What did you think of the rain cape? Would you use this for your rides? Make sure to check out the link in the description, roll over the like button and subscribe if you enjoyed the video!
I have one of these in a different color and absolutely love it. The huge amount of circulation happening underneath is amazing, especially when I used to live in Ohio and would find myself stuck riding in summer downpours where it was pouring rain but also 80ºF. In the PNW it’s still great because as you said the rainy winter days are usually the warmer ones. This might sound a bit ridiculous but for my feet and lower legs I use knee-high Sealskinz socks and just wear them with my Tevas sandals which dry out quickly. That combo with the Cleverhood and some waterproof gloves keep me dry from head to toe but I definitely look ridiculous so I have to change into regular clothes if I care about looking nice when I get to my destination.
Back in the 70s, I used a generic rain cape to commute to and from campus and work (3 and 6 miles one way respecitively) which draped over the bars kept me and kept my legs dry. For $3 back then (along with fenders), it worked great.
I have the same model but in navy color, been using it since 2022! It works! Also get some rain pants and shoes rain cover, keep them as riding gear besides tools and you all set. Clever Hood works, big fan from central Florida which rains freaking everyday during summer!!
I purchased a Urbanaut rain cape but went with the larger size (I am 5'4" as well) and I'm glad I did. I know I was on the border between the short and regular but went regular to make sure I was completely covered and I'm glad I did. I don't have the problem of my hands getting wet since the cape goes past my hands. I do love how it's breathable- avoid the sweating and keeps you dry. Would recommend :)
This week with the deluge in Seattle, I dug out the Cleverhood cape I got for my wife years ago and wore it for my bike commute... worked pretty well! Feet were wet and wasn't sure what to do with my hands exactly, but upper legs and body were dry. Mine has the hand cuts which seemed pretty good. Very nice overall.
Awesome poncho. I noticed you had it tucked under your posterior, clever. I like that it breathes really well. The first thing I thought was it would be really great for hiking. Nice review, Hanock.
Cool demo. I don't bend my brim back under my helmet, and it helps to keep the rain out of my eyes. Sure, there's some reduction of peripheral vision, but on the Burke and other bike paths (where I don't have to interact much with cars), I haven't found it to be a problem. I just feel like I am riding under my own personal bubble of dry, which is a cool experience. Only issue is feet and calves still get wet, as you pointed out.
I tried two models. I really was hoping I’d like them but here in windy Victoria, Canada they turn even short rides into epic ordeals :) Functionally they operate more as wind brakes than rain protection. I also found that they did do get caught in nooks and crannies around bicycles.
I would try this. I’m trying to add cargo capacity to my hybrid bike so I can replace more car trips with bike trips and a Cleverhood would help that too. I guess the one concern for me is helmet fit while wearing the hood. I would have to get used to wearing something between my head and the helmet.
That makes sense! N+1 Bike Helmet :P? I did like that the hood added a bit more padding to my helmet thus creating a bigger ridge so water didn't drip directly onto my glasses.
You'd be doing a great service to Seattle area cyclists if you were able to also secure a Perfect Poncho and offer your thoughts on that one compared to the Clever Hood. Those seem to be two of the more prominent brands in this rather small space and it would be useful to get a Seattle PNW perspective on both of them. I think Decathalon makes one too fwiw.
@@LimitedWardYes, I watched that a while back. The Shifter guy is in Calgary. Would be curious to get a PNW centric take from a voice I've come to trust. Seattle gets more than twice as much rain per year as Calgary and a larger proportion of Seattle's rain is in the winter months, whereas Calgary gets more rain in the summer. So the use cases for the poncho are potentially different between those two places, which could affect how somebody views the utility of the various rain capes.
Nice to hear the wind wasn't so bad, that is my primary worry with all the ponchos really. You mentioned you found the experience a lot different using it with your priority bike vs the brompton, how did it compare?
Yeah, if you have the belt, the rear is okay. And for the front you just have to make sure to anchor with the thumb loops then the headwind keeps it down though if it's a cross wind..... Shrugs. On the brompton, I just felt like I had a lot more coverage cuz the bike sits lower to the ground and the reach isn't as far
Ahh this is a good point actually. Let me try it and film from behind but I'd imagine it'd be harder for others to see cuz it might blend in with your cape regardless of water protection
What did you think of the rain cape? Would you use this for your rides? Make sure to check out the link in the description, roll over the like button and subscribe if you enjoyed the video!
I have one of these in a different color and absolutely love it. The huge amount of circulation happening underneath is amazing, especially when I used to live in Ohio and would find myself stuck riding in summer downpours where it was pouring rain but also 80ºF. In the PNW it’s still great because as you said the rainy winter days are usually the warmer ones. This might sound a bit ridiculous but for my feet and lower legs I use knee-high Sealskinz socks and just wear them with my Tevas sandals which dry out quickly. That combo with the Cleverhood and some waterproof gloves keep me dry from head to toe but I definitely look ridiculous so I have to change into regular clothes if I care about looking nice when I get to my destination.
Back in the 70s, I used a generic rain cape to commute to and from campus and work (3 and 6 miles one way respecitively) which draped over the bars kept me and kept my legs dry. For $3 back then (along with fenders), it worked great.
I have the same model but in navy color, been using it since 2022! It works! Also get some rain pants and shoes rain cover, keep them as riding gear besides tools and you all set. Clever Hood works, big fan from central Florida which rains freaking everyday during summer!!
I purchased a Urbanaut rain cape but went with the larger size (I am 5'4" as well) and I'm glad I did. I know I was on the border between the short and regular but went regular to make sure I was completely covered and I'm glad I did. I don't have the problem of my hands getting wet since the cape goes past my hands. I do love how it's breathable- avoid the sweating and keeps you dry. Would recommend :)
This week with the deluge in Seattle, I dug out the Cleverhood cape I got for my wife years ago and wore it for my bike commute... worked pretty well! Feet were wet and wasn't sure what to do with my hands exactly, but upper legs and body were dry. Mine has the hand cuts which seemed pretty good. Very nice overall.
Awesome poncho. I noticed you had it tucked under your posterior, clever. I like that it breathes really well. The first thing I thought was it would be really great for hiking. Nice review, Hanock.
Cool demo. I don't bend my brim back under my helmet, and it helps to keep the rain out of my eyes. Sure, there's some reduction of peripheral vision, but on the Burke and other bike paths (where I don't have to interact much with cars), I haven't found it to be a problem. I just feel like I am riding under my own personal bubble of dry, which is a cool experience. Only issue is feet and calves still get wet, as you pointed out.
Software engineer here. +1 for mentioning use case.
I tried two models. I really was hoping I’d like them but here in windy Victoria, Canada they turn even short rides into epic ordeals :) Functionally they operate more as wind brakes than rain protection. I also found that they did do get caught in nooks and crannies around bicycles.
I would try this. I’m trying to add cargo capacity to my hybrid bike so I can replace more car trips with bike trips and a Cleverhood would help that too.
I guess the one concern for me is helmet fit while wearing the hood. I would have to get used to wearing something between my head and the helmet.
That makes sense! N+1 Bike Helmet :P? I did like that the hood added a bit more padding to my helmet thus creating a bigger ridge so water didn't drip directly onto my glasses.
You'd be doing a great service to Seattle area cyclists if you were able to also secure a Perfect Poncho and offer your thoughts on that one compared to the Clever Hood. Those seem to be two of the more prominent brands in this rather small space and it would be useful to get a Seattle PNW perspective on both of them. I think Decathalon makes one too fwiw.
Are you referring to the People's Poncho? I think I've heard of that one! If there was a perfect one, that'd be nice though :P
Shifter made a video comparing them already: th-cam.com/video/HLM_mTUuHlc/w-d-xo.html
@@BestSideCyclingyes that's what I meant.
@@LimitedWardYes, I watched that a while back. The Shifter guy is in Calgary. Would be curious to get a PNW centric take from a voice I've come to trust. Seattle gets more than twice as much rain per year as Calgary and a larger proportion of Seattle's rain is in the winter months, whereas Calgary gets more rain in the summer. So the use cases for the poncho are potentially different between those two places, which could affect how somebody views the utility of the various rain capes.
Nice to hear the wind wasn't so bad, that is my primary worry with all the ponchos really. You mentioned you found the experience a lot different using it with your priority bike vs the brompton, how did it compare?
Yeah, if you have the belt, the rear is okay. And for the front you just have to make sure to anchor with the thumb loops then the headwind keeps it down though if it's a cross wind..... Shrugs. On the brompton, I just felt like I had a lot more coverage cuz the bike sits lower to the ground and the reach isn't as far
Would love it if they made a waxed cotton rain cape because that would be so repairable...
Was there much trapped perspiration?
What does the belt do? Can't quite tell from the video. Seems like it's supposed to keep the rear part of the cape from flapping too much
yes, which keeps you drier.
Maybe I missed it. Sweat level vs regular raincoat ?
Definitely a lot less as the garment is very airy.
Does it interfere with hand signaling?
Ahh this is a good point actually. Let me try it and film from behind but I'd imagine it'd be harder for others to see cuz it might blend in with your cape regardless of water protection
@@BestSideCycling Sounds like you have an excuse to have your drone follow you from behind 😄
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