Rainsuit/wet gear recommendations?

**no_8wire** · 2nd October 2009, 13:49

Hi.

I am looking around for a good quaility rainsuit to accompany my leather on wet days.

I plan to use my bike to travel from Auckland to New Plymouth, and Kerikeri etc so I need t a rainsuit that will keep a high percentage of the water out for as long as possible.

Is there any advantage to either a one piece/two piece apart from how easy it is to put on?

I intend to store it in my backpack so it needs to be able to compress to a reasonable compact package, able to fold up into its own bag is preferable.

What brands would you recommend or avoid?

**crazyhorse** · 2nd October 2009, 14:21

Can't really help you much. I have a one piece, but never really use it. Only advantage I can see with a one piece, is that water cannot get into your pants - and its less bulky.

But hey, others may think differently.

**toddyz** · 2nd October 2009, 14:29

I have 2 sets of wet weather gear
one is what I call my condom suit which is a white 1 piece pvc thing with a zip from right leg up diagonal to left shoulder with a velcro flap that covers the zip, a snug fit around the neck & elastic around end of arms and legs.
VERY good water protection but can get a bit hot with leathers on underneath (pvc doesn't give any protection if you come off)
can be a bit of a job getting on and off but if you need to go out and it's raining its worth it.
Another thing to be aware of if it starts raining then you put this kind of suit on, because it doesn't breathe I found the visor fogs up.
another problem is I need to get my boots off to put it on!
I think I got it from protector safety or some place like that, wasn't cheap (can't remember what I paid for it) & isn't pretty but works bloody well!

I also have some cheap leggings from the warehouse (about $20) and an oilskin jacket which I carry on the bike just in case I get caught somewhere,
these roll down to a smaller package than the condom suit and fits in the storage compartment under the seat,
these don't work as well on longer rides as the rain manages to get in somehow but even though I paid good money for the oilskin (about $200) they were cheaper than the condom suit.

**slofox** · 2nd October 2009, 14:37

Rainbird. From Para Rubber. Not always in stock but Christchurch branch, I am reliably informed, has quite a lot of it.

Fully waterproof - I have been using it for yonks and never had it fail yet - lightweight and compresses to SFA.

Two piece and no I have not had water get between top and trou.

**Hitcher** · 2nd October 2009, 20:04

Good wets can be had at outdoors stores. I've got a set of Timberland breathable/packables that I've had for years. They don't leak and pack up nice and small.

Farm suppliers like RD1 and PGG Wrightson stock good gear too, like the Orini stuff. That doesn't pack up that small though.

**stevewederell** · 2nd October 2009, 20:27

I have a Bone Dry one piece and it's great, only thing that pisses me off is the neck strap. It's not long enough when I wear all my gear underneath and often pulls away.

Apart from that I've ridden through driving rain and been sweet as

**zeocen** · 2nd October 2009, 20:56

I have a DriRider Hurricane one piece and it's a heap of shit. It keeps me dry but it's also non-breathable, clammy, disgusting and a bitch to get on if you are actually caught in rain, or if you're putting it on for a second time.

Because of that I went out and got a two piece Rjays that was at the Motomail outlet store, cheap as chips and works perfect, it's got elastic around the waist area which helps keep water off the crotch (not that it would get anywhere near the crotch). I commuted all through winter in it and never once got a single drop inside me. And it's a shit load easier to put on than a one piece!

**Radar** · 2nd October 2009, 21:22

Most all motorcycle rain gear will eventually leak.
For a bit more $$ you can get guaranteed waterproof gear that is also (really) breatheable.
See my thread here:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ghlight=oringi

You can order from the Oringi website or find similar material in farm supply shops - look for brands of material such as Techniflex or Flexothene - it feels softer than coated nylon or PVC, is more expensive, and should have a "guaranteed waterproof" tag as well as a guarantee that the seams will not split. This 'high tech' waterproof material also takes up far less space than PVC.

If you are cheap or short of cash, PVC gear will be OK but it will eventually crack and leak - usually in the pants crotch. The Oringi gear I have has never leaked one bit and I have been in some heavy rain.

**backinthesaddle** · 4th October 2009, 13:42

I recommend going to two piece. Have had a couple of one piece suits. They are a pain to get on and eventually the seam welds give up somewhere.
Have got a R Jays jacket for the wife and I and a set of Techniflex type material leggings each. Less bulky to cart around and no leaks at all. Did the South Island this year. A few days of full on rain proved their worth. Also highly recommend glove gaitors to if you do alot of wet weather riding.

**BMWST?** · 4th October 2009, 13:47

Line seven jacket and leggings pvc.Had em for yonks....jacket has died but still using the leggings with a new cordura jacket

**Highlander** · 4th October 2009, 13:48

Originally Posted by slofox

Rainbird. From Para Rubber. Not always in stock but Christchurch branch, I am reliably informed, has quite a lot of it.

Fully waterproof - I have been using it for yonks and never had it fail yet - lightweight and compresses to SFA.

Two piece and no I have not had water get between top and trou.

I had a rainbird jacket that was really good, but 3 days solid wet weather riding it had flapped itself to bits so I dropped it in the bin when I took it off.

**BMWST?** · 4th October 2009, 13:50

Originally Posted by backinthesaddle

Also highly recommend glove gaitors to if you do alot of wet weather riding.

?? interested,no matter which way i try(ie gloves over or under) water eventually runs down inside teh glove

**Highlander** · 4th October 2009, 13:52

Originally Posted by BMWST?

?? interested,no matter which way i try(ie gloves over or under) water eventually runs down inside teh glove

I have Rain off overgloves ( http://www.rain-off.com/ ) I put them over my gloves and under my rain jacket and have not been let down by them yet.

**backinthesaddle** · 4th October 2009, 14:03

Originally Posted by BMWST?

?? interested,no matter which way i try(ie gloves over or under) water eventually runs down inside teh glove

I have IXON brand overgloves. I put them over my wet weather jacket sleeve and pull the drawstring tight. This creates a really good seal where the water runs down the sleeve to the glove area. Have ridden up to 4 hrs in torrential rain (Sth Island west coast) with dry gloves at the end. Ride most of the year with summer gloves and put these over to prevent wind chill at night too. Don't like bulky winter gloves unless I have too.