[Closed] Waterproof Legwear?

Lycra, to stop getting cold use embrocation cream, simples.

Cut down army surplus goretex from ebay has worked for me this winter - wanted some of the "proper" ones but so many people seemed to have problems with seams failing that I decided to save the extra money rather than take the risk.

Maybe I'm dense but why does it matter how much space baggies would take in your pack? Just wear them... My Altura ones have been a total revelation, fantastic kit and not even expensive for what they are. Though I've torn a hole in them now they've been totally reliable despite some proper crashes

Well, if it were me and I wish it was, Gore Windstopper tights cos it will still be chilly. On top, Gore Alp X waterproof shorts which take up no room at all. Warm and dry is where it's at!

Another vote for the Altura waterproof baggies... they are fantastic and this time of year I tend to use them no matter if it's raining or not.

There are also Endura Stealth tights/bibs which are waterproof, but they are quite pricey and unless you wear them all the time they would be a little bulky to carry.

I'd go for the Altura shorts myself.

For an 11 day trip, I would put something like "jack wolfskin bike me pants" in my pack, they are wearable as trousers off the bike.

been trying rainlegs..

lightweight and work well.

Cinammon Girl, why would you wear baggy shorts on top of tights? Just why? It makes NO sense at all?

If you want to keep warm in the wet & cold, the simple solution is to wear lycra either as shorts/leg warmer combo or tights. Then, to keep the heat in you, either use embrocation or bable oil on your legs/lower back and backside.

Wearing baggy shorts doesnt keep the heat in, they get wet & heavy (even if they are waterproof) and flap around causing draughts.

waterproof, comfy and warm.

+1 Endura Stealth Lite
+1 Endura Stealth Extreme - for really long exposure to cold

I also have some Gore Windstopper leggings - but they do eventually soak through, although they still keep you warm.

LadyAlex - normally I'd be with MartinGT. Lycra is plenty warm enough when wet.

However, since you're touring, I can understand why you wnt to maintain some comfort. A friend has some Altura waterprof trousers, which he's used touring. Maybe something like that would do.

MartinGT - they are made from Goretex Paclite so are lightweight/minimalist and feel very unobtrusive. If they are not needed, then they will roll up small.

Gore Windstopper tights mean no windchill and, as a cold girlie, that makes a huge difference.

FWIW I wore my Alp X waterproof shorts yesterday for 2.5 hours in heavy-ish rain. My ar$e and thighs were warm and dry. 🙂

MartinGT - Member

Wearing baggy shorts doesnt keep the heat in, they get wet & heavy (even if they are waterproof) and flap around causing draughts.

Totally disagree with this tbh, mine don't get wet or heavy (though like anything else they get plastered with mud) and the 3/4s have a cinch strap meaning they can be tightened round the leg. Though I never use it, since the amount of draught that comes past them is pretty trivial. I've used these down to about -10 (before windchill) and no bother, my face froze off before my legs got too cold 😉

All waterproof shorts/trousers are not equal.

I spent years riding all winter in lycra leggings and thought that waterproof shorts were some kind of joke product. However, I now own a pair and on wet winter days they have really made rides bearable rather than a shiver-fest.

I wear them over my lycra leggings and even though they might not keep me dry they do keep my body from constantly being sprayed with cold wet water (it takes a while for the water to seep in by which time it has warmed slightly) and it stops the wind chill of cold air moving directly across wet fabric.

However, it is not getting to the time of year that it is warm enough to ditch them. I too am heading to Scotland at Easter (only for four days though) and I won't be packing the waterproof shorts unless the forecast predicts temperatures within a few degrees of zero.

Each to their own - I'm simply sharing my experience.

I wear Endura tight things, not sure which ones but they are not water repelant but the water heats up and you get toasty warm even when its freezing!

From what most people say, I reckon the Stealth waterproof tights will be too warm to wear in Easter. You'll probably be fine in normal tights if it rains, but well cut waterproof shorts, like the Gore ones will be spot on for keeping your nether regions comfortable in any prolonged cold downpours. I've got the Alp-X too and they don't flap round at all compared to normal baggy shorts, plus they roll up pretty small and light for packing. Shame you can't get the Freestyle waterproof shorts any more - they were really light and just as good.

I did 40 odd miles in my endura stealth's last Friday - it rained all day and the temp was "mild" - around 7 degrees C.

I was not too hot, I could feel it was "cold" without being cold if you know what I mean. Glad I didn't take the windstoppers.