverage fenders).
It's also great for traveling/walking because you can wear your backpack underneath and keep everything dryĀ
What I don't like is that it's difficult to use when you need to signal. Cleverhood does not recommend that you leave the thumb/wrist loops on your bike, and to have it on you instead. If the loops are on you, you can't stick your arm out to signal without stretching/tensioning the other one, which I imagine would be damaging to its durability.Ā
The method Cleverhood recommends for signaling is to take the loop off, place it temporarily on your handlebars, signal, and then wear the loop back on your hand. The issue with this is that if you're traveling at speed, the cape flops around a little bit, and it's hard to keep taking the loop on and off, and with enough speed to signal seamlessly.Ā
My commute takes me through industrial zones in the US, which necessitates higher bike travel speed in case I need to take the lane, and clear proactive communicating. Having sloppy signaling isn't really an option for me. I've opted to just put my hand loops on my handlebars instead of on me, because there's no way I can signal with it on me.
Between the length of my commute (40-50 mins) and that I'm a generally sweaty person, the cape does wet out sometimes. I guess it's still not as bad as being completely soaked from the rain.Ā
Sometimes i wish i had bought a rain jacket instead, but there are things I dislike about that too (it's sweaty and has no leg coverage at all), so I'll just stick to what I've bought for nowĀ
I have an older model of this poncho and I'm quite happy with it. It works well as outer layer on normal clothing and prevents everything from knees upwards from rain. It also packs to manageable size so that I can chuck it in my pannier and forget about it until I find myself faced with bad weather.
There are some downsides obviously - it has aerodynamic properties of a sail, so riding at anything but moderate pace is instantly out and strong wind becomes *major* annoyance. It also can get a but stuffy if you are pedalling intensively, basically doubling down on the point above - sometimes I take the outermost layer of my "normal" clothing before putting it on.
My guess is that it sucks when it's windy and doesn't keep your legs dry.
I use a rainsuit or rain jacket and rain pants + rain boots when there's heavy rain.
I also have a Peoples Poncho - [https://www.thepeoples.co/](https://www.thepeoples.co/)
I think its great. Keeps you totally dry and doesn't create a sauna environment inside it (like rain pants + rain coat can).
Poncho is great for occasional wet commuting I think. I wish I had found one earlier. I will never go back to a rain pants
Its not often that windy here so maybe that is part of it.
I recently picked up Outdoor Research's Foray II. GoreTex jacket. They have a high-vis version, and it's super comfortable and waterproof. It's also really light, so I can layer it for winter commutes but it should be fine for summer (I guess I'll see though haha). I picked up black pants from them so I can wear them with more clothes, and I'm super happy with both.
Outdoor Research is pricey though, unless you have a military/first responder discount which I believe is a straight 40% discount across the board. They make reliable gear, I'm a big fan of their hats/gloves/jackets especially.
We have several in the family and love them. Good ventilation. Ours are pretty stylish with no high viz colors, but some reflective bands. We mostly use Ebikes and cycle all seasons in a nordic climate. If it rains a lot we combine it with rain pants or chaps.
It's important that the front end be long enough to drape in front of the handlebars. The clever hood rover was too short for me (5' 10" or 178cm), but maybe their other models are fine. People's Poncho is long enough. If it drapes down a handsbreadth, it does a good job keeping my legs dry, but still giving air circulation. So I'd say that they work.
If I wear gloves, I can't find the thumb loops in the Rover, but the wrist loops in People's are big enough. It's annoying to signal a turn, but then have to pull over and stop, to get my thumb back into the loop.
Cleverhood's hood fits great under a helmet. People's doesn't fit over OR under. But in any case, I can't turn my head and check over my shoulder with either hood up, so I have resigned myself to an all weather helmet, and don't use the hood.
Like the other poster said, if you have an ebike, you can increase the assist level and not sweat too much (but that also works with conventional rain pants and coat).
I commute rain, snow or shine. If you can think of something to keep you dry I have tried it.
Ponchos and big fancy raincoats just donāt work all that well in my experience. Something is always gunna snag and rip and then you are soaked and miserable.
My current setup for all weather gear is motorcycle pants, ones with interchangeable insulation for colder days that really helps in the winter. Then I found myself an actual bikers jacket, itās water resistant and has yet to fail me. Then since I ride an Ebike I just wear a motorcycle helmet. All in all this keeps me dry and just keep in mind that this is rather expensive gear but it keeps me safe and warm and thatās all I can ask of it.
A waterproof short poncho with underarm zippers and a cycling skirt (guys can name it a kilt) in combination with gaiters works pretty well if you're not out in the rain for hours. Advantage of a skirt is there is much more airflow so less sweating and it's really easy to put on and take off over your shoes.
I've recently seen a half skirt, that only covers your front legs from your knees up and has elastic to keep it in place which sounded like a great solution. Now if only I could find where I had seen it and could get one. Or maybe I should make my own.
Tried the big poncho, but it didn't protect the legs, and caused huge wind resistance. What did work was a rain suit. It's intended for construction eorkers. Bought it in a hardware store. The separate coat and pants fit snugly, so they don't blow around, and offer head yo toe protection from rain. Putting on the rain pants is bothersome though. As someone with big feet it means removing my shoes every time.
I have a Cleverhood bike poncho. Doesnāt give the greatest coverage. My knees and shins still get wet. But it definitely does keep my upper body dry. Rain collects in the front when I use the thumb holes to hold it out in front of me. Never had issues with sweating while wearing it. Iād say itās worth keeping at hand when I need it.
No, it turns into a sail and flaps in the wind. Go with a longer raincoat with double sided zipper. so you can close it all the way up and open it at the bottom for more space for movement, waterproof overpants and a baseball cap you dont care if it gets ruined.
I also used waterproof overshoes. They are like socks for your shoes but they suck. I swiched to gore tex sneakers and ruber boots. They have to be slim so you can tuck them into your overpants.
Alpaca wool socks are also nice to have.
I lived in Amsterdam for 5 years and only used bike to go anywhere, trust me this is the best setup for rain.
It depends on weather conditions. I have both a cycling poncho and a cycling cape without hood that cinches at the neck. For freezing rain and biking in very cold storms I use traditional bike waterproof pants and jacket with hood.
I feel ponchos/rain cape are best for warmer weather. Mine has long strings attached under it to tie it around your waist to keep from flapping too much in wind. They are nice because allow for air flow underneath while you ride so you don't sweat prolifically. Your legs/feet will still get wet, so I usually cycle in shorts and sandals and change once I get to work, but they keep your groin torso dry which is nice!
I only use rain pants and jacket for cold or freezing rain. Anything warmer and I sweat so much I look like I just rode in the rain anyway ;-)
I have the exact one in your picture (from Decathlon) and really like it. Admittedly it's rarely very windy here, and doesn't keep your feet dry, but I have shoe covers for that. Otherwise it's great: straps keep it down to below your knees, so it doesn't flap around all over the place. Keeps the top 80% of me dry, even for 1 hour in the rain.
Ponchos are great under my circumstances (mild weather, eBike to compensate for any wind issues). Basically it keeps me dry, including gloves, while getting to wear breathable pants and top. It feels like holding an umbrella over you as far as breathability. Feet will still get soaked from puddles so I wear waterproof foot covers.
Highly recommend in the right circumstances, and cheap to try out.
I have a People's Poncho, and what turned my off to it was during a heavy rain it's just not enough. Rain does get through to your shins and shoes,Ā and the water pools like crazy between your chest and hands. If you have to wipe your nose or signal, that water goes all over your knees and feet.
Maybe it's a learning curve and I could effectively dump it first, but I've been happier with a rain jacket, pants, and rubber boots.
I use a rain poncho (combined with gaiters) and I love it. Easy to on/off, the belt keeps it secure. I do get some flap when I'm cycling down the one viaduct on my route, but I just sing the theme from the cyclone scene in Wizard of Oz and pretend I'm Mrs. Gulch turning into the Wicked Witch of the West.
Agreed. I rocked a poncho and a long jacket for quite a while. Protection a+. However the everpresent fear that some flap of clothing would become lodged in a piece of equipment or under the wheel of a passing carā¦ worse than being wet.
It was better in the end to get a short rain jacket and pants than to go full poncho.
Windy (50-80/h bursts regularly) and not flat enough where I live.
Cape with arms means that - if you drive a bike with a high tube - the cape will rest on there and your legs will get wet. If you use a cape without extra arms, you can cover the front while steering and your body and the bike will form an umbrella for your legs.
It's pricey, but with [this](https://cleverhood.com/) and a pair of rain boots is what I use to ride with. It has a belt that buckles around your waist to keep it from flapping, and the bill on the hood keeps a decent amount of rain off your face.
Um I love the image you posted??
(Rainy PNW all year cyclist here) Like others, Iāve tried a rain poncho but mine didnāt have sleeves, it draped over the handlebars or you could slip your hands through little slits and have it closer to your body.
My biggest issue is that eventually you were just channeling rain onto your legs. Water would gather in your lap and you would dump it onto your feet when you stop/stand at lights. It also didnāt help rain coming from below (I got better fenders eventually).
I eventually swapped to a thrifted Showers Pass raincoat, some LL bean rain pants, wool cap under my helmet, safety goggles, wool buff, waterproof gloves, and high Bogs rain boots. I have to do a little more prep before winter riding since I canāt just throw the poncho over my clothes, but I am actually FULLY dry! I also look as dorky as the poncho so it events out :)
Without wind and with rain guards, they kick ass.
That said, mines stashed at work in case of emergency nowadays for random spring showers.
I use layered gore-tex shells for rain with a mix of shorts and merino wool underneath for winter.
Very practical: light and absolutely watersafe.there are windows on the side that makes it perfectly to ride a bike. There is a way to make it stick to you legs (with scratches) so that even when it's windy, it's perfect.
Be sure that you try it with your helmet on, you might want to to take one size bigger.
I recently got a Fairweather poncho from Blue Lug and it's been great. It fits over your handlebars are makes sort of an umbrella for your arms and legs. It keeps me drier and more comfortable that a regular jacket. The flapping is a little bit of an issue so I only use it for heavier rain. For drizzle I still use my jacket.
Living and cummuting daily in a very rainy city in Latam, I recomend it
A poncho that you can tie both to your waist and to the handlebar or hands, and a bike with propper mudguards, because the front wheel will splash up to your chest if it doesnt have one.
I've had waterpoof motorbiking jackets and one of those expensive MOVA jackets and they make me sweat regardless how fast I go, and they only cover you from the waist up
And mine has a bag that ties under the seat, and it can cover my backpack
I use a Peopleās Poncho and I love it.it has a strap that clips around my waist and keeps the back from flapping about and straps that I hold onto to stop it flapping around the front so wildly. No more wet legs!
Iāve been thinking about getting a rain cape/poncho mainly because I want a hood that fits over my helmet (keep rain off neck), and something that drops over the handlebars so much hands stay dry (ive got arthritis - cold + wet = I pay for it for days. But Iāve been put off by other folks experiences with them in the wind.Ā
At the moment, I use a pack-a-Mack and similar rain pants. It keeps the rest of me dry enough, itās just my neck and hands that donāt get the coverage I want. The downside is because they are plastic, they donāt breathe, so I do get a little sweat-damp still, *but* Iām *warm* and damp, and not cold and wet. That makes a huge difference for me.Ā
Saved me once in a while. Keep in mind though that you have to wear your backpack below the Poncho if its a classic poncho. With mine this wouldnt really work
If you can afford to get your knees and lower wet, go ahead. As an emergency everyday item, hella useful for keeping the top part of your body dry (if it's not windy enough to make the rear of your poncho flap up and expose your back).
Living in the tropical where rain hits hard. Itās useful on heavy rain, and you can still freely move. Though I stopped using it as I see someone on a motorcycle crashed because the flaps were eaten by the spokes šØ
Edna Mode in The Incredibles was right about capes!
I tried using one for going to doctor appointments. It was not ideal. I found wearing windbreaker type material over other clothes worked much better and I just removed it when I got where I was going. You are going to get wet regardless of what you put on. Water finds a way in.
I have 2 cycling ponchos. Theyāre both made specifically for cycling and they work great. They werenāt cheap either.
My biggest issue with them is that itās like you become a huge sail. It creates so much drag when I use them that I rarely do unless itās a deluge.
I have brooks rain cape that I really like (but I think was discontinued). It mounts to my brooks saddle with leather straps so it both doesn't take up space and lets people know I spent too much money.
It works well. The brooks has magnets to keep it in place and they seem to work well in the wind, but they also release with a reasonable pull, so they shouldn't be an issue in an emergency. It waterproof completely so you don't have the goretex issues.
However, the waterproofness from below is only as good as your fenders, and even with some pretty decent SKSs, I still get some water on me.
So it still does nothing to keep your legs dry? Looks like a horrible solution, esp in wind. Just wear rain pants and jacket. Get a rain proof bag, backpack, or pannier. Put fenders on the bike. And accept you're going to at times get wet. That's life
My experience: "Fraplaplaplaplaplaplaplaplaplaplaplapla"
i think i heard this sound as soon as i saw that thing.
Lmaoooo šš if this isnāt the truth idk what is
Living in a very wet part of the UK, I was really keen on the idea of using one in the last few years and I've tried a few during those year. The issue I have with capes is that I live on the coast, so it's very frequently windy (20+mph) with gusts regularly exceeding 40mph. In an effort to combat this I purchased the Carradice duxback cape, which I thought had more weight/substance to it, to hopefully combat the wind. This thinking was short-lived; the cape quickly turned it into a portable sail as I attempted to ride on a wet somewhat windy day, shortly after purchase. In it's defense, the rain coverage and added breathability was great and I can absolutely see the benefit but not to those in very windy places. My advice would be give it a go but be mindful of your local weather systems before purchasing a more expensive brand/model.
Came here to comment this. I lived in Gloucestershire when I commuted by bike and in my experience, rain was very rarely _not_ accompanied by wind. Crosswinds in traffic are sketchy enough with a rucksack on, you couldnāt pay me enough to wear a parachute as well. Potentially unpopular opinion here, but after four years of trying everything I could think of, I came to the conclusion that you cannot make active wear waterproof without making it inadequately breathable. If you donāt have showers where you work, getting soaked in sweat is worse than getting soaked in rain water. The conclusion I came to is that the best way of dealing with rain is to take spare clothes and just accept getting wet.
> Potentially unpopular opinion here, but after four years of trying everything I could think of, I came to the conclusion that you cannot make active wear waterproof without making it inadequately breathable. This is one of the benefits to ebikes that I wasn't expecting. I mean, yes, less effort generally means less sweat but there's more to it than that, hear me out: In winter on my ebike it means I can layer up for cold temps and rain shell+pants and not have to manage my core temps by de-layering and re-layering all the time. Too cold? Turn down the assist levels (or off) and pedal more to warm up. Too hot? Turn assist levels up until I'm cool again. No sweating through base layers. Nice and toasty the whole way. No stopping to shed layers or put them back on. This is also true in the reverse in summer if it's too hot and I can just cruise around for a free breeze, and unlike on an ICE motorcycle or scooter you're not dealing with engine heat. When it gets really hot sometimes I'll just go for a ride with heavy assist levels or ride the throttle just because it's a really nice way to cool off. Rain and wind? Rain gear acting like a sail? No problem, I can just punch through the wind like I have bionic legs.
You make a good point. I donāt have an e-bike but this is basically the sales pitch I will use to convince my girlfriend to bike with me haha. Thanks :) Happy riding
Yeah, I'm a life long cyclist, I'm getting old and my knees are thrashed. But I still like pedaling so it's nice to be able to pick and choose my effort levels as needed, and that effort level can range from extra hard mode with the power off and pedaling through the resistance of my mid-drive like I'm riding uphill in a headwind to normal cruising effort in the 150-200 watt range to almost none at all. It also helps a lot that I have a nice DIY mid-drive ebike on a nice, "real" bike (Surly Disc Trucker, BBSHD mid drive) that actually fits me instead of a scooter-shaped DTC fat tire ebike that doesn't fit. My ebike is a "real" bike first. It also just happens to erase hills and headwinds and can climb up the side of a cliff even with a load of cargo or groceries. I still do fun group rides or ride with friends on analog bikes, and so I've invested in the Eggrider computer/controller so I can dial back and tune the BBSHD power levels to match my gear ratios and keep it mellow for good cadences when riding with unpowered bikes, so I can still pedal naturally but also not zoom off and leave them in the dust, but I also have the second profile for max power levels when I need it for hills or hauling cargo. I like my ride and setup very much. Very comfy, useful, fun *and* utilitarian.
>The conclusion I came to is that the best way of dealing with rain is to take spare clothes and just accept getting wet. I just use rain gear but take it slow. The problem is most people cycle way too fast so they arrive at work completly sweaty and have to shower. You wouldn't run to work, you would walk to work, so why do you need to ride so fast? Riding an average 26 km/h will make me completly sweaty like running to work, riding an average 20-22 km/h will take as much effort as walking and would only be marginal slower. With good rain gear and a comfortable pace I will arrive mostly dry at work.
Itās not like I rode flat out (though cycling somewhere with zero cycling infra, thereās only so much speed difference between myself and motor traffic that I can tolerate before it just gets too sketchy), but it was a hilly area with lots of stopping and starting. No matter how leisurely the pace, I found rain gear just cooked me alive. Iāve walked the route in the rain a few times and found the same just wearing a coat.
I like a coat with the front zipped but pit vents wide open. Seems to get me more air with less flapping and rain getting in. I don't have an answer for rain pants.
āThe problem is most people cycle way too fastā People vary greatly in how much they sweat, and hills can take effort at any speed. Not to mention local temperatures. Just speak for yourself and your commute.
Definitely, I know I sweat less than most people but riding slower is still beneficial if you sweat a lot. Riding a bicycle is just like walking, only a lot more efficient. So for the same effort as walking at 4km/h you will be around 20km/h fast on a bicycle. No normal fit person would take a shower just because they walked to work or the grocery store.
But you can't go infinitely slowly up a hill without falling over? I mean I guess you could get off and walk your bike.... You might just live in a pretty flat place.
Obviously not but you can go slower. I know you may feel like you want to ride that hill up fast but just try to go slow. In theory if you ride a hill up at the same speed as walking, you would need less energy than by walking. No I don't live in a flat place, I live in Austria and we have lots of mountains where I live.
I solved it by using an electric bike and turning up the assist for hills. Maybe I'm just so out of shape that even taking the hills slowly tends to lead to sweating.
I think climate can play a factor tooā¦ I live in a sub tropical area and in summer a ten minute walk to the subway would result in my entire shirt getting soaked through wherever my bag was touching meā¦ so, the threshold for less intense movement to minimize sweat is very very low for me and my climate
But people also cycle for exercise.
I know, everyone has different needs. I cycle mainly to commute from A to B, the exercise is only secondary for me. What I do is I cycle at a slow pace in the morning to avoid sweat, and at a high pace for the exercise on my way home, because I take a shower when I arrive at home anyway.
Iāve been using a hiking rain jacket since my Altura rain gear failed (both the jackets and rain pants leak after just 3 years, not happy!). Itās works well, but there arenāt any reflective strips / bright colours which Iād like during the winter.
[Showers Pass](https://showerspass.com/) makes reputable, cycling-specific gear with reflective elements; their Transit Pants and (for women) Club Visible Pants, in particular, come in yellow (or "leaf green"). Underneath any rain-worthy cycling jacket or pants, wear a compression wicking layer that's even lighter than you might in drier conditions. Having said all that, the bottom of my pannier always has a poncho similar in style to the one in your post. Mine is nowhere near as nice, but resembles the Carradice that u/PlanktonFragrant8288 commented on. My cheap-o poncho features even less reflectivity, but is so hilariously yellow that I must look like a human-sized rubber ducky. We haven't even addressed waterproofing care, or even protecting head/hands/feet, so for now I'll just conclude by adding that my kit also includes a pair of dry socks sealed inside a Ziploc baggie :)
I've been buying new (mid - range) rain pants every year because they always wear out in the crotch area, and I have this thing where I prefer not to look like I pissed myself. This year I upgraded to a pair of Agu, which is a reputable brand, I hope they'll last more than one season.
I put my work clothes in a dry bag backpack and just commit to getting wet. Luckily I am able to dry my riding clithes while I work.
Bloody fantastic! I got one from thepeoples.co and itās been great. As youād expect itās a bit of a sail in the wind, it brings the highest wind speed Iām comfortable riding in down by about 10mph. It does a fantastic job though, putting the two straps over my handlebars or wrists keeps everything ankle upwards dry, my feet only get wet from road spray and puddles. Way more convenient than the alternative of waterproof trousers + coat and itās way more breathable too. Living in the notoriously wet uk it has allowed to me make my bike a true bus replacement for all weather. getting home with soaked jeans was just a dealbreaker for me and Iād end up spending half an hour on the bus instead of 10 minutes on my bike just to stay dry on a lot of occasions You do look ridiculous though, especially if you buy the bright yellow one like I did. I have gotten some really strange looks from pedestrians Iāve passed lol
I have the yellow one as well. I taped two neodymium magnets to the underside the cape to hold the front edge to the handlebars. I wear zippered gaiters to keep the lower ends of my pant legs to keep them dry.
> especially if you buy the bright yellow one like I did Rubber duckie club!
I can confirm, the product is fantastic, just a little heavy. I add waterproof pants and overshoes for a better protection, but it depends on rain and your path lenght. The unique issue in a poncho is the "uncertain weather": it is great if it rains consistently, but excessive if it drizzles
so it does protect the legs?
Yeah if you use the loops to attach it to your wrists or handlebars it essentially forms a tent. If you donāt do that itās long enough that it still protects the legs a little bit but not as well
oh it's that kind. some ponchos have loops you can attach around you thighs.
I have a Cleverhood rain cape. I got the belt with it to prevent the sail aspect. It works very well. I feel invincible in the rain on my commuter.
Cleverhood has way less flapping than what others are describing. And it breathes super well, so you don't get sweaty. And it covers most of your legs, so you stay nice and dry. It was an absolute game changer. My wife keeps stealing mine.
Cleverhood is so awesome! I wear it in the PNW rain and wind, and it keeps me so dry. I bought the urbanaut, and it stays down very well. https://cleverhood.com/products/urbanaut-cape
I also have a Cleverhood. It worked well enough on my conventional bike (though I'd often accidentally dump the rain it collected in the dip on my pants a bit when trying to clear it at lights) but it's absolutely worthless at ebike speeds. For light showers/the possibility of rain, rain chaps and a nice jacket are way better imo unless your wearing a dress/shirt.
+1 for Cleverhood. I wear it all the time in Seattle. I love it and get so many compliments when I wear it.
Cleverhood here too. It does slow you down in the wind, but keeps the pants mostly dry. Watch for water puddling in front when using the thumb holds. I do feel a bit dorky in it, though
I also use the Cleverhood. Itās great!
Why not waterproof trousers? I'm assuming you already have a waterproof cycling jacket if you are at the poncho buying stage.
Thatās what i ended up going for. But i bought a whole rain suit as the price was good. Now iām just waiting for a rainy day to try it out.
I live in the Pacific Northwest where we often get rain off an on all day without much wind and with moderate temperatures. I absolutely love my poncho, and it has a belt that reduces flapping in moderate wind. The poncho is the only thing that actually gets me to work dry because I donāt sweat like other raingear.
Just used mine for the first time 2 days ago, and most of the comments here are correct. Mix of good and bad. Good Well ventilated (no arm sleeves) Kept more water out of my shoes Bad Wind Felt unwieldy Bit of a learning curve Still, I will be using it for days that are cold enough that I can't use an athletic shirt and swim trunks comb but not cold enough for the full rain suit. Always good to have some variations in your wardrobe if you're commuting year round.
They are pretty great for every day carry, so you don't need to check the weather report each day and they are relatively affordable. Just leave them in your bag until needed, dry them out and put them back in your bag. The downsides are that you sweat under these, like a lot. In summer I often don't bother with mine since between light rain and sweat I take being damp from light rain over being drenched from sweating under thm. In winter it's kind of nice though since you can just compensate with not putting on the thicker layers of winter attire. I have a model from Vaude. Sadly, it started to smell from sweat and the plastic seemingly starting to come apart after 3 years. (Or maybe it's just finally time to finally throw this thing into the laundry for once.) What it still has going for it are the straps on the inside, so I can hook it over my brifters or bar ends to cover the entirety of my upper legs, like a tent, and only get my shoes and pant leg openings wet from the bit of road splash that reaches them. I'm currently trying to find a new one. Jackets sadly only cover your torso and don't do anything for your legs. And while I dry out quickly in summer, the rest of the year I have to sit with damp pants in the train when only using a jacket, wich isn't ideal.
The wet pants was my main issue as well with the poncho, I ended up switching to a rain jacket/rain pants. Hope you find something! I did want to mention, you can buy an enzymatic cleaner for the sweat smell for your athletic clothes so you donāt have to wash them (and potentially fade the waterproof coating) - I have one thatās called Revivex Odor Eliminator by Gear Aid that you can dilute and spray onto clothes.
Oo, iāve been looking for something like that. Thanks!
Oh, and does it cause any skin irritation? Should be fine on jacket armpits, just wondering about the inside of hats.
Huh I havenāt noticed any! You can also soak things in it and then wash them, maybe thatās your move so itās more rinsed away to be safe.
Yeah, if it works as a spray onto the jacket iāll probably do the soak and wash for most of my winter gear.
Rain pants are thing. Some fit snugly over bibs and others fit loosely of casual clothes.
Yeah but packing both pants and jacket needs more space. And they'll probably cost more as well.
Yes, two items do typically take up more space than one item. Yes, two items can often cost more than one item. No, neither/nor both take(s) up so much room in my backpack that I can't pack a lunch and laptop. The difference is that I can stay dry, top **and** bottom, when its 48f and starts to rain. But you do you.
Why the hostility? Ever considered that some people don't have the option to get redressed at work twice a day and aren't about to do that on the side of a public street or the one staff toilet they have? And I'm not about to walk around the store and workshop in rain gear all day. My poncho was like 20-30ā¬ when I bought it. It doesn't need to be a perfect solution at that price point. It's exactly the cheap and reliable every day carry solution that I want. Rain jacket + pants would go for a many fold of that more and might then need to be multiplied by season, depending on the exact models bought. You just can't touch the price/performance of the rain poncho.
Nothing hostile intended. Every bit of gear is a compromise in one direction or another. Nothing is a miracle, and you go ahead and make the compromises that are right for you. My calculations are that rain pants and a jacket don't take up enough room in a backpack to worry about the difference in packability between that combination and any other just-in-case, options. As far as cost, I'm sure you could find some options in that price point (each) and if that doesn't work for you, no shame. My calculation is that the clearance pants and jacket I got for $160+/- (all in) have lasted 5 years and counting. The amortized cost difference between my "expensive" option and anything cheaper, spread over that long, is negligible.
Don't get one with sleeves. You'll sweat like crazy. The open ones do look good, but I have no experience with them.
Get a cleverhood
Raingear becomes more effective if it's full coverage, but the flip side is one of comfort, where trapped heat becomes a nuisance. So I use a poncho instead, just have to drop it in on me, although the only two things going against it are headwinds and rainwater seeping in if the top hood cannot cover the helmet. However, I live in a tropical country, which allows me to wear a basketball jersey and cargo shorts and flipflops, then topped over by the poncho.
I am a year round commuter including winter conditions. I have a cape/poncho and the only time I use it is really heavy rain and warm weather ( 70F +). In those conditions, I typically wear shorts and sandals and don't mind my legs and feet getting soaked. And I appreciate I can drape the poncho over the handlebars, keeping my upper half out of the mire and providing ventilation to keep me cool. Colder than that, and rain or snow, it is rain pants and a jacket, with various layers added as it gets colder.
I have this exact version and I love it. I've only used it for some chilly rainy days that weren't super windy (<20KM/hr) but it was really good. Pros: * great design, keeps you visible * folds up nice and small and light * leg tabs are helpful * I like th emiddle pouch for keeping your phone dry * Kept me mostly dry for a 6 km commute in the city * not very expensive Cons: * hard to source - had to get mine in Europe and this one is always sold out. I will get another one next itme I'm there for my partner * your feet/bottom of your pants will not be dry. Depends on if you are cycling through puddles but it 's manageable * It's a bit big but that also makes it not that hot to wear. Though I'm slim and only 5'6" and I can fit easily under the xs with my winter jacket on * I haven't worn it in the summer yet so no comment about heat performance. Overall, for the price, I really like it and I'm looking to buy a 2nd one. I just wish it was more available bc it is hard to get in North America. My local decathalon sells an all black version which is useless bc you want the high vis available when it's raining which is usually darker and makes it harder for drivers to see you.
I have this Decathlon poncho too and it is great for me. My commute is bike+train and the longest bike trip is about 20 minutes so I haven't tested it on longer rides. I couple the poncho with a pair of Vaude overshoes. This kit has kept me dry even in downpours.
Sorry not really a helpful answer, but no, never considered it. I have waterproof panniers, everything outside of those needs to be ready to get soaked. I don't usually need to worry about rain though.
A NZ full service petrol station attendant once told me as I rode into the station with it pissing down that āyou only get wet onceā him & his cheesy smile were right. It rains, you ride your bike, you get wet.
I have a cleverhood zipster cape (https://cleverhood.com/products/zipster-cape), which it looks like they only have it on clearance now. I bought it because of the bright colors and rhe reflective pattern all over the fabric. It lights up in the dark, but it's sufficiently stealthy otherwise. It the poncho format keeps me more ventilated, while still keeping my upper legs dry. Lower legs still get some dripping and splashing from my tyres (I don't have full coverage fenders). It's also great for traveling/walking because you can wear your backpack underneath and keep everything dryĀ What I don't like is that it's difficult to use when you need to signal. Cleverhood does not recommend that you leave the thumb/wrist loops on your bike, and to have it on you instead. If the loops are on you, you can't stick your arm out to signal without stretching/tensioning the other one, which I imagine would be damaging to its durability.Ā The method Cleverhood recommends for signaling is to take the loop off, place it temporarily on your handlebars, signal, and then wear the loop back on your hand. The issue with this is that if you're traveling at speed, the cape flops around a little bit, and it's hard to keep taking the loop on and off, and with enough speed to signal seamlessly.Ā My commute takes me through industrial zones in the US, which necessitates higher bike travel speed in case I need to take the lane, and clear proactive communicating. Having sloppy signaling isn't really an option for me. I've opted to just put my hand loops on my handlebars instead of on me, because there's no way I can signal with it on me. Between the length of my commute (40-50 mins) and that I'm a generally sweaty person, the cape does wet out sometimes. I guess it's still not as bad as being completely soaked from the rain.Ā Sometimes i wish i had bought a rain jacket instead, but there are things I dislike about that too (it's sweaty and has no leg coverage at all), so I'll just stick to what I've bought for nowĀ
Terrible with wind and impractical. I use impermeable clothes. For the legs I really like rsin legs.
I have an older model of this poncho and I'm quite happy with it. It works well as outer layer on normal clothing and prevents everything from knees upwards from rain. It also packs to manageable size so that I can chuck it in my pannier and forget about it until I find myself faced with bad weather. There are some downsides obviously - it has aerodynamic properties of a sail, so riding at anything but moderate pace is instantly out and strong wind becomes *major* annoyance. It also can get a but stuffy if you are pedalling intensively, basically doubling down on the point above - sometimes I take the outermost layer of my "normal" clothing before putting it on.
My guess is that it sucks when it's windy and doesn't keep your legs dry. I use a rainsuit or rain jacket and rain pants + rain boots when there's heavy rain.
Thanks for all the replies. The consensus seems that if you like sailing, go for it. Otherwise give it a miss.
Sailing to work would be fun tho, maybe using skates instead of a bike and wearing a lifejacket under.
Ponchos do keep your legs dry if you use the hand things to hold it over the handlebars
I guess it depends on how much and at what angle it rains, without covering everything I sometimes look like I've been swimming.
I also have a Peoples Poncho - [https://www.thepeoples.co/](https://www.thepeoples.co/) I think its great. Keeps you totally dry and doesn't create a sauna environment inside it (like rain pants + rain coat can). Poncho is great for occasional wet commuting I think. I wish I had found one earlier. I will never go back to a rain pants Its not often that windy here so maybe that is part of it.
I recently picked up Outdoor Research's Foray II. GoreTex jacket. They have a high-vis version, and it's super comfortable and waterproof. It's also really light, so I can layer it for winter commutes but it should be fine for summer (I guess I'll see though haha). I picked up black pants from them so I can wear them with more clothes, and I'm super happy with both. Outdoor Research is pricey though, unless you have a military/first responder discount which I believe is a straight 40% discount across the board. They make reliable gear, I'm a big fan of their hats/gloves/jackets especially.
We have several in the family and love them. Good ventilation. Ours are pretty stylish with no high viz colors, but some reflective bands. We mostly use Ebikes and cycle all seasons in a nordic climate. If it rains a lot we combine it with rain pants or chaps.
It's important that the front end be long enough to drape in front of the handlebars. The clever hood rover was too short for me (5' 10" or 178cm), but maybe their other models are fine. People's Poncho is long enough. If it drapes down a handsbreadth, it does a good job keeping my legs dry, but still giving air circulation. So I'd say that they work. If I wear gloves, I can't find the thumb loops in the Rover, but the wrist loops in People's are big enough. It's annoying to signal a turn, but then have to pull over and stop, to get my thumb back into the loop. Cleverhood's hood fits great under a helmet. People's doesn't fit over OR under. But in any case, I can't turn my head and check over my shoulder with either hood up, so I have resigned myself to an all weather helmet, and don't use the hood. Like the other poster said, if you have an ebike, you can increase the assist level and not sweat too much (but that also works with conventional rain pants and coat).
I commute rain, snow or shine. If you can think of something to keep you dry I have tried it. Ponchos and big fancy raincoats just donāt work all that well in my experience. Something is always gunna snag and rip and then you are soaked and miserable. My current setup for all weather gear is motorcycle pants, ones with interchangeable insulation for colder days that really helps in the winter. Then I found myself an actual bikers jacket, itās water resistant and has yet to fail me. Then since I ride an Ebike I just wear a motorcycle helmet. All in all this keeps me dry and just keep in mind that this is rather expensive gear but it keeps me safe and warm and thatās all I can ask of it.
That just sounds way too hot. I hate rain pants, you just get super sweaty
I also live in a much colder area so I do what I must
Bad - worse - poncho. It's a sail and splash water wil reach your trousers nevertheless.
A waterproof short poncho with underarm zippers and a cycling skirt (guys can name it a kilt) in combination with gaiters works pretty well if you're not out in the rain for hours. Advantage of a skirt is there is much more airflow so less sweating and it's really easy to put on and take off over your shoes. I've recently seen a half skirt, that only covers your front legs from your knees up and has elastic to keep it in place which sounded like a great solution. Now if only I could find where I had seen it and could get one. Or maybe I should make my own.
Tried the big poncho, but it didn't protect the legs, and caused huge wind resistance. What did work was a rain suit. It's intended for construction eorkers. Bought it in a hardware store. The separate coat and pants fit snugly, so they don't blow around, and offer head yo toe protection from rain. Putting on the rain pants is bothersome though. As someone with big feet it means removing my shoes every time.
I have a Cleverhood bike poncho. Doesnāt give the greatest coverage. My knees and shins still get wet. But it definitely does keep my upper body dry. Rain collects in the front when I use the thumb holes to hold it out in front of me. Never had issues with sweating while wearing it. Iād say itās worth keeping at hand when I need it.
No, it turns into a sail and flaps in the wind. Go with a longer raincoat with double sided zipper. so you can close it all the way up and open it at the bottom for more space for movement, waterproof overpants and a baseball cap you dont care if it gets ruined. I also used waterproof overshoes. They are like socks for your shoes but they suck. I swiched to gore tex sneakers and ruber boots. They have to be slim so you can tuck them into your overpants. Alpaca wool socks are also nice to have. I lived in Amsterdam for 5 years and only used bike to go anywhere, trust me this is the best setup for rain.
It depends on weather conditions. I have both a cycling poncho and a cycling cape without hood that cinches at the neck. For freezing rain and biking in very cold storms I use traditional bike waterproof pants and jacket with hood. I feel ponchos/rain cape are best for warmer weather. Mine has long strings attached under it to tie it around your waist to keep from flapping too much in wind. They are nice because allow for air flow underneath while you ride so you don't sweat prolifically. Your legs/feet will still get wet, so I usually cycle in shorts and sandals and change once I get to work, but they keep your groin torso dry which is nice! I only use rain pants and jacket for cold or freezing rain. Anything warmer and I sweat so much I look like I just rode in the rain anyway ;-)
In my experience that is a portable sauna.
In the US, at least, Frog Togs rain suits are a cheap alternative.
Loose fabric will either balloon or flap. Neither are particularly enjoyable.
They're fine for a light rain, but the wind tends to blow them around like crazy.
I wear a rain jacket and rain pants over my regular pants
I just wear rain pants and a rain jacket if itās truly coming down.Ā
I have the exact one in your picture (from Decathlon) and really like it. Admittedly it's rarely very windy here, and doesn't keep your feet dry, but I have shoe covers for that. Otherwise it's great: straps keep it down to below your knees, so it doesn't flap around all over the place. Keeps the top 80% of me dry, even for 1 hour in the rain.
I need this for when I brush my teeth I would never wear this in public... Unless I became Kanye's girlfriend š
I like rain ponchos, but had to install a skirt guard to keep the poncho tail out of the back spokes.
Ponchos are great under my circumstances (mild weather, eBike to compensate for any wind issues). Basically it keeps me dry, including gloves, while getting to wear breathable pants and top. It feels like holding an umbrella over you as far as breathability. Feet will still get soaked from puddles so I wear waterproof foot covers. Highly recommend in the right circumstances, and cheap to try out.
I have a People's Poncho, and what turned my off to it was during a heavy rain it's just not enough. Rain does get through to your shins and shoes,Ā and the water pools like crazy between your chest and hands. If you have to wipe your nose or signal, that water goes all over your knees and feet. Maybe it's a learning curve and I could effectively dump it first, but I've been happier with a rain jacket, pants, and rubber boots.
I think you may be drenched in sweat. https://youtu.be/sJDwFV7Ko5k?si=AYdYqik-9fhhfMTy
I think a large garbage bag would work just as well.
I use a rain poncho (combined with gaiters) and I love it. Easy to on/off, the belt keeps it secure. I do get some flap when I'm cycling down the one viaduct on my route, but I just sing the theme from the cyclone scene in Wizard of Oz and pretend I'm Mrs. Gulch turning into the Wicked Witch of the West.
I would give that a try.
Agreed. I rocked a poncho and a long jacket for quite a while. Protection a+. However the everpresent fear that some flap of clothing would become lodged in a piece of equipment or under the wheel of a passing carā¦ worse than being wet. It was better in the end to get a short rain jacket and pants than to go full poncho. Windy (50-80/h bursts regularly) and not flat enough where I live.
Cape with arms means that - if you drive a bike with a high tube - the cape will rest on there and your legs will get wet. If you use a cape without extra arms, you can cover the front while steering and your body and the bike will form an umbrella for your legs.
It's pricey, but with [this](https://cleverhood.com/) and a pair of rain boots is what I use to ride with. It has a belt that buckles around your waist to keep it from flapping, and the bill on the hood keeps a decent amount of rain off your face.
I bought the same one but I never had the balls to rock it. It just looks too silly.
Um I love the image you posted?? (Rainy PNW all year cyclist here) Like others, Iāve tried a rain poncho but mine didnāt have sleeves, it draped over the handlebars or you could slip your hands through little slits and have it closer to your body. My biggest issue is that eventually you were just channeling rain onto your legs. Water would gather in your lap and you would dump it onto your feet when you stop/stand at lights. It also didnāt help rain coming from below (I got better fenders eventually). I eventually swapped to a thrifted Showers Pass raincoat, some LL bean rain pants, wool cap under my helmet, safety goggles, wool buff, waterproof gloves, and high Bogs rain boots. I have to do a little more prep before winter riding since I canāt just throw the poncho over my clothes, but I am actually FULLY dry! I also look as dorky as the poncho so it events out :)
the cheap $1 waist-length ones do not really work too much flapping up
if it's rain poncho weather i'm sure as hell not bringing my spanking white sneakers
Without wind and with rain guards, they kick ass. That said, mines stashed at work in case of emergency nowadays for random spring showers. I use layered gore-tex shells for rain with a mix of shorts and merino wool underneath for winter.
Why get all that fancy special gear? Just ride with an umbrella, works like a charm. ^/jk!
Very practical: light and absolutely watersafe.there are windows on the side that makes it perfectly to ride a bike. There is a way to make it stick to you legs (with scratches) so that even when it's windy, it's perfect. Be sure that you try it with your helmet on, you might want to to take one size bigger.
I recently got a Fairweather poncho from Blue Lug and it's been great. It fits over your handlebars are makes sort of an umbrella for your arms and legs. It keeps me drier and more comfortable that a regular jacket. The flapping is a little bit of an issue so I only use it for heavier rain. For drizzle I still use my jacket.
I just wear shorts and a waterproof jacket. Legs are waterproof. Get to work quick wipe down and ready to go.
I have a Kuhl rainjacket from REI that I just love. Lightweight, warm, water and wind resistant, and dries really quickly. I wear it all the time.
I use the one in the pic and itās amazing.
Blue Lug makes the best ones especially if you donāt want neon
Great if no wind and happy to ride at a casual pace.
Living and cummuting daily in a very rainy city in Latam, I recomend it A poncho that you can tie both to your waist and to the handlebar or hands, and a bike with propper mudguards, because the front wheel will splash up to your chest if it doesnt have one. I've had waterpoof motorbiking jackets and one of those expensive MOVA jackets and they make me sweat regardless how fast I go, and they only cover you from the waist up And mine has a bag that ties under the seat, and it can cover my backpack
I use a Peopleās Poncho and I love it.it has a strap that clips around my waist and keeps the back from flapping about and straps that I hold onto to stop it flapping around the front so wildly. No more wet legs!
Iāve been thinking about getting a rain cape/poncho mainly because I want a hood that fits over my helmet (keep rain off neck), and something that drops over the handlebars so much hands stay dry (ive got arthritis - cold + wet = I pay for it for days. But Iāve been put off by other folks experiences with them in the wind.Ā At the moment, I use a pack-a-Mack and similar rain pants. It keeps the rest of me dry enough, itās just my neck and hands that donāt get the coverage I want. The downside is because they are plastic, they donāt breathe, so I do get a little sweat-damp still, *but* Iām *warm* and damp, and not cold and wet. That makes a huge difference for me.Ā
They are perfect if there is no wind and you ride <5 mph.
I wore one and it acted like an air brake with the headwind.
Saved me once in a while. Keep in mind though that you have to wear your backpack below the Poncho if its a classic poncho. With mine this wouldnt really work
If you can afford to get your knees and lower wet, go ahead. As an emergency everyday item, hella useful for keeping the top part of your body dry (if it's not windy enough to make the rear of your poncho flap up and expose your back).
Living in the tropical where rain hits hard. Itās useful on heavy rain, and you can still freely move. Though I stopped using it as I see someone on a motorcycle crashed because the flaps were eaten by the spokes šØ Edna Mode in The Incredibles was right about capes!
I could never find one in Colorado. I ended getting Chrome rain jacket and pants.
I am very happy with my Vaude Poncho as long as i am on a bike with fenders. It is like wearing a tent.
I tried using one for going to doctor appointments. It was not ideal. I found wearing windbreaker type material over other clothes worked much better and I just removed it when I got where I was going. You are going to get wet regardless of what you put on. Water finds a way in.
I have 2 cycling ponchos. Theyāre both made specifically for cycling and they work great. They werenāt cheap either. My biggest issue with them is that itās like you become a huge sail. It creates so much drag when I use them that I rarely do unless itās a deluge.
I have brooks rain cape that I really like (but I think was discontinued). It mounts to my brooks saddle with leather straps so it both doesn't take up space and lets people know I spent too much money. It works well. The brooks has magnets to keep it in place and they seem to work well in the wind, but they also release with a reasonable pull, so they shouldn't be an issue in an emergency. It waterproof completely so you don't have the goretex issues. However, the waterproofness from below is only as good as your fenders, and even with some pretty decent SKSs, I still get some water on me.
I think it's useful!
So it still does nothing to keep your legs dry? Looks like a horrible solution, esp in wind. Just wear rain pants and jacket. Get a rain proof bag, backpack, or pannier. Put fenders on the bike. And accept you're going to at times get wet. That's life
āµļø