What's the best water-proof gear specifically?

[Rogue Rider]

Hi Guys and Gals,

I have had a look over the past posts but having some difficulty identifying the best replacement Wet Weather and Storm gear.
I ride 57km to work and 57km home from work every day, I wear a uniform so its vital I don't get wet.

Up until recently I used Spool brand, they are the only full 100% long life gear I have ever had, sadly now though, it apparently is unavailable to buy. This saddens me much as It was a very credible brand, used by all NZ postie bikers....

I have tried Oxford, R Jays, and Mobig brand "over" gears of which all have failed and have been returned under there failure to deliver on there 100% weather prrof labeling. I believe gear should live up to its rep or it should re brand to honest....

I do Have a dry rider cordura style jacket, that has been good, which only fails in heavy weather. I also have a set of Cammo cordura style pants from Lifestyle Imports which are about 50% effective in keeping wet out.

Other brands I have tried are Neo, and Nazran, both fairly average.

What are other opinions. Is there any happy ending to fully reliable wet weather gear?

Does anyone have access to XL Spool gear.......

[Usarka]

I've got an old spidi nt that i still use for road when nothing else will cut it. What their stuff is like nowdays no idea sorry......

[rustic101]

Have a Dririder Hurricane 1 piece rain suit.

I swear by it, and it been field tested in the wonderful Wellington conditions and I've stayed literally dry as a bone.. One draw back is can be a pain is the ass to get into in a hurry;)

[=cJ=]

My dad rides in AlpineStars DryStar Goretex gear and swears by it.

I think he has the Space jacket and possibly the ST-5 drystar pants.

I have a one-piece Revit rain suit which also seems to do a pretty good job of keeping the elements out.

[Supertwin Don]

the only 100% waterproof gear I've found is contractor's heavy plastic stuff - cheap enough to replace regularly, and if you get stuff that's big enough, can be worn over other gear (if necessary)
can be a bit sweaty in high summer , though:innocent:

[Gremlin]

cheap, the 1pc dririder rain suit... funnily enough the 2pc isn't as good :blink:

more expensive and an actual oversuit, the aerostich roadcrafter (http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-suits/roadcrafter/roadcrafter-one-piece-suit.html)

[swbarnett]

My current set up for the heavy weather is:

GoreTex socks
Light plastic over-trousers (used to use these cycling) under Rev-It cordura
PVC jacket ($19 from the warehouse) over cordura
Rain-Off over gloves

Normally I don't wear the socks or plastic trou unless it's REALLY heavy. A regular coat of dubbin seems to keep the boots almost completely watertight. I sometimes carry a spare pair of socks just in case.

Another tip: Always carry a hand towel to wipe down the seat if it's wet. Nothing forces water throu cordura faster than sitting on it.

[wysper]

I have heard really good things about the Rainbird stuff from Para Rubber.
Slofox swears by it.
Thats what I will be trying next year. (two piece)
I have a revit one piece and it has been ok. only lasted 2 seasons though.

Good tips from SW re wet seat and a spare pair of socks!

[Kiwi Graham]

You'll have nearly as many opinions as there will be posts on this one. :yes:

My preference (and I commute by bike rain or shine 5 days a week) is the Nordic Pro two piece by Dririder.

[Usarka]

My dad rides in AlpineStars DryStar Goretex gear and swears by it.

Alpines? Your dad's rich auw! Gis some gears bro!

[=cJ=]

Alpines? Your dad's rich auw! Gis some gears bro!

Heh, get in line :p

It is mint gear though. :Punk:

[slofox]

I have heard really good things about the Rainbird stuff from Para Rubber.
Slofox swears by it.
Thats what I will be trying next year. (two piece)
I have a revit one piece and it has been ok. only lasted 2 seasons though.

Good tips from SW re wet seat and a spare pair of socks!

Wot 'e said...thanks wysper - saved me typin' fingers...:sunny:

[putput]

I feel your pain! I ride about the same distance in uniform too. I've got dri-rider gear but wear a woollen hunting singlet over uniform shirt and a cheap warehouse pvc coat over it all....has worked well.

[Grubber]

[QUOTE==cJ=;1129829974

I have a one-piece Revit rain suit which also seems to do a pretty good job of keeping the elements out.[/QUOTE]

Have to agree.. got one myself and they are awesome. I also use rev it jacket and pants Cordura and it does a pretty good job also.

[sinned]

I have a Revit 2 piece and it keeps the rain out. On the naked you need good front protection. As you commute and have dress gear underneath some bike gear will not be suitable. What I like about the Revit is it is big fitting to make it easy to put on and then Velcro wraps to take up the slack. Pants zip into an attached pocket and top has a separate bag. Size packed is important but they are still too large fit under a seat.

Only downside with Revit is that it is lightweight material and may not last as long as some of the heavy duty gear. Pricing: not cheap but not too expensive either.

[Pussy]

My dad rides in AlpineStars DryStar Goretex gear and swears by it.



Alpinestars IS waterproof.
Best gear I have ever used

[MaxCannon]

Why not take your uniform in a bag and get changed when you get to work ?

Even though my gear keeps me dry I wouldn't wear my work clothes under it.
Too hot in summer - too cold in winter.

[IdunBrokdItAgin]

Alpinestars IS waterproof.
Best gear I have ever used

+1, never had any water get through my drystar cordura jacket and pants.

I did see the price of the alpinestar goretex leather pants the other week- from memory it was about $1800!!!!

And I thought I spent too much on gear.

[marty]

2 piece Teknics. Has never let me down, and has been speed tested to silly speeds.

[NZsarge]

+1, never had any water get through my drystar cordura jacket and pants.

I did see the price of the alpinestar goretex leather pants the other week- from memory it was about $1800!!!!

And I thought I spent too much on gear.

YEah the leather "365" goretex gear is absolutely crazy money, as you say $1800 for pants and $2K for the jacket but the goretex cordura gear is more attainable price wise but still expensive kit but if you look at the gear it's seriously nice kit!

[grbaker]

Rain Gear
Jacket - IXON Fire (long jacket) keeps 98% out. Can leak inside-elbows when heavy.
PVC pants - pick up in any bike store or mountain hiking store.
Boots - Only buy waterproof boots and treat with Elephant wax.
Gloves - Dririder Noric are okay-ish, but they all fill up with water when on any sports bike and it runs down yer arms, into the gloves.

Heavy Rain
Light PVC jacket under the IXON jacket.. keeps the 2% out.
2nd pair of PVC pants - dry but sweaty.
Boots - nah spare pair of socks.
Gloves - Spare pair of gloves too for the ride home (honetsly, I have 4 pairs on winter gloves, normally 1 or 2 are in the hot water cupboard.)

I stopped buying cordura pants ages ago as they leaked 6-18 months after buying. Todays brands may be better.

[wysper]

Only downside with Revit is that it is lightweight material and may not last as long as some of the heavy duty gear. Pricing: not cheap but not too expensive either.

That is what I have found with my 1pc revit. Got it on special at Boyds, 60 bucks. But two years on I am looking for new gear. Too light weight and now not as waterproof as it was.
Had a look at the Rainbird that Slo recommended. I will pop in with my bike gear on and get some that will fit over it, or some cheap warehouse PVC might do the trick too.

[MaxCannon]

Two things to add.

Tuck the cuffs of your gloves under the sleves of your jacket. Eaisier with some than others but when rain runs down the sleve it will go over the glove and not fill it up with water.

Rainoff overgloves are good for over the top. I only break min out in heavy rain but they keep your hands warm and dry. added bonus - you don't have to try drying out your winter gloves.

[nutjob]

Not really sure, but a mate and I got caught in a downpour in Tauranga a few months ago. We had no rain gear at the time so after a quick trip to the Warehouse to buy some cling film and a couple of plastic bags, we glad-wrapped the crap out of ourselves and trundled off home. We looked like we had just escaped from a refrigerator, but it didn't actually work too bad :crazy:

[Gremlin]

YEah the leather "365" goretex gear is absolutely crazy money, as you say $1800 for pants and $2K for the jacket but the goretex cordura gear is more attainable price wise but still expensive kit but if you look at the gear it's seriously nice kit!
Blardy heck, for $3800 you may as well speak to Quasievil about some Rukka gear. Bit cheaper and actually appears on worldwide test results in the top 5, vs alpinestars not being mentioned.

[spacemonkey]

I swear by my dririder one piece rain suit.
But I also don't tend to use it much these days as I've found even heavy welly wind and rain doesn't seem to make it past the Alpinstar touring jacket I brought in January.

[ExpertoCrede]

Rain offs. Helps keep my hands warm too. Tighten the cord fairly tight around your sleeve and it should be totally leak proof.

[Pussy]

Alpinestars Sigma jacket.
Breathable waterproof... I paid $600.00
Worth every cent

[LBD]

Spidi Admiral....dry as....

Only two places I et a little damp is back of neck off helmet and hands....a pair of gloves with inner cuff for inside sleeve, and an outer gauntlet....bugger to get on however....And I clock some very wet km at times

[Moki]

Best rain shell ever...

Revit H20 (http://www.motomail.co.nz/eStore/Style/RVJKWINDH20.aspx)



Not bad for $119:shit:

[Winston001]

Essentially you want something which is waterproof and easy to take on and off. Riding a motorcycle creates complications for us - gloves, boots, and helmet.

So a one-piece suit on the large side is the best solution.

I have sitting beside me a never-used Dryrider suit size 54/44XL. It belongs to a mate who bought it for his pillion but he traded her in :D. I've had to give up riding so never got around to buying it or even trying it myself.

If you are interested I can ask him if he still wants to sell it. I think its worth $85. Here's a TM listing for a comparison. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Helmets-clothing-footwear/Jacket-pant-sets/auction-307128347.htm

[Mudfart]

im currently wearing kaiwaka 2xl raincoat and pants (2 piece). It was reasonably cheap, and fits over my cordura armour 2 piece gear, and my backpack can fit under it too.
it keeps me real dry. only my gloves and boots need sorting now.