My NYC rain-day setup after two weeks of testing — what would you change?

Hey folks, Alex here. 27, freelance designer living in Bushwick, biking most days even when the weather sucks. I’ve been slowly building my techwear setup for about four months now and just survived two straight weeks of proper NYC spring rain — the kind that starts at 7am and doesn’t quit until you’re home.

Decided to post my current rain-day system because it’s finally starting to click, but I know it’s not perfect. Would love your thoughts on what to swap or tweak.

Current Full Rain Setup

Shell: Used Veilance Nomad Jacket (bought for $240 on Grailed)
Midlayer: Patagonia Nano-Air Hoody (light insulation + crazy breathability)
Base: Merino wool long sleeve + synthetic tee
Pants: Outlier Slim Dungarees with DWR treatment
Bag: Able Carry Max EDC (20L)
Shoes: Salomon XT-6 Gore-Tex

This combo got me through 11 rainy commutes (bike + subway mix) totaling around 140 miles. Here’s how it actually performed.

What Worked Really Well

The Veilance Nomad has been the MVP. The cut is noticeably better than most Arc’teryx pieces for someone with narrower shoulders like me. Hood stays in place while biking, pit zips actually vent heat when I’m climbing hills, and the fabric feels tough but not stiff. After two weeks of daily abuse, water still beads perfectly.

Pairing it with the Nano-Air was smarter than I expected. On days when temperature jumped from 48°F to 68°F, I could unzip the shell and the midlayer kept me from getting clammy. Unlike a puffy insulator, it breathes insanely well even under a hardshell.

Pants held up better than expected too. The Outlier Dungarees aren’t fully waterproof but the DWR + tapered cut meant my legs stayed mostly dry even through spray from bike tires and puddles. No chain grease marks after 70+ miles of riding.

What Still Needs Work

The Able Carry Max is great for organization but feels a little bulky when fully loaded with laptop, camera, water bottle, and rain cover. On longer days my lower back noticed it. I’m considering switching to something with better hip belt support or going down to a 16-18L for pure commute days.

Shoes are solid but the Salomon XT-6 GTX started squeaking after day 8. Not a deal breaker but annoying in quiet offices.

Also, my current pocket layout is messy. Phone keeps migrating to the wrong pocket when I sit on the subway, and I keep digging for keys.

Layering Strategy That Saved Me

I learned the hard way that “one perfect jacket” is a myth. The real win is a versatile shell + breathable midlayer combo.

On colder mornings (under 52°F) I added a thin merino base. When it warmed up I’d strip down to just the shell + t-shirt. The Nano-Air acts as the perfect bridge layer because it’s active insulation — it keeps working even when you’re moving.

Total weight of the system (worn + carried) is about 4.8kg on heavy days. I want to shave that down without losing protection.

Daily Carry Breakdown

• 16" MacBook Pro + charger

• Sony A7C camera + one lens (work related)

• Water bottle + small umbrella

• Wallet, phone, keys, power bank

• Spare socks + packable rain cover

The Max bag handled everything without feeling like a turtle shell, but I’m open to better sling or waist pack recommendations for lighter days.

Questions for You

1. Anyone else running Veilance Nomad in real rain? How’s the durability after 6+ months?

2. What midlayer do you prefer under a hardshell for variable spring weather?

3. Should I downsize the bag or look for better weight distribution instead?

4. Any small upgrades (under $80) that would noticeably improve this setup?

I’m not trying to flex — just trying to refine a system that actually makes commuting less miserable. Hit me with your critiques or similar experiences. Especially interested in hearing from people who bike in rain regularly.

Thanks for reading.

— Alex (bushwickbiker)