I switched over to a poncho and I love it.
Full fenders and poncho keeps me pretty dry, no other rain gear used, also much less sweaty than the full rain gear I have used.
That’s so interesting that’s your experience with it. I got a poncho for bikepacking during rainy seasons in Mexico. Even at elevations over 3000 m where it was very cool would get very hot.. I found it incredibly sweaty, and I overheated very quickly and found it was not very adjustable. So I’ve gone back to a jacket and pants and been much happier.
What’s your trick?
What brand/model were you using?
I won’t use one again, but as a recommendation for others, it could be helpful
I use this Fairweather poncho from Blue Lug, not cheep but I really like it, and it gets very small.
https://global.bluelug.com/fairweather-packable-rain-poncho-coyote-brown.html
As a guy who just spent 7 straight days cycling 6 hours a day every day in the unrelenting rain I feel I have some possible POV.
1. Nothing you buy is going to keep you dry in pouring rain- unless u go full North Sea fisherman and that shit is heavy AF. the water is either going to find a way past your gear or ur bags - so pull over and wait it out. I spent two hours under some thick tree coverage and took a nap just 2 days ago.
2. I bought surplus military hoodie and a light rain pants and I was fine in anything from a sprinkle to a light down pour- I didn’t have shoe coverings-so I just wore wool socks - they were soaked but still kept me warm.
3. Most set ups will get u through light rain- the problem I faced was 7 days of it- meant nothing ever dried. I spent day 8 and 9 in a hotel with a hair dryer and my gloves are still wet.
4. My rain proof expensive gloves were great until day 7 - they are still wet. I curse myself because in the winter I use long fingered kayaking neoprene gloves - those work amazingly well and I wish I brought them. They are designed to keep you warm even when wet.
For winter rides, I landed on Kinco lobster claw mitts. They were a limited crossover release with Smith where the thumb and index finger is free and the rest of the fingers are in mitten configuration.
I waxed them with otter wax to seal them from the rain and they have worked flawlessly as both cycling gloves and snowboarding gloves.
i used to bike commute in seattle. for hour-long rides (which are admittedly different than what you just went throuhg) with fenders and a raincoat, you'll be pretty good in anything but driving rain, at least in terms of your head/torso. In driving rain you need to commit mentally to being wet.
Feet and legs are a different story. I tried waterproof socks but the water would run down my legs and get in through the top. I settled on shorts and wool socks as the best bet. Shorts arent really any colder than wet pants and you can dry yourself off faster. Wool socks provide some warmth even while soaked.
I have had considered a light neoprene top but no I think u would have to change out every time it stopped raining, diving booties might make sense, but really -at least for me- don’t ride in the rain for days on end.
In my experience they are the best option for those trips that may require to spend many days under the rain. If I expect 1 or 2 days of rain, I use conventional rain gear. But if the forecast calls for more rain or the trip is too long to rely on the forecast, I use a bike poncho. Ideally combined with fenders and waterproof socks.
Bike-specific models have very good attachments front a back that prevent wind flapping. You still have more sail for side wind, but the difference is very little for front and back wind. And the advantage is that you can use truly waterproof non-breathable fabric because it is not sticking to your arms and torso. I keep mine attached to the front bag and roll it over my head when needed.
edit: I do avoid going to fast on downhills, max 30 km/h or so. On the flats my touring speed works fine with the poncho.
Sealskinz, I haven't tried other brands. They have a model that seals decently on the top. It does feel weird with the membrane between to layers of fabric. I use them only if the rain is very heavy and it is cold. The poncho covers the top of the legs, but the feet can still get wet depending on conditions.
I got a cleverhood last rainy season for commuting and it is brilliant. An absolute delight. But I'd never bring it on a tour. If you're out in the rain for more than an hour or so, you're gonna get wet eventually, so might as well focus on staying warm while wet.
Agree. I bought a Carradice waxed cotton cycling poncho last year, and use it on commutes in the pouring rain. Great air circulation and it keeps me and my work clothes dry (both reasons for which I bought it and it excels at those). However, it's less than ideal in high winds and (at least this one because it's waxed cotton) is bulkier and heavier than I'd want on a tour. Also, if you're going to be on narrow/overgrown trails at all, you definitely won't want to be wearing a poncho. It'll likely snag and tear on brush/branches.
I suppose it depends on the type of tour and the weather you expect. In Iceland the rain falls sideways, so it wouldn't be much help. Ponchos also don't do well when you have to carry your bike. But for a chill road tour, why not I guess.
tl;dr highly recommended
I'd be hesitant to use one on an off-road bike packing trip. But I used one on a two day GAP ride with non-stop rain. I also had full fenders and rain pants.
It was awesome. My riding buddies were in jackets and pants and were soaked, but I was very dry and warm. Granted, we were riding slowly and I was on an upright bike.
those were quite common when I grew up in Germany close to the Dutch border. They are generally all right when cycling in an upright position and not very fast. wind can be a problem though. On rare occasions it may give you a real push though
Yes, he lists bike rain ponchos here as underrated gear for bike touring
[https://www.cyclingabout.com/underrated-gear-for-bicycle-touring/](https://www.cyclingabout.com/underrated-gear-for-bicycle-touring/)
I bought one when I was in Japan and I can say that this thing really works! Especially if you ride your way to work, you can keep 50% of yourself dry and change when you get home or at work.
I have a carradice rain cape and have used a nylon poncho. The heavier the material the better it works in the wind. Ponchos are definitely better keeping dry from rain and sweat, the way they cover your handlebars eliminates the need for gloves.
Live in the netherlands and my poncho is about half as long. If you wear a light rain jacket and shoe covers a poncho will keep you fairly dry, allows you to open your jacket and will not make you too hot for one day of rain. Multiple days of rain will just screw you whatever the setup
It's very commonly used in the Netherlands and Flanders where I live, but I still prefer the freedom of movement with a rain jacket, rain pants, and shoe cover combination. Mainly because I bought my rain jacket two sizes too big, which makes opening the pit zips actually useful in my experience, and I'm someone who rarely sweats a lot, so as long as I can get some airflow through my big jacket, it's okay. If it's super hot, I'm probably not wearing any rain gear in the first place. I always make sure to have a dry spare of everything that I wear, and it rarely rains multiple days in a row. And if it does, a shelter is your best bet.
They’re excellent. I have the packable one from Blue Lug and I just keep it in my backpack all the time when I commute. I never get hosed. It definitely requires fenders and if it’s really wet waterproof shoes are nice.
I use a Decathlon poncho and love it. It straps to your legs so it doesn’t blow around at all. In the summer I just wear shorts and crocs and anything above my shins is try as a bone. I like the ones with arms best though…so maybe those don’t qualify as a poncho.
I've seen a video of a guy who does tons of cycle touring, someone mentioned him in the comments also, Cycling about i think the channel is called,not sure. He recommends it a lot and personally i feel like you could trust someone with so much experience.
Yes, it's probably not as aero as normal jacket and pants,but i think on a tour,if you are riding slower,it could be a great piece of kit. Biggest advantage i see is the possibility of avoiding sweating like you would with a rain jacket.
It flaps around a good bit if you go too fast but works pretty well. Definitely not a perfect solution though rain jacket and pants maybe a better option but I have not tried yet.
I have one, and it's awesome for commuting. It's faster to put on/remove than rain gear by a mile. Love it for going in and out of shops and not having to wear rain pants/shoes. Absolutely need fenders though!
Would I take it bikepacking? Not totally sure, feel like I would still bring rain gear anyway (for off the bike) and then this would be redundant.
I used one for quite a few years in the rain, It was a fold up style you sort of twisted it and it folded to a disc, works really well, especially when it rains and it is kind of hot out, keeps you cool but the rain off.
The hoods on them are ok mine was never 100%, I would usually just wear it under my helmet or not at all.
i am a huge fan of the poncho and i invested in this poncho from bluelug which is absolutely awesome. It has draw strings in the all the right places to keep it from flapping around. I generate a ton of body heat and hated using rain jackets since they don't breath at all. The poncho provides excellent cover and maintains excellent ventilation. The poncho in the OP and the one I link below go over the handlebars so they cover your legs which is super neat.
[https://global.bluelug.com/fairweather-packable-rain-poncho-navy.html](https://global.bluelug.com/fairweather-packable-rain-poncho-navy.html)
You'll still need to keep your feet from getting wet from the front wheel splash. A fender helps and a mud flap helps even more, but i still find the bottom of my pants getting soaked so i added some gaiters to the mix.
EDIT: based on comments from some others I will say this is my preferred commuting setup. I've used it in heavy downpoars
I have found if it’s raining the whole time you’re biking, you’re gonna be wet. Even if you wear the most impervious rain gear, that means it doesn’t breathe and then you’re gonna sweat a lot and you’re gonna be wet.
If it’s warm, I just wear at shirt and shorts and change them when I get somewhere dry. If it’s cold, I wear the aforementioned impervious rain gear, and then change inner clothes when I get somewhere dry. Waterproof Ortlieb panniers are where I keep the stuff I want to keep dry.
I have a fairly cheap (bright yellow) poncho I got on Amazon. I've only used it a couple of times, but it works fairly well. My only complaints are that the hood barely fits over my helmet, it feels like there is more wind resistance, and the bill collapses in the wind -- usually over one eye or the other (annoying). It does keep me pretty dry and there is a lot of airflow.
BTW I'm not sure for extended pedaling, but I'm using a poncho when it is rainy season.
My commuter has full fenders to minimize the ground spray, but for the 15-45min pedals, I don't want to bother putting on my full rain suit. A poncho like this should protect me find from the rain.
The other issue with rain protection is wind protection. If it is below 50f, you have to be concerned about wind and the chill. A rain suit gives you extra warmth. Otherwise, you're likely to get moist in a suit or a poncho over extended pedaling.
What is the use-case? What kind of cycling are you doing? I think that is important to distinquish.
Pro-Poncho for day-to-day transportation cycling: I also have one of the People's Ponchos. I think it is perfect for commuting and day-to-day cycling when its raining. I use it when going to work, or classes, or to dinner, or other tasks when its raining. Just with my normal clothes underneath.
For day-to-day transportation in the city (5-6 km or less) it is perfect. I don't get as sweaty as I did with a closed raincoat, and my legs seldom get wet at all. It is suprising how good it is in light to medium rain.
Obviously, if you are riding for 50kms in the rain bikepacking or doing a 50km training run in lycra on your road-bike, the poncho is probably not a good idea. If its windy your ankles will get wet, and it can be a bit awkward. But I don't really think that is the use-case for a poncho.
Bike poncho works great - as long as you are standing still.
Soon as you start driving, you'll get wet, from the sides, from underneath, the wind will lift the poncho up all the time, etc.
if it's for a short travel, for work... , you can use something to stop the water. In this case, if your average speed is 15kmh this kind of puncho can be ok, If it's more you should take rain pants and a raincoat. If not, the rain will always win and what matters is to stop the wind and the cold. But this puncho don't protect your pant and shoes from the water takken by the wheels and they are difficult to managed with wind etc.
I use a packable goretex jacket and shorts. They take up no space in my waist pack. I've had them for years and as long as you reproof them regularly they're brilliant and worth the money. I feel like that poncho is an accident waiting to happen. Get the front caught in the wheel and it's over!
When the wind blows, you will be in heaps of trouble including possibly losing visuals and into a ditch or oncoming traffic. Anyone recommending this has never ridden in wind or torrential rain.
They are the best for torrential rain and most of them have attachments for handlebar/hands and waist. So, they don't flap on the wind or block your vision as the people who haven't tried them suggest. They would be a problem with very strong wind, but up to 20-30 km/h they do fine (normal touring speeds). I have done thousands of km with them touring.
I live in the UK, a land of torrential rain and wind, and it works for me. Your proclamations of the end of the world don't align with my actual experience.
I do bike commuting in a busy city where it rains a lot and always carry a rain poncho in my bag, and I use it whenever it rains and I don't give a f* to how people think about it.
For many counries wearing a rain poncho is standard for biking in the rain, I actually don't understand why in the UK/US nobody use it.
K
I commuted for years in a rainy city too and will still never touch fenders or a poncho
Showers pass jacket with a lance back patch and EPO beer helmet does fine
I would guess that people who have used rain capes designed for bicycles tend to swear by them, and don't like people talking trash on their rain gear lol.
How’s that ghost gonna pedal?
Good news is the bike doesn't have any pedals, so the ghost not having legs isn't as much of an issue!
Always match your kit for the kind of bike you'll be riding
I switched over to a poncho and I love it. Full fenders and poncho keeps me pretty dry, no other rain gear used, also much less sweaty than the full rain gear I have used.
Second this! A cheap $20 poncho off Amazon with full fenders much more breathable and drier than $$$ gore tex shells.
That’s so interesting that’s your experience with it. I got a poncho for bikepacking during rainy seasons in Mexico. Even at elevations over 3000 m where it was very cool would get very hot.. I found it incredibly sweaty, and I overheated very quickly and found it was not very adjustable. So I’ve gone back to a jacket and pants and been much happier. What’s your trick? What brand/model were you using? I won’t use one again, but as a recommendation for others, it could be helpful
I use this Fairweather poncho from Blue Lug, not cheep but I really like it, and it gets very small. https://global.bluelug.com/fairweather-packable-rain-poncho-coyote-brown.html
Agreed
do you use a waterproof poncho?
No. The best is a fairly open mesh.
I'd totally recommend a fishnet poncho, seems to be made for the water. You can't get wrong with that.
As a guy who just spent 7 straight days cycling 6 hours a day every day in the unrelenting rain I feel I have some possible POV. 1. Nothing you buy is going to keep you dry in pouring rain- unless u go full North Sea fisherman and that shit is heavy AF. the water is either going to find a way past your gear or ur bags - so pull over and wait it out. I spent two hours under some thick tree coverage and took a nap just 2 days ago. 2. I bought surplus military hoodie and a light rain pants and I was fine in anything from a sprinkle to a light down pour- I didn’t have shoe coverings-so I just wore wool socks - they were soaked but still kept me warm. 3. Most set ups will get u through light rain- the problem I faced was 7 days of it- meant nothing ever dried. I spent day 8 and 9 in a hotel with a hair dryer and my gloves are still wet. 4. My rain proof expensive gloves were great until day 7 - they are still wet. I curse myself because in the winter I use long fingered kayaking neoprene gloves - those work amazingly well and I wish I brought them. They are designed to keep you warm even when wet.
For winter rides, I landed on Kinco lobster claw mitts. They were a limited crossover release with Smith where the thumb and index finger is free and the rest of the fingers are in mitten configuration. I waxed them with otter wax to seal them from the rain and they have worked flawlessly as both cycling gloves and snowboarding gloves.
That is really cool
i used to bike commute in seattle. for hour-long rides (which are admittedly different than what you just went throuhg) with fenders and a raincoat, you'll be pretty good in anything but driving rain, at least in terms of your head/torso. In driving rain you need to commit mentally to being wet. Feet and legs are a different story. I tried waterproof socks but the water would run down my legs and get in through the top. I settled on shorts and wool socks as the best bet. Shorts arent really any colder than wet pants and you can dry yourself off faster. Wool socks provide some warmth even while soaked.
What about full neoprene 🤔
I have had considered a light neoprene top but no I think u would have to change out every time it stopped raining, diving booties might make sense, but really -at least for me- don’t ride in the rain for days on end.
At a certain point, riding in the rain stops being about trying to stay dry and starts being about maintaining body heat.
See I planned for riding on this trip in the 70s- getting wet in those temps -NP- it was in the 50s in Sweden - …. Problem
In my experience they are the best option for those trips that may require to spend many days under the rain. If I expect 1 or 2 days of rain, I use conventional rain gear. But if the forecast calls for more rain or the trip is too long to rely on the forecast, I use a bike poncho. Ideally combined with fenders and waterproof socks. Bike-specific models have very good attachments front a back that prevent wind flapping. You still have more sail for side wind, but the difference is very little for front and back wind. And the advantage is that you can use truly waterproof non-breathable fabric because it is not sticking to your arms and torso. I keep mine attached to the front bag and roll it over my head when needed. edit: I do avoid going to fast on downhills, max 30 km/h or so. On the flats my touring speed works fine with the poncho.
What waterproof socks do you use? All the ones I’ve tried feel like cheap amazon quality
Sealskinz, I haven't tried other brands. They have a model that seals decently on the top. It does feel weird with the membrane between to layers of fabric. I use them only if the rain is very heavy and it is cold. The poncho covers the top of the legs, but the feet can still get wet depending on conditions.
Do you do any wool layers inside/outside those? I’m pretty cold natured
I have always used them without other layers. I have a warmer version, and they are pretty thick by themselves.
IMHO, fighting against getting soaked is a losing battle; what truly matters is staying warm.
I find the biggest part of staying warm is staying dry
Only a Sith speaks in absolutes
You are wise in the ways of the force, porktornado.
Do or do not, there is no try.
*dry
For when you have to cycle through nuclear fallout.
and you're already a ghost
I got a cleverhood last rainy season for commuting and it is brilliant. An absolute delight. But I'd never bring it on a tour. If you're out in the rain for more than an hour or so, you're gonna get wet eventually, so might as well focus on staying warm while wet.
Agree. I bought a Carradice waxed cotton cycling poncho last year, and use it on commutes in the pouring rain. Great air circulation and it keeps me and my work clothes dry (both reasons for which I bought it and it excels at those). However, it's less than ideal in high winds and (at least this one because it's waxed cotton) is bulkier and heavier than I'd want on a tour. Also, if you're going to be on narrow/overgrown trails at all, you definitely won't want to be wearing a poncho. It'll likely snag and tear on brush/branches.
+1 for Cleverhood, tho I did take it on tour, and I loved it for that as well.
I suppose it depends on the type of tour and the weather you expect. In Iceland the rain falls sideways, so it wouldn't be much help. Ponchos also don't do well when you have to carry your bike. But for a chill road tour, why not I guess.
good climate for growing tomatoes
tl;dr highly recommended I'd be hesitant to use one on an off-road bike packing trip. But I used one on a two day GAP ride with non-stop rain. I also had full fenders and rain pants. It was awesome. My riding buddies were in jackets and pants and were soaked, but I was very dry and warm. Granted, we were riding slowly and I was on an upright bike.
Very popular in South East Asia. The rains there can be insane. So obviously a decent option.
those were quite common when I grew up in Germany close to the Dutch border. They are generally all right when cycling in an upright position and not very fast. wind can be a problem though. On rare occasions it may give you a real push though
Check out Alee Denham / cyclingabout.com, he’s touring around the world and I remember him being a fan of ponchos as rain gear.
Yes, he lists bike rain ponchos here as underrated gear for bike touring [https://www.cyclingabout.com/underrated-gear-for-bicycle-touring/](https://www.cyclingabout.com/underrated-gear-for-bicycle-touring/)
I bought one when I was in Japan and I can say that this thing really works! Especially if you ride your way to work, you can keep 50% of yourself dry and change when you get home or at work.
I have a carradice rain cape and have used a nylon poncho. The heavier the material the better it works in the wind. Ponchos are definitely better keeping dry from rain and sweat, the way they cover your handlebars eliminates the need for gloves.
No good in wind.
You aren't supposed to race with a poncho, just take it slow, that's a good idea in the rain anyway.
Unless its directly behind you.
It actually works pretty well in wind
I doubt that. I live near the coast and the winds here come from the sides and beneath when its raining
Live in the netherlands and my poncho is about half as long. If you wear a light rain jacket and shoe covers a poncho will keep you fairly dry, allows you to open your jacket and will not make you too hot for one day of rain. Multiple days of rain will just screw you whatever the setup
It's very commonly used in the Netherlands and Flanders where I live, but I still prefer the freedom of movement with a rain jacket, rain pants, and shoe cover combination. Mainly because I bought my rain jacket two sizes too big, which makes opening the pit zips actually useful in my experience, and I'm someone who rarely sweats a lot, so as long as I can get some airflow through my big jacket, it's okay. If it's super hot, I'm probably not wearing any rain gear in the first place. I always make sure to have a dry spare of everything that I wear, and it rarely rains multiple days in a row. And if it does, a shelter is your best bet.
Cool, looks like it keeps your legs dry too. =)
They’re excellent. I have the packable one from Blue Lug and I just keep it in my backpack all the time when I commute. I never get hosed. It definitely requires fenders and if it’s really wet waterproof shoes are nice.
I use a Decathlon poncho and love it. It straps to your legs so it doesn’t blow around at all. In the summer I just wear shorts and crocs and anything above my shins is try as a bone. I like the ones with arms best though…so maybe those don’t qualify as a poncho.
I have a People’s Poncho- no more wet legs for me!
You’ll get soaked anyway. Having a spare of dry clothes will help you more
I was looking into these, ended up not buying. What I was told is that they work great up to 10mph then start to suck more and more the faster you go.
10mph max while raining should be fine. What's the rush?
If I’m on road, I’m going about double that speed as my all day, casual pace.
I've seen a video of a guy who does tons of cycle touring, someone mentioned him in the comments also, Cycling about i think the channel is called,not sure. He recommends it a lot and personally i feel like you could trust someone with so much experience. Yes, it's probably not as aero as normal jacket and pants,but i think on a tour,if you are riding slower,it could be a great piece of kit. Biggest advantage i see is the possibility of avoiding sweating like you would with a rain jacket.
Family guy has ruined my mind. I just think of these as yankets
Must be used with full fenders.
It flaps around a good bit if you go too fast but works pretty well. Definitely not a perfect solution though rain jacket and pants maybe a better option but I have not tried yet.
I've been using a poncho for years -just a cheap plastic one. You could always try that out before you commit to something like this.
I have one, and it's awesome for commuting. It's faster to put on/remove than rain gear by a mile. Love it for going in and out of shops and not having to wear rain pants/shoes. Absolutely need fenders though! Would I take it bikepacking? Not totally sure, feel like I would still bring rain gear anyway (for off the bike) and then this would be redundant.
I used one for quite a few years in the rain, It was a fold up style you sort of twisted it and it folded to a disc, works really well, especially when it rains and it is kind of hot out, keeps you cool but the rain off. The hoods on them are ok mine was never 100%, I would usually just wear it under my helmet or not at all.
Cleverhood, accept nothing less
Ghostly
i am a huge fan of the poncho and i invested in this poncho from bluelug which is absolutely awesome. It has draw strings in the all the right places to keep it from flapping around. I generate a ton of body heat and hated using rain jackets since they don't breath at all. The poncho provides excellent cover and maintains excellent ventilation. The poncho in the OP and the one I link below go over the handlebars so they cover your legs which is super neat. [https://global.bluelug.com/fairweather-packable-rain-poncho-navy.html](https://global.bluelug.com/fairweather-packable-rain-poncho-navy.html) You'll still need to keep your feet from getting wet from the front wheel splash. A fender helps and a mud flap helps even more, but i still find the bottom of my pants getting soaked so i added some gaiters to the mix. EDIT: based on comments from some others I will say this is my preferred commuting setup. I've used it in heavy downpoars
I have found if it’s raining the whole time you’re biking, you’re gonna be wet. Even if you wear the most impervious rain gear, that means it doesn’t breathe and then you’re gonna sweat a lot and you’re gonna be wet. If it’s warm, I just wear at shirt and shorts and change them when I get somewhere dry. If it’s cold, I wear the aforementioned impervious rain gear, and then change inner clothes when I get somewhere dry. Waterproof Ortlieb panniers are where I keep the stuff I want to keep dry.
I love my rain cape! I have a wax canvas one that does me very well though I do need to add a little extra fabric to the front of the hood.
Nah I'd rather get wet than look like a ghost
I want this but for sun protection.
I have a fairly cheap (bright yellow) poncho I got on Amazon. I've only used it a couple of times, but it works fairly well. My only complaints are that the hood barely fits over my helmet, it feels like there is more wind resistance, and the bill collapses in the wind -- usually over one eye or the other (annoying). It does keep me pretty dry and there is a lot of airflow.
BTW I'm not sure for extended pedaling, but I'm using a poncho when it is rainy season. My commuter has full fenders to minimize the ground spray, but for the 15-45min pedals, I don't want to bother putting on my full rain suit. A poncho like this should protect me find from the rain. The other issue with rain protection is wind protection. If it is below 50f, you have to be concerned about wind and the chill. A rain suit gives you extra warmth. Otherwise, you're likely to get moist in a suit or a poncho over extended pedaling.
My rain setup consists of a cleverhood poncho, decathalon waterproof pants and gore-tex shoe covers and I stay pretty dry if I need to!
What is the use-case? What kind of cycling are you doing? I think that is important to distinquish. Pro-Poncho for day-to-day transportation cycling: I also have one of the People's Ponchos. I think it is perfect for commuting and day-to-day cycling when its raining. I use it when going to work, or classes, or to dinner, or other tasks when its raining. Just with my normal clothes underneath. For day-to-day transportation in the city (5-6 km or less) it is perfect. I don't get as sweaty as I did with a closed raincoat, and my legs seldom get wet at all. It is suprising how good it is in light to medium rain. Obviously, if you are riding for 50kms in the rain bikepacking or doing a 50km training run in lycra on your road-bike, the poncho is probably not a good idea. If its windy your ankles will get wet, and it can be a bit awkward. But I don't really think that is the use-case for a poncho.
Depends on the type of riding you'll be doing. This looks great for cycling in normal clothes on short journeys around town at a casual pace.
Bike poncho works great - as long as you are standing still. Soon as you start driving, you'll get wet, from the sides, from underneath, the wind will lift the poncho up all the time, etc.
if it's for a short travel, for work... , you can use something to stop the water. In this case, if your average speed is 15kmh this kind of puncho can be ok, If it's more you should take rain pants and a raincoat. If not, the rain will always win and what matters is to stop the wind and the cold. But this puncho don't protect your pant and shoes from the water takken by the wheels and they are difficult to managed with wind etc.
I use a packable goretex jacket and shorts. They take up no space in my waist pack. I've had them for years and as long as you reproof them regularly they're brilliant and worth the money. I feel like that poncho is an accident waiting to happen. Get the front caught in the wheel and it's over!
When the wind blows, you will be in heaps of trouble including possibly losing visuals and into a ditch or oncoming traffic. Anyone recommending this has never ridden in wind or torrential rain.
They are the best for torrential rain and most of them have attachments for handlebar/hands and waist. So, they don't flap on the wind or block your vision as the people who haven't tried them suggest. They would be a problem with very strong wind, but up to 20-30 km/h they do fine (normal touring speeds). I have done thousands of km with them touring.
I live in the UK, a land of torrential rain and wind, and it works for me. Your proclamations of the end of the world don't align with my actual experience.
Seems like a good way to crash when a wind gust flaps that thing all over.
It's fun until the wind picks up.
poncho = sail in the wind. If it is a tailwind that one thing but if it is a cross-wind or head-wind you're in trouble.
Just ... no!
Bloody dangerous if there is any wind, that thing will act like a sail!
Quick way to endo
Wtf
😂
I do bike commuting in a busy city where it rains a lot and always carry a rain poncho in my bag, and I use it whenever it rains and I don't give a f* to how people think about it. For many counries wearing a rain poncho is standard for biking in the rain, I actually don't understand why in the UK/US nobody use it.
K I commuted for years in a rainy city too and will still never touch fenders or a poncho Showers pass jacket with a lance back patch and EPO beer helmet does fine
Looks dangerous AF
Yeah, [no capes!](https://youtube.com/watch?v=JSfG3slODnM&t=28s) Just say no to loose flappy material around spinny things.
I’m scared that if u had to make a sharp turn to avoid something u would get tangled up and crash
Okay someone needs to tell me why that got 3 down votes - it looks dangerous to me so chill
I would guess that people who have used rain capes designed for bicycles tend to swear by them, and don't like people talking trash on their rain gear lol.
😆
Better off riding naked or not riding at all, I think.