Cycling gear isn’t exactly fashionable, but does it work?
Looking at a cycling poncho / cape for commuting.
Does anyone have one? What’s your experience?
by fellowtraveller
Cycling gear isn’t exactly fashionable, but does it work?
Looking at a cycling poncho / cape for commuting.
Does anyone have one? What’s your experience?
by fellowtraveller
10 Comments
Sorry not really a helpful answer, but no, never considered it. I have waterproof panniers, everything outside of those needs to be ready to get soaked. I don’t usually need to worry about rain though.
⛵️
Living in a very wet part of the UK, I was really keen on the idea of using one in the last few years and I’ve tried a few during those year. The issue I have with capes is that I live on the coast, so it’s very frequently windy (20+mph) with gusts regularly exceeding 40mph.
In an effort to combat this I purchased the Carradice duxback cape, which I thought had more weight/substance to it, to hopefully combat the wind. This thinking was short-lived; the cape quickly turned it into a portable sail as I attempted to ride on a wet somewhat windy day, shortly after purchase.
In it’s defense, the rain coverage and added breathability was great and I can absolutely see the benefit but not to those in very windy places. My advice would be give it a go but be mindful of your local weather systems before purchasing a more expensive brand/model.
They are pretty great for every day carry, so you don’t need to check the weather report each day and they are relatively affordable. Just leave them in your bag until needed, dry them out and put them back in your bag.
The downsides are that you sweat under these, like a lot. In summer I often don’t bother with mine since between light rain and sweat I take being damp from light rain over being drenched from sweating under thm. In winter it’s kind of nice though since you can just compensate with not putting on the thicker layers of winter attire.
I have a model from Vaude. Sadly, it started to smell from sweat and the plastic seemingly starting to come apart after 3 years. (Or maybe it’s just finally time to finally throw this thing into the laundry for once.) What it still has going for it are the straps on the inside, so I can hook it over my brifters or bar ends to cover the entirety of my upper legs, like a tent, and only get my shoes and pant leg openings wet from the bit of road splash that reaches them.
I’m currently trying to find a new one. Jackets sadly only cover your torso and don’t do anything for your legs. And while I dry out quickly in summer, the rest of the year I have to sit with damp pants in the train when only using a jacket, wich isn’t ideal.
So it still does nothing to keep your legs dry? Looks like a horrible solution, esp in wind. Just wear rain pants and jacket. Get a rain proof bag, backpack, or pannier. Put fenders on the bike. And accept you’re going to at times get wet. That’s life
I commute rain, snow or shine. If you can think of something to keep you dry I have tried it.
Ponchos and big fancy raincoats just don’t work all that well in my experience. Something is always gunna snag and rip and then you are soaked and miserable.
My current setup for all weather gear is motorcycle pants, ones with interchangeable insulation for colder days that really helps in the winter. Then I found myself an actual bikers jacket, it’s water resistant and has yet to fail me. Then since I ride an Ebike I just wear a motorcycle helmet. All in all this keeps me dry and just keep in mind that this is rather expensive gear but it keeps me safe and warm and that’s all I can ask of it.
My experience: “Fraplaplaplaplaplaplaplaplaplaplaplapla”
Bad – worse – poncho. It’s a sail and splash water wil reach your trousers nevertheless.
Don’t get one with sleeves. You’ll sweat like crazy. The open ones do look good, but I have no experience with them.
Bloody fantastic! I got one from thepeoples.co and it’s been great. As you’d expect it’s a bit of a sail in the wind but putting the two straps over my handlebars or wrists keeps everything ankle upwards dry, my feet only get wet from road spray and puddles. Way more convenient than the alternative of waterproof trousers + coat and it’s way more breathable too.
Living in the notoriously wet uk it has allowed to me make my bike a true bus replacement for all weather. getting home with soaked jeans was just a dealbreaker for me and I’d end up spending half an hour on the bus instead of 10 minutes on my bike just to stay dry on a lot of occasions
You do look ridiculous though, especially if you buy the bright yellow one like I did. I have gotten some really strange looks from pedestrians I’ve passed lol