Hot take: I used to think rain gear was a waste of money for biking

After getting caught in a surprise downpour last Tuesday on the way to a job in Portland, I was soaked to the bone and miserable for four hours of landscaping. A buddy at the bike shop sold me a proper waterproof jacket and now I actually look forward to rainy commutes. Has anyone else had a specific bad weather moment that changed their gear setup?

3 comments

3 Comments

kevin_wells462mo ago

Totally agree with you @shane_williams, that sounds exactly like what happened to me last winter. I was biking home from a night shift and got caught in freezing rain that turned my glasses into ice cubes and my fingers into claws. Soon as I got a proper shell jacket and some waterproof gloves, it was like a whole new world of biking in bad weather.

shane_williams2mo ago

Yeah my buddy Tom used to brag he could handle any weather in a hoodie. A hailstorm up in the Gorge last fall turned his ears blue and his bike into a sled. Now he's got a whole waterproof wardrobe.

henrys741mo ago

Jumped into the same trap myself a few years back... thought a thick sweater would be enough till I got caught in a downpour that soaked through in five minutes flat. The real game changer for me was learning about layering. Start with a moisture wicking base layer, add a fleece for warmth, then the waterproof shell on top. Gloves are tricky too, you really want something with a waterproof membrane not just a thick fabric. Once you dial in that system you can ride comfortably in just about anything except maybe a hurricane.