Waterproof kit

[stu67]

I got a real soaking last night, albeit wearing my "summer" mesh jacket etc. It got me looking ahead to the winter commute and a new set of waterproof gear. Is Rukka still the go to Gortex solution, money no object? or are there any new kids on the block worth consideration?

[ianrb]

The quality of Rukka kit seems to have slipped over the past few years. I've swapped to Stadler.

[EvoBarry]

All textile kit lets water through at some point, you just decide how much to spend with regard how long it takes to fail IMO. If you intend riding a lot in the rain/cold then I suggest throwing half decent waterproof over jacket/pants over the top of whatever budget textiles you can justify. This has the added benefit of prolonging the textiles lifespan too, as you're not getting it covered crap quite as much..

[black-k1]

With regards waterproofing, the answer (assuming cost is not a major problem) is anything that is Gore-Tex Pro. If it's Gore-Tex Pro then regardless who puts their name on the label, it'll be made in the same factories to the Gore-Tex defined standard. It will be guaranteed waterproof for (I think) 5 years. The reasons to go for different brands are more around style and fit.

When it comes to getting wet, even Gore-Tex Pro has edges (neck, wrists, waist on jacket etc.) and those are likely to be the areas where leaks will happen. Getting the "joins" right is where effort should be put.

[Gixer968CS]

EvoBarry said:

All textile kit lets water through at some point, you just decide how much to spend with regard how long it takes to fail IMO. If you intend riding a lot in the rain/cold then I suggest throwing half decent waterproof over jacket/pants over the top of whatever budget textiles you can justify. This has the added benefit of prolonging the textiles lifespan too, as you're not getting it covered crap quite as much..

This!

I've been riding for 30+ years and have all sorts and I've arrived at exactly this solution. Find some decent, good quality, comfortable textiles (that are waterproof) and throw some wets over the top when it's properly raining. I commute 30 miles each way in and out of London each day and now use RST leather troos, RST textile jacket (shower proof at best), Sidi B2 boots Rukka gore text gloves and if there anything more than a shower I bung my Spidi waterproofs over the top.

I lashed out big buck on Halvaarsons waterproofs a while back which were totally waterproof at slowish,town speeds, but after 4 hours of rain on the Swiss motorway I was soaked. Water just came down the neck. A waterproof neck tube is useful if you're going be on larger roads/riding fast in the rain. What I've also noticed though (riding in each day for c10 years) is that it rains a lot less than you think! I rarely get caught in heavy rain.

[Salted_Peanut]

stu67 said:

Is Rukka still the go to Goretex solution, money no object?

If money's no object, then Hideout's Hi-Pro range is probably the ultimate textile garb. It's the Mercedes S-class of bike clobber

I popped by Hideout to try a Hi-Pro jacket, and Rukka feels shoddy by comparison. The latest Hi-Pro range now feels exquisitely soft – unique for a laminated waterproof. And it's available bespoke (your choice of vents, colour, jacket length, pockets, you name it). If you ask, you have an In&Motion airbag in the jacket.

black-k1 said:

If it's Gore-Tex Pro then regardless who puts their name on the label, it'll be made in the same factories to the Gore-Tex defined standard.

True enough, even if it's a factory in China. But why not support British manufacturing? Hideout makes its clobber in Britain, and to the highest standard. Its Hi-Pro textiles are the only laminated waterproofs to pass the Cambridge High-Performance standard (i.e. the same protection as BKS Made-to-Measure leathers!).

In contrast, some Rukka attire and many Dainese textiles only have a CE A-rating which is the lowest level of protection.

[Kent Border Kenny]

I love my Rukka kit, but it’s pretty stiff, and can be hard work.

A cheap set of welded plastic trousers and top, or all-in-one suit’s every bit as waterproof and just as good on a commute or to stick under your seat for a rainy day.

The Rukka’s invaluable for a trip across the alps in a downpour, but a cheap textile armoured jacket and Oxford waterproof top keeps the rain out just as well.