Bike Gear for Year-Round Commuting in Portland, OR

5 years ago, when I moved to Portland, OR, I started biking year-round (I sure as shit wasn’t doing this when we lived in Minneapolis, though my crazy husband did)! Even now, if it dips down below 32 with any chance of precipitation I usually drive or take the bus to avoid any black ice that might take me out. But, for the majority of the year, with the right gear, I tough it out. And it’s not because I’m trying to prove something to myself (or you) by biking, I swear! SAD (seasonal affective disorder) is very real in the gloomy, gray Pacific Northwest, and having a built-in, endorphin producing commute OUTDOORS has made all the difference in my winter mood. I know this because during those rare weeks when it does snow or freezing rain keeps me from getting on my bike, my energy levels drop.

So, in the interest of helping you graduate from fair-weather biker to year-round commuter, below are my top picks for year-round bike gear to make you feel COMFORTABLE and SAFE:

1. Rain Suit
   I purchased my current rain suit (a couple seasons old) from Mountain Hardware because the Columbia employee store is in Portland, but even at 40% off it was quite an investment piece! My first rain suit consisted of a 5-year old rain jacket and end-of-season bargain basement rain pants. It didn’t match and it didn’t bead the rain as well as my new suit, but I also wasn’t devastated when I ripped those pants on my gears :) You live and you learn - roll up those pant legs or get a leg band (with reflector) like this one.

2. Bar Mitts
   Seriously put these at the top of your list! Before buying Bar Mitts I kept spending money on bigger, more insulated gloves. They got so bulky that I eventually couldn’t even flex my fingers to grasp my brakes, not a good trade-off! Bar Mitts will also keep your hands dry during the winter months, which has also been a huge improvement for my overall comfortability on longer commutes.

3. Waterproof Shoes
   I don’t have clip-in shoes, I’ve just never felt comfortable having to get my foot out of there at a moment’s notice, probably because I once fell off a bike with those “cages” on the pedals trying to get my foot out! I ride with Kamik Olivia Rain Boots that I’ve had for 5 years. I prefer the calf high style vs ankle high chelseas for the really rainy days - less ankle mobility, but I don’t get any rain dripping in. Nothing fancy necessary, just make sure they fit your feet well and the soles are grippy on the pedals.

4. Helmet with Visor
   The visor may seem like an insignificant distinction, but it helps reduce glare and I find it helps keep rain from pelting me directly in my eyes. I’ve had a Bern helmet for years that I loved. It had a visor liner which I think you can swap out for their winter liners which is amazing because, just like my hands, my ears get freezing cold too. Even though this option is great, I always just layered with a cheap ear band from Target. Recently, I switched to Thousand for purely aesthetic reasons, the magnetic rear light and secret poplock are pretty cool too :)

5. Bike Lights
   Between myself and my husband we’ve tried a lot of different bike lights. And looking back, it’s a miracle I wasn’t hit by a car or didn’t crash into a pothole using the cheap, super dim front/rear lights that I used when I first started riding at night. Especially when rain and other car lights are reflecting off of drivers’ windshields at night, you will be so hard to see. Invest in your safety! Click here for front (low price), front (high price), rear and wheel light recommendations.

6. Waterproof Bag
   I’ve had my Banjo Brothers bag for 5 years. It’s held up really well and converts to a comfortable backpack so easily. The top doesn’t roll closed, so some water can leak in if it’s really pouring out or my bags particularly full. I’ll usually pad the top with a towel to make sure my computer is safe inside.
   I may make the switch to North Street for my next pannier/backpack purchase, my husband has had their bags for 5 years and really loves it, but the cost is over 2x my Banjo Brothers’ bag… more research and soul searching to come on that one ;)

I hope this round up was helpful, as you can see it really doesn’t require THAT MUCH gear to get out during the rainy months, it’s just a matter of committing. And, I promise, once you’re out in the rain it’s not that bad!