rain gear

[conifir]

what brand to buy from....so many....so many claims to fame....
i do know that eventually you do get soak in what ever dollar suit you get....
what i am looking for if i am going to be out or get stuck out in a good old fashion down pour and i am about 1 to 2 hrs from getting into shelter....who makes or sells a suit that will work...
also this bad boy has to pack down to the size of a pin head...in a perfect world
i have also thought of getting a poncho again....but they do not keep your knees dry...
you do not sweat in them like a pvc suit...
i have looked at "showers pass" suits   so far they seem to be the only thing that is worth their money but just a little to pricey... and what about "rain shield" anybody know about them?

[ScottM]

I use a marmot precip jacket and a pair of mountain hardware rain pants.  They weren't the cheapest things in the world, nor do they pack super small, but they keep me warm and dry.  They come along on every bikepacking trip, even if there's no rain in the forecast.

[Pivvay]

Whatever is on sale? I like to hack the bottoms off pants so they don't get in my chain area. Stuff I've used or seen.

Jackets:
North Face DIAD or Triumph
Golite Virga
SD Isotope
O2 rainwear
Tyvek clothes

Pants:
Golite Reed
Tyvek pants (pretty fragile but light at ~2oz)

[DaveC]

I've really liked my Patagonia Spraymaster over the last few years, good DWR and the stretch fabric makes it very nice for riding.

[Carney]

I use a marmot precip jacket and a chepo pair of Target rain pants hacked into manprees. The marmot jacket is the best jacket I've come across and hasn't let me down in many a downpour. Sure, it doesn't pack super small, but I'd rather be dry. The cheap pants are just the clear plastic variety ($9)... sure they are just plastic but they work and if they get destroyed....oh well.

[jeffkerkove]

For just over a year, I have been running the GoLite Phantasm Jacket and GoLite Shadow Pants.  Both pack down and work really well.  I have had no problems what so ever running this set up here in CO.

www.golite.com/product/proddetail.aspx?p=AM1735&s=1

www.golite.com/product/proddetail.aspx?p=AM1711&s=1

[Mike Brown]

Good luck with the Sierra Designs stuff for sale everywhere...not the lightest or smallest, but works well.

[Slim]

I use the Rainshield stuff if I am not expecting terrible conditions. It is super light and cheap and is one of the most breathable fabrics out there. It is not durable though, so if there is lot's of brush/rock scraping on your ride it's a poor choice. Also it is not cut very well and lacks good rainflaps and adjustments, so it's not a good choice when you want to wear it for a long time or in really cold,w et and windy weather.
Other wise I'm looking at the paramo pump stuff(see BPL review http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/paramo_clothing.html)  from Cioch http://www.cioch-direct.co.uk/waterproofs/glamaig.html, as they make a lighter jacket and offer custom fit for my long arms. for the 'gnar'.

[Eric]

I liked the spraymaster for a while, but found the fabric not durable at all when abraded on rock, its too stretchy.
I've been really happy with just the cheap lightweight REI rainpants that have the side opening at the bottom.

In lots of rain I ditch the base layers and just wear fleece next to skin. Its a lost cause for them to try to wick moisture to a humid membrane.. fleece absorbs less water and you'll be warmer and stay drier.

[cgar380]

I have been shopping for rain pants and after weighing (pun intended) the options, I bought a pair of Stearns waterproof/breathable ripstop (with adjustable leg openings) rain pants from walmart today. They have a side cargo pocket which you can stuff the pants into inside out. They come with a mesh liner which I cut out. The seams are taped, the waist is extra high, elastic and drawstringed. They fit like a rainpant should (roomy, but not too baggy) and the non metallic snaps which adjust the leg openings from elephant size (to slip on with shoes) to pencil size will work beautifully for the bike and general fastpacking. Here's the best part of the whole thing; under 20$ (19.98) and 9.8 oz!! That's about 2-3 oz heavier than the Golite's or Mtn Hardware's but 1/3 of the price so I can buy 3 pair of these to one pair of the others.

I'm no fan of Walmart but I also think it's worth mentioning that in the bicycle section they have a Bell full cable replacement kit w/ brake and shifter cables + housing + ferrules + cable ends for 5$. And a strap on accessory water bottle cage (similar to the twofish design but with a metal adjustable strap) for $4.96. It could work on your fork legs or your commuter bike's handlebars for your morning coffee.

I also found a 3 pack of "Starter" brand synthetic, padded, ankle socks for 5$. I'll never buy 12$ socks again (not that I did unless they were on sale).

Back on the topic, I wear a 12.1 oz Golite Revelation bike specific rain shell (of course they don't make it anymore). Great piece of kit with pit zips and the like.

[velomatt]

Im a huge fan of my Showers Pass Elite 2.0. Cut for a cyclist vented for a cyclist. It uses eVent fabric which is VERY breathable. Best jacket I have ever had.
http://showerspass.com