Biking in the rain, to work or school, is mostly a rain gear question. The goal is simple: arrive in the clothes you are going to wear all day, dry. Sacramento rain is wet, not cold, so this is about shells and layers, not parkas. Here is the setup we recommend, piece by piece, all from Showers Pass.
The short version
- Body: a waterproof jacket with a hood that fits under your helmet. For most commuters that is the Syncline CC.
- Legs: Transit rain pants, $149, over your work pants.
- Feet: Club shoe covers, $55, over your street shoes.
- Hands: Cross Point Sport gloves, $54, for rainy but mild mornings.
Body: the jacket
The Syncline CC is the one we point most commuters to. It has a hood that fits under a helmet, and Showers Pass designs its Full fit to go over bulky street clothes. Rated 10,000 mm waterproof and 10,000 g breathable, with two cross-core vents and 360 degrees of reflective trim. If you ride road or gravel, run hot, or want the most waterproof shell, our guide Which Showers Pass rain jacket? compares all four.
Head: hood or helmet cover
The Syncline's hood goes under your helmet. If your jacket has no hood, you have two options:
- Helmet Cover, $55. Waterproof Artex fabric, fully seam taped, with a removable drop-down rear brim that sends water onto your jacket collar instead of down your neck. Reflective trim on three sides. One size, with a double drawcord to fit most helmets.
- Gen III rain hood, $35. Made for the Century and Elite III. It will not fit the Syncline CC, which already has a hood built in.
Legs: rain pants
The Transit pant is a commuting pant, not a training pant: it goes over the clothes you want to arrive in. Artex Hardshell 3-layer ripstop, fully seam taped, rated 10,000 mm waterproof and 10,000 g breathable. Ankle zips so it goes on and off over shoes, cinch straps to keep the legs clear of the chain and crank, articulated knees, and reflective trim. Showers Pass lists the fit as Full. A mesh stuff sack is included, so it rides in your bag until you need it.
Feet: shoe covers and waterproof socks
Wet feet are the fastest way to a miserable day at a desk.
- Club shoe covers, $55. The commuter version, not the aero booties a racer buys: they go over street shoes, and Showers Pass says they keep street or cycling shoes clean and dry. Waterproof nylon, a zip at the back and a hook-and-loop strap above the ankle. To size them, measure your shoe sole down the center and take the smallest cover that is longer. Riding with cleats? The sole can be cut, but that is permanent, so buy a second pair if you also want them for street shoes.
- Cross Point waterproof socks, from $49. For cycling shoes, or under the covers on the wettest days. The Sport ($52) is mid-weight, with a CoolMax FX wicking liner; the Classic Wool ($49) is the heavy-duty one for cold, wet commutes and feet that run cold. Waterproof socks are slightly thicker than athletic socks, so if your shoes are already snug, plan for that.
Hands: gloves
For rain that isn't cold, the Cross Point Sport ($54): Showers Pass rates it 40 to 65°F, waterproof, with silicone grip on the palm and fingers and touchscreen fingertips. When it is cold and wet, step up to the Cross Point Pro Wool ($59), rated 30 to 50°F. All five of our winter gloves, by temperature: Winter cycling gloves by temperature.
Sizing
Every piece above goes over something: street clothes, work pants, shoes. Use our size charts and size for what goes underneath. Between sizes? Email us before you order, or order both and send one back: returns are free for 30 days.
After the ride
Hang everything up to dry; don't leave it balled up in a bag. When water stops beading on your jacket or pants, they need a wash and sometimes a fresh water-repellent coating. Our care guide has Showers Pass's steps.
Still deciding?
Email support@breaktimebicycle.com with your commute and what you wear to work, and we'll tell you what we would put together.
Ride on,
Break Time Bicycle Co.