Ihr Warenkorb ist leer
Get 10% off all orders over £50. Discount applied automatically at checkout.
Get 10% off all orders over £50. Discount applied automatically at checkout.
The UK averages around 156 rainy days a year. If you cycle regularly, you're going to get caught in it. That's not a reason to stop riding. It's a reason to sort your gear out. The right waterproof cycling accessories make the difference between arriving drenched and miserable or rolling up feeling perfectly fine.
This guide covers every waterproof accessory worth considering for UK cyclists, from head to bag to bike. No fluff, just practical advice on what actually works.
Your helmet has vents. That's great for airflow in summer. In a downpour, those vents channel rain straight onto your head. A waterproof helmet cover solves this instantly.
Good helmet covers do two jobs: they keep the rain out and they make you more visible. The BTR waterproof cycling helmet cover is bright hi-vis yellow with reflective stripes, so it doubles as a safety accessory in poor light. It weighs almost nothing and stretches to fit most road, commuter, and mountain bike helmets.
A helmet cover is one of those accessories that seems minor until you've ridden 10 miles in steady rain without one. Cold water trickling down your forehead and into your eyes isn't just uncomfortable. It's distracting. For a few quid, it's one of the easiest upgrades you can make to your wet weather kit.
If you're unsure what to look for, our guide to choosing the right cycling helmet cover breaks down the key features.
Commuters, this one's for you. If you carry a laptop, change of clothes, or anything you can't afford to get soaked, a waterproof backpack cover is essential. Most regular rucksacks aren't anywhere near waterproof, even the ones that claim to be "water-resistant". Zips leak, seams let water in, and after 20 minutes of proper rain your stuff is damp.
A dedicated cover goes over the outside of your bag and seals everything in. The BTR reflective waterproof backpack cover is fully waterproof with taped seams, and it's covered in reflective material so drivers can see you from behind. It fits bags from 20 to 55 litres, which covers everything from a slim laptop bag to a loaded hiking rucksack.
The alternative is buying a fully waterproof bag (an Ortlieb or similar), which works well but costs significantly more and means you can only use that one bag. A cover lets you use whatever rucksack you already own. We've compared both options in detail in our backpack cover vs waterproof bag post.
This is the big one. A good waterproof cycling jacket is probably the single most important piece of wet weather gear you'll buy.
The key trade-off every cyclist wrestles with is waterproofing versus breathability. A jacket that keeps all rain out but traps all your sweat in is no use. You'll end up soaked from the inside instead. Look for jackets with mesh lining or venting panels that let moisture escape while still blocking rain.
The BTR hi-vis waterproof cycling and running jacket tackles this with a mesh lining and a design that works for both cycling and running. It's fully waterproof with a high collar, storm flap over the zip, and four pockets. The hi-vis yellow with reflective panels means you're covered for visibility too.
A gilet isn't waterproof in the same way a jacket is, but it deserves a mention here because it's a key part of any layered wet weather system. On days when rain is light or intermittent, a reflective gilet over a base layer gives you visibility without overheating.
They're also brilliant as an extra layer under or over a jacket on really cold, wet days. The wind-blocking effect across your core makes a noticeable difference, and a fully reflective gilet adds 360-degree visibility that a jacket with just reflective strips can't match.
Browse the full range of hi-vis cycling clothing to find the right combination for your rides.
This one isn't about keeping you dry. It's about keeping your bike dry. If you store your bike outside, in a shed, or anywhere that isn't a heated room, moisture will find it. And moisture means rust, corroded cables, seized bearings, and a chain that sounds like a bag of gravel.
A heavy-duty waterproof bike cover protects against rain, frost, dust, and UV damage. The BTR heavy-duty cover fits one or two bikes and is made from thick, tear-resistant material rather than the flimsy stuff that shreds in the first storm.
If you're storing your bike outdoors, a cover isn't optional. It's cheaper than replacing a rusted chain, cassette, and cables every season. Read more about why every cyclist needs a bike cover.
Your phone is probably the most expensive thing you carry on a ride, and it's also one of the most vulnerable to water damage. Modern phones have IP ratings that suggest they can handle splashes, but sustained rain at speed is a different story. Water gets into charging ports, speakers, and button seals.
There are two main approaches. A handlebar phone bag keeps your phone in an enclosed pouch with a clear touchscreen window. A silicone phone mount holds your phone securely on the bars for easy access and clear screen visibility, though it leaves the phone exposed to the elements.
For dedicated wet weather riding, a phone bag gives you the most protection. For fair weather rides where you want quick access to navigation, a mount is hard to beat. Our phone bag vs phone mount comparison covers the full trade-offs.
You don't need to buy everything at once. Here's a practical priority order based on what makes the biggest difference for the least money:
The total cost of kitting yourself out with all of these is less than a single premium waterproof jacket from the big cycling brands. That's worth thinking about.
A few things that catch cyclists out:
Waterproof coatings don't last forever. Here's how to keep your gear working properly:
British cyclists have a complicated relationship with rain. We complain about it constantly, but the ones who keep riding through it are the ones who actually enjoy cycling year-round. Once you've got the right gear sorted, a wet ride stops being something to dread and becomes just another ride.
The UK gets roughly 156 days of measurable rainfall each year, but research shows that rain actually falls during typical commuting hours (8 to 9am and 5 to 6pm) on only around 12 of those days. The perception of constant rain is worse than the reality. And on the days it does rain, proper waterproof accessories mean you arrive no worse off than someone who drove.
For a deeper look at riding technique and safety in wet conditions, read our complete guide to cycling in the rain.
Neoprene overshoes are the standard answer and they pull on over your cycling shoes in seconds. They won't stay fully dry forever since water eventually works in through the top, but for a typical 30 to 45 minute commute they do the job. For longer rides, sealed waterproof socks under a pair of overshoes buy you another hour or so. Keeping a spare pair of socks and shoes at work is the honest backup plan.
A properly fitted cover should, provided it's the right size for the bike and secured at the bottom. Most heavy duty covers come with elasticated hems and under-frame straps or clips that stop the cover lifting in a gust. The failures happen with oversized covers that billow or flimsy budget versions that tear at the seams. If the forecast is gale force, running a bungee cord or two around the frame for extra hold is cheap insurance.
For sustained UK rain on the bike, usually yes. IP ratings are tested in lab conditions with clean water at fixed angles, not against horizontal road spray at 15mph for half an hour. Charging ports and speaker grilles are where water tends to find its way in once the seals age. A handlebar phone bag adds a physical barrier against rain and road spray for not much money, and it keeps the screen readable for navigation at the same time.
It can, if the cover goes on while the bike is still soaked or the drivetrain hasn't had a chance to drip dry. Leave the bike for 10 to 15 minutes after a wet ride before covering so the worst of the water runs off. A decent heavy duty cover has small vents at the base that let moisture escape rather than sealing it in. For bikes stored outdoors long term, a quick monthly wipe of the chain and cassette keeps on top of any damp that does find its way in.
Save 10% on your first BTR order
BTR product and company updates and special offers. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
