[Closed] Waterproofs you swear by ?

Waterproofs are a compromise between breath-ability and impermeability. Do not expect a waterproof that you will be able to stay dry in from heavy rain that will put up with cycling levels of exertion.

what's wrong with getting wet when riding?

i have yet to find a waterproof that keeps you dry.
i got a custom made cioch waterproof last xmas, it is the nearest i have come yet.
ex army goretex leggings are pretty good too.

The Altura Attack shorts are excellent- tough and still completely waterproof after well over a year of use. They're a little rustly but otherwise are just shorts, I wear them all year round.

Jackets are harder, I've got an Altura Attack Extreme jacket which almost never gets worn outside of winter because just like every other full jacket, it overheats me if the air's not freezing.

Gillets are a good alternative, the arms make good radiators and who cares if your arms get wet? But I've never found one I really like yet.

Paramo Quito, used on today's Torq Ride in horrendous conditions.I still got wet, but stayed warm, this in contrast to my riding partner who got wet and cold enough to start suffering hypothermia(her hubbie's now in the process of buying one for her).

IME nothing that claims breathable will actually keep you dry in heavy rain.

If you want actually waterproof then the best I can find these days are builders oilskins. Cheap and waterproof

i always think that breathable stuff only works in super cold weather. One of my mates does a bit of kayaking so i purchased a set of wet suit bottoms yes my legs get wet but they stay warm.My wet weather riding is a Endura stealth jacket,Kayaking trousers and seal skin socks/gloves duct taped to my legs at the top.The only downside to all this is it gets hot okay on the road but roasting mtbing

As long as my feet and backside are dry, I'm happy.

Altura waterproof shorts take care of the backside. Feet are taken care of by Shimano gore-tex boots with Sealskin socks for added protection. Still haven't figured out a reliable solution to the problem of water running down legs and soaking into socks under the Sealskins...current method is putting livestrong-style wrist bands over the sealskins at the ankle which works pretty well.

We were out today for a quick 20 mile road ride.

Absolutely epic rain, we had limited time so were trying hard - inside of my Gore PacLite jacket was soaked with perspiration by the time we got back.

In normal circumstances, when not flogging myself, it works perfectly.

I think the trick is to take it easy when it's warm and wet and to ensure you don't overdress.

It's one of the Gore Alp X mkII's, without the hood, and it's a great jacket - fine for walking too, but I'd probably wear something a bit more substantial in full winter mountain conditions.

TandemJeremy - Member

IME nothing that claims breathable will actually keep you dry in heavy rain.

Other than water being able to get in round the edge (neck and wrists), and sweat sometimes building up, all my quality breathable kit is 100% waterproof- if I wear the bicycle jacket off the bike, that's me sorted, impervious basically. And getting my first pair of goretex motorbike trousers was amazing, up til then waterproof meant showerproof and water resistant meant made of holes.

F***ing Umbrellas

Think you either need to spend loads, according to most bike mag reviews, to get a great jkt or for me just a little. I'm a cheapskate: 2 1/2 hrs this morning in warm but hard rain. Fox Vapour jacket( £30.00 from Wiggle)with Endura Merino LS under. Zip right down on LS and kept adjusting jacket - zip up when fast and zip down when on up or slow. Arms and lower back a bit wet from spray and condensation but warm and cosy all ride. Feet cold but had 2 river crossings so to be expected I suppose. Ride wasn't exposed though and next week on Dartmoor will probably put an Altura race gilet (£15.00) under jkt if weather is the same.

OMM Smock Jacket - breathable, stretchy, fully waterproof and windproof. Long back so good for biking. Can find on t'interweb for c£90; worth every penny, dry and warm in the Dales today despite the big fat raindrops, fog and constant headwind.

I was out walking for hours in a really heavy downpour last week - even the woman with the new ££££££ breathable jacket got wet.

I have had plenty of waterproof nonbreathable gear but find that breathable kit always leaks in really testing conditions even good quality kit.

what happend to the good ole ' Kagoole' 😉

I go top end as I spend a lot of time out of doors in wet weather. Mountain Equipment make some seriously good kit. I stay dry in awful weather. Dry + warm = competent, wet + cold = liability.

I used to use Berghaus stuff but found that their build quality was OK but the longevity was rubbish, and their customer services/ warranty absolutly abysmal.

http://www.mountain-equipment.co.uk/the_gear/clothing/waterproof/

TandemJeremy - Member

I have had plenty of waterproof nonbreathable gear but find that breathable kit always leaks in really testing conditions even good quality kit.

Remember not all breathable kit is claimed to be fully waterproof though.

I've got a Berghaus Goretex XCR jacket for year round mountain wear and it has never let me down.

However, I discovered yesterday a far better combination after going out on the road - an Icebreaker 200 crew base layer with a short sleeve Endura jersey on top. Soaked to the skin but still warm other than on fast descents. I finally admitted defeat after stopping for a while so popped my Featherlite on for half an hour which dried the merino nicely then I was back to normal. A very flexible combination that I'll probably stick with unless it's properly pissing it down.