June 7th marked the start of the rainy season in the Tokai region.
The season of rain is finally upon us.
Working at a bike shop, people sometimes ask me, "Do you really ride your bike on rainy days?"
Of course, for weekend rides, I generally don't go out, or I only head out if the mood strikes me.
But for my commute, I ride quite often.
In particular, I often ride on weekdays and take the subway on weekends.
On weekday mornings, many people use public transportation.
The subway on a rainy morning during the rainy season is quite unpleasant.
Given that, I find it much more pleasant to ride my bike, even if I get a little wet.
That is why even during this season, I don't necessarily choose the subway just because it's raining.
Precisely for that reason, I have my own thoughts on what to wear on rainy days.
This time, I would like to share with you what I consider to be my current rainy-day style.
Don't try to stay completely dry
When it comes to rainy-day gear,
"How can I keep from getting wet?"
is what we tend to think about.
While that is certainly important, the longer you spend on a bike, the harder it actually is to stay completely dry.
It’s not just the rain coming from outside; the culprit is often your own sweat.
Especially during the rainy season and summer, you often get stuffy inside rain gear.
That’s why lately, my way of thinking has shifted to:
"It's better to be comfortable even when wet than to try not to get wet at all."
My Current Rainy-Day Style
| Jacket | Yamatomichi UL All-Weather Jacket |
| Pants | ASSOS Bib Shorts |
| Shoes | BEDROCK SANDALS Cairn Evo |
| Sunglasses | SMITH XC |
| Rain Pants | Norrøna fjøra dri1 Pants |
This is my current go-to style.
Yamatomichi UL All-Weather Jacket
This is undoubtedly the star of the show on rainy days.
Especially for the upcoming humid and hot season.
It is incredibly light.
And above all, it has excellent breathability.
The tricky part of choosing rain gear for the rainy season and summer is dealing with the stuffiness rather than the rain itself.
In that regard, this jacket causes very little discomfort even when worn for long periods.
Of course, it can still get stuffy depending on the conditions.
Even so, I can’t easily think of a more comfortable rain jacket.
It’s a favorite piece I use not only on rainy days but also for regular rides and hiking.
Pants that can get wet
For pants on a rainy day, I don't actually have just one choice.
I choose based on my commute time, the temperature, and my plans for the day.
On days when I'm on the bike longer, I wear my ASSOS Bib Shorts.
If you assume they're going to get wet, there's less discomfort involved.
You could say it feels like wearing swimwear.
I also frequently wear PATAGONIA's Baggies Shorts for the same reason.
You could say these actually *are* swimwear.
Since they come with a liner, you can wear them as-is, and you don't have to worry about them getting wet at all.
For my rainy-day commute, I pack a change of underwear and pants in my bag, and I just change once I arrive.
It’s as simple as that.
Instead of aiming to stay dry, I choose clothes that aren't a problem when they get wet.
For bike commuting during the rainy season, that’s often much more comfortable.
Sandals for rainy days
For the same reason, I wear sandals on my feet.
If you assume your feet will get wet, it's overwhelmingly more comfortable than having soggy shoes.
And speaking of sandals, it has to be BEDROCK SANDALS.
The grip, the ease of walking, and how quickly they dry.
They can be used with confidence even on rainy days.
Personally, I think they are an item where you can really feel their benefits on a rainy day.
Sunglasses with bright lenses
Sunglasses are surprisingly important.
If your lenses are too dark on a rainy day, your visibility will drop significantly.
It becomes harder to see road conditions, and it’s also a bit concerning regarding visibility to cars.
That’s why I prefer to choose bright lenses on rainy days.
Lighter lenses like the SMITH XC make it easy to ensure visibility even in cloudy or rainy weather, making them very user-friendly.
Rain pants when necessary
Of course, there are days when the temperature is low.
There are also times when I get caught in the rain for a long duration.
In those cases, I wear my Norrøna rain pants.
I’ve been using them for so long I don't even remember how many years, but they are still going strong.
I believe rainy-day gear should be about subtraction, not addition.
Use it only when necessary.
Maybe that’s why I’ve been able to keep using them for so long.
There actually isn't that much of a difference between a rainy-day commute and a rainy-day ride.
If you change your T-shirt or jersey to merino wool, and switch your footwear to cycling shoes, it quickly becomes a rainy-day ride style.
It's not about making a clear distinction between commuting and riding; it's a life where the bicycle is just an extension of those moments.
For me, that feels closer to the truth.
If I were building a setup at Circles today
So far, I've been talking about the things I personally use.
So, what if I were to put together a rainy-day style at Circles all over again today? I think it would probably be this combination.
| Jacket | Yamatomichi 2026 UL All-Weather Hoody |
| Pants | PATAGONIA M’s Baggies Shorts 5-inch |
| Shoes | BEDROCK SANDALS Cairn Evo |
| Sunglasses | SMITH Syncline Asian Fit |
| Rain Pants | MILESTONE Up-Swing Rain Pants |
Yamatomichi 2026 UL All-Weather Hoody
It's not that I’m dissatisfied with the current UL All-Weather Jacket.
In fact, it doesn't get stuffy even in the rainy season or summer, and I'm still quite satisfied with it.
Even so, if I were to choose a new piece from the items on the shelves at Circles today, I’m intrigued by Yamatomichi's UL All-Weather Hoody.
One reason is that it uses two different types of fabric.
For areas directly hit by rain, they prioritize water resistance.
For areas that tend to get stuffy, like the back and underarms, they use highly breathable fabric.
I’m drawn to the fact that it's designed by prioritizing comfort during activity rather than simply boosting waterproof performance.
When riding a bike in the rain, the thing that’s uncomfortable is often the heat and moisture trapped inside your gear rather than the rain itself.
That’s exactly why I can really empathize with this design philosophy.
Another thing that draws me in is that it's a pullover hoodie, not a jacket.
Full-zip jackets are convenient and easy to put on and take off. But at the same time, zippers can also be paths for rain to get in.
The UL All-Weather Hoody dares to eliminate the front zipper, opting for a simple structure.
I like that sense of decisiveness.
There’s a certain purity of purpose in a design that retains only the functions necessary for a rainy day and strips away the rest.
I haven't actually used it yet.
Even so, if I were to choose a piece for rainy days today, I think this UL All-Weather Hoody would be my first candidate.
SMITH Syncline Asian Fit Matte Meteorite Crystal (CP Low Light Rose Blue Mirror)
If I had to choose from models currently available at Circles, it would definitely be the SMITH Syncline Asian Fit / CP Low Light Rose Blue Mirror.
This lens is incredibly bright. Yet, the view is surprisingly clear.
Putting them on, the view doesn't darken even on rainy or cloudy days; if anything, it feels easier to see through.
Rather than "I want to wear sunglasses even on a rainy day,"
I feel like,
"I want to wear them *because* it's a rainy day."
I think it’s that kind of lens.
Furthermore, by having ventilation between the frame and the lens, they are hard to fog up and have an excellent fit.
And above all, I love the look.
I think it's important not only to have functionality but also to have a look that makes you want to wear them.
Honestly speaking, this is one of the items I want right now.
MILESTONE Up-Swing Rain Pants
I'm curious about the MILESTONE Up-Swing Rain Pants. The reason is simple: they are light and compact.
Often, you carry rainy-day gear around longer than you actually use it. That’s why being able to take it out only when necessary is important.
The Up-Swing Rain Pants are packable and can be stored in their own pocket.
I keep them in the corner of my bag, and just take them out and put them on when the temperature drops or when I get caught in the rain for a long time.
They feature wide-opening waterproof zippers at the cuffs, so being able to take them on and off while still wearing shoes is also a great feature.
Rain pants are not meant to be worn all the time; they are like insurance for when you need them.
Because of that, being light and easy to carry is a very important performance metric.
So as not to dislike rainy days
No one is comfortable on a rainy day. If possible, I’d rather have it be sunny.
But if you continue living a life where you ride a bike, you sometimes can’t avoid the rain. That’s why I want to choose clothes that make me want to ride even on rainy days.
The rainy season has started once again this year.
Whether to choose the crowded subway or the bike. I think I'll choose the bike again.
How do you spend your rainy days?
