WATERPROOF... My A?*E... How to waterproof Bike clothing???

[XRV_AndyM]

When is waterproof not waterproof??? When it comes to motorcycle clothing, that's when!! How can I go to a motorcycle store, pay €175 euro for a pair of waterproof trousers only to sit at my computer with saggy pants?



This happened after only 5 miles on my @ getting to work this morning. While the Lookwell trousers will keep out the drizzle they are absolutely rubbish at handling a decent soaking. This has been happening since new. Water Proof my A?*E!!!

Don't get me wrong, I love these trousers, Great padding, Leather and Textile. They just Ain't Waterproof.

Does anybody have the solution to this problem? What are the best trousers to get? Does waterproofing help? You know the stuff that you wash-in? I have tried Silicone Spray and Other camping Sprays, but they still leak.

The last thing I want to do is drive around on my @ with wellies and big yellow tarpolen waterproofs...

Oh and before you ask, I have gotten over the stage of wetting myself with glee while riding my @.


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[Recycler]

I've stuck with cheap Frank Thomas salopettes worn over leathers.

Yes it's 2 layers, but they dry out fast and never leak.

[XRV_AndyM]

Ideally it would be great not to have two layers. I wear my Jeans under these trousers most of the time (It's easy for short journeys). So the salopettes would be three layers!

It would be excellent if my "waterproof trousers" were actually waterproof, as stated on the manufacturers label. That way I could confidently wear them in any weather. You would think that they could make modern fabrics waterproof with ease these days.

The perfect trousers should in my opinion be:

1 Protective (Both for impact, like armour, and tear resistant, for sliding)
2 Weather resistant, Especially waterproof
3 Light enough to be able to walk for a good hour in
4 Comfortable
5 Fashionable, So you don't get the funny looks when you go to the supermarket
6 Affordable, Reasonably priced... Below €250.00 (£170 or there abouts)

Maybe I will have to get myself some leathers and just use rain trousers or salopettes for the bad days.

A

[iswoolley]

I've got some Frank Thomas overtrousers, that get worn over the top of my suit trousers. They're quite thick, so warm in the winter, have a plethora of pockets, armour in the knees and hips, and when new were really very waterproof. I've found recently though I can get a wet crotch during heavy downpours. I suspect that the waterproofness is begining to fade.

I also use a pair of Army surplus Goretex trousers, worn over my leathers or enduro pants. Excellent for keeping the mud and rain off when trail riding, and very cheap to buy. However these too can't handle very heavy rain, and don't have any armour in them.

I suspect the way to go for complete waterproofing is a cheap, non-breathable pair of hiking trousers from some far off eastern land. Just a solid barrier between you and the rain.

[robelst]

I always wear leathers and carry a waterproof suit with me. It is one they use on oil-platforms (I was told and I believe everything ), meaning it is strong (had it for 12 years now and still waterproof), it stretches (easy to put on), and it even breaths to a certain extent. It is made by Baleno, the material is called "Flexothane". They may still be around.

However: When it starts to rain while driving I often assume it will stop soon and usually don't bother stopping to put it on. Actually, I will only put it on when it rains heavily already when I leave from home, ducks are drowning in the garden, and the neighbours start filling up sandbags. So I still get soaked occasionally despite this wonderful suit Which is unnecessary really, because it is quite comfortable to wear in contrast to most other rainsuits.
Luckily my leathers (heavy cowhide leather) resist water for quite a long time witout leaking or "sponging" it up like pig-skin leather tends to do.

Also: I have a Lookwell winterjacket that started leaking at the very first rainshower it encountered. It "looks very well" though

[Maverick]

Stick two blocks of wheetabix between your legs, that should soak up all the water

My Hein Gericke Toerag kit is also suppose to be waterproof but after a while in a good down pour also soaked. Had leathers as well and same story. Went to Decathlon and bought the cheapest two piece rain suit (was under £20) and that's kept me dry and warm for the last 3 years. Another layer of kit yes but small price to pay for being dry and warm.

I believe the Aerostich kit from the states is the dog's danglies and definitely waterproof although not cheap.

Aerostich Site

I have never heard of anyone complaining about the roadcrafter or Darien kit.

[icenian]

If it's sold as waterproof and it's not, take it back to the shop! The goods are not suitable for the purpose for which they sold them to you so you are fully entitled to reject them. You must be clear that they were described as waterproof though - not showerproof or water resistant, etc.

FWIW my Rukka jacket is waterproof, but then Rukka is really expensive, and I wouldn't buy it unless it was in a sale! Friends have spoken well of Belstaff and Hein Gericke "All Season" gear.

Goretex is maybe worth the price tag (it's not as stupidly overpriced as it sued to be) because Gore insist that anything made with it must be waterproof and stay waterproof
(providing the fabric hasn't been damaged, of course). If something Goretex leaks and the shop won't help you out, send it to Gore - if they find it leaks they'll set about getting a replacement.

A friend on mine had a cycling jacket a few years old that started leaking; he though he had nae chance with it being a bit old, but he send it to Gore (shop has closed so had to go direct), who agreed it was leaking an even though he'd had it a few years Gore told the manufacturer they had to give him a brand new one

Your mileage may vary...

[Blues N Twos]

This is the bain of my life,

I have had a pair of £130 Frank Thomas Aqua force boots and they have always leaked. I took the original pair back and then a month later the new ones leaked. I have put dubbing on them and last night comming home from work in the rain I could feel my toes getting wet.

The only thing Aqua about these boots is the amount of water they bloody well hold.

However my new Heine Gericke Tourag rally suit is 100% waterproof ...... as long as you have the lining in. With the lining out it's as waterproof as a tissue. But.... with the lining out it is a lovely air flow summer suit. Just remember to have the linings with you or you may get caught out.

I have.

So on this note...... can anyone recomend a tried and tested 110% waterproof boot.

Regards

Jon

[iswoolley]

...However my new Heine Gericke Tourag rally suit is 100% waterproof ...... as long as you have the lining in...

I really don't understand this method of waterproofing jackets, i.e having a waterproof liner inside the jacket. I have a Toerag jacket as well, but it didn't come with a waterproof liner, only a 'thermal' liner.

<rant>
What's the point in the liner being waterproof, if the outer jacket gets absolutely sodden, then weighs a million times more, and you have to completely empty everything from all the pockets so that your mobile phone and wallet don't get drenched?

If you've got the technology to make the liner waterproof, make the $%£&ing jacket waterproof! Then you can dispense with all that liner malarky, because Murphy's Law states you'll never have the liner with you when you need it.
</rant>

[landyandy]

Rukka??? Absolute rubbish, imo. Had a set a few years back which cost me 700quid - the jacket leaked( as did its replacement), the poppers would undo, and the trousers leaked too.

Ended up buying some Spada goretex thing last year - at 190 quid for jacket and trousers (and winter linings), it was worth the risk, even if it leaked like a sieve. Fortunately, it's been perfect, even after a couple of slides down the road.