Tech tips »
Dressing for wet weather riding
I’m fortunate enough to live in a section of North America that doesn’t get really cold in the winter. However, it does get really wet and the weather does influence how often I can get out for a ride. This entry is meant to serve as a primer for the type of gear that makes riding in the rain or the snow tolerable, and even fun for some people.
When the temperature drops and the nice weather goes away, most riders adopt a different mindset: their focus is less on getting in the miles or riding fast down this or that trail and more on getting out, breathing in some fresh air, and enjoying themselves. Regardless of motivation, it’s still important to dress properly and make sure you don’t head out unprepared when the weather isn’t ideal.
Your best bet for finding good wet weather gear that’s designed for riding in your area is by paying a visit to your local bike shop. Good local shops know what gear works best in your area — they’ll have good thoughts on product durability and effectiveness.
Unlike many of you, I can wear pretty much the same gear all year round with the addition of a couple of pieces of clothing. For areas that experience a lot of rain, a good rain jacket is a must and, fortunately, a number of companies make quality gear. Companies like Helly Hansen and Race Face make quality jackets designed specifically for outdoor use in the wet. If you live in Canada or are comfortable with ordering online, be sure to check out Mountain Equipment Coop for a wide range of wet weather gear.
When it comes to wet weather gear below the belt, I prefer wearing shorts to pants, but that’s definitely personal preference. For the freeride set, companies like Mace Gear, Race Face, and a number of others (Fox, Troy Lee Designs, and Azonic come to mind) will get you hooked up with quality rain pants.
Other things? Some people swear by GoreTex socks, neoprene gloves, head covers, hydration pack covers, and stuff like that. All you really need to remember when you’re heading out in the rain is to be prepared and, just like in colder weather, it’s better to be overdressed than the other way around. I know from experience that “wet and cold” definitely isn’t better than plain old “wet”.
Also, make sure you know which trails are suitable for riding when it’s wet and muddy. As a trail builder, there are few things more frustrating than doing dirt work on a trail and then seeing someone roll or skid their way through, along with some comment about how moist the trails are.
1. Posted by Dressing for cold weather cycling » The Biking Hub | 3:43 pm, 14 December 2005
[…] As I mentioned in my post on wet weather riding, my gear selection doesn’t need to change a whole lot over the winter. Sure, there are some cold days when I need to break out the knee warmers or a beanie for the climb up but, by and large, I don’t need to make any special adjustments in autumn and winter. […]