Expecting always to ride your bike on a sunny day and never get caught in the rain might be an unrealistic expectation, especially if you cycle to work every day. There is no solution to arrive at your destination completely dry, but a little rain should not stop you from having fun on your bike, enjoy the ride, and carry on usually with your day.
To stay dry while bike commuting in the rain, you should consider safety measures like mudguards, reflectors, and lights. Your clothes should be weather resistant, breathable, and including a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish. Shoe covers, gloves, and proper bike maintenance are also essentials.
Find out how to get to work safe and dry below.
Considerations About Bike Commuting in the Rain
It is safe to say that cycling to work on a rainy day is not the best idea of a fun commute for many professionals. However, sometimes it will have, especially during the winter months. It is easy to be ready to face this eventuality but being prepared in advance is critical, especially if your bike is your primary means of transport.
Before diving into all the tips to get to work as dry as possible, it is crucial to consider two aspects of bike commuting in the rain: safety and comfort. While safety precautions might not be essentials to keep you dry, they will help you avoid accidents. In turn, this will not only keep you off the wet floor but also help you get to work in all safety.
Safety
Safety measure should include:
- Avoid cycling during the first rainy day – after a long dry spell, oils might have been accumulating on the concrete. During the first day of rain, the water might make the floor extra slippery. Opting for an alternative transport method on these days is recommendable.
- Braking times might be longer – it does not come as a surprise that wet concrete can increase braking time and reduce adhesion to the floor. While this happens for all vehicles, cyclists might also have to deal with an increased risk of road accidents.
- Ensure you can see and be seen – fitting your bike with front, and rear lights are mandatory during times of poor visibility, like in the case of heavy rains. These additions allow you to be more visible while on the road.
You can learn more about riding in the rain in all safety in the video below:
Comfort
- Durable Water Repellent (DWR) fabrics – thanks to their coating, such fabrics repel water. When shopping for the most efficient materials, opt for Gore-Tex items. These will be much more resistant and breathable.
- Breathability is essential – even if you have found a water repellent jacket or trousers, if they are not made of breathable materials, they will cause you to sweat while riding. In turn, this can give you a feeling of clamminess.
- Keep in mind what your destination is – if you are heading to work and you have important meetings planned for the day, you might consider having a change of clothes with you just to stay on the safe side of things.
Invest in Mudguards
Whether it has been raining or not, if you cycle in winter, you should fit your bike with mudguards. These accessories are installed over the front, and rear tire and they stop mud and splashes from reaching your clothes.
Aside from protecting you from splashes, these can add an extra layer of security while driving. Indeed, they can stop your bike, pedals, and handlebar from becoming slippery due to mud.
Our top pick – YBLNTEK Extendable Mudguard
Switch to Wet-Weather Lube
Keeping up with the maintenance tasks that can help you keep your bike healthy and efficient is also an excellent way to prevent road accidents. Among other bike care tasks, adding lube to the chain is essential to reduce friction and resistance between the cog. In turn, this can help you keep the drivetrain free of rusting and working.
However, during the winter months or rainy days, it is essential to switch your standard lube for a wet-weather type. This swap is vital to ensure that the lube will get washed off by the rain, causing you to struggle on your way home or even damage the drivetrain.
Our top pick – Muc-Off Wet Chain Lube
Take Care of Your Bike’s Chain With a Degreaser
After riding in the rain, you might rush off to change into dry clothes. However, taking care of your bike chain after a ride should be part of your routine too. Do so before adding lube to the chain, and you will be able to keep your bike’s chain in the best conditions for years to come.
Degreaser, as well as the application of lube, eliminates any oils. These might have been accumulating on the chain and other metallic parts of the bikes during your ride. While these might not be as much during dry weather, the rain can have a destructive effect on the metallic details of your bike. So, apply your degreaser to the bottom bracket, wheel rims, chain, hubs, and brake callipers.
Generic products such as WD40 can be highly effective in keeping the rust off the essential components of a bike, but you can also opt for products designed specifically for bicycles. Don’t forget to apply wet-weather lube afterwards!
Our top pick – Muc-Off Nano-Tech Bike Cleaner
Reduce the Pressure of Your Tyres
Whether you have become an expert or you are a new bike commuter, you should know that there is an important relationship between your weight, your bike’s tires pressure, and rolling resistance.
If you have pumped your bike’s tire to high pressure, you will experience a lower rolling resistance of the tyre with the concrete. Therefore, finding the perfect inflation point is essential when you are trying to increase performances, go faster, lower the risk of punctures, and preserve the health of your tires. All this is true in dry weather.
However in wet weather, the floor or concrete is likely to be covered in muck and mud. When this deposits both on the pavement and your bike’s tire, it will significantly reduce adhesiveness. Thinking about swapping your tires for thicker ones (such as a 25c tire) can offer you better balance.
If this solution is not viable for you, try to slightly lower the tire’s pressure by 5 to 10 psi. By doing so, you will be decreasing the amount of air in the bike, which will be less tense and drop more toward the floor. In turn, this increases the surface area that is in contact with the concrete, consequently increasing grip and comfort.
For reference, the standard pressure for a road bike’s 23c tire is between 100 and 130 psi (7 to 9 bar), depending on your weight and the bike’s weight. When mounting wider tires (such as 32c and 37c) the necessary pressure decreases to 50 to 87 psi (4 to 6 bar), depending on weight. If you are not sure, visiting an expert mechanic can give you specific indications regarding your bike’s features.
Cover Your Bike Saddle
How many times have you returned to your bike after work and spent time wiping the water off the saddle? And, often, that is not enough to get it completely dry before jumping on your bike. This can ruin the look of your trousers and be an inconvenience, especially if you have a meeting or appointment to attend after your ride.
An easy solution to this problem is investing in a bike seat cover. These are inexpensive, widely available, and suitable for bike seat types. You can opt to leave it on while your bike is not in use to protect your seat from rain, UV rays, or direct sun.
Our top pick – Bike Seat Cover Waterproof
Buy Waterproof Lights
According to the regulations that define the equipment necessary to ride in urban areas, cyclists must have reflectors at the bike’s front and rear, as well as on the pedals. However, during periods of reduced visibility, as it can be a rainy day, cyclists must have a front white light and a rear orange or red light.
The front light is for the rider to have improved visibility on the path or road ahead, and it is usually brighter than the rear one. Oppositely, the rear red light is the one used by cyclists to be seen by other road users, drivers, and pedestrians. This light can also be set on a flashing mode and is often not as bright as the front one.
Our top pick – Bal Hvit Bike Light Set
Buy a High-Quality Weatherproof Jacket
Buying water- and rain-proof jacket that is complete with several zippered pockets and reflectors can make your bike ride much safer and more comfortable. Indeed, there is nothing worse than feeling your clothes getting moist and cold due to the rain. Additionally, the reflectors that are often present on such jackets can help you be more visible on the road.
When shopping for the perfect jacket for bike commuting in the rain, make sure that the fit is loose enough to allow for freedom of movement and does not restrict you around the waist, shoulders, and torso. However, you might need to fit enough layers underneath it, so a comfortable fit should be what to look for.
Additionally, a jacket that boasts a retractable hood is also recommendable. However, ensure that this is not so thick to prevent you from hearing street noises and sounds.
Our top pick – BALEAF Unisex Rain Jacket Packable
Pants and Boots Should Also Be Waterproof
The type of pants and boots to use while riding should vary depending on your personal preferences and requirements. In the past, waterproof covers for pants would make riding in the rain much trickier than it is today, though the results were more than satisfying. Some cyclists still stick to this solution. However, today, you can benefit from versatile trousers that allow you to wear only one pair throughout the day.
When shopping for bike commuting trousers, they should at least include the following features:
- Be water- and splash-proof
- Be breathable, ideally made of gore-tex or boasting a Durable Water Repellent coating
- Include multiple pockets, preferably a mix of slash pockets for easy access and zippered pockets to keep your valuables while riding
- Have reflectors on the inner side of cuffs
- Be smart enough to wear them in the office comfortably
- Be high-raise, especially at the back, to offer increased coverage while riding
- Be snug but elastic enough to guarantee you freedom of movement while riding
Our top pick for men – Outlier Futureworks
Our top pick for women – Ministry of Supply Momentum Chino
Don’t Forget a Reflective Vest
Independently on your outfit, wearing a reflective jacket while riding in the rain or conditions of poor visibility is essential. You might like to wear this on top of your rain-proof jacket or alone, but it should not be overlooked.
Additionally, since many models ate packable, it won’t take much space in your backpack. Opt always to have one ready, and you will be good to ride even if you have forgotten your rain jacket at home.
Our top pick – Flectson™ Reflective Vest for Running or Cycling
Consider a Helmet Rain Cover
Even if it is not mandatory, wearing a helmet while riding your bike is essential to prevent injuries in case of an accident. These might not have to be disastrous, but if you ride over a puddle and slip, you are still in danger of injuries. Bike helmets are also highly aerodynamic and breathable, which don’t make them the best rain-proof device for your head.
However, adding a helmet rain cover can help you navigate urban streets without having to worry about your haircut. These gadgets are extremely inexpensive and accessible, so you can find one that fits your preferences. For even better visibility and comfort, pick a model that boasts reflectors.
Our top pick – ZMYGOLON Bicycle Helmet Rain Cover With Reflective Strip
Wear Gloves
Our bodies’ extremities are the first ones to suffer when you are exposed to rain and low temperatures for a prolonged time frame. However, you also need high mobility, freedom of movement, and responsiveness from your hands and feet, especially when riding amidst traffic in conditions of poor visibility.
Therefore, even if you don’t think it is too cold when you leave the house, always having a pair of gloves to wear on the bike can increase your level of comfort and safety. If you have a more significant budget available to you, you could opt to purchase a pair of gloves designed for cyclists.
However, if this option is not available to you, a pair of snug-fitting gloves, ideally anti-slip, can do the job just as well.
Our top pick – Grebarley Cycling Gloves Full Finger
Find Waterproof Overshoes
Even if you are equipped with a pair of last-generation waterproof shoes, you will need to consider that mud can easily ruin the sleek look you were going for. So, if it has been raining, opt to keep with you a pair of tight-fitting, waterproof shoe covers or overshoes.
She cover can offer you a better grip on the pedals even in wet weather and keep your toes warm. Moreover, this addition to your kit allows you to keep your shoes free of mud, dirt, and watermarks when in the office.
Of course, you could opt just to use an old pair of shoes for the ride and switch to more office-friendly footwear once at your workplace. However, wet trainers might not offer you as good of a grip to the already-slippery pedals.
Our top pick – ODIER Cycling Shoe Cover
Wear a Cycling Cap
Wearing a cycling cap with a visor under your helmet can help you fend off rain and water drops. While a professional cycling cap might require you to invest a little more than you would for a traditional hat, there are some features of these caps that make them preferable over other models.
Indeed, they are designed to be sweat-wicking, anti-bacterial, and breathable, to avoid ruining your hairstyle or damaging your hair. At the same time, the fabric covering your hair produces a snug fit that does not interfere with the ability of your helmet to protect you while riding. Oppositely, in the case of a regular cap, you might lose that thigh fit that your helmet would generally provide when not wearing anything underneath.
Cycling caps also boast fasteners that allow you to enjoy the perfect fit and are complete with a visor to keep any splash and raindrops off your eyes. These are an ideal, and more affordable, alternative to glasses.
Our top pick – Sundried Cycling Under Helmet Skull Cap
Invest in a Waterproof Bag or Luggage Cover
If you are commuting to the office, you are likely to travel with your laptop and other electronics such as phones, tablets, headphones, and cameras. When cycling in the rain, everything that is packed on your back might get wet without a waterproof bag.
When shopping for a messenger bag or backpack that will be resistant to water, make sure it is complete with several compartments and a laptop sleeve to keep everything in place while riding.
If you prefer a more affordable solution, you can purchase a backpack cover that you can fit on top of the bag you already have. Aside from being less expensive than buying a whole new backpack, this solution allows you to pick the style you prefer for your bag regardless of whether it is waterproof or not.
When shopping for a backpack cover, make sure it boasts reflectors and fits your backpack tightly.
Our luggage cover top pick – WSZCML Backpack Rain Cover
Our waterproof bag top pick – A-LAB | Model D | Waterproof Bicycle & Messenger Backpack
Add Layers to Your Outfit
Of course, as you cycle along, you might start to sweat. However, the temperature during rainy days – especially in winter – can be much lower than you would expect. Even if you feel confident that you won’t be particularly cold on your bike, adding several layers of protection to your outfit can keep you warm and dry.
Start with a vest, shirt, and light jacket. However, during winter or summer rainy days, it is recommendable to opt for a fleece jacket too. When selecting the ideal model for your situation, opt for a thermal jacket. This characteristic will help you regulate your body temperature.
Our top pick for men – Santic Bike Windproof Winter Fleece Jacket
Our top pick for women – BALEAF Women’s Windproof Jacket
Bring a Change of Clothes With You
Even if you have implemented all the methods seen above, it is difficult to arrive at your destination completely dry. Bringing a change of clothes with you can be an excellent solution to look as smart as you wish to be for your day in the office. Moreover, this strategy can help you worry less about having to stay dry and enjoy the ride even more.
Opt for Polarized Eyewear
Many cyclists love to wear sunglasses when riding to have better visibility of the road ahead of them and shield off dust. However, in the rain, a pair of sunglasses can decrease your visibility rather than improving it.
Bike commuters can solve this issue by investing in a pair of eyewear that boasts a hydrophobic coating. Alongside a cycling cap with a visor, this type of eyewear can be beneficial when riding or commuting in the rain. Indeed, thanks to their finish, water drops and splashes will just slide off it, without interfering with your vision.
Depending on your budget, you might also like to invest in glasses that boast an anti-scratch coating and resistant to impacts. Some of the latest models also feature an anti-fog system that allows you to enjoy a clear view of the road independently of weather and temperatures.
Aside from adding comfort to your ride, these types of eyewear can be useful in increasing the level of safety on the road. Indeed, one of the main issues riders have when cycling in the rain is that the dust, droplets, and wind can prevent them from having a clear view of the path ahead. This, combined with the fact that other road users might be experiencing the same problem, can lead to an increased risk of a road accident.
Our top pick – Oakley Oo9290 Jawbreaker Shield Sunglasses
You Can Always Use a Plastic Bag
If you have been caught in the rain without the necessary gear to stay dry, you could think about using a plastic bag to keep your valuables safe. Having a plastic bag with you at all times can help you keep your bike’s saddle dry or even add a layer of waterproof protection to your laptop.
While this solution might not be the right one to protect your head or extremities, it can be helpful when it comes down to protecting your equipment during a sudden rainfall.
Of course, if the winter season is approaching and you are determined to stick to your bike commute, you should implement your kit with the items seen above. These, aside from being more effective, will help you stay safe on the road.
Cycle Around Standing Water
If it has been raining, you might start to notice puddles and water streams on the side of the road. Sometimes, these accumulate on the bike lane which, by definition, is located on the side of the main lane. In this case, you should avoid cycling directly over it.
There are several reasons to opt for this strategy. Firstly, standing water can hide greater depths and obstacles such as rocks, which can cause you to lose balance while riding. Additionally, cycling over water might be fine if you are riding straight ahead, but adhesion can considerably diminish on curves and bends. Avoiding puddles while riding in the rain becomes essential to stay safe, especially if riding in traffic or urban areas.
Avoid Cycling Over Metal, Painted, and Brick Surfaces
Even if they are not hidden by a puddle or other types of standing water, you should avoid riding over metal, painted, and brick surfaces. Indeed, concrete is designed to give you a decent level of adhesion to the floor, even if wet. These other surfaces can suddenly become much more slippery than you might want them to be.
If you are used to riding along the same path or road every day, it is crucial to consider that your bike will react differently to it depending on whether the floor is wet or dry.
While these last two suggestions to stay dry on your bike are not strictly pieces of gear that can increase the comfort level on your bike, they are just as important. Indeed, even if you manage to shield yourself and your clothes from the rain, if you accidentally fall off your bike, you will land on a wet, muddy, or dirty floor. Aside from getting you wet, this can ruin your gear and bike, and even cause you to report mild injuries.
Conclusion
Commuting by bike is an excellent way of saving money and reducing our environmental impact and carbon emissions level. A rain pour should not stop you from enjoying the ride to work in the morning but being prepared for such an eventuality is critical. Depending on your budget and requirements, there are three main aspects to cover for wet-weather riding: bike maintenance, safety, and comfort.
Start by checking the tires’ pressure and brakes functioning. Then, make sure you are visible while on the road and ride off standing water and slippery surfaces. Lastly, invest in weatherproof gear.
