Riding a bike in the rain is no fun. Being stuck in soaking wet clothes is miserable. If you live in a rain-prone region like the Pacific Northwest or a tropical region like Florida, you know all too well about sudden and unexpected rain showers.
No matter where you live if you’ve looked into getting rain gear from a local bike shop, you’ve realized it’s expensive, and your selection is limited.
Before you resort to wearing a garbage bag, let me introduce you to the best cycling rain gear online.
Top 10 Best Rain Jackets, Rain Pants, and Rain Suits Reviewed
1. ARSUXEO Winter Warm UP Thermal Softshell Cycling Jacket
2. BALEAF Women’s Cycling Jacket
3. COOFANDY Unisex Packable Rain Jacket
4. Little Donkey Andy Men’s Waterproof Cycling Bike Jacket
5. Showers Pass Transit Pant
6. Waterproof City Cycling Rain Poncho
7. SWISSWELL Men’s Rain Suit Lightweight Waterproof Rainwear
8. WATERPROOF SUSPENDER RAIN PANTS
9. Zeagoo Lightweight Windbreaker Women
10. Columbia Men’s Glennaker Lake Rain Jacket
Cheap Rain Gear.
Who is it for?
When considering cycling rain gear, you should first consider your riding intentions. Are you a fair-weather rider that needs emergency rain gear? Cheap rain gear might be your best choice.
Why?
Aside from being budget-friendly, it is usually the lightest and most compact of the rain gear. When folded, rolled, or stowed in its bag (often the front pocket), it’s usually small enough to fit in a bike’s water bottle holder, a bike bag, or pannier.
Being low cost, ultra-compact rain gear makes sense if it’s always with you on every ride for “just in case” situations. After all, who wants to lug around heavy, bulky rain gear daily?
Plus, you might look a little silly riding an inexpensive road bike wearing expensive rain gear.
Durability
Most lower-end rain gear is made from either a thin nylon type material like a weatherproof windbreaker jacket or a weatherproof synthetic material that almost seems paper-like. The material is less durable than higher-priced gear and makes it suitable for just occasional use.
Since most cheap gear is not as durable, it can easily rip or tear if snagged, and zippers can separate if tugged too hard. With that said, you’re better off going with a larger size than trying to squeeze into a smaller one.
Check with the manufacturer or seller about washing it. Some cheap gear can survive a washing machine on a gentle cycle, but others may meet certain death. The clothes dryer is generally a no-fly zone.
If you plan to wear it as occasional emergency gear only, durability should be less of a concern. The best part is that should you need to replace it entirely, you could do it 2 to 3 times over for the price of the more expensive, bulkier, and heavier gear.
Characteristics
Cheap rain gear is usually ugly. Generally, it’s not form-fitting and lacks contouring leaving you with a baggy appearance. So the cheap stuff is not usually designated for men or women specifically. It’s almost always unisex.
With big movements, some gear can give off odd sounds. Depending on the material, it could be either a crunching sound like paper being crumpled or a sound like fingernails on a vinyl record. This alone might lead you to select a specific jacket or pants made from one type of material over the other.
If you are going for looks or styling, cheap gear will leave you disappointed. You’re not going to win any fashion awards, instead, it’s all about the performance and staying dry.
While most cheap gear skips out on reflective markers, it often comes in a variety of colors. Colors can vary from vibrant neon yellows and neon greens to solid black. If you are riding in the dark on wet streets, choosing a highly visible color is a smart decision, along with riding with a bike light.
If you normally avoid riding in the rain but want to be prepared for unexpected showers, cheap gear is the best choice.
Premium Rain Gear.
Who is it for?
If you ride your bike regardless if rain is in the weather forecast, you will want to invest in higher quality rain gear.
Why?
You will get more life out of it.
Durability
The better cycling rain gear is more durable than the cheap stuff. It’s often made of Gore-Tex or PolyPropylene. It’s built to last. The higher-grade material will also stand up to miles of riding, and the friction from the seat or a backpack’s constant rubbing would eventually destroy the cheaper gear.
Characteristics
While cheap gear might feel like you’re wearing a giant Glad garbage bag or pop tent, the better gear has a more tailored, form-fitting professional fit. So although there are unisex selections among the more expensive stuff, most are designed specifically for men or women.
The features to watch for quality rain gear are vented panels, reflective markings, and elastic or drawstrings in the cuffs and hems.
Vented panels can keep you cool during warmer times of the year and help eliminate the feeling like you are in a sauna. Reflective panels help ensure that drivers see you, which can be very important in dark wet weather conditions. The elastic cuffs and hems can help keep water out, and in cooler months, the option to keep heat in.
Even though it may come with a reflective pattern, bright colors are still important to consider.
In Summary
When it comes to rain gear, it is sold all different ways. You can purchase just a waterproof cycling jacket, just waterproof cycling pan pants (maybe you already have a jacket), and some sellers offer a jacket and pants combo.
If you are looking into keeping your shoes dry, you may also want to consider rain shoe covers. They run from cheap clear plastic covers to material that fits over your shoes to waterproof your cycling shoes.
Rain gear, just like anything else, comes in a variety of pricing and quality standards. In the end, it’s true purpose is to repel water, break the wind and keep you dry and comfortable. When deciding how much to spend, think how much you would pay if you were caught off guard in a rainstorm without it. Don’t forget about safety when choosing a color.
Some raincoats come with a pocket for your things. Having one means that you can get to what you need when you want it versus having to struggle with your rain gear.