Used to think rain gear was optional for my commute, now I dont leave without it

I used to just throw on a hoodie and hope for the best when rain hit on my ride to work in Seattle. Then last November I got caught in a surprise downpour 3 miles from my office and showed up completely soaked for a big meeting. Now I keep a cheap Frog Toggs jacket in my pannier at all times and it makes a huge difference. Does anyone else have a specific piece of gear they never skip on their daily ride?

2 comments

2 Comments

park.tara27d ago

3 years in Portland and I still just wear a wool sweater and let it dry out at my desk. Honest truth, I've never owned proper rain gear for biking. The way I see it, you're going to get sweaty either way from the rain or from the waterproof jacket trapping all your heat. I just keep a spare shirt in a ziploc bag and change when I get there. Takes 2 minutes.

willow24427d ago

Oh man, that's exactly how I used to do it back when I was commuting in Seattle! I had this old Patagonia fleece that would just shed water like a duck's back if the rain wasn't too heavy. I'd get to work, hang it on my chair, and by lunch it'd be dry. The ziploc shirt trick is genius though, I always just kept a spare in my desk drawer and hoped for the best. Honestly, having two pairs of shoes that you rotate helps too, one for biking and one dry pair you change into.