How long do pants remain waterproof?

[Crasherfromwayback]

The only way I've ever stayed 100% dry is by wearing my one piece telly tubby suit!

[Ronin]

The only way I've ever stayed 100% dry is by wearing my one piece telly tubby suit!

Will no one think of the children?

[Paul in NZ]

There are 2 types of fabric clothing (I think).

1 type relies on a waterproof membrane under the textile outer layer. The other relies on the material being watertight.

Both types degenerate over time which is why I won't buy another uber expensive jacket like my SPIDI NT Tour. I'll go cheaper and replace often. SPIDI admitted (eventually) that 2 to 5 years is expected but that the later materials last longer.

To help you need to wash the outer layer in sports wash. This is a low phosphor detergent that restores the loft of the fabric and removes the grime between the fibres (water wicks in via the dirt) and then use a waterproofing agent. With the membrane types this seems to stop so much water getting through and overpowering the membrane.

Wither membrane jackets a good fit is essential to allow the water to drain via the gutters at the bottom edge. If you want to see how this works, tuck your gloves OVER your sleeve in a downpour.

[FatHead]

I have DriRider jacket and Macna pants and they both started to leak late last year so I did a bit of research and found out that (as posted by someone else here) as grime builds up it reduces the waterproof qualities of the material. I refreshed using Nikwax Tech wash and the waterproofing spray that goes with it. Has worked a treat and has been fine through some pretty bad rain since. Hope this helps.

[pritch]

To help you need to wash the outer layer in sports wash. This is a low phosphor detergent that restores the loft of the fabric and removes the grime between the fibres (water wicks in via the dirt) and then use a waterproofing agent.

That's good advice. Sportwash is good. The Nikwax(?) equivalent and their proofing product are generally available from Kathmandu shops.

[Ratti]

cordura is NOT waterproof/resistant. Only the coating on the back of the fabric makes it resistant. This wears off pretty quickly due to abrasion when you move. SOme cheap cordura gear is rubbish, low denier cordura and crap backing.

The other way to waterproof cordura is by adding a seprate layer of waterproof fabric under the cordura. Alpine Stars do it this way. Again, its only as good as the coating on the fabric, abrasion wears it away and you get cracks in the coating and from there its a short soggy ride to a wet crutch.

My option will continue to be cheap yellow plastic gear a la WareWhare. Who cares if you look like a tellytubby if your option is to be wet and uncomfortable? Wet, cold riders are not looking out for themselves, brain/body functions drop once you get past a certain temp. end of rant. Do what you want to do, in the end its your choice.

[DangerMice]

I have some cordura 1tonne sport pants which are about 5 months old. With all the rain the last week I got a very wet crotch and the hems at the bottom were pretty wet, but my thighs and lower legs were pretty dry. Not too bad I thought seeing as it's only supposed to be water resistant. Chuck some cheap overpants on and I'll be sweet for winter I reckon.

[2wheeldrifter]

Don't get it wet.... be waterproof forever

my informative 2c worth

[crazyhorse]

Don't get it wet.... be waterproof forever

What he said

[one fast tl1ooo]

What he said

[Berries]

Like Scumdog, I use non bike overtrousers. Got a pair of Marmots from R&R or Rebel sports and have been using them without a leak for over three years, not that it rains much in Dunners. Probably cost about $60, so when they leak I will chuck them out. Five or six years ago I splashed out on a Dainese waterproof jacket, mainly because it didn't look like your standard, in black, motorbike jacket. Worn that every day apart from the one hot summer month each year and it hasn't leaked once. Best bike related buy I have made actually. Scared to wash it.

[2wheeldrifter]

HA HA your with stupid....



goin get my ass kicked for that one.....

[cc rider]

The only way I've ever stayed 100% dry is by wearing my one piece telly tubby suit!

I look like the evil telly tubby wif my black textile gear on. Both waterproof & been in some fun rain & hail.
Usually have water seep up jeans leg (they stick out the bottom of textiles :slap: )

[slofox]

I use Rainbird overtrousers. I just replaced my eighteen year old pair because I ripped them on the bloody door jamb of the garage. They didn't leak in that eighteen years.

[NordieBoy]

I use Rainbird overtrousers. I just replaced my eighteen year old pair because I ripped them on the bloody door jamb of the garage. They didn't leak in that eighteen years.

My Rainbirds were always too bloody short.
The top was fine though.