Is there truely "waterproof" riding gear?

Maty10 · Post by **Maty10** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 8:18 pm

Reading the Rain-X thread got me thinking again (it hurt) about something I meant to ask donkeys ago.

What have you guys found to be truely waterproof?

On my 30 minute dribble into the city everyday it rains every now and then (this is Melbourne after all).

Now i'm a sook, and I hate getting wet and cold.

So currently I have a one peice rivet oversuit that claims to be "100% waterproof". Well I can certainly argue that it's not, it loves soaking through at the points were the water puddles the most, ie your nuts and knees. Now there's nothing worse than walking into your first lecture of the morning looking like you've had an accident (not the falling off kind) on the way in.

So I ponder the question, is anything really waterproof?

Can anyone recommend something to me that will keep me dry?

Now being a poor Uni student, anything I ride in I stay in, all day. Hence why I ride wearing jeans and runners. I'd love to be more responsible for my own health and ride every day in leathers and boots, but its just beyond practical. I mention this because any wet weather gear would need to be something I could sit around in for the rest of the day. The oversuit can be shoved into my bag during the day.

So what do you guys wear?

Gosling1 · Post by **Gosling1** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 8:23 pm

my VN is pretty waterproof !!

seriously, you will find most water*proof* stuff isn't. My old 'Team' waterproof strides are very effective in most rain, but like anything, will allow water in if the rain is strong enough for a decent period of time.....

mrmina · Post by **mrmina** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 8:25 pm

most stuff is water proof, but if u ride in it for long periods it wont be. Got told the same thing from the bike shop where i purchased my jacket and pants.

I havent tried the wetsuits, but i heard they are good.

Maty10 · Post by **Maty10** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 8:32 pm

I accept that nothing is going to waterproof for hours on end.

But surely for my short little 30 min sprint something will get me through?

YAPPA · Post by **YAPPA** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 8:34 pm

mrmina wrote:most stuff is water proof, but if u ride in it for long periods it wont be. Got told the same thing from the bike shop where i purchased my jacket and pants.

I havent tried the wetsuits, but i heard they are good.

WTF do you need wet gear for?????????

Strika · Post by **Strika** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 8:35 pm

Having worn the odd bit of wet weather gear over the years, I can say that for the most part, all the gear I have had was pretty good. Sure my rainsuit will let a little dampness in around the crutch after about hour 5 in torrential rain, but i consider that waterproof.

The best waterproof fabric I have ever come across bar none is Goretex TM R.

Notice I included the trademark............It was deliberate, as a lot of people I have spoken to over the years, believe that any waterproof material in their boots or gloves or clothing is Goretex. It isn't. Hypora and other copies are just that, and are pretty average attempts fo the most part. Sure some are waterproof, and some are breathable, but never both

Unless of course it carries that little Goretex trade mark, then it is prolly not the best you can get. i have an old (10 years) set of goretex winter gloves, and while the leather can get saturated, my hands stay dry, and none sweaty!!!!!

That said, My Joe Rocket waterproof gear has some sort of copy Goretex product in it, which in it's brief wet appearance, kept me dry. But you sweat a lot in it as it's breathablity is almost non existant!!!

Yellow plastic raincoats and pants are the most waterproof, but they get a little steamy and all your friends will laugh...........harder.

javaman · Post by **javaman** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 8:40 pm

I commute on bike rain, hail, or shine , have dririder extreme (wear it over work pants), oxtar goretex boots, and motodry xvent.

Worst was riding for 5hrs in Tassie, in rain. Not a drop of water.

At that time I wore winter glove though, but nowadays just wear summer glove as the waterproof one is difficult to wear when sweaty (and it stinks

)

ZX10R King · Post by **ZX10R King** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 9:17 pm

Or carry a spare pair of jeans.shorts in back pack, ya can always change before ya go to class

circlework · Post by **circlework** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 9:49 pm

still cant understand how people ride when its raining. wet roads are okay but only after its rained. too small a margin for error.

ZX10R King · Post by **ZX10R King** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 9:50 pm

circlework wrote:still cant understand how people ride when its raining. wet roads are okay but only after its rained. too small a margin for error.

Sometimes, you just have to

javaman · Post by **javaman** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 9:54 pm

circlework wrote:still cant understand how people ride when its raining. wet roads are okay but only after its rained. too small a margin for error.

Having lived in the tropics fro 32 years helped

circlework · Post by **circlework** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 9:57 pm

yeah but the way people drive and the fact that if its pouring down you cant see pot holes cos there full of water, unless you know the road. just seems like way too much of a risk compared to hoping in the car and paying for parking for the day or at least catching the train (that sucks)

ZX10R King · Post by **ZX10R King** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 10:00 pm

If ya don't own a car, and the train doesn't go where you need to go, ya jump on the bike, and just ride with extra caution. If rain gets TOO heavy, ya stop in a bus shelter....

goanna_38 · Post by **goanna_38** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 10:31 pm

I used to worry about getting wet riding to work (can get as wet as a shag on the way home, only have to walk inside and have a warm shower) and have gone throught about 3 pairs of wet weather pants. All eventually leaked. Don't even bother anymore. Just keep a pair of emergency backup pants in the locker at work. Have a Dririder jacket which does work a treat, so just have to put up with wet legs on the way to work. Never rains here in Queensland anyway. Beautiful one day, perfect the next. Except when I wash the bike, then it pisses down.

ZX10R King · Post by **ZX10R King** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 10:33 pm

goanna_38 wrote: Never rains here in Queensland anyway. Beautiful one day, perfect the next. Except when I wash the bike, then it pisses down.

dON'T WASH THE BIKE THEN.....LOL