17-09-13, 09:14 PM
I've recently invested (taken a chance?) on Ixon waterproofs, but they haven't been put to the test yet. We don't get much of this brand back thro our returns department as "not waterproof/leaking", so I thought I'd give it a whirl.
However, just in case, I do have a Plan B!
I have some very high quality outdoor kit I took for my 2 month stint backpacking and fell walking in the Lakes region, that I've checked out to wear under the Ixon stuff. All this kit has proved it's worth in wet, freezing and windy conditions, on it's own; I figure under my bike gear it'll work just as well!
Examples are:
Rab Event waterproof pull-on top (Event is a highly breathable, lightweight, waterproof fabric).
Rab Primaloft jacket with Pertex outer. (Primaloft was developed for the U.S. armed forces as a lightweight insulating material that keeps it's insulating properties even when wet, and Pertex is a very windproof material, often treated to be water resistant).
Montane windshirt (again Pertex, weighs nothing and is super thin for use as part of a layering system).
Patagonia goose-down filled Pertex shirt (as warm as a thick fleece jacket at a fraction of the weight and bulk).
Rab merino wool and cocona base layer (very warm yet light and thin, very comfortable against the skin and anti-bacterial so doesn't get smelly!).
Thick merino wool hiking socks (double layer soles, super warm, and again anti-bacterial, a must for camping so the tent doesn't end up stinking of sweaty socks - it works!).
Montane waterproof trousers (can't remember what they're made of but it's super light, thin and very waterproof/breathable - have already tested these over jeans on the bike in rain; kept me bone dry, but can feel as if you're getting wet because very cool and breathable, so best worn in conjunction with other layers).
I,ve checked out that ALL of this can be worn TOGETHER under my Ixon gear and still have free movement and comfort, but obviously would pick and choose items to suit the conditions. As these materials are mostly synthetic, they are very easy to slip on over each other (unlike trying to pull a fleece lined jacket over a fleece pullover!).
However, it would be very expensive to kit yourself out with all this, so I would only recommend it if you're going to be on the bike a lot this winter!
Just good gloves and boots to find (although the ones I've got seem ok at the mo, but again, yet to be properly tested.
However, just in case, I do have a Plan B!
I have some very high quality outdoor kit I took for my 2 month stint backpacking and fell walking in the Lakes region, that I've checked out to wear under the Ixon stuff. All this kit has proved it's worth in wet, freezing and windy conditions, on it's own; I figure under my bike gear it'll work just as well!
Examples are:
Rab Event waterproof pull-on top (Event is a highly breathable, lightweight, waterproof fabric).
Rab Primaloft jacket with Pertex outer. (Primaloft was developed for the U.S. armed forces as a lightweight insulating material that keeps it's insulating properties even when wet, and Pertex is a very windproof material, often treated to be water resistant).
Montane windshirt (again Pertex, weighs nothing and is super thin for use as part of a layering system).
Patagonia goose-down filled Pertex shirt (as warm as a thick fleece jacket at a fraction of the weight and bulk).
Rab merino wool and cocona base layer (very warm yet light and thin, very comfortable against the skin and anti-bacterial so doesn't get smelly!).
Thick merino wool hiking socks (double layer soles, super warm, and again anti-bacterial, a must for camping so the tent doesn't end up stinking of sweaty socks - it works!).
Montane waterproof trousers (can't remember what they're made of but it's super light, thin and very waterproof/breathable - have already tested these over jeans on the bike in rain; kept me bone dry, but can feel as if you're getting wet because very cool and breathable, so best worn in conjunction with other layers).
I,ve checked out that ALL of this can be worn TOGETHER under my Ixon gear and still have free movement and comfort, but obviously would pick and choose items to suit the conditions. As these materials are mostly synthetic, they are very easy to slip on over each other (unlike trying to pull a fleece lined jacket over a fleece pullover!).
However, it would be very expensive to kit yourself out with all this, so I would only recommend it if you're going to be on the bike a lot this winter!
Just good gloves and boots to find (although the ones I've got seem ok at the mo, but again, yet to be properly tested.