Your Comments
Just Get Wet
Gene from Austin, Texas, USANo poncho, no rain suit. I'm most comfortable in a wind jacket when it's raining. On a longer ride it soaks through and I get wet but it avoids wind chill.
Then you only need to know how much to wear under the wind jacket and what to put on your legs. If it's warm, you can probably ride bare legged just fine. Leggings or running tights work fine when it is raining. They don't soak up much water and stay comfortable when wet.
For what to wear on top, you'll just have to experiment. If it's warm, I just wear a jersey in the rain. Let it get wet. Getting colder, then I add an undershirt. That should take care of whatever I'll probably encounter.
I ride just fine in the rain in only a jersey and shorts when it is warm. As long as I stay warm I fine with getting soaking wet.
My cycling kit is also my swimwear because it dries so quickly.
Feels good in the water and is easy to swim in.
No need to carry any extra kit or get changed.
Windbreaker
by Tee, Chiang Mai, ThailandLike Gene said, you're going to get wet either way. Fortunately it doesn't get that cold down here most of the year, so getting wet on a ride is survivable.
However, when wet, the wind while riding can still be chilly. For that reason I opt for something that is somewhat windproof so that at least I'm warm. I prefer thin layers so that don't hold much water when I get wet. This feels good when cycling in the rain.
I also wear my cycling kit for swimming in the lakes that I pass when touring.
It makes great swimwear, feels really nice in the water, and dries quickly afterwards.
Uncomfortable Rainsuit
Devan, Cork, IrelandI wouldn't recommend cycling rain suits. I own and have used rain jackets and pants. They do not breathe at all, no good for cycling. Now I use them only as swimwear which is very practical and good fun.
I remember once riding with the front zipper down a few inches, pit zips wide open and wrist velcros as wide as possible, and I was just drenched from the inside. I took them off after about half an hour. Super uncomfortable being wet from the inside.
Cycling capes in bright colours make you visible and have great ventilation and, even when it doesn't rain.
But often I don't wear any rain gear, just get wet in the rain and enjoy the ride.
Wicking Shirt
Ryan, Bournemouth, EnglandWhen the temperature is warm enough, preferably 20°C or above, I just wear a long sleeve wicking fabric shirt with cycling pants and get wet in the rain. The thin poly tees are just enough to keep me warm and the fabric dries surprisingly quickly when I'm out of the rain.
My cycling kit doubles up as swimwear. I wear it in the pool for my resistance swim training, then hop on the bike and enjoy the rain or let it dry in the sun. No need to get changed. Big time saver, my kind of cross training.
I usually carry a very lightweight packable windbreaker. Packs into a sandwich sized ziplock bag. If the wind chill feels uncomfortable I'll wear it. So far it's been good in chilly light rain. Haven't had a chance to try it in a serious downpour.
My best cycling windbreaker/jacket is easy to carry on every ride. I've loaned it to underdressed cyclists on group rides this winter so they'd be safe and not miserable.
I also have a Nike Dri-Fit hoodie, it's not waterproof, just thick wicking fabric.
Surprisingly warm in cold weather and breathable.
I plan to try it on my next rainy ride when the air is cooler
just to see if it's still warm when soaking wet.
No Mudguards
Alan, from Plymouth, EnglandMy bike has no mudguards (fenders). When I go fast through a puddle, the front wheel throws up water into my face and all over my front, while the rear wheel sprays my back. I don't mind getting wet and dirty, but not in my face.
The solution is a cosy cycling cape. While the water sprays all over me underneath, my face stays clean. Now going through puddles is huge wet fun. After a few puddles I'm soaking wet but can still see where I'm going. Everytime I ride through a puddle lots of water shoots up. Spray from below, rain from above. What more can one ask for?
When I get back home I enjoy a long bath in my cycling clothes and rain cape. That way they get cleaner than rinsing them in a bucket or hand wash basin. No need to peel out of cold wet and dirty clothes. I keep them on and just relax in a hot bath after a long ride and ease the tired muscles.
Afterwards, I clean and lube my bike and put it in the bike shed for the next soaking wet rain run.
You Will Get Wet
Tui from Chiang Mai, ThailandI've come to the conclusion that there is simply no way you're gonna stay dry on a bike if there is serious rain coming down. Fenders help. A good rain cape helps. Rain pants help. My gloved hands stay dry under the cape draped over the bars.
But even the best technical fabrics don't breathe all that well. They're pretty good in cooler or cold weather. But in warmer weather, you get wet from the inside out and all that changes.
Resign yourself to your fate. You're gonna get wet. Focus instead on being more comfortable (e.g. not cold and not overheated). A lightweight rain anorak with a lot of ventilation options (velcro cuffs, pit zips and a double zipper) will let you modulate your temperature best.
On tour I wear an Anorak or rain cape.
The pocket in the front is useful for small stuff.
When I get too hot I jump into a lake too cool off.
Rain Capes are Best
Andreas from Hannover, GermanyI agree with several of the comments above, you will get wet to a greater or lesser extent. Unfortunately what I see being your biggest issue in a hot humid climate is the inability to repel rain and simultaneously not stew in your own sweat and trapped body heat. In my climate the bigger challenge is staying simultaneously warm enough when wet most of the year.
My Gore-Tex type jacket causes me to sweat too much
to the point I may as well just get soaked by the rain.
For that reason I wear a rain cape in rain or sunshine as it has better ventilation.