Waterproofs (that don't make you sweat)?

[TonyHetherington]

Driving me nuts at the moment - it's chucking it down most days I want to ride to work. However, the temperature is such that I'm still a couple of months away from investing in the Altura Night Vision Evo (well, my birthday's in October )

Anyway - all the light waterproofs I've seen seem to be of the material that makes you boiling hot, which I don't want. I just don't want to get cycling jerseys soaking wet (and therefore me very wet and very cold).

Any suggestions?

[warp9]

Ah, was going to suggest the Altura range, i've got one of those windproof ones which are shower resistant, but for a proper downpour you'd need a breathable one. I got an orange £10 discount one from JD sports which is worse than wearing a bin bag. But you know all of this. This hasn't helped at all. Sorry!

[anonymous-user]

how long is the ride?

[s4avant]

"Paramo" do a large range of very light, waterproof jackets that would be suitable for cycling.

[Rocksteadyeddie]

IME experience waterproofs that actually keep water out (as opposed to claiming that they do) always have a boil in the bag effect. They should therefore only be used in absolute emergencies when the heavens have truly opened, and taken off as soon as possible. The rest of the time an outer jacket of non-waterproof material is better. I don't technially own a "waterproof" at the moment, and have no intention of doing so depsite having a long commute (c 30 miles).

[Gooby]

Waterproofs are typically non breathable. Try a softshell. More expensive though.....

[TonyHetherington]

warp9 said:

I got an orange £10 discount one from JD sports which is worse than wearing a bin bag. But you know all of this. This hasn't helped at all. Sorry!

- that's a great way to put it - like wearing a bin bag. And that's what I was hoping to avoid, of course! Thanks though, at least I know I'm not on my own

pablo said:

how long is the ride?

<30mins, so it's not mega long, but I do 2hour + rides at the weekends which I'd hope to use this on too.

Rocksteadyeddie said:

have a boil in the bag effect.

And yet another great way to put it

[The Walrus]

My experience is they all make you sweat it is just a matter of when so don't expect miracles, I am getting a Gore Path II which has very good reviews but I am under no illusion that it will keep me as cool as wearing a short sleeve jersey.

The packable windproof not waterproof item I use is the castelli squadra rain jacket, it keeps most rain out in a light shower but dont expect it to last for 3-4 hours etc.

[oyster]

Rocksteadyeddie said:

IME experience waterproofs that actually keep water out (as opposed to claiming that they do) always have a boil in the bag effect. They should therefore only be used in absolute emergencies when the heavens have truly opened, and taken off as soon as possible. The rest of the time an outer jacket of non-waterproof material is better. I don't technially own a "waterproof" at the moment, and have no intention of doing so depsite having a long commute (c 30 miles).

+1.

I find if I don't wear waterproofs I get wet. If I do wear them then I still get wet (from the inside), even with gore-tex kit.

I do see people on bikes with all sorts of waterproof gear and I'm sure they're dry, but they are doing 9 or 10 mph so hardly generating much heat.

I would like to find some way of keeping my feet dry though, as this is the most uncomfortable thing with riding in the wet. I wear trainers when riding as I don't have clipless pedals, can I still wear overshoes?

[Rocksteadyeddie]

oyster said:

I wear trainers when riding as I don't have clipless pedals, can I still wear overshoes?

Yes, although I would be carful around sizing. You will also go through the bottoms very quickly if you walk about in them, as you won't have anything protruding through them to take the pressure off the fabric.

[S1_RS]

I wear Peter Storm waterproofs bought from a Hiking/camping shop. I've always been impressed by how I can go for blast in the local woods and remain dry without getting sweaty. Relatively inexpensive too compared to specialist bike stuff.

[Ironballs]

When you find the shop that can sell you that waterproof can you get me some of their snake oil whilst you're there as well please

I run "warm" in general, so even bimbling about in shorts and a thin top on a dry day will have me sweating before long. Waterproofs in summer rain are my idea of hell and I'll sometimes ride without as I'll be just as wet, though much cooler

[The Walrus]

Ironballs said:

When you find the shop that can sell you that waterproof can you get me some of their snake oil whilst you're there as well please

I run "warm" in general, so even bimbling about in shorts and a thin top on a dry day will have me sweating before long. Waterproofs in summer rain are my idea of hell and I'll sometimes ride without as I'll be just as wet, though much cooler

I feel your pain brother I get hot looking at the sun from my air conditioned office !

[will_]

There aren't any (well, not unless you want to spend eye-watering amounts).

Just get wet. Have a warm base-layer if you think you'll get cold. Or pedal harder!

[Rouleur]

The Endura Pakajak is a good shell at ~£40, but it won't keep you dry forever. It does dry quickly itself though and packs down nice and small.

[okgo]

Just get a kag in the bag style thing? They're totally waterproof then stuff it in your pocket when it stops raining?

[TonyHetherington]

Thanks all - it seems like I am looking for the impossible, then?!

I might get a bin bag then - I'd rather be hot than wet, because i'd then have to dry everything at work.

Thanks though

[HundredthIdiot]

In spring and autumn I use a gilet to keep my torso dryish.

In the winter I use a winter training jacket.

I do own some goretex shorts but don't wear them any more, just put up with a wet arse. If I'm bothered I'll pack a second set of shorts for the trip home.

[jodypress]

HundredthIdiot said:

In spring and autumn I use a gilet to keep my torso dryish.

In the winter I use a winter training jacket.

I do own some goretex shorts but don't wear them any more, just put up with a wet arse. If I'm bothered I'll pack a second set of shorts for the trip home.

Mudguards work a treat. Got caught in the rain in my Sunday best road bike the other week and got wet as a wet thing. No such grief. SKS race blades are pretty good.

[oyster]

okgo said:

Just get a kag in the bag style thing? They're totally waterproof then stuff it in your pocket when it stops raining?

But what is the point if you're just as wet from sweat wearing it as you would be from rain if you don't wear it?