Rain proof textile pants. Do they exist?

[ural]

Hi all.

I'm using my bike for commuting whole year round. And the problem is.. rain.
I decided to look for textile pants which are rainproof (I find overtrouses a little bit of a hustle, so I'd rather hope that it won't rain and get into one, than providently putting them on every morning when metservice says it might rain).

So, I've bought the ones that fitted me well, without prior searching for reviews or anything. And yes, "rain proof" was the manufacturer's claim (it's Driraider). 1st proper rain - all dry, 2nd - ok, 3rd - feeling like I've wet my underwear. Not good at all. Commendably, there were no problems with warranty - I've been provided with a brand new pair. 1st rain - all dry, 2nd - well.. you guess what it was.
Overall, I fairly liked the pants - pretty comfy, but the only thing they failed in happened to be the only thing why I bought them. They are not rain proof :-(

So, the question is: which textile moto pants are rainproof? I mean, you've ridden it for a season or two and they are still doing their job? I kind of understand that water "proofness" is a quality which may be hard to maintain if you wear the pants every day during winter. Stitches become loose, etc. But still, I got a feeling that such pants may exist :-)

As an alternative, I'll have to go to plan B and get proper overtrouses...

Oh, I just forgot about plan C. These sprays to keep stitches sealed.. do they work?

What works for you guys?
Cheers

[Askelon]

Ive been wearing a set of 1tonne Ultimate Ranger Touring pants fot the last few months and found them to be very good so far. Been in some massive downpours and not gotten wet other than where the wind has blown rain up the front between the pants and jacket. I wear them all day, every day Im riding (lately thats been about 4 times a week, 200ish km). Not the warmest ever, and Ive had an issue or two with the leg zips but really much better than all the crap (and some of that was expensive crap!) Ive bought in the past. I dont expect them to really last more than a year though.

Ive owned all sorts of sets over the years, the only ones that have come close are my old teknics pants but they didnt hold up well in heavy rain. Oh and a cheap set of throwovers from the Warehouse which were good but ended up ripping and leaking at the seams.

Worst I ever had was a pair of the "waterproof" draggin jeans. They were about as useful as using a sieve as a bowl.

[Maha]

Since you have forked out for textile pants the best now is for some over trousers, be they be Revit/RJays or DriRider.
Starting from $49 up to these for $99 > http://motomail.co.nz/estore/style/rjvectrovrtrsr.aspx

I have a DriRider rain Jacket, best money I have spent on wet gear, Jackets are where I have had issue in the past.
In saying that, my ReVit pants are waterproof, you'll need to spend a minimum of around $500 on pants that are waterproof.

[FJRider]

If you stop thinking water proof ... and think water resistant ... !!!

I use Dri-Rider jacket and pants. And for the most part ... they are fine.

"It" does get in ... and there are Spray on and / or wash in products that re waterproof your stuff.

http://www.nikwax.com/en-gb/products/productdetail.php?productid=3

The Spray on ...

http://nikwax.com/en-us/products/productdetail.php?productid=265

[Motu]

If they have stitches, they will leak. I have a pair of PVC over pants I was wearing in the '70's - they are still totally waterproof....but not the cuffs, the domes fell off decades ago. I commute and don't want to change my clothes at work, so over trou for me. These days I have some Outback oilskin pants, they are great and I wear them everyday, rain or shine, over jeans. They did leak in the crutch, so reproofed the crutch and all is good.

[Gremlin]

Depends on your budget. If you're prepared to spend 4 figures (with no dot in the middle) then yes, you can buy some. My Rukka gear has never let anything through despite hour upon hour of rain.

For commuting, I use some rain pants over the top. Every now and then they start leaking, so they're thrown away and another pair is bought. Normally get a year or two out of each pair...

[Swoop]

As an alternative, I'll have to go to plan B and get proper overtrouses...

What works for you guys?

Just get some over trousers.
Revit are bloody good.
I gave up on textile trousers a few years back. Just leathers and the overtrou in the bottom of the backpack for when needed.

[BMWST?]

agree with motu.only pvc will remain waterproof for the long term, but they arent very good at letting internal moisture out.If you plan on riding in real rain....pvc.But eventually they start to make you feel clammy on the inside

[Moi]

Try this thread (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/167715-Cheap-hi-vis-wet-weather-gear?highlight=waterproof) from earlier this year...

[nelubian]

If you look for over-pants:
I've tried couple of pvc pants, the only difference I've found: size and color.
I bought mine from the warehouse for 15$ and wrote 'Herley pants! Vroom vroom!' on them with marker. Works best! Never had any issue! :2thumbsup:

PS: For better quality may recommend expensive markers.

[Black Knight]

PVC with welded seams will keep rain out-anything else will "hydraulic" any water that happens to have gathered in the crotch area through any textile.Line 7 marine stuff aint bad,better still is clobber from the suppliers to commercial fishermen.

[Flip]

I have a dry rider, multi cordure layer pants cold/wet weather gear and they are very waterproof and usually way too warm to wear.

By the time the water has run through my English Frank Thomas gloves and down the back of my neck and soaked itself around to the front, my ass is still dry. They also keep the farts in really well.

[Tazz]

Got some newish dririder pants and same deal, get wetter every ride. Just kind of look at it as a semen preservation technique.


PVC with welded seams will keep rain out-anything else will "hydraulic" any water that happens to have gathered in the crotch area through any textile.Line 7 marine stuff aint bad,better still is clobber from the suppliers to commercial fishermen.

I've just been looking at some Line 7 stuff. Surprised it isn't mentioned more. A decent pair of their bib trousers would be the shizzle.

[Blackbird]

If you stop thinking water proof ... and think water resistant ... !!!

"It" does get in ... and there are Spray on and / or wash in products that re waterproof your stuff.

http://www.nikwax.com/en-gb/products/productdetail.php?productid=3

The Spray on ...

http://nikwax.com/en-us/products/productdetail.php?productid=265

Just how good are the Nikwax wash and proofing products? I've just ordered some to try with not particularly high expectations. Like others have said, I prefer plastic over the top if I want to stay completely dry. Last year, I bought on spec some Frogg Toggs Toad Skinz breathable overtrousers from Revzilla. Wearing them over the top of my textiles works pretty well, if not absolutely 100%.

[OddDuck]

Got a pair of Triumph branded textile pants and they've worked well - it's been a couple of seasons and they're just starting to have issues now. The lettering is peeling off, though.

[george formby]

PVC with welded seams will keep rain out-anything else will "hydraulic" any water that happens to have gathered in the crotch area through any textile.Line 7 marine stuff aint bad,better still is clobber from the suppliers to commercial fishermen.

Kaiwaka!!!!! Had one of their fisherman's jackets for 15 years or so, it's faded from hi viz yellow to white with sun and salt bleaching but the liner is still 100% waterproof. Waterproof enough to stay dry when big green ones go over the top of you. If anybody is riding past the factory/shop in Kaiwaka it's well worth popping in to see whats on special or what seconds are available. Mine is a woven outer, not pvc, so comfortable and very tough.

Nik wax.... I re-proofed my Heinz Garlic jacket a few years ago, as per the instructions and it worked a treat. Jacket still does it's job but I think it's that old now I would have to replace rather than re-proof again.

If your pants ain't got welded crotch seems then the bits and pieces will eventually get wet.

[FJRider]

Just how good are the Nikwax wash and proofing products? I've just ordered some to try with not particularly high expectations. Like others have said, I prefer plastic over the top if I want to stay completely dry. Last year, I bought on spec some Frogg Toggs Toad Skinz breathable overtrousers from Revzilla. Wearing them over the top of my textiles works pretty well, if not absolutely 100%.

They make them better than they were. The older the gear ... the less likely of 100% water resistance.


Having said that ... my experience of plastic gear in the south island west coast heavy rain (think ... fucking pissing down rain) it does get in.

[nerrrd]

I'm currently experimenting with this arrangement:

313837

It's based on one of these: http://www.beadrider.com. They claim that sitting on beads "keep you cooler and dryer by increasing the air flow between the rider and the saddle...the seat allows you to stay high and dry, while water drains through the seat below you, instead of pooling underneath you."

The real thing is a bit pricey, plus I wasn't convinced it would work, so I whipped this up from a rubber mat I got at Bunnings to test the concept.

So far I can vouch for the cooler part :shutup:; also I've been in a couple of Auckland's heavy rain bursts and come thru 99% leak free, but frankly I'm never out in the rain long enough to give it a really good test.

[Taxythingy]

I'm currently experimenting with this arrangement:

Make sure the wife knows, otherwise you are going to have some explaining to do. :eek:

[vifferman]

Just how good are the Nikwax wash and proofing products? I've just ordered some to try with not particularly high expectations. Like others have said, I prefer plastic over the top if I want to stay completely dry. Last year, I bought on spec some Frogg Toggs Toad Skinz breathable overtrousers from Revzilla. Wearing them over the top of my textiles works pretty well, if not absolutely 100%.
Hi, Geoff. Nikwax works well, but it depends on the integrity of the garment you're trying to waterproof. Once the fabric or seams start to stretch a bit and the threads open up at all, then there's always the chance of the water not being shed entirely but starting to seep through.

[puddytat]

I've just been looking at some Line 7 stuff. Surprised it isn't mentioned more. A decent pair of their bib trousers would be the shizzle.

The cow cockies stuff aint to bad either....like Techni Flex & Bata.
And if your GST registersd it comes with an automatic 15% discount.:laugh:

[Ocean1]

Just how good are the Nikwax wash and proofing products? I've just ordered some to try with not particularly high expectations.

I used both on an old Teknics jacket, which, at three years old had begun to leak after half an hour of decent rain or so. Definite improvement. I don't use that jacket any more but the boy does, it's just had a second dose of Nikwax/seal and is still reasonably waterproof. Except for the dome rivet holes. (Why...) :rolleyes:

On the other hand the same process failed to restore my first Buffalo Endurance jacket when it started to fail in the waterproofing dept after 3 years. That one was stolen. The new one was good. For 3 years. It had the same treatment as the first six months ago, with the same lack of results.

Excellent jacket in all other regards, and at $200 I reckon three years isn't bad value. I'm considering tracking down a waterproof shell.

Long story short: there's more to this waterproofing shit than meets the raindrop, but for the price of the Nikwax kit , (and given the cost of decent gear) it's probably worth a shot.

[Blackbird]

Long story short: there's more to this waterproofing shit than meets the raindrop, but for the price of the Nikwax kit , (and given the cost of decent gear) it's probably worth a shot.


Many thanks Ocean :Punk: Years ago, I had a Teknics jacket that leaked all over from brand new - they must have seen me coming and wouldn't give me my money back. Only way I could make it waterproof was spray it with Selley's tent-grade silicon spray. It also attracted every speck of dirt and bug in Christendom.

As already mentioned, I generally use plastic over the top of my textile Arlen Ness jacket and 1 Tonne trousers for serious rain or distance but they used to be completely waterproof and hope that Nikwax might restore them to a semblance of their old selves. I shall report back!

[chasio]

I'm currently experimenting with this arrangement:

313837

It's based on one of these: http://www.beadrider.com. They claim that sitting on beads "keep you cooler and dryer by increasing the air flow between the rider and the saddle...the seat allows you to stay high and dry, while water drains through the seat below you, instead of pooling underneath you."

The real thing is a bit pricey, plus I wasn't convinced it would work, so I whipped this up from a rubber mat I got at Bunnings to test the concept.

So far I can vouch for the cooler part :shutup:; also I've been in a couple of Auckland's heavy rain bursts and come thru 99% leak free, but frankly I'm never out in the rain long enough to give it a really good test.

Love it! Might try that myself!

[FJRider]

Got some newish dririder pants and same deal, get wetter every ride. Just kind of look at it as a semen preservation technique.

An interesting theory ... :laugh:


I've just been looking at some Line 7 stuff. Surprised it isn't mentioned more. A decent pair of their bib trousers would be the shizzle.

I use a pair of these when I knowingly head off into heavy rain. A line 7 jacket is worn too ... with a usual 98% success rate.

[FJRider]

I'm currently experimenting with this arrangement:



You may find you sit higher on the seat ... as it spreads your weight better over the surface of the seat.

[Big Dog]

https://m.1-day.co.nz/products/AAFTWN501

Or

https://m.1-day.co.nz/products/AAFTWN500

Ugly as. But dry.

I have the Bison equivalent.
Just reproofed the seams, otherwise going well in second winter. They live under my seat in fair weather or on my bag in dodgy but dry weather.


Sent via tapatalk.

[Motu]

My oilskin pants leaked in the crutch again last night. I can't really complain, they aren't motocycle pants, just made for working outdoors, on a quad bike at most, not 100kph into a squall. So I made some shorts out of my still waterproof 40 year old PVC pants. Heavy rain again tonight, and a dry crutch. My oilskin jacket is a motorcycle jacket and seems to be waterproof.

[Blackbird]

My oilskin jacket is a motorcycle jacket and seems to be waterproof.

I don't know whether my memory is faulty with age but when I rode in the UK in my teens, I had Belstaff waxed cotton gear which was totally waterproof. Mind you, it attracted enough road crap and small insects to constitute a biohazard but maybe this added to the proofing. Contrary to the performance of the jacket and pants, every pair of gloves and boots I ever owned in that period leaked like sieves, despite being completely soaked through with beeswax.

[caseye]

Go see Rick at Lifestyle, $125.00 for cordura trou that won't leak for at least 2 full years, long as you don't rip the inner liner. these things work and they come with CE armour and go over the top of anything else you'd like to wear.
http://www.lifestyle-imports.co.nz/index/

[wirld]

Bought in 2013, worn almost daily for commuting haven't leaked yet.
I bought them a size up - can be used as overpants without the thermal liner, or worn with the thermal liner in winter.

[Mrs Shrek]

Bought in 2013, worn almost daily for commuting haven't leaked yet.
I bought them a size up - can be used as overpants without the thermal liner, or worn with the thermal liner in winter.

Agree with wirld or you could try the Klim brand you'll find them at www.motomox.co.nz quite expensive but you get what you pay for

[arty farty]

I agree with FJRider re "Think water resistant"

I ride every day up and down the Hibiscus Coast Peninsula, and use Dri-Rider pants and jacket. They work really well..except in heavy rain where the crotch seams can leak (always a good look lol and feels even worse) :eek5:

About the only thing I have tried that was truly waterproof was PVC wet weather gear (I borrowed fluro yellow OZ Post gear). OK, so I got teased incessantly because of the YELLOW, but it stood up well against extremely heavy rain. I was toasty dry and everyone else at the pad was soaked. Ha! Justice. :wari:

A guy rode past me wrapped in glad wrap lol apparently that was better than nothing..

[nerrrd]

Saw some Oxford Ranger (I think?) textile pants advertised in Kiwirider this month, supposed to have a double layer of waterproofing in the seat/crotch area...it couldn't be that simple could it??

[Motu]

As I mentioned before - if it has stitching......

[Tazz]

Someone said gladwrap?

Problem solved.

/Threadclosed.

:laugh:

[Pontiac_Tonz]

Picked up a one-piece from a little store in Whenuapai.

They were $40.00 and the same I was looking at in the bike stores.

While I have had them for about a month now, they had not been put to the test until last night in the midst of Auckland's heavy rain and hail.

They kept me completely dry during my 40 minute commute. Completely dry when I got home!

While not a long trip - they are ideal for my use. They fit in the saddle bag so stay there all the time in case I needed them - as I did last night in spite of the weather report saying no rain (?).

The shop has a great range of sizes - and only $40.00, while being comparable to my collogues $140.00 set.

Where to get them?

Behind the bakery in Whenuapai (Whenuapai Bakehouse and Café). - this is the bakery that has awards for their pies, the shop is accessed via the self serve petrol station. It's something like 79 Brigham Creek Road.

Call Steve first as he is not always there, on 027 484 7755.

[Big Dog]

Picked up a one-piece from a little store in Whenuapai.

They were $40.00 and the same I was looking at in the bike stores.

While I have had them for about a month now, they had not been put to the test until last night in the midst of Auckland's heavy rain and hail.

They kept me completely dry during my 40 minute commute. Completely dry when I got home!

While not a long trip - they are ideal for my use. They fit in the saddle bag so stay there all the time in case I needed them - as I did last night in spite of the weather report saying no rain (?).

The shop has a great range of sizes - and only $40.00, while being comparable to my collogues $140.00 set.

Where to get them?

Behind the bakery in Whenuapai (Whenuapai Bakehouse and Café). - this is the bakery that has awards for their pies, the shop is accessed via the self serve petrol station. It's something like 79 Brigham Creek Road.

Call Steve first as he is not always there, on 027 484 7755.
Pics?

Sent via tapatalk.

[Swoop]

Pics?
Of the bakery?
I can recommend it!:drool:

[Big Dog]

Of the bakery?
I can recommend it!:drool:

Yeah.... Nah.
I know the bakery. Pies are worth a trip...
I am curious about $40 1 piece that is waterproof... especially if still the case after 5000 kms.

[RAYDEO]

I haven't really got much to add here, but its all been very helpful,
I'm heading to Dunedin next month and always buy my gear from Rick at MCR, (amazing service) so will take a lot of the info from this thread on board as I need some new riding pants, Mainly wet weather pants...

So thanks everyone!

[R650R]

Have had a good run out of my RST Paragon II jacket and RST Blade pants but...

after six months the pants failed in the crotch area, full replacement under warranty. The stictching in the liner had failed and their proprietory sinqua memebrane had failed at same point too. Think the problem is these pants are designed for riding touring bike with not much movement and not for walking around in extensively at destination. As the second pair failed the same a year and half later but in same spot, the membrane has physically worn away from movement/friction/farting.....
And to top it off main out zip /(thin plastic style with rubber seal has given up....
Contemplatying new gear or half arse repair.... Summer is not far away...
When they were good they both awesome waterproof, pants not so breathable but this can be fixed by wearing merino pants, even in summer.
Done some serious google lately about this, the only thing rated good long term is products with goretex brand memebranes, eg dainese and Klim as goretex is true lifetime guarantee.

[Pontiac_Tonz]

Yeah.... Nah.
I know the bakery. Pies are worth a trip...
I am curious about $40 1 piece that is waterproof... especially if still the case after 5000 kms.

For 40 bucks I will buy a new set next winter if he still has them.

Photo on the way soon!

[Oblivion]

I use a pair of Kathandu Monrovia pants that a friend got me a good deal on. 2 years and still waterproof & windproof. And they get used every day over riding jeans