Riding in the Rain: Your Favorite Gear

[MmeMagpie]

I'm just curious to see what everyone's favorite gear, tricks, and kludges are for riding in the rain.

Monsoons just started, and I'll be getting very wet any day now on my way to and/or from work.

[MmeMagpie]

I've given up on rain gear, in general, for summer. My Rain Man suit keeps most of me dry (except my feet, hands and neck), but I feel like I'm in my own personal steam room. I'd rather get wet. I've also tried several gloves that claim to be waterproof and failed miserably.

I'd like to invest in a waterproof messenger bag for general stuff carrying. Zip-lock bags work just fine for keeping individual items dry in my backpack, but that doesn't help the rest of my stuff. A snack-size plastic bag keeps my iPod dry enough in my pocket, but I fear that the rain will sneak in one day and ruin it for good.

I found an iPhone (also works for iPad) app that shows radar as recently as 8 minutes ago called MyRadar. It helps me pick and time which thunderstorms to try and dodge.

[JackoftheGreen]

I haven't had much experience with rain riding myself, only a couple of short rides in mildly heavy rain. Got caught out without my chaps, so most of the stuff in my pockets (cell phone, Zune) got damp but didn't take any damage.

I've been looking around though, my wife did a lot of SCUBA diving in her teen years and suggested a SCUBA purposed 'dry box'. There's a ton of different types on Amazon, prices start around $4, and several different sizes too.

If you have a luggage rack on your Shadow, my recommendation would be the Witz Utility Locker II. It's guaranteed waterproof, large enough for all your sensitive electronics, and features molded tie-down loops, $21.00 plus whatever those guys charge for shipping. Also, whether you go with the large locker or the smaller clip-on type dry boxes you'll find on Amazon, order a bag of dessicant pouches (silica gel) to toss in there. That'll draw out any moisture that gets in the box while you're opening and closing it.

Alternatively, there are dozens of waterproof hiking and camping backpacks on Amazon. No idea just how waterproof any particular one is, but the reviews could be helpful.

[BRUMBEAR]

I actually love riding in the rain as long as it isn't a November Rain they get nasty. But I usually use a walmart cheapy set and sprayed leather gloves over some armored gloves boots don't usually soak through but sometimes they do.

[BRUMBEAR]

There are a couple shots @ the 2 min mark and again towards the end on the rain gear we all typically ride with

[jstark47]

I've given up on rain gear, in general, for summer. My Rain Man suit keeps most of me dry (except my feet, hands and neck), but I feel like I'm in my own personal steam room. I'd rather get wet.

Ditto. I have a two-piece rain suit, but it's so hot to wear I avoid putting it on as long as I can. I usually wait too long, ride into a cloudburst and then it's a moot point. Interested to see if others have found breathable rain gear I could tolerate in hot weather.

[blues2cruise]

I got a pair of booties to put on over boots. Work like a charm.

Also....a jacket with underarm zips unzipped helps to dissipate some moisture.

I have worn my gore-tex jacket with the zips undone with much success. However....if you are out in the rain ALL DAY...the gore tex eventually lets water seep through.

As for gloves....Unlike my my bad luck with boots that CLAIM to be waterproof that are not....I have gloves that have been awesome. Too bad they are getting worn out...

What you can do is go buy a large pair of black rubber gloves to wear over your riding gloves. Make sure you wear your sleeve over the top of the glove. The rubber gloves are the kind the fish mongers use....about 4 or 5 $ a pair. Handy to have in your bag in the event of a rain fall. Which around here is almost every day.

[Grey Thumper]

I've given up on rain gear, in general, for summer. My Rain Man suit keeps most of me dry (except my feet, hands and neck), but I feel like I'm in my own personal steam room. I'd rather get wet. I've also tried several gloves that claim to be waterproof and failed miserably.

Same here. My jacket came with this annoying 2-in-1 liner (rain + insulation) which is too hot to use in the tropics. Like you, I'd rather get drenched with rain than sweat, so I've pretty much ditched it. If I'm caught in a torrential downpour, I wear a regular Gore Tex shell (I just remove the hood) under my motorcycle jacket. I don't know what to do about my pants though. At least my boots are waterproof. Stuff like cellphones and my wallet go in the topbox (dorky but practical).

PS, helmet visors can come with antifog coatings or pinlock shields, but glasses fog too. I coat my glasses with antifog drops that you can get in SCUBA stores. In a pinch, you can also use shampoo on your glasses, then wipe (don't rinse) it off.

[blues2cruise]

In a pinch, you can also use shampoo on your glasses, then wipe (don't rinse) it off.

hahaha...I just got a visual of the rain on the shampooed glasses when it starts raining.....getting all foamy and sudsy.....

[MmeMagpie]

So I can foam at the eyes instead of the mouth? Brilliant.

Anti-fog drops sound nice. Useful year-round, too. I ride in winter and my face shield gets a little foggy from time to time.

One of my rain peeves is peeling off my gloves to discover that my hands have turned black. Again. The concept of mordants must be alien to these manufacturers. And it's a never ending battle because I have to replace my summer gloves every spring (somehow, I manage to blow out the tip of my right index finger by October).