What to Wear to Bike in the Rain: Why Waterproof Cycling Jackets SUCK!

Cycling rain jackets suck. They're job is to keep you dry, but they're so hot and stuffy that they make you sweat buckets. They have one job, and they can't even do that right. Here's what I wear to bike in the rain that actually keeps me dry and comfortable.

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[michaelre]

I ride so fast that all rainwater turns into vapor. Problem solved.

[mikerossi]

I use “the people’s poncho”. Almost identical to yours, but it has handles on the underside so when it’s unsnapped you can hold it over the handlebars to create a dome that works great, as long as it’s not crazy windy

[not-fishing]

As a boy scout I wear cycling clothes (most often wool) that can get wet, sleeted on, snowed on and have a change of clothes in ziplocks in my pannier. When it rains you will get wet.
Thanks for the research on the poncho.

[J.Coburn]

I'm amazed at how you made a rain jacket video so enjoyable. AND it's info cyclists actually need. Well worth the subscription tap.

[techno.drew_]

I have been searching the internet endlessly for a solution to this same problem, and your video has all the answers! As a fellow fixed gear hipster living in a rainy city, this is perfect (and looks way cooler than the plastic ponchos)

[neiljwmacmillan]

Great video! I'm going to sound like some grouchy old retro-fart, but here goes: A long time ago, here in the UK, we used cycling capes. They're similar to your poncho, but made from inexpensive yellow or orange ( for visibility ) plastic. They have thumb-loops at the front, so the cape encloses the bars and stem, keeping you dry without too much of an aero penalty. In Scotland, where I grew up, it rains like fuck! Imagine a whole country with weather like Portland. With a cycling cape, we would ride all day without sweat. The front of the cape forms a little pool of water, which was entertaining. Ride up next to your friend and splash him with the contents of the pool. A few years ago, I rode Eroica Britannia on a Flying Scot track bike with mudguards. ( fenders are guitars here.... ) I managed to source a proper 1970s cycling cape. It rained all freakin' week but on the day of the ride, it was dry. I was unable to re-enact those wet summers caused by Mt St Helens dust cloud. Anyway, some suggestions: If the poncho doesn't already have loops, maybe get some sewn in. Avoid black ponchos because black bike clothing is an invitation to be an organ donor. If the poncho comes with a hood, cut it off.

[quadroff]

Gore-tex isn't actually waterproof AND breathable at the same time, it's just one or the other: water blocks the pores in the fabric that allow air through when its dry. Fortnine(a motorcycle YouTube channel, so not too far off from cycling) made a video about Gore-tex's marketing bullshit.

[jamesw]

WOW! I'm so happy you made a video on this. I just got a Patagonia Rain jacket and have been envious of Clever hood rain "Cape"/poncho. I think I might make the switch as I'm moving to Northern California soon and am expecting a lot of rain. You should check out some bike specific ponchos with some thumb loops to cover your hand I think Clever hoods Rain cape would fit your vibe too.

[nyohaku]

Old Marino wool sweaters against the skin are great at keeping you comfortable and relatively dry, while a floppy fluorescent outer shell with lots of zippers gives you flexibility as the weather fluctuates. Clip on fenders really really help on the back wheel. I also add lights and a white helmet especially in heavy rain. Getting soaked, exhausted and cleaning up later is half the fun.

[jonathangapay]

I use the Fairweather Poncho that can be packed into a small bag. Great kit for bike commuting. You can put the front bit over the bars so your legs are also covered from the rain. Very lightweight as well.

[acidset]

I already found these bike ponchos by searching but you just saved me a lot of money and trouble by pointing out the flaws of the rain jackets when it comes to cycling! Thanks!

[notlt]

I prefer being wet from rain rather than my sweaty, stanky self. I just have dry clothes at each end of my ride--and figure that I'll just be wet until I get home.

[nolonesomedude]

I have both The People's Poncho and a Cleverhood Urbanaut. They're both cycling specific, with thumb bands so you can drape them over the handle bars, and absolutely fantastic. I live in the PNW and these rain capes (as the Brits say) are absolute game changers. There have been 2 eras in my winter cycling life: before poncho and after poncho.

[LastNineBreaker]

Well, at least if you sweat to death in cold weather, you won't catch a cold, as opposed to riding in the rain that combined with the wind chill can make you sick.

[adhunt]

100% on synthetic rain shells. I hate them for exactly the reasons you lay out. I’ve always wanted to try (the Carradice) waxed poncho, but haven’t ponied up yet. Glad to hear your experiences with a similar item. One thing I’ve had a lot of success with is vintage virgin wool flannels, actually. For anything but a true downpour I can do a <10 mile ride and get almost no moisture on my upper half. Hella breathable, obviously. Cheers!

[bearclaw]

I have a clever hood cycling poncho and i think it works pretty well to keep me dry and cool enough

[JoffroyBoutin-ufdc]

I wear the big old cleverhood poncho. it has loops that I can attached to my handle bars or thumbs so the front of the poncho hangs over the bars. It breaths even better that way. Only down side it that it forms a puddle of water between me and the handlebars that I have to push off every now and then.

[scruf]

I am a little bit cold natured cold wind really gets me a three season cycling jacket is fine with me

[ziggypi]

my bike friend that lives in portland, says he just cycles slower when it raining to manage heat creation

[BruceChastain]

I don't know if they sell them in the US, I guess they do, but in Europe lots of people ride with a cycling rain poncho that is similar to this poncho you're riding. The main difference is there is part of the fabric that connects the arms, giving protection for your legs from the rain. I used to have a cheap plastic one that I use a lot.