Waterproof clothing

[Rod Tibbs]

I am looking for some really good lightweight waterproof clothing for my son who recently took to cycling. He managed to get soaked to the skin the other day in a downpour. Mostly he is a pedal cyclist (apart when he is off on my Synergie when my back is turned) so we are looking for something really watertight yet lightweight so it does not make a rider too hot.

Has anyone experience of this? We have looked at some of the usual bike sites, even those advertising on this site, and they tend to come up with stuff which is suitable for the Lycra mob. We want something that can be slipped on over normal clothes when necessary and yet are easy to pack away.

Any advice or experiences would be very welcome.

Thanks in advance

Rod

 

[Nick]

Hi, I got the Rainshield jacket and trousers for US$45 a couple of years ago. They're not terribly robust but mine are still fine and completely waterproof. If you do a Google you should find lots of reviews from hikers and cyclists raving about how good/cheap/light they are.

 

[Mussels]

I got one of these:
Raleigh Water Resistant Fluo Yellow Nylon Cape £13.99-Discount Bicycles Ltd.
I've only used it briefly and it seemed to work well but is as aerodynamic as a brick, it is very light so can be carried all the time.

 

[Rod Tibbs]

Thanks for those two lots of rapid advice. Some really interesting stuff there we can chase up.

Rod

 

[UrbanPuma]

I bought a waterproof jacket and trousers from evans cycles. Not the cheapest in the world, but good quality and easy to slip on over ordinary clothes. The makers are GORE.

 

[bogmonster]

I am looking for some really good lightweight waterproof clothing for my son who recently took to cycling. He managed to get soaked to the skin the other day in a downpour. Mostly he is a pedal cyclist (apart when he is off on my Synergie when my back is turned) so we are looking for something really watertight yet lightweight so it does not make a rider too hot.

Has anyone experience of this? We have looked at some of the usual bike sites, even those advertising on this site, and they tend to come up with stuff which is suitable for the Lycra mob. We want something that can be slipped on over normal clothes when necessary and yet are easy to pack away.

Any advice or experiences would be very welcome.

Thanks in advance

Rod

Hi,

This is something I am interested in as well as I am just about to start using a bike to commute. When I used to cycle I found that the biggest problem in the winter was hands and feet getting cold when wet. As the weather gets colder look at waterproof gloves. To keep warm a hat or balaclave - thin that will fit under brain bucket. I used to do a lot of winter walking and suffered very cold hands - solved cold hands by wearing a hat! Took me ages to work it out as my head always felt warm.

As for trousers, don't spend a fortune as legs don't sweat as much as trunk so supper breathable is less important. For top, a drawstring around the bottom is good if going at any speed as water gets sprayed up from below. Also, a tight fitting around the neck and sealable cuffs to stop water ingress. I use an old goretex walking jacket at the moment but I think there are plenty of good alternatives to goretex these days. It is not perfect as it has a hood which is no use with a brain bucket on. I have old goretex overtrousers but they are too thick for cycling and personally I don't like then for walking in either as they are just too restrictive. A cheepo set of Regata breathable overtrousers might be the way to go?

A poncho is great for walking or low speed cycling but not for high speed of windy days! Too much like a kite for my liking. I much prefer a poncho for walking in hot climates even if they do make you look a bit of a dork.

Feet, well, you can get waterproof over boots or waterproof socks. I found that water used to run around the front mudguards and where it exists the wind would blow it straight into my shoes. So much water running through shoes makes for very cold feet in the winter.

I think this is really imortant, especially on an e-bike where you might not be generating as much warmth. When you get cold and wet it is easy to lose concentration at exactly the time when you need to have your wits about you the most. If I get a new jacket for cycling I think it will be florescent. Visibility of car drivers is much reduced in the rain so flashing lights isn't a bad idea either.

BM

 

[drgcb]

Altura gear I find to be very good. I have a Night Vision jacket:

Altura Night Vision Waterproof Jacket 200708 : BikesYouLike, Bike Shop, Cycle Shop, Mountain Bike, BMX Bike, Bike, Cycle Accessories, Cycle

Nice quality, good reflectivity/visibility, breathable and waterproof.

Greg

 

[The Maestro]

I have a Crane Sport cycling jacket from Aldi which is great and so far 100% waterproof even riding in heavy rain for 10 miles. Jackets aren't usually the problem though but trousers all seem to share the same weakness which is leaking in around the crotch area. I currently wear Trespass 'packaway' overtrousers which are extremely lightweight single skinned but extremely waterproof so far. The only problem is the pockets are just slits that let you access the pockets of your trousers underneith and the slits do let in a little water but fortunately not in such a bad location. They seem to be on sale for about 12 quid in my local trespass store but I think I bought mine off ebay for similar.

 

[Citrus]

I wear these
Berghaus Men's Paclite Pants - Outdoorkit

and this

Berghaus Tungsten Jacket - Jackets - Bike - 39.99 GBP - Free P & P to UK & Ireland, Cheap International Rates. Next day delivery from Europes Largest Online Bikeshop.

Neither have leaked yet (jacket is 8 months old, trousers are 6 months old). I use the trousers on my motorbike sometimes and they still don't leak at high speed in heavy rain.

 

[sopht]

Another vote for Altura - though I don't wear a jacket in summer, preferring to take a cape for downpours.

I was sceptical about needing to pay lots (£50 and up) for lightweight, breathable, well made, waterproof etc, but sadly, from experience, it's true!

 

[Caph]

I'd go along with what others say. Waterproof but breathable, they are incredibly thin and lightweight these days although not particularly cheap. I've got a Hydrotec coated fluorescent jacket and I'm still cycling to work in it in the middle of August without getting sweaty.

 

[levelgaze]

I was tempted by the anti-chic of the classic yellow poncho, but decided to take it one step further by going for these babies instead.

 

[JohnInStockie]

Ive had the Altura Night Visions and for me they were not good enough for the money. Yes they have excellent visability and cut, but the downsides of :-
Not really waterproof (arriving at work with a soaked chest and legs) means that for anyone going more than say 6 miles, youre gonna be wet when you arrive.
Poor breathability, they are poor compared to others in this price range.
Colour running, I used to give them a clean in the sink with warm water and non-bio powder, the colour runs terribly, and after about 5 washes is markedly poorer. I dont have anything really good to say about these.

I changed to the eVent ones that Russ (site administrator) recommended, and the jacket is fantastic, warm dry extremely breathable, and even machine washable, but their downside is that they only come in Blue or Grey, so visability loses.

The trousers are not so good though, I have not yet found a truly waterproof pair of overtrousers yet. These are good in all but heavy rain where as usual they fail in the crotch area.

Hope this helps.

John

 

[JohnofCambridge]

I use A Rohan outfit (Rohan - Travel Clothing, Outdoor Adventure Clothes, Accessories) - an axiom 2 jacket / waterproof goa trousers and they are superb during wet weather. I wear the hood under my cycling helmet - a tip I picked up on this site and the design of the hood with a peak then keeps my glasses clear of the downward rain.

Rohans are designed to be light and breatheable and are designed for all sorts of climates. In many years experience of the brand I find they work very well.

They are expensive so I always buy when there is a sale on. Most other wearers tend to keep them for a fair old time so initial expense can be spread over some years - unless your son is still growing!

 

[burncycle]

please see my product review.

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/2662-product-review-waterproof-socks.html