[Closed] Wet weather gear recommendations.

I'm rubbish at setting off when it's already raining (unless I've arranged to meet up with someone).
Mild and wet I pretty much accept I'll be getting wet either from sweat or rain - which one will be worse? Heavy rain means baselayer and proper waterproof. Showers or persistent light rain then something more like a windproof - maybe with slightly warmer stuff underneath.

2 other factors for me. Am I riding in a group where there may be faffing / slower riders than me? If so, I'll go for the full waterproof option. Also, how high / remote am I going? Higher / further / more remote also = full waterproof, even if it goes in the bag for most part.

but no idea what works when the weather is in that 9-14c window.

Honestly, I think the answer to this is: Nothing

Cycling even moderately hard pushes out a lot of sweat, that sweat has to have somewhere to go, you either let it evaporate, or it will just cling to you and the clothes you're wearing. Evaporation in mild weather is a slow process and an clothing is easily overwhelmed to the point of saturation pretty quickly. I think you've to accept one of two options:  either wear less, and get wet from rain, or wear waterproof, and get wet from sweat.

Thanks chaps. I was hoping there was some magic clothing out there. After today I have concluded that I'd rather have wet clothing than waterproof gear stuck to my bare legs and arms.

For MTB?

I'd suggest a lightweight baselayer (perhaps Patagonia Capilene), with a light-ish softshell jacket and waterproof shorts, or shorts with waterproof bits such as Madison Zenish DWR.

For MTB?

Road. I do have full length mudguards too.

You probably want one of those Gabba-type jerseys then.

Perfetto or Gabba on top and just let it get a bit wet - I find it just stays damp but you stay warm so feels comfortable. The minute it stops raining it dries out very quickly in the wind without chilling you.

On legs I just wear lycra shorts, then woolen socks in winter boots.

I was just having a look at the Gabba jerseys. I think I'll give one a try as they seem to get good reviews.

Waterproof shorts! With 3/4 Lycra underneath if you don't like them brushing your knees (but you are wearing trousers so can't imagine that would be an issue)

Agree with nickc

There’s no magic wicking waterproof breathable fabric remotely on a par with skin. Warm winters are for bib longs (or 3/4), jersey, full guards and flaps. Add some lightweight shorts for modesty if the fancy takes?

Take a superlight pacamac if it turns chilly.

Perfetto for mild wet weather or Gabba short sleeve for warm wet weather.

I was just having a look at the Gabba jerseys. I think I’ll give one a try as they seem to get good reviews.

I only recently discovered them and have been gobsmacked at how well they cope in the rain.

I rode in my perfetto jacket today, with just a thin baselayer underneath (and high topped bib tights) on a 30 mile very foggy and wet underfoot gravel ride. Was comfortable for the whole ride, despite a lot of damp and water dropping off trees etc. And I sweat quite a bit. It’s quite a remarkable jacket.

Went out for a long road ride in the rain, and through a fair bit of water from flooded roads.
I had a long sleeve base layer, and goretex active jacket on top, bib shorts and Spesh Defrosters down below. Worked a treat.

I had a long sleeve base layer

Is this where I am going wrong with the Idra, not wearing a long sleeve base layer and just a short arm jersey underneath. Just wondering whether a base layer pulls the moisture from the skin and helps the sweat problem or does a long sleeve jersey just mean you get hotter?

I wear a light long sleeved top - not for the sweat wicking as I don’t have sweaty arms (!), but as it just keeps the wind edge off the arms and also I do find the Perfetto internal seams are a bit annoying on bear skin.

I wear a light long sleeved top – not for the sweat wicking as I don’t have sweaty arms (!), but as it just keeps the wind edge off the arms and also I do find the Perfetto internal seams are a bit annoying on bear skin.

Ok, thanks. I just found the Idra arms were stuck to me. Nothing worse than the feeling of sweaty skin stuck to a waterproof garment.

An option is the Neoshell stuff. Stretchy like Windstopper, wind proof, waterproof and breathable. Bit like a Shakedry and Gabba combo. When it's chilly and might rain (or is raining), they're ace. If it's in case it rains, I take a Shakedry. Sportful Fiandre Pro

Yeah long sleeve base layer as the 3 layer gore tex against bare skin is unpleasant. The rain kept me cool enough, but had it been dry I’d have sweated like a bastard.
Bottom half soaked but not cold.

Try Buffalo. I swear by mine. Not waterproof but very effective

Similar issues on Sunday, a relatively hard on/off CX ride in mist and eventually rain. Was fine until we stopped for an extended puncture/chat break, and then once cool I never really got comfortable again.

I actually think the solution is just to carry a waterproof in the back pocket for any enforced stops! Sort of like hillwalking in these conditions, the second you stop moving, layer up!

Also was riding with didn'thurt from this forum who had a merino base layer, whereas I had a short sleeved lycra top with warm Sportful NoRain arm warmers. I think I could now be tempted by a short-sleeved merino base layer to complement the arm warmers, premise being that merino stays warmer when wet.

I actually think the solution is just to carry a waterproof in the back pocket for any enforced stops!

I carry a Rapha Core Rain Jacket II, which packs up really small, so easy to fit in a jersey pocket (takes up less than half of one). Ideal for extra insulation if you stop, or if it really starts pissing down. Doesn't breathe that well, but it's pretty cheap. Also bright coloured which is good for visibility.

https://www.rapha.cc/rd/en/shop/mens-core-rain-jacket-ii/product/CRR03XXRED

I tend to just use a windproof that I have treated in Nikwax TX direct. Keeps the worst off and is pretty breathable.

Stolen Goat do a Gabba-esque top that's a bit cheaper:

Stolen Goat Orkaan

Bioracer have a sale on at the moment. They make the Orkaan tops for Stolen Goat. The Tempest material is water resistant and it's engineered into the fabric so you don't have to keep reproofing it.

Niiiice! I like Bioracer kit, scored some Epic Bibs for a silly price, nicest shorts I own.

Also liked the look of some Stolen Goat kit (am always drawn to obnoxious colour schemes even though I'm neither fast enough nor stylish enough to carry them off) so even better to know they are made by Bioracer and have a cheap Gabba equivalent.

*adds obnoxious pink and blue Orkaan short sleeve to christmas list*

Anyone tried their waterproof jacket?

https://shop-bioracer.co.uk/product/kaaiman-jacket/

I got a Bioracer from this thread, long sleeve wind proof.
Commuting tomorrow so I’ll try and remember to report back.
The perfect top for these ‘will it won’t it rain’ cold days is Gore windstopper.
Buy a short sleeve big enough for a mesh base and a long sleeve or arm warmers, they really work from very cold to mild.
If you over heat take off the base and stick in pocket.

Ok, thanks. I just found the Idra arms were stuck to me. Nothing worse than the feeling of sweaty skin stuck to a waterproof garment.

Ah got you. The Perfetto is a soft shell fabric so don’t find that issue.

I also tend to carry a Rapha core waterproof in my back pocket should I want an extra layer.

Buffalo. We used to use them for Polaris two day endurance events. Get them soaked and your body heat will just drive the moisture out. There's nothing else that compares. Designed for the armed forces. Companies don't make them as it cuts their profits not selling multi layers. I don't like their cycle specific one though, stupid crutch strap.

First step is the unfashionable one.

Reduce the amount of water hitting you, ie fit mudguards.

You'll then be able to get by on breathable gear for almost all weather other that full on rain.