Rain Suits

[Lee540]

Does anyone have any rain suit recommendations?

I usually wear my textile clothing for the commute but I prefer to wear two piece leathers, so was thinking I could get a rainsuit to wear over the leathers in the event of rain, lightweight and rolled up in my backpack when not in use.

Only thing is that it needs to be waterproof completely, annoyingly most waterproofs seems to leak around crotch area and zips.

Cheers

Lee

[boyse7en]

Watching with interest. I wear textile jacket and jeans on my commute, and use waterproof over trousers when required.

I'm yet to find a pair that don't leak

So far I've had ones from Oxford, Bike It, Spada, Mountain Warehouse (their own brand) and another pair I can't remember.
Have been looking for Goretex or similar ones on eBay, but they all seem to be camouflage pattern...

[hornetrider]

I have one of these £20 quid one piece throw over your leathers type jobs from Aldi. I've ridden through monsoons in them and always stayed toasty and completely dry. Just make sure you do it up properly.

[btdk5]

I normally just wear a jumper and jeans as its not that cold in London yet.

If raining, sling this over the top...

http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/c...

I'm 6ft and bought medium which is a bit too small. So if it has to go over textiles as well then size up accordingly.

It is brilliant though no leaks and is pretty warm for what it is.

[Stig]

Personally speaking, I'd avoid 1 pieces like the plague. Unless you're bone dry before putting them on (before you set out) they are a total pain to get over wet clothing. Then, you're challenged with them either being 'fitted', which means they're too constrictive or baggy which means they become a windsock.

I've used Hein Gericke Blizzard overtrousers and jackets for years and whilst I'd recommend them, inevitably the crotch leaks. Recently, I bought some Gore-Tex (allegedly, though no labelling to confirm) overtrousers on eBay from a Surplus store. They're Royal Mail ones - I assume for posties in the Shetland Islands. In all my years of riding they are the ONLY things ever to have remain waterproof even in torrential rain. So whilst I look like a motorised postman Pat, I am warm and dry

[Tezzpip]

I use these if you can find a set at a surplus store.

http://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/shop/outdoor-clo...

Stops the water getting in around the waist.

[bigmadjohn]

btdk5 said:

http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/c...

Ive got a set of these aswell, 100% waterproof and about 5 years old, get one size up from what you normally wear over leathers. Theyre quite bulky though, so you will need to use a backpack. A friend of mine has an alpinestars el nino, same performance, twice the price, but it folds up much smaller (will fit into a jacket pocket, tankbag, or underseat on an older bike). The only issue Ive had is that on hotter days as theyre not breathable, so you cant get wet from sweating.

[off_again]

I bought a two piece set from a RIDE magazine recommendation (don't have the magazine to check) and they have been brilliant. I just checked the brand I can't see any labels! But I seem to remember it was Getgeared. Worked a treat when needed but look a bit of a berk when suited up. Mind you, keeps you warm too!

[anonymous-user]

bigmadjohn said:

btdk5 said:

http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/c...

Ive got a set of these aswell, 100% waterproof and about 5 years old, get one size up from what you normally wear over leathers. Theyre quite bulky though, so you will need to use a backpack. A friend of mine has an alpinestars el nino, same performance, twice the price, but it folds up much smaller (will fit into a jacket pocket, tankbag, or underseat on an older bike). The only issue Ive had is that on hotter days as theyre not breathable, so you cant get wet from sweating.

I have a completely different view to this. I have gone through 3 now and given up going back to fowlets to change them. I guess it depends how much you use them. I commute at 5am so was wearing it over my leathers to keep the wind off me. One started leaking horrendously, one zip broke and the other one was letting water through before my summer gloves. My Oxford bone dry was a million times better and lasted much longer.

I have just gone out and bought goretex textiles now as I can't be bothered with pissing around with that all winter

[Klippie]

I've tried a few one piece so called waterproof suits but they all pished in at the plumbs, i.e. no good what so ever...I bit the bullet and ended up buying a Gortex set of textiles not a drip gets in anywhere.

[peteO]

hornetrider said:

I have one of these £20 quid one piece throw over your leathers type jobs from Aldi. I've ridden through monsoons in them and always stayed toasty and completely dry. Just make sure you do it up properly.

+1

[Yamahadivvyrider]

Richa typhoon .very good at keeping you dry

[Yamahadivvyrider]

Richa typhoon .very good at keeping you dry

[Lee540]

I'll have a browse at Motorcycle show this year, thanks for all the replies.

I now have some ideas of what to look for.

[pasmith73]

I bought a Held 2-piece oversuit from GetGeared. I use it over my leathers and it's never let in any water whatsoever.

Important to buy a big size, so that it's easy to get on in a hurry, but also because if it's a tighter fit, you will strain the seems and they will fail prematurely.

I first tried-on a 1-piece in the shop, but struggled to get it on even when sitting on a chair in the (dry) shop, so would be a nightmare on the side of the road in the wet.

[black-k1]

I currently use a Spada 2 piece suit which is totally waterproof. It’s not breathable but I don’t think I’ll be getting too sweaty sat on my bike during the autumn and spring months.

The only issue I have with it is when using my non-Gore-Tex neck buff. After about 45mins to 1 hour of rain on the motorway, the neck buff will have wicked the rain inside the collar of the jacket, down my neck and onto my shirt, giving me a wet shirt collar. If I use my balaclava with the Gore-Tex neck piece then I don’t get this problem, even in seriously heavy rain and on runs of more than 2 hours.

Stig said:

Personally speaking, I'd avoid 1 pieces like the plague. Unless you're bone dry before putting them on (before you set out) they are a total pain to get over wet clothing. Then, you're challenged with them either being 'fitted', which means they're too constrictive or baggy which means they become a windsock.

I have used 1 piece suits for many years and like their simplicity. I tend to buy suits that are one or two sizes too big which makes getting them on over rained on leather quick and easy. I can get into my 1 piece quicker than I can get into my 2 piece. While the suit may be a little baggy when on, most decent suits come with elastic waists and external Velcro adjusters to take up the slack and stopping the suit acting like a sail.

During the warmer weather, I’ll return to using my 1 piece and only currently use my 2 piece as I keep the jacket on over my leathers all the time (for extra warmth), only adding the trousers if it actually rains.

Edited by black-k1 on Friday 24th October 11:40

[terry tibbs]

richa rain warrior two piece packs small
though just bought halvarssons prime jck and prince trs for the winter, did last winter in leathers - not again

[zmike]

I just wear swimming shorts. Plus a helmet of course.

[LeadFarmer]

Buy a Roadcrafter if you have the money.

I wear waterproof textiles but for winter Ive also fitted a shytebag & muffs to my bike. Shytebag keeps my bottom half completely dry & warm. Muffs keep my hands completely dry & warm, even with summer gloves on. A waterproof hiviz jacket over the top adds a secondary waterproof layer to my upper half, and rain hood pulled over my head and underneath my helmet.

I admit to looking a complete , but for my 6am commute on a dark, cold rainy winter day, at least I'm a completely dry & warm .

Edited by LeadFarmer on Friday 24th October 17:09

[LeadFarmer]

terry tibbs said:

though just bought halvarssons prime jck and prince trs for the winter, did last winter in leathers - not again

I came very close to buying that same outfit, but sadly even their largest size wasn't quite big enough for me. Great piece of kit though. I even rode all the way to Branded Biker (J&B Motorbikes in Boston) to try it all on.

I ended up getting BMW's new 2014 Streetguard suit.

Edited by LeadFarmer on Friday 24th October 17:17