Was wondering what some members use for waterproofing themselves while they ride? Has anyone heard of a good solution to getting wet that doesn't require waterproofing every year or so?
CC
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Was wondering what some members use for waterproofing themselves while they ride? Has anyone heard of a good solution to getting wet that doesn't require waterproofing every year or so?
CC
I use a garbage bag with 3 holes cut in it. It works well and matches the green colour of my bike. For my pants I spray teflon on my jeans so the water just rolls off. It works great!!
Actually I use a nice set of rain gear. As long as I don't end up on my ass it usually lasts a long time. I have a hard time finding what I need in China because of size and because I like to be able to use it over my aplinestar jacket.
A very interesting question! In my earlier years of riding I was never able to stay completely dry, without riding in a car that is. :biggrin: If anyone has equipment that doesn't leak, especially something they've bought in China, please share the news!
I know China is full of those plastic rain suits/ponchos for real cheap but I don't think I could wear one for extended periods...I'd be sweating myself to pieces inside.
In China, if you smell around on TaoBao you can get some real riding suits which will stay water resistant for a while but it seems unusually hard to find a simple and comfortable but long lasting solution to the getting wet problem.
CC
In China, if you have a Decathlon sports shop in your town, you'll find some western sizes weatherproof gear at very decent price and pretty good quality.
http://www.decathlon.com.cn/
That's a v.good point. I've got a bunch of their t-shirts. Lots of snow and rain gear type stuff. Socks are not bad either. Even had English style saddles when they opened...that part is gone now. Price has gone up recently but the overall quality seems relatively good.
CC
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brice
Waterproof gear here in the States is just one phone call away. Sorry! You guys in China apparently don't have it that easy. For the past few years I have been using Teknic Monsoon Gore-Tex riding gear. The stuff works great. Unfortunately, I just found out that my AlpineStar Roam boots are NOT waterproof. Shortly, I'll be ordering a pair of Teknic Stinger waterproof boots to finish off my waterproof gear. I also carry a Teknic waterproof riding suit. This just goes over my regular gear for seriously wet weather. Belstaff Thermosport winter gloves are the best of the best, for wet weather. I don't use anything else. I'm considering buying a new pair just to have as spares. If you do a search for BritishMotorcycleGear, you'll find them.
SamM
While browsing HansP's websit (he introduces winter riding there), I somehow stumbled across this website. After reading the product intro, I decided to give it a try - this guy's experience seemed enough prove that he knows what he is talking about. I ordered 2 pair S and 2 pair M size in the one finger version.
I tested them last weekend, February 15th, 2009 at temperatures blow -5 C and windy conditions. There was no rain of course, but as they are waterproof, they also keep the airflow off the back of my hands. It worked perfect.
http://www.rain-off.com/images/glove_lg.jpg
These over gloves look ugly and the first meters of riding with them (pulled over my winter gloves) feel a bit clumsy, but they do a great job.
I also made some water tests at home in the shower - 100% waterproof!
The approx. 40 USD per pair are a good investment I would say.
Andy
Andy,
Those look like the real deal! Kiwis representin'! :clap:
They're about 50 bucks here in the US @ farklemasters.com.
CC
In the States I would use Aerostitch over gloves and boots to keep feet and hands dry. Usually I just give up on keeping my hands dry because most over gloves have too high of a dex penalty (DD'ish thing to say, I know). I would generally also use a Heily Hanson (SP?) suite that was a nice blinding safety lime yellow. I tend to favor very bright colors for my rain suits. Not sure what I'll use for my boots here but I've found something decent looking on TaoBao.
In general I'm not as picky about the suit as I am about my overboots (waterproof boot covers) because IMO no one has ever made a pair/piece of breathable/waterproof anything. I don't even look for waterproof boots or gloves because they are either not waterproof, not breathable, or neither. What's worse is that would-be waterproof gloves and boots tend to take longer to dry because once the water is in it's also harder to get out.
My two cents.
Yeah seriously, i second that. Does anyone out there have any gear that's actually waterproof AND breathable? Goretex is bullshit. I have a pair of fairly expensive Dainese winter gloves i bought in france that are supposed to be waterproof. They can take about 15/20 mins of rain but are soaking throughout after that. And yes, they take days to dry...
Found these on TaoBao. Things like these and a basic rain suit are most of what I used and that's with full time riding and Florida rain storms which in spring at least are intense and frequent. I would also wear some winter gloves but usually wouldn't put my three digit over gloves on unless I would be riding most of the day. My hands being wet never bothered me as much as my feet. When I get off the bike I'm going to take the gloves off anyhow. Also of course the main use of our feet is shifting or breaking so I never felt hampered by covers like these. Once I get off the bike I would rather just have some nice comfortable ankle high hiking boots on instead of anything soggy.
Of these covers the third seem like the best as they have a rubber sole and might get the best grip. I doubt any of them would last more than two or three seasons.
Looks OK
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=9...7d4fc017d63360
Also Look OK
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=5...5384da8604f7f1
Looking much better (maybe the best?)
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=5...5384da8604f7f1
I tried that style before and didn't like them. The sole is always too big for your shoes and are not tight under your feet so they flap around. Very annoying to ride and walk in. Now i use these and find them much better, they're tight around your shoes and do a good job of keeping water out.
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=8489620231
I've had two pairs of Alpinestar waterproof boots in the last 5 years, never had wet feet. They're expensive, but they work.
Cheers!
ChinaV
Felix, please check your TB link. Doesn't work for me. Last year I bought a pair of gaiters (used for hiking) which proved absolutely useless. I was soaked in 5 minutes.Quote:
Originally Posted by felix
The link works OK outside of China, Naim, try again?
When I was young and used to climb mountains, good quality climbers gear of various brands was both waterproof and warm, however, nothing that was 'breathable' was ever satisfactory. We spent a lot of time unzipping and cooling down, even in snow storms! Goretex was OK but I agree, not as good as they claim, in that it was not all that breathable or waterproof. I have tried various over-suits and sets of rain gear in recent years, both construction worker and motorcycling types. Some is OK for cold and wet but not hot and wet, some is OK for hot and wet but not cold. The best value so far is a cheap Aldi motorcycle over-suit which is indeed 99% waterproof at speed. The 1% of leaks is around the vents of course. But to stay warm, you have to leave the linings in and then you are wet from inside. Cannot win!
Thin plastic bags are as good as anything for feet and hands over normal gear, good for feel and flexibility and cheap to replace when they inevitably tear and 'wicking' under garments do help with bodily comfort. If it is wet and warm, I now prefer to get wet and dry off later; if cold, I prefer to stay dry and over heat a little. Good helmet vents cool you down quite well as you can lose a lot of heat from head area.
I keep a bit of real chamois leather handy for wiping rain and moisture from inside and outside of face screen/goggles/shades. A strip sown to the index finger of your glove is handy for a quick wipe in rain so you can see. These days, if it pours, I find shelter.
"Intense"? I would call them bloody INSANE!! Got caught in one on "Alligator Alley" - and was too afraid to stop, else I'd be eaten! Good testing ground for gear.Quote:
Originally Posted by Maux
Chinabiker's waterproof mittens are fantastic. Ditto on the Alpinestar boots. They were great until someone stole them! Really, what kinda guy steals another man's well-used shoes?
Best solution I've ever found is plastic bags & duct tape. Not very pretty, but a whole lot easier to carry than an extra pair of boots.
Duct tape - a gift from heaven.
all i get is thisQuote:
Originally Posted by jape
http://i.imgur.com/DNnuS.png
What exactly do you see?
Just checked again, it is the taobao page! What does your image say?Quote:
Originally Posted by slabo
Attachment 3996
Great thread.
Here's my take: In my experience, including riding through torrents and torrents of rain with ZMC888 in Qufu, Shandong, last summer, the problem with wet feet is not related so much to whether the boot itself is waterproof, but whether your rain suit is keeping water out. My current riding gear -- Joe Rocket jacket and paired pants -- is not particularly waterproof and when I come under heavy rainfall, I can feel water seeping in all over. Water running down the front of my jacket quickly seeps in around my waist, and within minutes I can feel it running down my legs -- straight into my boots, no matter how water resistant they are.
The booties that Maux and Felix have posted can be totally waterproof, but they are still open at the top, and if water is rolling down your legs, even in small amounts, there is simply no way it will not enter your boots and ruin your day.
Clearly, a huge part of dry feet is keeping water out of your jacket and pants and off your legs. So, as this riding season arrives, I'm in the market for a waterproof or water-resistant suit that will breathe but keep water out. I'm leaning heavily toward the Akito Desert suit that Mr and Mrs ChinaV modeled in October 2010.
http://www.contactdi.com/2009/hb/hb065.jpg
That said, your feet will still get soaked if your boots are not waterproof, and Goretex does seem to be the key here. I'm guessing that the AlpineStar boots that V mentioned do have Goretex or equivalent. Franki swears by the German Daytona boots that he carries on his website. But prepare for sticker shock: These run north of US$400 a pair!
cheers
Those Akito suits are kinda weird. They have a removable waterproof lining which goes on the inside. That mean the suit gets drenched anyway, which doesn't make much sense to me.
I have one of these Bering rain suits. It keeps the rain out nicely and is pretty visible in shitty weather. It's pretty big though, when packed tightly it's about the size of a small-ish sleeping bag.
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=4400215781
Wow, that looks like a good solution! Is this an outer suit that you can wear over your regular jacket and pants? So when the weather clears, you can just remove the Bering suit, roll it up into a stuff sack and lash it onto the back of your bike?Quote:
Originally Posted by felix
I still think the Akito looks good (especially on the photogenic Vs), and it gets very good reviews for keeping you dry, even if the waterproof membrane is on the inside.
Bingo!Quote:
Originally Posted by euphonius
The akito suit is probably fine. I've never owned one so can't comment directly but i think ChinaV was pissed at his because all the zips broke after a short while. I guess he'll correct me if that's wrong.
That Taobao seller is here in Shanghai, and I'm trying to contact him. If possible I'd like to go see the Bering suit and get the right fit.
thanks again.
I like the Bering suit too.
One piece - good
Black legs, wont show grime - good
High vis lime yellow/reflectors - great
Step-in entry, more waterproof - good
Reasonable price - great
Elastic around the waist - good
I think that just made my list.
It's made for riding or I would question the fit around the crotch area because usually they are very baggy and this makes the hems ride up when you mount the bike.
One question remains though, can a fella take a piss in this thing?
Going to the little boys room is not the most practical, but perfectly achievable. You have to unzip the front all the way down, but the zip goes low enough that you you don't need to take the whole thing off. After a couple of times you can do the whole saga without even removing your gloves.
Scout Waterproof Boot
A tall muti use, all season riding boot suitable for dual sport touring bikes or sportbikes. Scout is a durable, waterproof leather boot with a stitched sole engineered for exceptional grip on slippery surfaces.
http://www.contactdi.com/2008/scout.jpg
I have walked in water up to the third buckle without getting wet feet. They are not goretex, but they do seem to breathe OK. Wore them every day during my two month USA tour last summer and they were fine for walking and short hikes to scenic spots. Fantastic protection, probably would have broken my ankle when I got pinned under my bike last fall if I wasn't wearing them. I love these boots and $279.00 is pretty reasonable for such a good product.
My short review of the Akito suit from ADV Rider:
It's a mid grade riding suit, as the material is polyester, not cordura. It comes with two liners, one for rain and one for cold. The knox armor is very good. My main beef with the suit is the zippers and snaps are very low quality and eventually the vents end up permanently open. It has no water resistance at all, even after I treated it, so you have to use the rain liner, even in a brief shower. Even with liners, still seem to get wet.
On the plus side, it's comfortable, and it saved my bacon when I crashed in Yunnan. On the negative, the stitching came apart, so I consider it a disposable one crash suit. Give it a 6 out of 10 for durability, 9 out of 10 for comfort (dry), and 7 out of 10 for value.
The rain suit Felix pointed out is nice, but it's a bit bulky and hot if I remember right from comments he made during our ride in Yunnan last summer. One thing I hate about rain suits is all the extra weight they add in with pockets and excessive liners. Marmot and Frog toggs are great lightweight options to minimize bulk.
Cheers!
ChinaV
Excellent reviews, ChinaV! Thanks.
FYI, here's the Scout on Taobao for 2200 RMB (or about US$340).
cheers!
Well yeah, I figured with the step in zipper it would be possible. I guess what I should have said was "can a fella piss OUT of this thing?" because naturally you could piss in anything.
I had two pairs of Frog Toggs in the states and one pair ripped when I was trying to put them on. The ripped all the way around waist so I had to pull them up real high and eventually they ripped all the way around. The second pair held up much better. They are nice, lightweight, and dont cost too much.
From the diagrams in the taobao ad that Felix posted, it looks as if the zipper is not particularly well positioned, anatomically speaking, for a fella, unless said fella's plumbing is located somewhere on his right thigh. Or am I misreading the diagram?
I'm hoping to find this seller and try this Bering suit on.
cheers