Cycling UK Forum

Waterproof overtrousers I suspect can be uncomfortable to wear. Has anyone any experience of full length and 3/4 length ones - comfort to cycle in, protection from the rain, ease of putting on, weight of the material, bulkiness, types of material.
Thanks David

David,

I recently posted a question regarding waterproof legwear. I was pleased with the responces, thanks everyone ! On the many suggestions recieved I have now applied what I think is ideal for my 10 mile/day commute.... Endura stealth bib tights ( waterproof anyway ) or Lusso Max repel bib longs, with Rainlegs added if it is raining hard ! Dry and comfortable, not too hot once upto speed.

Julian.

David Robinson wrote:Waterproof overtrousers I suspect can be uncomfortable to wear.

.....indeed they can! Waterproofing your top half is so much more straightforward. I have cheap full length overtrousers which can be a Godsend when I need to go somewhere in "normal" clothes in heavy rain. But generally I'll do anything to avoid wearing them, especially on longer rides.

For my commute (3.5miles, followed by an hour on the train, then another mile or two) I tend to use shorts, and get wet legs, until it gets too cold, then I use normal overtrousers. I have a pair of Rab ones which are Event fabric and have 3/4 length zips. They're comfortable enough, but obviously add to the warmth. They do the job well but if I were cycling for longer, or showering/changing at work, I would go with water-repellent leggings such as the Lusso ones mentioned by joolz1967.

I recently tried a cape again for the rain, keeps your legs relatively dry assuming you have decent mudguards

Cycling bottoms in one of the new 'softshell' fabrics (now much used for walking/climbing gear) have some rain resistance while remaining comfortable. That made by Gore Bikewear is a good example, and this is now my daily wear in the winter months (also ideal temperature control). Waterproof overtrousers, as far as I'm concerned, are an unqualified no-no for cycling.

I bought a pair of Army Goretex trousers in an army surplus store for 8.00. Cut off the legs below the knees and re-proofed them. They work great apart from being camoflage colour!

foxy12 wrote:I bought a pair of Army Goretex trousers in an army surplus store for 8.00. Cut off the legs below the knees and re-proofed them. They work great apart from being camoflage colour!

On Friday I saw a guy riding in complete camouflage waterproofs - jacket and trousers. If a driver knocked him off his bike SMIDSY would becaome "Well mate you'll be pleased to know your camo gear is working well - I didn't see you".
Seriously I wonder what the legal position is where a driver hits a cyclist because he didn't see him and that cyclist had chosen to wear clothing designed to hide the wearer.

David Robinson wrote:Waterproof overtrousers I suspect can be uncomfortable to wear. Has anyone any experience of full length and 3/4 length ones - comfort to cycle in, protection from the rain, ease of putting on, weight of the material, bulkiness, types of material.
Thanks David

I am to Goretex as Imelda M is to shoes.

I have two (2) pairs of Goretex cycling overtrousers. One pair was made by Gore and picked up in the Lillywhites sale* around 1998 a bit cheaper than normal. These are ideal over normal clothing. Very comfortable, not a big deal to put on. Tending towards the Cod War look but who cares? The others are in stretch Goretex and I bought them (again late 1990s) from Mike Dyason*, AKA Ozzo, AKA In Motion ( Why does such a thoroughly nice chap have so many aliases? ) made by a French firm called Chapak who now seem to be out of business. These fit quite closely with none of the trawlerman cut. Again very comfortable but a bit of a b to get on, especially as they have no ankle zips.

IMO once you have decided to go for the waterproof approach, rather than the 'get wet and get over it school of thought'† then you have to go the whole hog because otherwise, you just get extra wet where the water runs off the edge of your togs. Overtrousers tend to funnel water into your shoes so if you wear them, you need to protect your feet as well with something like overshoes tucked inside your overtrousers. In other words, to do the job right you can be into faffing about territory. I've thought about 3/4 length but they seem to fall between two stools - keeping part of your legs completely dry at the expense of your lower legs and feet.

Goretex won't survive a fall off a bike.

* I mention when and where I got the stuff partly because neither source is still available and also to show how long I have had them and been satisfied.
† You didn't ask about that so I've ignored it.