Wet bum, worn-out overtrou, any recommendations?

[Nat]

Stink, my waterproof trousers have failed. There are no noticable holes or rips, but a lot of water is somehow getting through. By the end of my 20 min commute I was sitting in a puddle. My waterproofs have only lasted about 6 or 7 months, or probably only a couple of dozen rides to and from work plus one cross country trip. So I would want to buy some longer lasting ones next time, any reccomendations? Many thanks in advance,

[Gremlin]

You don't mention what you had.

Cheap option: Warehouse yellow gear.

Bit more expensive (round $100), is most of the gear brands have black rain pants. I use DriRider and replace when worn. Make sure they are a size or two too big, depending on what you're wearing underneath. DriRider has a year or two warranty, so at least you've got some backup should they fail.

[HandyAndy]

Ah now that's a question I would like to see the replies to.......

Still in the "looking-for-a-bike-once-the-money-allows" phase but been wondering about the same thing.
With all this wet weather in NZ compared to SA........what to do to stay dry on the bike.

From experience I know my "rain gear" is useless, specially in the crotch department when sitting on my bike.

[MSTRS:Me]

Ixon or DriRider. There may be other brands, but I know these ones are good. Go for a onesie.

[Devil]

Stink, my waterproof trousers have failed. There are no noticable holes or rips, but a lot of water is somehow getting through. By the end of my 20 min commute I was sitting in a puddle. My waterproofs have only lasted about 6 or 7 months, or probably only a couple of dozen rides to and from work plus one cross country trip. So I would want to buy some longer lasting ones next time, any reccomendations? Many thanks in advance,

What type of bike pants are you wearing them over top of?

[Nat]

You don't mention what you had.

Cheap option: Warehouse yellow gear.

Bit more expensive (round $100), is most of the gear brands have black rain pants. I use DriRider and replace when worn. Make sure they are a size or two too big, depending on what you're wearing underneath. DriRider has a year or two warranty, so at least you've got some backup should they fail.

Current gear is 'aecerbis' from Colemans Suzuki, cost about $100 for jacket and trousers. Jacket is still fine, and trousers held up well until now. How often do you normally have to replace your worn out DriRiders?

[Nat]

What type of bike pants are you wearing them over top of?

Today was just over the top of jeans. Shouldn't make a difference should it? Ah, the penny just dropped - I wonder if they've leaked all along but I never felt the wetness through my leathers...

[GTRMAN]

Techniflex, available from protector safety. Designed for dairy farmers, short of actually puncturing them they will never leak. Had mine for 5 odd years and ridden in them for 8 hours in heavy rain and not a drop through. Best deal ever.

[Devil]

Today was just over the top of jeans. Shouldn't make a difference should it? Ah, the penny just dropped - I wonder if they've leaked all along but I never felt the wetness through my leathers...

A significant contributor to discomfort is just plain old condensation. Particularly if you've got nice warm legs, and it's cold rain. Overpants tend not to breathe at all so you can get damp real fast without actual rain seeping in. Obviously if you're sitting in a puddle they're munted though.

[Hitcher]

Go to an outdoor hiking & camping store at get a set of Macpac rainproof overtrou. Waterproof and breathable. They're way better than anything that motorcycle gear manufacturers make, none of which is really intended to get wet. And they pack up nicely to fit neatly into a tailbag or tankbag.

[Gremlin]

Current gear is 'aecerbis' from Colemans Suzuki, cost about $100 for jacket and trousers. Jacket is still fine, and trousers held up well until now. How often do you normally have to replace your worn out DriRiders?

Normally replacing them every couple of years, sometimes they last a little longer, sometimes a little less. Last ones I found were leaking in the usual way. It rained, I wore them, and got a wet crotch. I only use for commuting, if it was country riding, I use textile gear.

As Hitch says, also consider the farming/trekking type gear as well. I'd only hesitate on camping stuff because it may not be designed for 100kph "winds" (ie, you're travelling at that, they'd test for wind).

[Akzle]

very expensive ones from hunting and fishing type stores that don't have "made in china" anywhere near them.

[duckonin]

Most shops that have something to do with water sell good gear, expensive maybe ,but good.

Last lot wife and I bought, 6years, and still going strong, includes three SI trips.

Bib over wear from Burnsco's, proper yachting wear, good gear and waterproof. With good bibs your are sure to be dry from chest to feet, from Welly to Hamilton anyway.

[swbarnett]

I wear PVC pants and jacket from Kaiwaka Clothing (factory in Kaiwaka). 40minute commute in the worst rain/wind combination I've ever experienced and not one drop of water got in. With that and my rain-off over-gloves and Gore-Tex boots and I got to work bone dry.

[granstar]

Oversuits are a PIA to get on without a disco dance (and then when ya want to pee). The suit I have is Himalaya brand has let wet through from day one, if it doesn't meaning it's dry outside, you start to sweat and get wet inside...avoid.

I got a pair of Southern Ocean bib overalls on Trade Me these are made for fisherman. The material is the same as the Rain Off gloves, and they work at keeping the crutch dry.

Also good for reducing windchill in Winter, and easy to put on and take off over riding gear, and packs into nothing.

Haven't seen them for a while tho, there are Icon PDX Black Waterproof Bib Motorcycle Overpant available.