Wet weather headgear

lost_in_thought
lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
edited May 2009 in Commuting chat
I forgot my cap this morning, but remembered my glasses - this may have been because it was sunny when I left home.

I was struggling to decide whether it was better in the rain with or without the sunglasses, normally in rain I'd wear my cap but no sunglasses, and wondered what everyone else did?

This led me to wonder whether the helmet-wearing brigade find that the little peaks on helmets are as good as a cap for rain protection, hence the rather long list of options!

Comments

  • el_presidente
    el_presidente Posts: 1,963
    But it wasn't raining this morning???
    <a>road</a>
  • whyamihere
    whyamihere Posts: 7,714
    My helmet's got no peak, but I always wear it so it's irrelevant.

    Because of my position on the bike (low and long) rain falling into my eyes isn't much of a problem, so a peak wouldn't help. Spray from other vehicles is a bigger concern, so I wear glasses to keep it out. My sunnies aren't that dark, so I can still see fine, though I have some clear lenses for dark times.
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    But it wasn't raining this morning???

    In that case I must have my own personal raincloud. But the cars around me all had their wipers on... odd! :P
  • R_T_A
    R_T_A Posts: 488
    The peak is usually no use whatsoever except for sunshine, and the glasses really depend on the level of downpour.

    Too much grit & grime hitting my face normally to go without, but seeing is also high on the priority list :lol:
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    FCN 8
    "Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
    - Terry Pratchett.
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    When raining I wear my glasses with clear lenses and a helmet. If its cold I wear ear warmers/headband, glasses and helment. When its really cold I substitute ear warmer/headband for skull cap.

    I always wear wrap-arounds.
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • el_presidente
    el_presidente Posts: 1,963
    But it wasn't raining this morning???

    In that case I must have my own personal raincloud. But the cars around me all had their wipers on... odd! :P

    hmm well I was at my desk by 7.55 so maybe there was some lunchtime precipitation
    <a>road</a>
  • sarajoy
    sarajoy Posts: 1,675
    Aye I haven't quite worked out if I prefer blinking in the rain, or wiping steamy glasses with the snot strip of my gloves every time I stop. Visibility is a bit rubbish with raindrops all over the things.

    I think it depends how windy it is too, if it's just rain then I'll just have the helmet - with wind driving the rain sideways it can get pretty grim, so the glasses may get put on as well.
    4537512329_a78cc710e6_o.gif4537512331_ec1ef42fea_o.gif
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    whyamihere wrote:
    My helmet's got no peak, but I always wear it so it's irrelevant.

    Because of my position on the bike (low and long) rain falling into my eyes isn't much of a problem, so a peak wouldn't help. Spray from other vehicles is a bigger concern, so I wear glasses to keep it out. My sunnies aren't that dark, so I can still see fine, though I have some clear lenses for dark times.

    Don't quite understand how bike position helps - it's not rain 'falling' into my eyes that is the problem, it's the fact that I'm moving quite quickly and looking forward at the same time!

    I find a peaked cap provides some shelter, but wearing glasses is rather like driving a car in the rain with no wipers...
  • whyamihere
    whyamihere Posts: 7,714
    whyamihere wrote:
    My helmet's got no peak, but I always wear it so it's irrelevant.

    Because of my position on the bike (low and long) rain falling into my eyes isn't much of a problem, so a peak wouldn't help. Spray from other vehicles is a bigger concern, so I wear glasses to keep it out. My sunnies aren't that dark, so I can still see fine, though I have some clear lenses for dark times.

    Don't quite understand how bike position helps - it's not rain 'falling' into my eyes that is the problem, it's the fact that I'm moving quite quickly and looking forward at the same time!
    Maybe I travel slower than you. ;)
  • antfly
    antfly Posts: 3,276
    With good quality cycling glasses the rain pretty much runs off anyway.
    Smarter than the average bear.
  • linsen
    linsen Posts: 1,959
    Do people cycle in the rain?

    :wink:
    Emerging from under a big black cloud. All help welcome
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    antfly wrote:
    With good quality cycling glasses the rain pretty much runs off anyway.

    +1 and with anti fog lenses they don't steam up either.
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • Fireblade96
    Fireblade96 Posts: 1,123
    My helmet is a MTB one so has quite a pronounced peak - however hasn't been tested in heavy rain yet, though it may well be on the way home this evening. Normally I just go for a hat (wooly in winter, baseball cap in summer) + glasses.

    Baseball caps have a large enough peak to keep off most rain. Glasses help keep it out of my eyes.

    DON'T use a hood ! Turning your head to look behind you becomes somewhat ineffective :o
    Misguided Idealist
  • Christophe3967
    Christophe3967 Posts: 1,200
    I have a waterproof golf cap with a very long peak which does the job pretty effectively, although I look a complete tw4t in it. On Sunday, as there were photographers around, I didn't wear it and had to remove my glasses for two hours until the rain stopped. My eyes are still sore. :cry:
  • soy_sauce
    soy_sauce Posts: 987
    my helmet has peak which help, skullcap for the wind and wear glasses (have to wear it to see... :oops: )
    "It is not impossible, its just improbable"

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  • gtvlusso
    gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
    Hair and the Mk1 eyeball.....Helmet does not count as rain protection!
  • Soul Boy
    Soul Boy Posts: 359
    Just a helmet.

    I don't find that the peak does much, most of the spray I get in my face comes from the front tyre, which will only be stopped by putting on mudguards, and I ain't spoiling the Soul's lines doing that :wink: and I can see.....most of the time.
  • Cafewanda
    Cafewanda Posts: 2,788
    For me it's helmet and glasses as hayfever/insects/other debris just love my eyes. Is it possible to get 'anti-fog' glasses or a spray as I tend to drop the glasses down my nose a bit to clear the fog.

    No rain this morning but I went out to get my lunch and the floor is wet around London Bridge. Hope it's a dry commute home but makes no difference either way.
  • bomberesque
    bomberesque Posts: 1,701
    ah, should have read the full post. I voted cap helm and glasses because ... well ... that's what I always wear. but not a peaked one, just a skull cap to soak the sweat from my bald pate. :)

    to answer your actual Q. No, I don't think that helmet peaks are very effective at keeping rain out off your face or out from behind your glasses. Most of them have vent holes in for a start

    best thing for keeping the rain off your face or anything else for that matter? Mudguards :P
    Everything in moderation ... except beer
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  • Jay dubbleU
    Jay dubbleU Posts: 3,159
    Helmet and glasses - basically because I can't see past my front wheel without them :roll: