Commuting - Rain Pants: Suggestions and sizing

It's raining like we'll need an Ark here soon (that post tropical storm that tosses up a ton of moisture in the midwest)... so I got to thinking about rain gear

Rain Pants: I think I am going to pass on the uber techie Rainlegs and just get some standard rain pants (for the ocassional really BAD days)
Are there any better than others? Nashbar has
O2 Rainwear 3flow Performance Pant (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=&sku=20976&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Show%20All%20Products) Also, how does one size these things so they fit over whatever pants you have on? Better to bite the bullet and buy local? (nashbar only has XXL size now...42-44. I'm a 32-33 waist)
ARe these as good as any? I don't want to pay tons of money... it gets inclement here, but not like the Olympic Peninsula or Portland or Seattle.
I see where outfits like CAmpmor and other have rain pants that are not actually listed as Cycling rain pants. Are cycling rain pants extra sturdy in the right places or would a pair of standard issue rain pants do the trick?
Also, while we are on the topic:

vs.

Bike Poncho (http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=10130&memberId=12500226)
vs Rain jacket (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=&sku=6722&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Show%20All%20Products)

The Poncho kinda looks cool... and lets air in

ha, I logged on just now to find out the same thing....looking out my window and seeing all this rain (for the next week) is getting me down

I wear a jacket and shorts. Unless it's raining an < 50*F, my legs don't really care if they get wet. If it's > 65*F, I don't wear the jacket either, I prefer to just get wet.

It's raining like we'll need an Ark here soon (that post tropical storm that tosses up a ton of moisture in the midwest)... so I got to thinking about rain gear

Rain Pants: I think I am going to pass on the uber techie Rainlegs and just get some standard rain pants (for the ocassional really BAD days)
Are there any better than others? Nashbar has
O2 Rainwear 3flow Performance Pant (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=&sku=20976&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Show%20All%20Products) Also, how does one size these things so they fit over whatever pants you have on? Better to bite the bullet and buy local? (nashbar only has XXL size now...42-44. I'm a 32-33 waist)
ARe these as good as any? I don't want to pay tons of money... it gets inclement here, but not like the Olympic Peninsula or Portland or Seattle.
I see where outfits like CAmpmor and other have rain pants that are not actually listed as Cycling rain pants. Are cycling rain pants extra sturdy in the right places or would a pair of standard issue rain pants do the trick?
Also, while we are on the topic:

vs.

Bike Poncho (http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=10130&memberId=12500226)
vs Rain jacket (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=&sku=6722&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Show%20All%20Products)

The Poncho kinda looks cool... and lets air in



I'll tell you---I've worn rain pants and I've worn Rainlegs, and Rainlegs are so superior it's not even close. Rain pants are sweat factories, in my experience. Even if you're wearing them in fall rain, they're miserable. I live in Florida, so I get to ride in rain quite a bit. The rain jacket/booties/Rainlegs/helmet cover combination works quite well. Rainlegs aren't full coverage, but you'll soak through with sweat in rain pants.

+1 on the Rainlegs. I love mine. :)

You mean these? (http://www.wallbike.com/oddsnends/rainlegs.html)

boog

but you'll soak through with sweat in rain pants.

so even in cool/cold conditions, regular rain pants will just 'fog' up with sweat and steam?

I guess I may have to take a good look at RAinlegs (only a few bucks more)

You mean these? (http://www.wallbike.com/oddsnends/rainlegs.html)

boog
Those are the ones.

One caution - measure your legs from waist to knee. You want to make sure there's a few inches that goes over your knee or you will get wet. Based on the sizing, I should be a medium, but I needed a large. I was lucky that we have a LBS in Portland that sells these in the store and I could try them on.

Those rainlegs sure look interesting. But doesn't your bum get wet from rain falling on the saddle if you have to get on and off the seat alot? Like at traffic lights?

so even in cool/cold conditions, regular rain pants will just 'fog' up with sweat and steam?

I guess I may have to take a good look at RAinlegs (only a few bucks more)


I haven't worn the super expensive rain pants, but any material which will keep water out won't let enough sweat vapor out to keep you dry, in my experience. Rainlegs have the advantage of allowing the backs of your legs to stay cool. I like 'em.

www.showerspass.com has some good, if pricey, gear.

Those rainlegs sure look interesting. But doesn't your bum get wet from rain falling on the saddle if you have to get on and off the seat alot? Like at traffic lights?
Hm, I never thought of that. Mine stays nice and dry, but I usually stay seated at traffic lights.

I prefer Red Ledge pants:
http://www.redledge.com/productDetail.cfm?gID=1&bID=1&colID=12&prodID=280

They're only like $35 and will protect your lower legs from road spray and keep your butt dry. They breathe very well. I can't see spending another $20 on something that won't protect me from getting splashed by passing cars. Only down side is they don't come in bright colors.

I'ld get those rainlegs (and I so am ordering those in Oct.) for most all storms, and some rain pants for slushy, rainy, 32.5 degree snow storms. The pants are too much for normal rain, but just sufficient for a New England semi-snow/rain sh*t storms during rush hour. They won't plow 8 inches of slush around here. Also I'm assuming you've got maximum coverage fenders.

jim

Those rainlegs are a pretty interesting concept - I've never heard of or seen them before. Looks like they'd be a great item to have on longer rides where the breathability of tights would be good. For shorter commutes though, I wonder if standard affordable rain pants wouldn't be marginally more practical - especially for folks like me who then take the last (longest) leg of their commute on public transit.

Still though, very cool concept.

Mountain Equipment Co-op has some mos' excellent S-T-R-E-T-C-H cycling pants that are waterproof and breathe very well. I think they are called the Cyclone. if you wear them and it stops raining, you wind up feeling dry and wearing a pair of cycling tights.

www.mec.ca

MEC ones like Bekologist mentions are what I wear, I have both the cyclone and whirlwind versions. Whirlwind is streatchy with waterproof fronts and spandex backs, and the cyclone ones are baggier and waterproof all around but thinner than the above ones.

Both work well, mec also has the whirlwind ones on for reduced price right now, $49 Canadian.

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp;jsessionid=GK4MpHVvtTG4WQ7TtLt2kxznzHfpxklxPQ1MXnynJhpTt9q12LTL!-732706755?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442587643&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692411&bmUID=1187657900981

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp;jsessionid=GK4MpHVvtTG4WQ7TtLt2kxznzHfpxklxPQ1MXnynJhpTt9q12LTL!-732706755?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442617947&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692411&bmUID=1187657900982

Those Rain Legs look like an interesting idea, may need to give them a try sometime.

To the OP, you may want to look into J&G Clothing. They get good reviews from the people who have used their gear, just make sure to get the "breathable" stuff. link (http://bicycleclothing.com/Waterproof-Breathable-Rain-Pants.html)

The wind pants are also nice, I wear them on windy/rainy rides. Not waterproof, but they dry very fast and I don't sweat in them like I have with actual rain pants. linky (http://bicycleclothing.com/Patrol-Wind-Pants-Unisex.html)

boog

MEC ones like Bekologist mentions are what I wear, I have both the cyclone and whirlwind versions. Whirlwind is streatchy with waterproof fronts and spandex backs, and the cyclone ones are baggier and waterproof all around but thinner than the above ones.

Both work well, mec also has the whirlwind ones on for reduced price right now, $49 Canadian.

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp;jsessionid=GK4MpHVvtTG4WQ7TtLt2kxznzHfpxklxPQ1MXnynJhpTt9q12LTL!-732706755?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442617947&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692411&bmUID=1187657900982

Do you have both - I'm after something baggier - aka self conscious walking into an office building in the morning with tights on.

This is my first winter/fall. I was thinking of just some sweatpants and maybe tights underneath, from this thread it looks like I may need to reconsider. I do not mind the rain on my legs, I road home in quite a storm yesterday afternoon, and I liked the rain but had issues seeing with my glasses. Maybe the winter forum would have more information on pants. I want to commute as long as possible here in Indy.

I haven't worn the super expensive rain pants, but any material which will keep water out won't let enough sweat vapor out to keep you dry, in my experience. Rainlegs have the advantage of allowing the backs of your legs to stay cool. I like 'em.

I don't know what counts as 'super expensive' but I've had good experiences with Marmot Precip pants:
http://tinyurl.com/yplsrg

I've worn them through heavy rain and felt slight stickiness at most.

I would also recommend eVent as a good waterproof/breathable fabric.

I bought a Columbia brand rain suit, it was on sale and I didn't feel bad about cutting the pants into shorts...

Rain shorts are all I need, and the price was right, and the rain jacket is fine when I need it.

From looking at the pix, I think you can probably fashion some rainlegs with some pvc rubber and velcro. Maybe go to the goodwill and find an tough poncho or raincoat.

I don't get the idea of the Rainlegs - I rode in a light rain today, and my shins got as much or more water than the rest of me. Yes, I have fenders and mudflaps. Maybe I just ride too fast.

I have been using Performance Naniamo rain pants for about a year. They were pretty cheap. I have not been impressed. (1) they don't breathe much. (2) they are too short - I am 6', got a size L, and they need to be about 2 inches longer. (3) the water repellent coating seems to have worn off. Maybe that's OK after a year of use.

Generally not impressed. My Gill rain jacket has been much better.

I don't get the idea of the Rainlegs - I rode in a light rain today, and my shins got as much or more water than the rest of me. Yes, I have fenders and mudflaps. Maybe I just ride too fast.

I have been using Performance Naniamo rain pants for about a year. They were pretty cheap. I have not been impressed. (1) they don't breathe much. (2) they are too short - I am 6', got a size L, and they need to be about 2 inches longer. (3) the water repellent coating seems to have worn off. Maybe that's OK after a year of use.

Generally not impressed. My Gill rain jacket has been much better.


The point of the Rainlegs is to keep your quads and knees dry. I don't know how you're getting your shins so wet---but if you're wearing shorts and Rainlegs it doesn't matter. I'm concerned with keeping my head, torso, quadriceps, knees(Rainlegs for that) and feet(booties) dry. Don't really care if my shins get wet.

Do you have both - I'm after something baggier - aka self conscious walking into an office building in the morning with tights on.

Yes, I own a set of each. The baggier ones fit like sweat pants, but made from paper thin waterproof material. They are not completely waterproof, since they dont have taped seams, so some water still gets in depending on length of commute.

Since they dont have the spandex backs like the others, you'll sweat unless its cool out.

The point of the Rainlegs is to keep your quads and knees dry. I don't know how you're getting your shins so wet---but if you're wearing shorts and Rainlegs it doesn't matter. I'm concerned with keeping my head, torso, quadriceps, knees(Rainlegs for that) and feet(booties) dry. Don't really care if my shins get wet.


Well, I have a pretty short commute, with a major downhill on the way in, so I wear "street clothes" under my rain gear, and I tend to ride it pretty fast, especially the downhill part. So that's probably why the shins get wet.

I imagine the rainlegs would be really nice if you kept the speed down to 10-12 mph.

Here's another question: do the booties have a tight enough seal to keep the rain from running down into your shoes underneath? I don't wear booties - I wear Sidi Storm winter shoes, and they are pretty nearly waterproof, unless water comes in from above. They even have a neoprene cuff at the top, but it doesn't seem to help. So that's one reason I'll wear the rainpants, just to keep water from flooding my shoes... but it doesn't work well because the pants are too short.

HMM... I just had a brainflash - the neoprene cuff doesn't work because I'm wearing tall socks that stick up through the cuff and wick the water right down. DUH. :crash: I need to try it with shorter socks.

Well, I have a pretty short commute, with a major downhill on the way in, so I wear "street clothes" under my rain gear, and I tend to ride it pretty fast, especially the downhill part. So that's probably why the shins get wet.

I imagine the rainlegs would be really nice if you kept the speed down to 10-12 mph.

Here's another question: do the booties have a tight enough seal to keep the rain from running down into your shoes underneath? I don't wear booties - I wear Sidi Storm winter shoes, and they are pretty nearly waterproof, unless water comes in from above. They even have a neoprene cuff at the top, but it doesn't seem to help. So that's one reason I'll wear the rainpants, just to keep water from flooding my shoes... but it doesn't work well because the pants are too short.

HMM... I just had a brainflash - the neoprene cuff doesn't work because I'm wearing tall socks that stick up through the cuff and wick the water right down. DUH. :crash: I need to try it with shorter socks.


I go faster than that when it rains---but I live in Florida so shorts are OK most of the year. I don't mind my shins getting wet. As for the booties---they did leak at the cuff, so I fashioned a couple of velcro straps and I wear those around the tops of the booties. If I wore rain pants I could blouse them over the booties, I suppose.

I don't get the idea of the Rainlegs - I rode in a light rain today, and my shins got as much or more water than the rest of me. Yes, I have fenders and mudflaps. Maybe I just ride too fast.

I agree. I commute in my street clothes. I have fenders and mudflap also. When it rains I use a Carradice rain cape and I recently bought their spats, which cover the tops of my shoes up to my knees. They'd be perfect, except I can't keep them from slipping down. The cape by itself keeps me dry and lets the sweat vent out, but when I am moving, even slowly, my shins and feet run into the rain, not my thighs.

Tony