tale of woe

[devilsyam]

ok my search for good gear is a mess

started after i posted i cant find 100% waterproof for me this means a 10mile ride to work without wet arms and bollocks

item 1 rst jacket and pants from Hrs Bristol label 100% waterproof Cost £110 and £70
leaked in the chest zip and crutch

returned to shop and got all the rubbish about never had one come back

item 2 frank thomas x terrain £149 jacket £129 pants 100% waterproof J&s Jacket was ok small leak to right arm and pockets filled up with water pants were usless
took them back refund and changed for Revitt gear of similar price from fowlers failled big time leaked everyware

so two weeks ago bit the bullet and in 30 years riding spent the most i ever have on bike gear

item 3 Held touring jacket £299 gortex matching pants £299 for get geared

i have had better results with bin liners there were worse that the rst's

10miles is all i need to stay dry and to me as proved it dont matter if cheap or expensive im going to get wet

the only saving grace is my held ride recommended 39 quid over suit which is 100% waterproof but takes like 6 hours to get on with a month of planning

so any idea's

[phild]

Best results me and my wife have had (she rides her own bike), textile suit for cold / damp weather. As soon as it rains two piece Alpinestars over suit which takes only a minute or two to put on. We've survived many a down pour with only mild dampness.


Boots...... NEVER found fully waterproof ones, ranging from £50 to £220. Gloves........forget it.


In all my years of riding, and having used budget to mid-range clothing, we've never found anything that is totally waterproof. 

[stevierst]

I still use my old faithful Hein Gericke Gore tex voyager jacket for my 40 mile commute. I've done well over 100k in it, and its never leaked as far as I can remember, and as most of you, ridden through some monsoons.
My old commute was over 30k/year all year round with again, no leaks. I paid over £200 for my aerostitch trousers. They're awesome! Leaked once at the crotch but that was my fault for leaving my fly down .
Altberg field and trek boots never leaked apart from when I rode through a flood a bit too quick and the water went over the top.
As for gloves......... Not found that solution yet.

If your feeling flush, I'd seriously look at the roadcrafter suit by aerostitch. Very high quality kit that lasts for ever!

[ChristoT]

I bought the gear that was available in my local bike shop, so almost all my gear is made by Rayven.

1) Jacket: Rayven Zenith
It's a budget jacket, but it's pretty good. Owned since Feb, ridden in all weather on it, and the only complaint I have is the pockets. Stuff in them WILL get wet. I stay dry. The only time I did get wet was after a 4h ride in torrential rain on French motoways. But then EVERYTHING leaked.

2) Trousers: Rayven Cobra
The cheaper of the two pairs in the shop. Great in winter, they keep you dry (as above with pockets). In the same ride described above, the zip leaked. But that was after at least 2h of constant rain applied. No gripes with them.

3) Boots: Rayven I-don't-remember
Lousy. Only 10 months old, and already disintergrating. Waterproo? For short trips. Anything over 20 mins and you get cold, wet feet.

4) Gloves: Spada, now RST
I get through gloves quickly. But their waterproof abilities generally only lasts 2-3 months.

[PaulSmith]

I spent years with Hein Garicke Voyager stuff and have nothing but praise for it, but... I don't wear it anymore.

I have always preferred the safe feeling I get when I wear leather as even the best textile jackets don't have the abrasion protection that even middle of the road leather will give, but I always needed the weather protection that you only get from textile because my bike is my main transport.

Around Autum 2011, I realised I was going to need a new jacket as even after reproofing, my Voyager just wasn't fully water proof anymore. Two or three wet days in a row and I started to suffer. To get me over a couple of especially cold and miserable days, I bought a builders Hi-viz jacket for £25 and wore it over the top. By Spring, the builders jacket was in a right state, but I had not been cold or damp all winter.

This year, instead of spending another £500 on a new Voyager, I bought a reasonable leather jacket (RST ~£200) which gives me all the security I need, and another builders jacket (£25) which gives me all the weather protection I could want.  Early days yet but so far, so good.

[Lawrence]

I use Alpine trousers (£5, eBay), Akito jacket (£5, eBay), Gerbings heated gloves (£100), Black Hydrotech boots (£45 ish) and the only time I get wet is rain going up my sleeve when I wipe my visor.  I'm on my 5th pair of gloves now, all the others have leaked, often within minutes,  despite being sold as waterproof. The Gerbings are the most expensive by a long way, but they're also heated.

[Lawrence]

I spent years with Hein Garicke Voyager stuff and have nothing but praise for it, but... I don't wear it anymore.

I have always preferred the safe feeling I get when I wear leather as even the best textile jackets don't have the abrasion protection that even middle of the road leather will give, but I always needed the weather protection that you only get from textile because my bike is my main transport.

Around Autum 2011, I realised I was going to need a new jacket as even after reproofing, my Voyager just wasn't fully water proof anymore. Two or three wet days in a row and I started to suffer. To get me over a couple of especially cold and miserable days, I bought a builders Hi-viz jacket for £25 and wore it over the top. By Spring, the builders jacket was in a right state, but I had not been cold or damp all winter.

This year, instead of spending another £500 on a new Voyager, I bought a reasonable leather jacket (RST ~£200) which gives me all the security I need, and another builders jacket (£25) which gives me all the weather protection I could want.  Early days yet but so far, so good.

Do you not find that's a bit bulky all together? Or is it ok to ride in?

[PaulSmith]

... I bought a builders Hi-viz jacket for £25 and wore it over the top...

Do you not find that's a bit bulky all together? Or is it ok to ride in?

It looks big and imposing (which is no harm) but builders jackets are actually very light weight, more duvet then blanket, so the combination is probably weighs less then my old voyager. This is the sort of thing I am talking about... http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Baratec-Contractor-Hi-Vis-Bomber-Jacket-High-Viz-Coat-Yellow-Visibility-New-Mens-/130744267651?pt=UK_BOI_ProtectiveGear_RL&var=430088010739&hash=item1e70f73383

[edit]Don't forgot to cut the hood out or you wont be able to zip it up to your chin.

[DryRob]

When I worked in a factory doing wet cleandowns we wore Viking Rubber gear, might be worth looking into that. It's cheaper than bike gear, reasonably thin and you might be able to get some big enough to go over your protective bike gear.

You'd look look like a tit but you'd be dry, I don't really need it though cos my commute isn't very far.

http://www.arco.co.uk/brand/Viking+Rubber/-8715

I pull a pair of XL nitrile/latex gloves over my motorbike gloves if I get caught out and need them waterproofed

[stevierst]

I wore a padded workmans jacket over my bike jacket about 12 years ago through the winter on my long commutes. It's probably the warmest I've ever been on a bike, I almost fell asleep in the saddle once wearing it!
It was very bulky, but you definately have to cut the hood off, or you can't move your head!

[bigbluebear]

I tend to wear North Face waterproof trousers and jacket over my protective gear, costs about £15 each and has never let me down or the water in.

[sadlonelygit]

When I worked in a factory doing wet cleandowns we wore Viking Rubber gear

nice!!

[keithfzs1000]

never ever bothered with textile shannigans, always wore leather jacket and kevlar jeans or leather jeans and then carried or used decent berghause north face  or sprayway hiking pant n jacket to go over the top, never been wet yet (boots army or police issue  thinsulate)

[JayB]

URGH, Jesus! I am at work too! 
 
Not commuted on bike in pi55ing down rain, BUT, about 18 years ago when I rode in all weathers to college as a teen, I used a Belstaff oversuit and that did keep me dry.
 
I think it came 2nd hand from a friend, only died when a Sierra failed to stop at a roundabout for me and me and my RD125LC got broken.
 
Have a £35 Alpinestars top (not got round to the matching trousers yet) which keeps my top half dry.
My Frank thomas textiles seem to be perfectly showerproof too, have only done about 10-20 miles tops in the rain.
I'd get some 2nd hand ones with a double zip jacket and the folding crotch section which doubles up and invest in some aerosol waterproof spray or a large candle to rub over it all.
 
 

[tiggr2]

Gloves I wear Hien Gereck two fingered gloves never leaked - Ive also sone big rubber overmits if its really cold. Ive got gortex sidis, never leaked - however evrything Ive tried jacket and bottoms has leaked at some point so for short journies I have an old cagougle and walking trousers (PVC) I wear over my courdura, for longer I wear a full oxford waterproofs (harder to get on and off) I still get wet coming through at the crotch but it never gets through all of the layers.
Message is wear bike gear for proptection and walking stuff or industrial stuff for waterproofing I reckon

[DryRob]

nice!!

Well that's just silly, he's not wearing a hair net 

[unfazed]

I use mountaineering rain gear all time. The north face rain gear is some of the best I have used on the mountains and riding.

[JZS 600]

[AyJay]

I was having the same problem, but at the NEC bike show, Dainese had a 30% off on their Goretex gear, so I bought a set. Completely waterproof, and f.me, has it been wet last week and this, so they're properly tested. Three times I've spent well over an hour in torrential rain on the M1, and not a drop got through anywhere, not even the neck if you sit upright.  Warm too, and the fit is excellent.


Only problem is the name . . . Bruce!


http://www.dainese.me.uk/motorcycle/textile-clothing/gore-tex-jackets/dainese-bruce-gore-tex-jacket.html


Why didn't I stump up the extra for the Tundra?


Boots - er, nope. My Frank Thomas goretex's are waterproof to a point, but they go eventually. Best I ever had were Sidi MX boots but they're not really much cop for road use.


Gloves. Nope. Not a chance.


Anyone tried any heated kit? Keis, Gerbing, BikeTech etc?

[FuZzBoM]

I have all Richa kit and have not got wet yet. even in a massive downpour when going through Wales to Ireland this year.

Jacket is  Richa Torrent (Not once have i got wet) honest 
Trousers are Richa Air vent (i do wear richa over trousers in the rain though)
Gloves Richa WP Racing (they do soak up the water but none seems to get through to your hands)

boots are only thing different, have TCX Sportour WP
Really impressed with all the Richa stuff to be honest. the father-in-law also has same jacket and loves it.

[fireblake]

Hein Gericke Master V jacket and trousers are absolutely awesome. The gloves I have use a neoprene inner wrist guard which stops water getting in, I can't remember the name. The boots I have are Sidi Goretex. All this kit cost over a £grand but its never leaked and at last years bike shed meeting I rode from near Portsmouth with just a Tshirt underneath. I forgot to put my jumper on but managed the 300 ish miles with no worries

[MadDogMcQ]

I bought my Hein Gericke Master IV outfit 6 years ago and it's still going strong. I've toured many times with it and can confirm it is 100% windproof and 100% Waterproof. It's the ONLY clothing that I've ever used that has been completely and utterly waterproof.  Comes with removable winter-linings and good armour. I'm guessing the Master V outfit is even better!
 
Tom.

[justy1]

When I worked in a factory doing wet cleandowns we wore Viking Rubber gear

nice!!

 
 
i knew there was summit dodgey about purplebear!!!! them navy are a strange lot!
 
 
 
justy1000
 
sorry, hein gericke goretex jkt n trs psx-t2 (not cheap!).... leaks like a shive so got a 1 piece waterproof suit from aldi for £8!!! bargin!
 
richa winter waterproof gloves, also leak.
 
sidi courier boots, always put dubbing on my boots which seems to keep the water out.

[pitternator]

having spent days riding in t' rain last year touring the alps, the only thing which is waterproof is a nylon oversuit. My current gear choice is  armoured textiles by JTS of coalville...they do almost any size so can get stuff to fit well. Its reasonably waterproof, but in extreme cases , put on the oversuit. That has never leaked.
Boots need regular reproofing to stay waterproof , I had  a lovely comfy bullson pair from HG which wore through   and finally replaced this year with HG  cycko boots...no leaks as yet. Agree with gloves. Current bike has handguards which helps, but really do need to wear surgeons gloves inside to be sure hands stay dry.

[Pat]

I've had the HG Voyager V for 3 or 4 years now & it's never leaked even when riding in heavy rain all day.

Boots, for winter are Daytona Roadstars & though they may be an expensive initial outlay they are easily the cheapest boots I've ever owned!  I bought them at the NEC show in 1995 for £170, used them every winter since including for a 90 mile commute for a big portion of that time & they're still waterproof going into their 18th winter season, so I figure they've cost me less than £9.50 a year.  Prior to getting them I'd get at most 3 years from a pair of winter boots at £100-120 a set none of which were ever 100% waterproof, so the 'expensive ' Daytonas have in the long run worked out about a quarter of the price of cheap ones!     

The sole is getting a bit thin on the heel now, so I reckon come spring they'll be going back to Daytona as they do a complete refurb for abou £120-150, I'm 51 now so I reckon that will probably see me through the rest of my winter biking life, ~£300 for 35+ years of warm dry feet in winter has to be a bargain!