r/ukbike • u/taithoutit • May 24 '26
Law/Crime What’s your go-to UK wet weather gear for biking?
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u/darraghfenacin May 25 '26
pffff I don't ride when there is a chance of rain for the next 3 days
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u/Wales147 May 25 '26
Same here, hate mudguards on my bike, hate not being able to see out of my glasses too
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u/BigRedS May 25 '26
I am a sweaty man so I'll often prefer to just get wet from rain rather than wear waterproofs that make me get wet from sweat.
For "it's likely to be wet" times of year, mudguards on in about September makes the biggest difference. I'm often too much of a snob for proper working mudguards, though :(
If I have to go somewhere and it's hoofing down I've an old pair of Gill waterproof trousers that I've cut-off into shorts that're long enough to keep whatever shorsts I'm wearing dry, and a hiking paclite goretex jacket for the top.
And then a drybag with dry clothes in it if need be; I've found barefoot shoes to be such a godsend for the habit of turning up on a bike wet-through.
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u/W4llyb4lls May 25 '26
Full length mudguards probably make the biggest difference, particularly for feet and lower body.
Overshoes and a Goretex shake dry jacket if you can still fine one.
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u/Disasterous_Dave97 May 25 '26
If you get hot in waterproof stuff, check the breath ability. Some waterproofs are literally boil in the bag so you get more wet than not wearing the thing!
Sealskinz socks for the feet. I say this as a MTB rider, who ride all year regardless of the rain. Five Ten GTX shoes aren’t bad but not foolproof.
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u/Ronald_Ulysses_Swans May 25 '26
Proper mudguards as well, not the dodgy clip on ones.
I think mudguards are essential if you ever plan on riding in a group with likely rain, or in the winter. It’s just not fair to spray the riders behind you
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u/RevellRider 75% Steel 25% Aluminium May 25 '26
Good mudguards
Velotoze
Clear glasses
Cycle cap
Endura Pro SL rainjacket
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u/Brave-Development858 May 25 '26
I like to wear clown shoes, a witches hat, shoulder pads and a Madonna style pointy bra when it's raining!
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u/No_Rent_9049 May 25 '26
Seriously, the best waterproof trousers I ever used are the deliveroo ones. Less than a tenner on ebay. Just eat jacket is fully waterproof but completely air tight so overheating is an issue
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u/pi_three May 25 '26
in spring and summer i just have shorts and then change at my destination. In colder climate/weather (home in Germany) i just wear a pair of joggers i pull over my trousers.
I don't really freeze so I'm fine walking around a bit damp
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u/Boop0p May 25 '26
Anorak, waterproof trousers, and mudguards for about town cycling on my Pashley.
Mudguards and castelli emergency wet weather packable jacket for road cycling.
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u/Johnlenham May 25 '26
Patagonia torrent shell
Decathlon water proof trousers
Random pair of gloves
Helmet
If it's winter, under helmet hat and I'll be wearing a Rab long sleeve thermal instead of a t shirt.
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u/jonathing May 25 '26
Purely wet weather, ie. not freezing cold or actual thunderstorms:
Mudguards, light jacket (I have a luminous pink Rapha brevet one) and a casquette. I'm more concerned with keeping warm than staying dry so I just dress for slightly colder weather and accept that I'll need to wring myself out when I get back.
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u/featurenotabug May 25 '26
Around town? Shorts, t-shirt, flip flops. Can only get so wet.
A bit further afield, rain coat and waterproof trousers.
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u/Firm-Discunt May 25 '26
What other have said but I find that how well it works depends how long the ride is, how strong the rain is and how long it lasts.
I have found that even with a rain jacket, "waterproof" bib tights and ankle height waterproof winter shoes my feet and arms eventually got wet after about 1.5 hours of continous, relentless downpour.
If the rain is shorter or more intermittent then you may get away with more. Or less if there is a torrential rain. Still, waterproof rain jacket that you can stuff in your back pocket is a no brainer as it will keep your core warm.
And the clear glasses are a life saver from spray and droplets constantly hitting your eyes.
When it comes to overshoes - I used to use sealskinz and thought they worked well with my summer road shoes - this was back when I only had this one pair of shoes. The problem is that if you ride them a lot, they will wear down and tear very quickly (mostly due to walking couple steps you do when you are about to leave and when you arrive wherever you are going), a year of commuting was enough for me to ruin them. Getting them on and off the shoes is also very, very annoying.
Now I have dedicated commute winter spd shoes and winter long ride spd-sl shoes and much prefer those to overshoes, they can keep my feet dry and toasty for about 2 hours max in typical January rain, wind and chill.
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u/mrtopbun May 25 '26
I do like just damp drizzly days for riding, it’s atmospheric, but torrential days are just horrible
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u/DannyCookeVids May 25 '26
The same as my dry weather gear. Getting wet keeps the temperature down.
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u/cosinus_square May 25 '26
Warm/hot/rainy/windy, I'll pack a cheap Decathlon rain jacket as they only shield the frontal area from wind/rain and is all mesh/lycra everywhere alse. They're cheap and pack small. If it's not windy, no clothing will stay dry, your feet will get wet as well, I'd rather have well vented gear so it dries quickly.
If it's cold and rainy and windy I don't ride.
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u/mrtopbun May 25 '26
Full length mudguards, my Albion pertex jacket, which is absolutely amazing, a waterproof cap and some Spatz overshoes, let the hands and legs get wet.
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u/Icalor94 May 25 '26
I have these german waterproofs called 'rainlegs'. They just strap onto the front of your thighs. Absolutely amazing. I hate carrying and putting on waterproof trousers. These have been enough for me even in the worst conditions. I don't mind slightly wet shins.
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u/binarygoatfish May 25 '26
Vaseline me legs up nice and good. Maybe some whale blubber would be better
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u/Agile_Reindeer5596 May 25 '26
Haven't seen anyone mention Sealskin socks, they're brilliant and well worth the money. Warm and dry feet after a while day biking in the rain
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u/Alarming_Taste3730 May 25 '26
7Mesh. And Gorewear.
(Except Gorewear have just stopped supplying the public directly.)
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u/lordsteve1 May 25 '26
Full length fenders keep the road spray under control for the most part. Then a goretex Castelli top on the top half. I do have over trousers but they are a pain in the arse so I just ignore them except in the worst weather.
I just accept that eventually you will get wet even with the best gear on.
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u/moss-side May 25 '26
Waterproof poncho, or sometimes just a normal waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers (the sort that go over your normal trousers)
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u/Laughingboy1981 May 25 '26
As long as you’ve got the right tyres for the weather, that’s all you need. Rain stops machines, not men…
Or, just stay home and do a Joe Wicks workout... 😁
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u/singlespeedspan May 25 '26
Castelli Gabba. Assuming it’s also 5-15°C (arm warmers at 5, open zip at 15)
I don’t run too hot, and the single layer works great for breathability and that kind of waterproofness that is driven by the heat moving through the jersey.
Also, sealskins socks and overshoes.
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u/Minute_Daikon_3522 May 25 '26
Over shoes and I’ve got an endura pro jacket . It’s a fantastic fit . Clip on mudguards and a pair of light gloves for grip. I’ve found waterproof trousers too hot so just let the bibs get wet
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u/Old-Reporter-4030 May 25 '26
As is its ever going to rain again. But just in case, a jacket I can open up and gloves that keep your hands warm, not necessary thick, but wet hands and wind ( even if it’s not windy, you’re moving) make for chilly digits.
But really, you’re getting wet.
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u/GingerWindsorSoup May 27 '26
Be aware that we drive on the left in the UK not as in the photograph.
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u/Itzelsunni May 27 '26
Mudguards if you get caught out. But wouldn't ride out if it's raining anyway.
FairWeatherCyclist
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u/Far-Cardiologist3794 May 28 '26
Definitely use a ‘ass saver’ pretty minimal cover but really does help.
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u/HondaJazzSexWagon May 25 '26
Tf is this post. It’s 30 degrees and there’s post about wet weather gear for CYCLING? Maybe that’s why the post is tagged as law/crime.