Cleverhood Review: The Rain Cape Specialists

Everyone who's ridden in a normal rain jacket knows the problem: zip it up enough to stay dry and you're a sweaty mess in ten minutes. Cleverhood, out of Providence, Rhode Island, went back to an older idea — the cape — and worked out how to make it look deliberate rather than like you'd grabbed a bin bag.

Why a cape, not a jacket

Air moves freely underneath a cape, so you don't overheat. It covers your hands on the bars without needing separate gloves. And because it's not fitted, one size does a better job of actually staying dry than a snug jacket ever manages. The trade-off is obvious — you won't wear it off the bike — but for the ride itself, it's hard to argue with.

The range

Rover 2.0 — the one to start with

The updated version of the cape that made Cleverhood's name. Refined cut, same clever logic. See it on Velorution · Shop →

Rainger — the premium pick

Better fabric, reflective detailing woven through the pattern. If you ride through proper weather all year, this is the one that'll last. See it on Velorution · Shop →

Snow Cape — for the cold months

Warmer fabric, same shape, for riders who don't stop when the temperature drops. See it on Velorution · Shop →

If you want a jacket instead

Not everyone wants a cape. The Zipster gets you the same weatherproofing and reflective detailing in a shape that reads as a normal jacket, and the Rover and Zipster Anoraks are lighter, packable options for when full rain gear is overkill. Zipster Jacket · Rover Anorak · Shop →

The Urbanaut line — smarter than rainwear

A weatherproof backpack (made with Czech bag-makers Braasi) and a full-length trench coat you can actually ride in — the most grown-up things Cleverhood makes, and arguably the most Velorution. Urbanaut Backpack · Urbanaut Trench

For the kids, and the small stuff

The CleverKid range brings the same cape logic down to child size for the school run, and a couple of cheap, clever accessories — a clip-on backup light and spoke reflectors — round out the range for not much money at all. CleverKid Anorak · CleverKid Rain Cape · Spoke Reflectors

The verdict

If rain is the reason you don't cycle in winter, a cape solves more of the problem than a jacket ever will. Start with the Rover 2.0; upgrade to the Rainger if you ride through weather most of the year.

Shop the full Cleverhood range

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