Winter commuter bike clothing ideas?

[Gazzab]

Am after some recommendations for waterproof clothing for my winter cycling commute...
It's a relatively short ride ie 2 miles, fold bike, get on a train to london bridge, 1.5 miles to the office.
Should get away with smart casual at work so am thinking I need
- waterproof trousers (to go over my work trousers)
- mid length waterproof jacket (to go over a blazer or put blazer in my bag)
- some shoe covers!?
- gloves (that's easy enough).

Would be good if the above could all fit in my bag ie when it's dry and/or not too cold (along with laptop etc).

Any recommendations?
Thanks

[Barchettaman]

Gore Bile Wear goretex windstopper should do it.

[Gazzab]

My brother suggested just wear a normal jacket/coat plus have the knee length roll down 'chaps'. If it's really bad jump on the tube....

[assadahmed]

Barchettaman said:

Gore Bile Wear goretex windstopper should do it.

Just got this last week. Have been using it this week in the rain. Its very effective.

[oyster]

Barchettaman said:

Gore Bile Wear goretex windstopper should do it.

For 3.5 miles each way?!!!

Talk about overkill.

[Rolls]

Do not try and over think this!
If its really bad - jump on the tube..
Otherwise, just get a waterproof jacket you can chuck on..
you wont get any wetter riding than you would walking IF your bike had mudguards... (although i'd say it may be worth having a change of shoes just in case!)

[Black can man]

Under armour coldgear .


Keeps the cold & wind out , really cannot recommend this stuff enough.

[Kell]

I've got a Gore Paclite jacket, but it's not as waterproof or as breathable as my Night Vision jacket.

With dark nights/mornings being seen is probably more important than being dry, so I'd recommend a Night Vision jacket.

There are versions in black, blue, red and orange as well as the flouro yellow version, but to be honest, the advantage of yellow is that when it's just cold, grey and miserable rather than dark, you'll still stand out.

Also, I think a lot will depend on your bike. Bromptons seems to protect their riders very well, my Dahon (26" wheel folder) not so much. Even with full mudguards, my feet get wet. I think it might be down to tyre choice as my tyres seem to squirt water sideways and up as well as just backwards, so it always seem to be the perfect height for my feet to pedal through.

For short journeys like yours waterproof trousers would work well. I can't get away with them as I sweat too much, so I wear these things instead:


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rainlegs-Rain-Cover-Legs-M...

They have the advantage of rolling up small, plus as most of your legs aren't covered, you don't sweat too badly.

[Barchettaman]

oyster said:

For 3.5 miles each way?!!!

Talk about overkill.

Not in the rain.
Windstopper fabric is great, highly breathable, but generally the jackets are untaped at the seams, which is where the water ingress occurs.
It's my go-to jacket in anything other than heavy rain. If it's really chucking it down then I use a Gore Bike Wear Goretex Paclite jacket.
I commute between 5000 and 6000km a year, in Frankfurt, in all weathers (from -10 to +34 in the last year or two), including snow and ice (studded tyres work well). I'm fairly confident in recommending commuting gear.

[Gazzab]

Thanks guys
I went for the night vision jacket and some rather fetching roll down 'chaps'. They both work well in light to moderate rain.
Only issue is the layers of clothing under the jacket make for a hot ride even over just a couple of miles. BUT the key to cycling in london is to be seen, the yellow jacket certainly makes me feel a lot safer.