Rain Cape Recommendation

[Dave Grossman]

I am in the market for a rain cape for commuting.  I'd like to keep it well under $100 if possible, and I'm in the Midwest so you never really know what will be thrown at you.  Any recs are welcome.  I've been eyeing a Cleverhood that I like a lot.  I thought Campmor made an inexpensive one but I can't find it and want to make sure it is long in the front/short rear for cycling.

[Kainalu V. -Brooklyn NY]

This one was $12 on Amazon, I bought the same one for $8 a year prior. It's simple, light weight like you read about, and waterproof. I bought some waterproof ripstop that I'm making a better poncho from using this as the pattern.
And with the money you save, you can buy a cup and come bottom bracket!
Stay dry
-Kai

[Tully Lanter]

I picked up a Vaude Valdipino for about $40 shipped from western Europe (France, I believe). So far, so good. It does flap something awful above ~15mph, but it has me completely sold on the poncho concept. The hood works nicely, too.

RBW has a large Grundens poncho on sale for $80 now, too. Haven't tried one but the waist tie should help with flapping. No hood on that one.

[Kainalu V. -Brooklyn NY]

That bonus should read cup and cone bottom bracket, not that that's all it could buy you...

On Sunday, June 23, 2019 at 8:11:22 PM UTC-4, Dave Grossman wrote:

[Matt]

I got a Cleverhood after years and years of wearing out a Carradice (the fluorescent pro-route). I held off for a long time because the Cleverhood is not cheap, but it's just so well made and they look really good. The reflective thread they weave in gives off a huge glow under headlights but is unnoticeable in the day. It's one of the very few cycling-specific bits of apparel I have that I wear off the bike. If you have the budget, it won't disappoint. Especially if you ride every day and through enough rain that this is something you get a lot of use out of.

[Tom Wyland]

I've been using one of the RBW ponchos for years of commuting. The fabric is heavy enough that it doesn't flap in the wind.  On the downside the PVC reacted with a bag I stored it in, creating bright red spotches on the yellow.  Now it looks rather gruesome, but still works.

I would also check out Peoples Poncho brand and see when they have a sale.

Tom

[Tully Lanter]

Matt - do you find the Cleverhood packable? 

The Vaude's flapping irritates me enough that I would consider something bulkier and costlier if it still fits in a smaller pannier...

[Neil Doran]

I'm a big fan of the Carradice Duxback poncho. Used two seasons now for daily use and no real complaints. The fabric (waxes canvas?) is heavy and does not flap much at all. There are two interior nylon loops for your hands to hold it in place, but with my setup (swept flat bar) it drapes nicely over the controls and stays in place even without my hands in the loops (unless it is very windy).

It also has two lengths of webbing attached to the rear interior that you can tie around your lower back to keep it from flapping up in back...generally not a concern.

The only part that is not great is the hood. It is not fitted or contoured in any way, but feels like a pointy little 'gnome hood'. I would prefer a large hood that would cinch down over my helmet, but this one does better jammed underneath the helmet. Not real comfy, but does the trick when the rain is really coming down. The head opening has a 12" zipper that provides quite a bit of 'battening down', and I stay very dry even without the hood.

The fabric is of course bulky by design but is built to last. Rolled tightly, it packs down to about the size of a 32 oz Nalgene. 

I'm pretty sure I paid under $100 for this one, but I cannot remember. Those Cleverhoods look quite nice, and I bet they do a better job on the hood...

[Dave Grossman]

Anyone tried one of these:

http://www.bicycleclothing.com/Rain-Capes.html

[Patrick Moore]

One caveat if you ride in rainy but warm weather, and if you sweat easily: I found that wearing the Carradice Ducksback and the Carradice bright yellow nylon model I quickly overheated and started sweating, and found the Campmore weight much more comfortable.

[Patrick Moore]

Oh, and again, 2 stacks of large washers attached to the tail of my Campmore keep it from flying up in the wind.

On Mon, Jun 24, 2019 at 4:03 PM Patrick Moore <bert...@gmail.com> wrote:

One caveat if you ride in rainy but warm weather, and if you sweat easily: I found that wearing the Carradice Ducksback and the Carradice bright yellow nylon model I quickly overheated and started sweating, and found the Campmore weight much more comfortable.

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[phil k]

https://global.bluelug.com/fairweather-packable-rain-poncho-algae-green.html

I really like these. A bit more than $100, but blue lug is offering free shipping. I like how the front is extended to give you full coverage

On Sunday, June 23, 2019 at 8:11:22 PM UTC-4, Dave Grossman wrote:

[Robert Liebermann]

I've got two of the J&G ones mentioned with the link by Mr. Grossman, above. They're just right - good quality, flawless/normal design,US made, fully functional. No reason to spend more or less. I 101% recommend these. Surprised more people haven't mentioned. Their other stuff is good too. 

//rjl

[Dave Grossman]

Thanks for the feedback Robert. That is my front runner based on features, design, MUSA, and price. Seems hard to beat if it works as advertised.

[Matt]

Tully—Yes, it's packable—I roll mine up—but the fabric is a good weight so it takes up more space than a thin poncho. It's about the size of a big hoagie when rolled. 

[Kellie]

These are beautiful and classy looking. I don't own one but I'd like to. Also perfect for winter weather dog walking and camping.

[Jonathan Gutoff]

I've had a Cleaverhood Electric Houndtooth cape for nearly five years. It has shown no signs of wear or loosing its waterproofing. I've worn it regularly in fairly rainy climates (southern New England and the south of England) so it's gotten a fair amount of use. I know it's above the price point but if you do decide to get one you can expect it to last.

On Sunday, June 23, 2019 at 8:11:22 PM UTC-4, Dave Grossman wrote:

[Deacon Patrick]

Dave, I'll just chime in with the idea that if this is your first foray into raincapes, try an inexpensive one first to see if the concept works. You'll learn a lot, including what features you want and are willing to pay for. A few things I learned from my albeit brief foray with a Gruden's:

- I love the idea. The Gruden's worked flawlessly, including as a sail. For me here, when it rains, it winds.
- Fenders are essential for a cape to work.
- Technical trails and capes are more than I could make work. Since all my rides hope to include trails, I shifted to ventile.

Enjoy the learning curve and finding what works for you!

With abandon,
Patrick

[adam parsley]

Another thought...

https://www.google.com/amp/s/drewdevereux.wordpress.com/2015/12/29/making-a-bicycle-rain-cape/amp/

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[Drew Henson]

it's june-uary here in seattle so i'm thinking about bike ponchos, this thread has been helpful. anyone have any experience with this cleverhood? it has a waterproof rating listed but it seems like it's on the low end of the spectrum, the cleverlite seems pretty decent too.

https://www.cleverhood.com/shop/rainwear/classic-rain-poncho/mens-cape-with-hood-john-brown/

i'd probably just splurge for the faiweather one if it had reflective accents like some others. the J&G one seems kinda short based on the pictures on the site but it's hard to judge. 

Anyone used this one? Seems decent as well.

https://www.backcountrygear.com/daypack-bike-poncho-1.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyNjHzLiJ6gIV0hx9Ch0ujAUREAQYAiABEgLEVvD_BwE

[Benjamin L. Kelley]

I have a Cleverhood regular/original? I won in a give away years back.  

Waterproofing is great.  Mine is DWR coated ripstop multicam with red accents.  (Not my first choice but it was what was in the giveaway). Zippers are waterproof. Has plenty of reflective accents.

Has some condensation/heat build up issues when using it in the hot summer here in KC and in NYC.  But did well for winter/spring commuting in NYC on top of my insulative layers.

Definitely need fenders and maybe rain pants/gaiters depending on how bad of drainage your riding area has.  I was commuting over/ along the East River, so the wind off the river made rain pants necessary otherwise my pant legs were soaked from the knee down.

--ben

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[Gustavo Vasquez]

Hi! 

I have the Agu Rain Poncho and love it, but I rarely bike in the rain. Impulse buy in the Netherlands, wish I bought a brighter color than black though. 

https://agu.com/eu/grant-poncho-essential


I’m only issue seeing the cleverhood is that does it fully cover your knees/legs? The Agu covers everything including the bike. 

Gustavo 

Santa Rosa, CA

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 17, 2020, at 1:59 PM, Benjamin L. Kelley <benjami...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Ahmed Elgasseir]

I also have a cleverhood and love it. Built in reflective lines for night visibility and nice style as well. Covers me, my legs, and the bike, if needed. Has thumb loops to keep it on/covering your hands and it also has magnetic closure arm holes for walking around, etc. Solid product and I use it everyone it rains on my daily commute. 

A

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