tonight i have tried some bodged waterproof shorts i fashioned from a pair of bog standard watreproof keks thinking if they worked i would buy some proper waterproof mtb shorts as it turns out they didn't work as my ass was damp,,,, maybe it was sweat/moisture build up on a 3hr ride in the rain, but it was still damp.anybody own/used mtb specific waterproof shorts, do they work, and which make are they ?
cheers.
Bike Forum
[closed]
waterproof bike shorts, yay or nay
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Posted 1 year ago #
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I have some Altura Attack 3/4 and like them a lot, but the sand round here put a hole through them, had them repalced under warrenty for a zip issue though.
Some ppl report delamination issues though..Lots of ppl recommend the cheap option of buying ex-army goretex trousers then chopping them down into shorts...
Posted 1 year ago # -
Yes yes yes (To Endura Superlights). I think in any waterproof shorts/top/trousers you will get a bit damp, either through sweat or the fact that you have two leg holes that water will find a way in. Having said that, I now do wet rides and get home mildly damp and warm, rather than soaked after 5 mins and cold.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Hello.
I'll answer your question with another.
"Why?"
Posted 1 year ago # -
I bought some, but after 2 offs and 2 rips i won't bother again.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Brilliant - Gore ones - try not to wash them too much
Posted 1 year ago # -
It depends on how often you ride. I bought the Alturas and they have been good but a winter of off road commuting where they have been used everyday has seen them start to delaminate in the seat. I'll probably just go back to using cut down army surplus in the future as they seem tougher and for the money I'd be happy if they last a winter. If your doing occasional longer rides in bad conditions then purpose made may be better, It's the day in day out use when they stay muddy all the time that destroys them.
Posted 1 year ago # -
mudguards. I imagine waterproof shorts to be very hot/sweaty. When it get's cold enough for that not to be a problem I'd be on winter tights.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I imagine waterproof shorts to be very hot/sweaty
Rather than imagine, buy a cheap pair of army surplus trousers and cut them down and try them. Alternatively when its wet just sit in a nice comfy chair close your eyes and imagine that your out on a ride.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I have some Gore waterproof shorts and love them. Was very sceptical (sp?) at first but got fed up with getting soaked through on my commute, these are water/wind proof and great for autumn/spring, add some tights through winter. They're also great for off road rides as you don't get soaked so stay comfortable for longer, and they keep a lot of the sand/grit out of your liners!
No issues so far with wear and tear, the worst I can say is they're a little noisier than normal shorts - that swish swish when you pedal
Posted 1 year ago # -
great for the colder months. wouldn't bother this time of year. they're more windproof than regular baggies, obviously shed water better, and keep my bits warm ( if not bone dry ). use three quarters on the commute to keep knees covered and use regular length ones for off-roading with knee pads. same principle as a gilet really.
i was sceptical about their value too, but gave 'em a go, and i'm a fan.Posted 1 year ago # -
I've got the Altura Attack 3/4 waterproof shorts & they are fantastic in the Winter in the wet, keeps me nice & dry.
Not so good in warm weather tho as they aren't breathable & they tend to boil your 'baw bag'
Posted 1 year ago # -
Happily wear Altura Attacks all through the winter, not hot and sweaty at all. I did the second 12 hours of 24-12 in them not even bothering to take them off when the sun came out on Sunday.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Got the Endura eVent ones, i was dubious too but they are fantastic
Posted 1 year ago # -
I've got some altura 3/4 length ones, I think I paid about £40 in the sales from my LBS, they're the only shorts I wear in the winter. No problems with wear and you get used to the "swish-swish" noise after a while! I tend to get very hot knees on warm days as they're not particularly breathable, I imagine more expensive ones would solve that but they work for me.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I love my Altura Attack 3/4s, but they can be annoying in kneepads, still they've served me well through last winter and some summer rides, and a few crashes to boot, so I just bought a pair of the shorts as well. I don't find them hot or sweaty or anything, they're just like slightly noisy shorts in fact. £45 they were, compared to £25 for a decent pair of normal shorts, £20 isn't much to pay for dry unmentionables.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I've had 1 pair of the Endura eVent 3/4 length. These were great; completely waterproof and not too sweaty, but all-weather off-road commutes & rides wore bum out. ATC got them replaced by Endura with new Venturi version. These were even better but the taped seams started going very quickly. I'm on my third pair but in 2 weeks pocket seams are already coming apart. I expect to have to get a refund and buy something more robust, like Gore Alp-X. Shame really.
Posted 1 year ago # -
The Gore ones are brilliant.
Posted 1 year ago # -
chopped down Surplus trousers here, work a treat, cost a fraction of branded stuff, probably not even close to the same quality but ho hum....
Posted 1 year ago # -
Endura Superlights here...work well enough to keep my arse fairly dry on the commute, probably wouldn't bother otherwise.
Posted 1 year ago # -
altura ones are shyte.............fact
bought the short............split round the ar5e after 3 rides
bought the knee length ones, split round the ar5e and delaminated on the inside.army gortex cutoffs £15
Posted 1 year ago # -
altura here. They've been faultless for over. Year
Posted 1 year ago # -
waterproof shorts in summer / when I would wear shorts.
Endura stealth lights for rest of year. Hose them down wearing them at end of a muddy ride. Perfect and always dry light so not too warm. Can fit longs n underneath for sub zero rides over £100 but nothing to de-laminate. Still fun trying to make sure the water does not run down leg and into waterproof boots but they do stretch over the cuff and have grippers at the bottom. Well worth the money of you ride all year.
lake boots for me but suspect others with neoprene cuff would work as well. legs dry 100% of rides ..feet perhaps 85-90%. I ride all weather even torrential downpours of biblical proportions.Posted 1 year ago # -
Cut down surplus camo goretex kecks here, tenner of of ebay and do the job for me
Posted 1 year ago # -
Got the Endura ones and army surplus. The only plus the Endura's have is pockets! I had an off in them and they ripped so they look well cool with Tenacious tape patching them. My future purchases will be AS cutoffs. They are more rugged and cheap.
In answer to the "Why?" I was exactly the same but until you've tried some you'll never know that despite not seeming right, they just work. Brilliantly. You get wet calves but stay dry around the butt and crotch. For some evolutionary reason this is important. Cold wet arse and crotch = miserable go home sooner. Dry arese and crotch = stay out having fun despite the conditions. The wet shins and calves seems to stop you feeling hot and sweaty underneath too.Posted 1 year ago # -
I managed to get through two pairs of the Gore shorts. Great when they worked, but the seams went on both pairs and on the second the seat area delaminated. Tried the ex-Army and they're OK but I find the fit terrible, but then for next to naff all it was worth a punt. Picked-up some of the Endura MT500 Spray shorts at SiTS so see how they go, likely to fall to bits but for half price couldn't go wrong.
Posted 1 year ago # -
3/4 trekking shorts from Tresspass treated with Nikewax. Breathable, lightweight, quiet, dirt cheap - £15 the other day from their shop. I might consider full length bibs from Endura if the Winter is proper.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Save them for the really bad conditions only, ie snow. At Glentress last August I was amazed to see folk in full Gore Tex riding from the car park... in August the rain is warm and skin is waterproof. MTFU.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Mine are just sweaty and slip down all the time. It it's raining you're gonna get soaked whatever you where. Same goes for waterproof boots.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Hairychested - Member
3/4 trekking shorts from Tresspass treated with Nikewax
Nikewax (Nikwax?) stuff is great, haven't seen shorts in that material. I have a Paramo jacket which is superb.
Posted 1 year ago # -
My altura ones (half price from Evans) seem pretty good - they only come out when it's really wet though. And I use a crud guard at the back too.
Not sweaty at all though. They're never going to be as tough as non-waterproof, breathable shorts though so anyone suprised that they tear is being a bit unreasonable I reckon.
Posted 1 year ago #
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