The best waterproofs? Scott DP Pro / Held Hydro
Discussion
I could be well behind the times, and this might not be news to anyone, but I think i've found the holy grail of waterproof over jacket & trousers, and had to share, because i've been so impressed! I've had a few different sorts over the years, but these Scott Ergo DP Pros are a STAR BUY - and I had to share. Wish i'd never wasted money on other suits. Since Scott stopped making them, Motolegends have got Held making a copy, only supposedly more waterproof and more breathable.
Yes in black they look like a gimp suit - being rubbery ones, critically, with no linings. For me, the layering works - enables wearing kevlar jeans most of the year, and various jackets - mesh, lighter summer, thicker etc. but also critically keeps my external airbag clean & dry too, and with enough space and give to deploy. And I stay bone dry in all weathers.
They are easy to pull on fast if needed without silly linings, easy to keep the trousers up & jacket down, easy to pull the cuffs over the gloves, unlike my last ones, which I couldn't pull over the last glove when I had the second on - and easy to use zips, especially with no lining to get stuck in them. The collar is high, so the rain can't run down your neck. They also stretch, so can downsize for less flapping, and with Held, now come in a long leg for the tall folks - unfortunately not a shorter leg for us more portly wearing bigger (and thus longer) sizes
Also now have a stirrup strap to stop the leg riding up, unlike the Scott.
Held Hydro - https://www.motolegends.com/held-hydro-rain-pants-...
Yes in black they look like a gimp suit - being rubbery ones, critically, with no linings. For me, the layering works - enables wearing kevlar jeans most of the year, and various jackets - mesh, lighter summer, thicker etc. but also critically keeps my external airbag clean & dry too, and with enough space and give to deploy. And I stay bone dry in all weathers.
They are easy to pull on fast if needed without silly linings, easy to keep the trousers up & jacket down, easy to pull the cuffs over the gloves, unlike my last ones, which I couldn't pull over the last glove when I had the second on - and easy to use zips, especially with no lining to get stuck in them. The collar is high, so the rain can't run down your neck. They also stretch, so can downsize for less flapping, and with Held, now come in a long leg for the tall folks - unfortunately not a shorter leg for us more portly wearing bigger (and thus longer) sizes
Also now have a stirrup strap to stop the leg riding up, unlike the Scott.Held Hydro - https://www.motolegends.com/held-hydro-rain-pants-...
Edited by 13aines on Wednesday 11th February 14:43
I bought my fluoro yellow Scotts from Motolegends about 5 years ago. Used all the time and they go with me everywhere on the bike.
Brilliant bit of kit. Only criticism is that the cuffs are a nightmare to get over gloves, but I’m picking nits when I say that.
My +£1000 Rukka suit leaks (different story) and I’ve never had a drop of water come through the Scott gear, even in monsoon conditions.
Brilliant bit of kit. Only criticism is that the cuffs are a nightmare to get over gloves, but I’m picking nits when I say that.
My +£1000 Rukka suit leaks (different story) and I’ve never had a drop of water come through the Scott gear, even in monsoon conditions.
Mark_S1000RR_2010 said:
I bought my fluoro yellow Scotts from Motolegends about 5 years ago. Used all the time and they go with me everywhere on the bike.
Brilliant bit of kit. Only criticism is that the cuffs are a nightmare to get over gloves, but I m picking nits when I say that.
My +£1000 Rukka suit leaks (different story) and I ve never had a drop of water come through the Scott gear, even in monsoon conditions.
Interesting - I find the cuffs OK - they are a large lightly elasticated aperture, enough to feel and look really weird if ever worn without bike kit. They have a small velcro tab to fold the cuff tighter if needed. My previous Richa £40 lined jobbies were a nightmare, especially the tight elasticated cuffs - just could not get the second cuff over the glove with the other gloved hand! Then rain ran into it almost immediately. Yet to try the trousers in anger properly, but expect the ankle cuff might ride up my boots - the Held stirrup strap addition is smart.Brilliant bit of kit. Only criticism is that the cuffs are a nightmare to get over gloves, but I m picking nits when I say that.
My +£1000 Rukka suit leaks (different story) and I ve never had a drop of water come through the Scott gear, even in monsoon conditions.
I also had the yellow jacket over black trousers but have just bought a new set of tops and bottoms before they disappear. Similar to above, I find the cuffs tricky to get over my gloves and the reason I've bought new is that the elastic on the cuffs of my yellow jacket have come away from the sleeves, this began before they were very old but I've managed to eek it out for about 3 years.
Couple of years ago while riding in Belgium towards Germany on the motorway I was caught in the worst rain I have experienced on a bike (I commute 50miles 3x a week and have been riding for 40+ years). Absolute nitemare storm that virtually bought the motorway to a standstill with rain beating back up about a foot off the road. Was in it for maybe 1-2 hours all tolled before I gave up and stopped at a petrol station. I was wearing Rukka gore tex gloves that totally wetted out and left my hands like prunes, Daytona Road Stars that stayed 100% dry and my Scotts over RST jacket and leather trousers. I was soaked though to the skin top and bottom. The Scotts couldn't deal with it. I still swear by them as in every other situation (last night riding home from work for an hour) they are totally reliable, I think it was too much rain for just about anything!
Incidentally the Daytona Road Stars are now 2.5 years old and both leak. £450! The Rukka gloves were c2 years old at the time. I'm not convinced any kit is truly waterproof for any length of time! I now have Held gloves that are less than a year old and so far seem pretty good! Spent 2 hours on Saturday riding in the rain and the Scotts and Held gloves did their jobs
Couple of years ago while riding in Belgium towards Germany on the motorway I was caught in the worst rain I have experienced on a bike (I commute 50miles 3x a week and have been riding for 40+ years). Absolute nitemare storm that virtually bought the motorway to a standstill with rain beating back up about a foot off the road. Was in it for maybe 1-2 hours all tolled before I gave up and stopped at a petrol station. I was wearing Rukka gore tex gloves that totally wetted out and left my hands like prunes, Daytona Road Stars that stayed 100% dry and my Scotts over RST jacket and leather trousers. I was soaked though to the skin top and bottom. The Scotts couldn't deal with it. I still swear by them as in every other situation (last night riding home from work for an hour) they are totally reliable, I think it was too much rain for just about anything!
Incidentally the Daytona Road Stars are now 2.5 years old and both leak. £450! The Rukka gloves were c2 years old at the time. I'm not convinced any kit is truly waterproof for any length of time! I now have Held gloves that are less than a year old and so far seem pretty good! Spent 2 hours on Saturday riding in the rain and the Scotts and Held gloves did their jobs
It’s strange, I’ve read a number of things online where people say the Scott waterproofs wet out and others (like myself) where they have stayed bone dry in every condition.
I wouldn’t have thought it’s a quality control issue. Sizing? Mine do fit snug, but not tight. Interesting to see what Held do with this product.
I wouldn’t have thought it’s a quality control issue. Sizing? Mine do fit snug, but not tight. Interesting to see what Held do with this product.
El cappo de t
tto thinks they are ace – they are ok
Not sure about wetting out
I wore mine today as part of a layering system, rather than one jacket does all, and they were wet on the inside but I felt dry base and second layer, not sure if that was sweat condensing on the cold outer layer or rain seeping through
They are only 18k so prolonged wear at high speed will see them leak, they are not gore standard of 25 or 30k
Cuffs – fking st split/tear with hardly any use had mine altered at lancs sport repair for a thicker more robust elastic
tto thinks they are ace – they are ok Not sure about wetting out
I wore mine today as part of a layering system, rather than one jacket does all, and they were wet on the inside but I felt dry base and second layer, not sure if that was sweat condensing on the cold outer layer or rain seeping through
They are only 18k so prolonged wear at high speed will see them leak, they are not gore standard of 25 or 30k
Cuffs – f
king st split/tear with hardly any use had mine altered at lancs sport repair for a thicker more robust elastic Mark_S1000RR_2010 said:
It s strange, I ve read a number of things online where people say the Scott waterproofs wet out and others (like myself) where they have stayed bone dry in every condition.
I don't know what wetting out is. But I have Scott waterproof trousers that I have worn twice. Both times I have been sure they were leaking at the crutch. Both times my jeans were dry.I have concluded that there is something about the material that traps cold and it's a cold crutch I am feeling, as opposed to a damp one.
Furbo said:
Mark_S1000RR_2010 said:
It s strange, I ve read a number of things online where people say the Scott waterproofs wet out and others (like myself) where they have stayed bone dry in every condition.
I don't know what wetting out is. But I have Scott waterproof trousers that I have worn twice. Both times I have been sure they were leaking at the crutch. Both times my jeans were dry.I have concluded that there is something about the material that traps cold and it's a cold crutch I am feeling, as opposed to a damp one.
Gixer968CS said:
Incidentally the Daytona Road Stars are now 2.5 years old and both leak. £450!
Have you re-proofed them? Mine are 6.5 years old, usually shabby looking but when they started leaking around four years ago I bought all of the Daytona cleaning and care products for them; once used they're great so I look after them a little better and once a year give them the full treatment.This is interesting.
The only waterproofs I've had that have NEVER leaked was my Bering Balistik laminated suit.
A few VERY wet Dragon Rallies (near 48 hours of constant, torrential rain), Berkshire to Yorkshire in the same torrential rain and across Belgium in the same torrential style rain.
I've never really had any luck with the stuff above - albeit I've not tried the "Motorcycle" branded ones.
Talking of boots.... My Secondhand £75 Alpinestars Web GTX boots were 100% solid at last weekends Dragon Rally - all ~700 miles of it!
The only waterproofs I've had that have NEVER leaked was my Bering Balistik laminated suit.
A few VERY wet Dragon Rallies (near 48 hours of constant, torrential rain), Berkshire to Yorkshire in the same torrential rain and across Belgium in the same torrential style rain.
I've never really had any luck with the stuff above - albeit I've not tried the "Motorcycle" branded ones.
Talking of boots.... My Secondhand £75 Alpinestars Web GTX boots were 100% solid at last weekends Dragon Rally - all ~700 miles of it!
On a related note, I see that the Scott/Held waterproofs here held in such high regard have an enormously high waistband. Why don’t normal waterproof bike trousers come like that? One of the main areas of leakage for me (and I ride in the rain a lot, commuting, been wet most days this year so far) is water coming up between the top of the trousers and the bottom of the jacket.
Furbo said:
Mark_S1000RR_2010 said:
It s strange, I ve read a number of things online where people say the Scott waterproofs wet out and others (like myself) where they have stayed bone dry in every condition.
I don't know what wetting out is. But I have Scott waterproof trousers that I have worn twice. Both times I have been sure they were leaking at the crutch. Both times my jeans were dry.I have concluded that there is something about the material that traps cold and it's a cold crutch I am feeling, as opposed to a damp one.
It happens because from new garments have Durable Water Repellent (DWR) applied to the outer face fabric, which over time degrades.
Whilst the waterproof membrane prevents water droplets transferring from outside to inside the garment DWR is a major factor of a garment’s continued breathability and capacity to keep you dry (by lessening condensation) and comfortable.
It's what people usually mean when they talk about 'reproofing', it isn't replacing/repairing the waterproof membrane, they are renewing the DWR. Stick a pin (or old age cracking of the membrane) through your Gore-Tex etc kit it'll leak and no amount of reproofing will re-waterproof it.
The DWR is either fluropolymers, silicones or hydrocarbons, that increases the surface tension of the outer fabric when water comes in contact with it. This causes the water to bead and to simply roll off the garment, instead of allowing it to flatten and seep into the fabric.
As soon as you spot rain is no longer beading on your waterproofs it's time to reapply the DWR.
mikey_b said:
On a related note, I see that the Scott/Held waterproofs here held in such high regard have an enormously high waistband. Why don t normal waterproof bike trousers come like that? One of the main areas of leakage for me (and I ride in the rain a lot, commuting, been wet most days this year so far) is water coming up between the top of the trousers and the bottom of the jacket.
The last time I got caught in torrential rain I got a ton of water down the back of my neck just running off my helmet. So I'm assuming these jackets also have some sort of neck gaiter too?Bob_Defly said:
mikey_b said:
On a related note, I see that the Scott/Held waterproofs here held in such high regard have an enormously high waistband. Why don t normal waterproof bike trousers come like that? One of the main areas of leakage for me (and I ride in the rain a lot, commuting, been wet most days this year so far) is water coming up between the top of the trousers and the bottom of the jacket.
The last time I got caught in torrential rain I got a ton of water down the back of my neck just running off my helmet. So I'm assuming these jackets also have some sort of neck gaiter too?J__Wood said:
From outdoor stuff I've always used wet out to mean that the outer face fabric has absorb water. The wetting out severely hampers the fabric s ability to transfer moisture away from the jacket and chills the inside, often leading to condensation forming from your relatively warm sweaty body.
It happens because from new garments have Durable Water Repellent (DWR) applied to the outer face fabric, which over time degrades.
Whilst the waterproof membrane prevents water droplets transferring from outside to inside the garment DWR is a major factor of a garment s continued breathability and capacity to keep you dry (by lessening condensation) and comfortable.
It's what people usually mean when they talk about 'reproofing', it isn't replacing/repairing the waterproof membrane, they are renewing the DWR. Stick a pin (or old age cracking of the membrane) through your Gore-Tex etc kit it'll leak and no amount of reproofing will re-waterproof it.
The DWR is either fluropolymers, silicones or hydrocarbons, that increases the surface tension of the outer fabric when water comes in contact with it. This causes the water to bead and to simply roll off the garment, instead of allowing it to flatten and seep into the fabric.
As soon as you spot rain is no longer beading on your waterproofs it's time to reapply the DWR.
Agreed. I've just done this myself to my Oxford kit this week. Washed the mud off with Nikwax tec wash and reproofed it after with the reproofer version It happens because from new garments have Durable Water Repellent (DWR) applied to the outer face fabric, which over time degrades.
Whilst the waterproof membrane prevents water droplets transferring from outside to inside the garment DWR is a major factor of a garment s continued breathability and capacity to keep you dry (by lessening condensation) and comfortable.
It's what people usually mean when they talk about 'reproofing', it isn't replacing/repairing the waterproof membrane, they are renewing the DWR. Stick a pin (or old age cracking of the membrane) through your Gore-Tex etc kit it'll leak and no amount of reproofing will re-waterproof it.
The DWR is either fluropolymers, silicones or hydrocarbons, that increases the surface tension of the outer fabric when water comes in contact with it. This causes the water to bead and to simply roll off the garment, instead of allowing it to flatten and seep into the fabric.
As soon as you spot rain is no longer beading on your waterproofs it's time to reapply the DWR.
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