The Gear You Need - Rainwear:

When It's Raining?
Once you've started riding through the year, what's a little rain? Surprisingly, riding in the rain can be rather pleasant. Remember though, you won't have as much traction, your brakes won't work as well and neither will other cyclists or cars. Being vigilant is always critical, being hyper vigilant is a good idea in the rain. The best thing about riding in the rain is raingear has made a quantum leap in the last few years. Waterproof wonder fabrics that breathe to prevent overheating, allow you to ride for hours remaining warm, dry and comfortable.

To understand what raingear works for you, you need to know a few facts about the technology. To be waterproof, rain gear must be made of waterproof fabrics and have sealed or taped seams so that rain cannot leak through the small perforations made by sewing needles during construction. Sealing and taping seams takes special equipment and extra time and adds to the garment's cost. However, being waterproof means that moisture won't pass through the fabric so rain can't come in. But sweat can't go out, either. Riding generates so much heat and sweat that the only way to stay dry inside and out is to have a garment that's not only waterproof but that breathes and wicks moisture, too. Breathability and moisture management are obtained through venting and/or fabric construction. Vents can be simple mesh panels or specially designed zippered or Velcro fastened openings which you open and close to adjust your body temperature. Simple mesh panels that can't be opened and closed let air in, but are not designed to keep water out. Water-resistant fabric means that a coating has been applied to the material to help repel water. Water-resistant fabrics work well for light rain and drizzle. Water resistant won't work in steady rain. If you're looking for real protection, get true waterproof fabric.

You'll find that rainwear is made out of the following materials:

PVC or poly-vinyls: This stuff is completely waterproof, but can't wick moisture or breathe without exterior vents or mesh panels, so you may be as sweaty on the inside as rainy on the outside. This material is found in basic plastic rain jackets.

Coated fabrics: These are fabrics that are coated with a waterproof material, rather than laminated. These materials tend to be a little softer and not feel like a plastic bag. However, nylons or polyesters with waterproof coatings are not completely waterproof (and often less expensive then the other materials, read the label!). Examples of coated fabrics include: Hydro-No, Power-Tex, Ultrex, Breath and Hydroflex.

Laminated fabrics: These are your best investment into raingear. Materials are nylons or polyesters laminated to a microporous membrane (2-ply laminate), and sometimes to an additional layer of fabric designed to wick moisture (3-ply laminate). Laminates are layers of fabrics glued or heat bonded together. Laminates are more waterproof than coated fabrics but they tend to be a little stiffer and heavier. Examples of laminates include: Aqua-No, Bosui, Challenge, Dermizax, Gore-Tex and XALT.