Commuting - Riding with waterproof pants???

Anyone ride with waterproof pants?

Obviously if it's 65+ degrees you'll get just as wet on the inside of the pants from sweat. But if it's a little cooler, can it be comfortable in waterproof pants?

Here is the pair I am looking at: http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=&sku=10856&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Show%20All%20Products

http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photos/medium/TA-STORM.gif

they're ok below 38degrees

I use REI Elements ultra-light pants which work with biking shorts in 50s and maybe low 60s. I'm getting a pair of the Showers Pass rain pants which have more vents (knee, pocket).

I'm using a pair of Raleigh overtrousers. The groin area stitching has torn already after 200 miles. This has happened on many pairs of overtrousers I've used. I've duct taped them in the past to get more use out of them :)

I have a really wonderful but expensive pair of Peter Storm waterproof trousers. These are the sort you need to wash with a re-proofing agent. They're fantasic for breathability, I never believed the "waterproof but breathable" tale before. These are breathable from the waistband down to half-way down the calf. Cost about $90 though. I've done about 150 miles in them so it's hard to tell how they'll last.

I use REI Elements ultra-light pants which work with biking shorts in 50s and maybe low 60s. I'm getting a pair of the Showers Pass rain pants which have more vents (knee, pocket).
I have the same pants (and jacket.) I wear bike shorts for the padding, and I've been comfortable in temperatures from 45F to low 50s. I rode home in a near 60F rain a few weeks back, and I was as wet as the sidewalk by the time I finished my 7.5 miles... just from sweat. (ick) They're great for around 50 and under, but I'd prefer some more vents for higher temps.

Make sure they breathe. I bought some waterproof pants that don't breathe and when I get to my destination my legs look like they've been in water for three days.

You wont melt embrass the water

I wear some columbia pants when I have a monsoon to ride in....I keep them in the rackbag just in case. They don't breathe too good....but keep my lower body dry.

You wont melt embrass the water

Let me know how your next ride in the rain when it's 50F out works, until then, I'll keep looking for ways to keep comfy when it's 50F or below and raining.

Maybe I'll just drive to work!!!

Let me know how your next ride in the rain when it's 50F out works, until then, I'll keep looking for ways to keep comfy when it's 50F or below and raining.

Maybe I'll just drive to work!!!

Last week Thursday I was out practicing roadie I survived

I have pants like those. I use them in cold rains and sometimes just in the cold. I never wear them above 50 degrees. I don't sweat too much in them under those conditions.

It sure better than driving!

I've used Nashbar waterproof pants, and observed;

They are hot and clammy
After a while, the plastic waterproof layer wears throught in the seat.

You are better of with something breatheable, like Gortex.

Paul

Only if it's cold - < 45F. Then the cold goes right through - especially in cold rain. A later of long johns helps - I got a pair of cheap marino wool / poly blend.

I've got some Shower Pass pants on the way. They are an upgrade from my EMS (Eastern Mountain Sports). I have usually only worn pants when it is < 40 or so. Much above that, I'll just wear tights and get wet.

Regards breathability... I wear rainproof overtrousers not to keep dry, but warm. Usually my legs are soaked afterwards, but saved from bitter easterly winds which make them feel like they've fallen off when it's wet :)

It's kind of surprising to hear that REI pants tear in 200 miles, because I have a pair of cheap lined running pants from KMart, I think I paid about $15, and I wore them a few thousand miles last winter. They're still fine.
But they're not very waterproof at all, and still they're pretty damp inside. I will be looking for some true rain pants because it's just not fun to get your legs soaked with subfreezing salt slush by a passing car. It happens to me several times a winter. I like riding in rain but when it's 33*F I'd as soon keep a layer between it and me.

I have ridden with waterproof pants down to -5 degrees F. With one layer of polypro had frigid wet sweat on my skin in short order on my 6 mile ride to work. I went with two layers and stayed dry.

seems to me bare-skin contact with any of those outdoorsy manufactured fabrics would feel pretty wrong, unless you're a bit funny that way anyway. i have the 'regular' windstopper pants from this taiga page (http://www.taigaworks.ca/windrain/index.html) and that was my experience the rare times i tried them without a buffer layer. the inside coating that makes them waterproof is sort of sticky-feeling. as far as their windproof/waterproof/breathable claims go they're not bad, but i'm not sure i'd spend the same 90 bucks a second time.

the best thing about rain pants, to me, is that you could ride to work in your pjs if you wanted to, and no-one would know :D

Thanks for the input guys.

ryanparrish: Is it windy where you ride? On my ride it just seems below 50 in the rain would be misery. I guess I'll have to try it.

Regular cycling paints work for me in the rain. When the temperature gets cooler I add a second pair of paints. My preferred outer layer is a Performance windbreaker paints clone with no liner. The Neoprene front panel eliminates wind chill effects but still allows my legs to breath. I’ve ridden in the rain down to the 40’s with this set up just fine (any colder and we would be talking about something other then rain.)

Anyone know of waterproof shorts?
I'm thinking of just riding with some tights and shorts, but would like the shorts to be waterproof. Breathable would be nice too, but not a requirement if the shorts are baggy. I fiure this will keep my thighs dry. I'm not too concerned about my calfs. They don't get nearly as wet.
J&G siad they have had a few requests and make make some, but that is probably a ways off.

It's kind of surprising to hear that REI pants tear in 200 miles, because I have a pair of cheap lined running pants from KMart, I think I paid about $15, and I wore them a few thousand miles last winter. They're still fine.

It wasn't the REI pants; it was a pair of Raleigh's.


I'm using a pair of Raleigh overtrousers. The groin area stitching has torn already after 200 miles.

I've got about 500 miles of commuting and a year of hiking/snowshoeing that I've put on my REI Element pants, and I've seen no problems with them.

I wore leg warmers (illumiNITE) and gym shorts into work today, with toe-warmers to keep a little of the water out of my shoes. Very comfortable. 50*F or so. I don't try to stay dry, but if you've got a polypro something that blocks wind and wicks, it's pretty nice. On top I wore underarmor, a short-sleeve polypro and my performance windbreaker. I sweated under my backpack, but I have never NOT sweated under my backpack. I got to work with the arms of the windbreaker soaked through (it's water reisitant, not proof) and everything else pretty damp.

Actually, this was my first commute in the rain where it was kind of cold. I have a pair of zip-off Marmot ($$$) pants that I may wear when it gets really cold. I'm kind of afraid of ruining them becasuse they cost like 70 bucks though.

I use a set of those Red Ledges(wore them in today in fact). They actually breathe pretty well. Wish they came in brighter colors than black,though.

Thanks for the input guys.

ryanparrish: Is it windy where you ride? On my ride it just seems below 50 in the rain would be misery. I guess I'll have to try it.


I am not trying to be a tough guy. I just hate having anything on me longer then shorts I see that it gets cold so I use leg warmers or knee warmers. I love the polypro long sleeve shirts I figure after a while I am going to get hot and need to take a layer off. When commuting the pannier is usually full or when I am out roading it I have no where to put extra layers. Wind is the horrible especially when it is raining and on a roadie bike with out fenders I just ride faster to try to keep warm

I have pants like those. I use them in cold rains and sometimes just in the cold. I never wear them above 50 degrees. I don't sweat too much in them under those conditions.

It sure better than driving!Funny thing, I wrote this yesterday and this morning it was 49 and raining. I wore the pants for the first time this year. I forgot how comfortable they are. I commute 6 miles and go over a mountain. At the end my chest was sweaty but my legs were merely damp.

I was enjoying the ride so much that I almost rode past my destination.

Thanks for the input guys.

ryanparrish: Is it windy where you ride? On my ride it just seems below 50 in the rain would be misery. I guess I'll have to try it.


I am not trying to be a tough guy... Wind is the horrible especially when it is raining and on a roadie bike with out fenders I just ride faster to try to keep warm

ryanparrish is just that hardcore. He's even got his own words to describe how much muchetter he is. :rolleyes:

If I was much muchetter then everyone then I would not even waste my time on this forum I would already have all the knowledge. Or darwinism has kicked in and everyone is smarter then me and embraced the water proof pants while I will become a frozen popsicle :)

I use pertex pants in cold rain. They are just about prefect for me and dont depend on any waterproof membrane or layer to work. They are still going strong after 10 years regular use. I have used them all day on a cool alpine ride in persistant rain with just shorts beneath but usually I wear them over polyester leggings or polycotton hiking pants.

If I was much muchetter then everyone then I would not even waste my time on this forum I would already have all the knowledge. Or darwinism has kicked in and everyone is smarter then me and embraced the water proof pants while I will become a frozen popsicle :)
hehehe

I had a friend back in college that didn't wear long pants until it got below 20F. Some ppl are just better naturally suited to the cold.