I though i'll start a list of items you have tried, advertised as waterproof, but they end up being not really waterproof

So last year i ordered a pair of these, it was advertised as winter gloves and waterproof, horrible mistake it's all fake.

Pearl Izumi Cyclone Gloves (Men's)
https://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...45524442619864
(odd, it's not listed in their website https://www.pearlizumi.com/shop.php?p...&mode=products )

it's a good glove, but it's more suitable for summer season, as it doesn't keep warm, and it only partially repels water until it gets wet, then it gets totally soaked.

MEC Cycling Shoe Covers (Unisex)
https://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...45524442618318

these partially works, it's still too low it just goes about an inch above the ankles, and when you are pedalling the pants and the show covers are far enough apart for water splash to get in through the neck opening.

The MEC description does not say that they are "Waterproof", it says they are "Weatherproof".

Weatherproof does not translate to waterproof.

It's not specifically cycling-related, but I have a pair of Keen sandals that have a big "Waterproof" tag on them. Um...Guys, they're sandals, and the water can just run through all the openings between the straps...

I think they mean that it's OK to get them wet.

My Wenzel StarLite tent, although for $30 I shouldn't have expected it to be.

On the other hand, the $50 Nashbar panniers I carried it in were waterproof.

The waterproof-ness or weatherproof-ness of many items depends on proper care. For example, most outdoor products made out of some kind of cloth are treated at the factory with a DWR (durable water-resistant) surface, which will do an excellent job of repelling water...unless you wash the item with the wrong kind of cleaning product (and, in answer to the "well what's the right product" question, check the manufacturer's label -- there's more than one kind of DWR).

Ergon BC3.

I bought it due to it's claim of being: waterproof, having room for a hydration bladder, and relatively large size for a cycling backpack.

It's not a rolltop, nor does it have a liner, so it's claim of being waterproof was pretty suspect when I bought it. I paid $200 for it (kind of silly looking back...), but I rode in a torrential downpour (complete with hail!) and water managed its way into the pack. I was surprised though, it didn't seem as if it came in through the zippers, which is where I assumed it would leak (due to lack of a roll-top), but from the bottom, where I can only assume a puddle accumulated in the outter elastic "pocket," and leaked through, somehow.

Only a little bit of water came through, which is pretty impressive. It was really coming down there.

I don't know. I had a pair of the leather strap KEENS and when they got wet they stretched out so that my foot pretty much just flopped around in the sandals.

I asked the Vancouver MEC cycling dept staff about the "waterproof" gloves that they carry. Their advice opinion was that there is no such thing as a truly waterproof cycling glove currently available. Instead they directed me to the paddling dept for neoprene gloves such as these:

https://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1243963893689.

Their opinion being that, though your hands will still get wet, neoprene will do a more effective job of keeping them warm while wet, and will dry quicker.

wait wait.... this is June? you want waterproof gloves to stay warm? where are you riding? me? am looking for gloves and shoes that dry faster forget waterproof. sweaty hands and feet are not fun. I use the Cyclones. They will get wet and stay that way in winter. Remain wet for ride home later that afternoon. Not waterproof. most definitely not.

I've been thoroughly impressed with my Cyclones! They are not waterproof, but in the typically mild winter temperatures here (upper 20s to low 40s) they do very well.
For really cold weather, check out the Ibex wool glove liners and a pair of alpine glove shells like the REI Minimalist.

Hey thanks for sharing, this seems like a good pair of gloves to try.

it has been raining a lot for the past 2 weeks, not to mention temperature have been hovering between 10c to 15c

I noticed the same thing when I got mine..... got a pretty good chuckle out that.

Where is it listed or advertised as waterproof? I have the Zypher gloves where were advertised as water resistant, but after a good downpour, they soak like everything else I use. Generally speaking, I try to avoid anything that is waterproff for riding... keeping in 100% of the sweat makes for a uncomfortable ride.

this trunk bag is excellent for downpour rain when it's all closed
https://topeak.com/products/Bags/MTXTrunkBagDXP

but if you use it extended (panniers mode) it soaks up water like a camel, on both side pannier pockets.

Hey Luigi,

Sorry you've had unhappy experiences with the shoe covers. But in the interest of fairness, note that the product description doesn't claim full-on waterproofness - it says "Nothing is totally waterproof, but these booties are close." (Also in the interest of fairness, I'll note that I work for MEC. In fact, I'm the guy who wrote that description. But I'm expressing only my personal opinion here - I'm not a spokesdude for MEC.)
Since we don't have control over the length of pants you wear with these covers, we can't really assure they'll be waterproof for every user. Personally, I've switched from using hardshell pants for winter commutting to tights with waterproof or water-resistant front panels. They move more easily and don't rise to create that leaky gap between the cuff and the shoe cover top. I cycle commute pretty much year-round in Vancouver, and we get some pretty wet winters - as long as I've sealed the Velcro on the covers right, my shoes stay dry.
And please remember that MEC offers the Rock Solid Guarantee - if anything (including these covers or the gloves you started the thread with) "hasn't met your expectations, you can bring it back. .... simply return the item for exchange, refund, repair, or credit."

Happy wheels to you.

Nice post, thank you Mr MEC (or was that Ms MEC?).

And I admit MEC has done me proud on returns. I took back a previous-season pair of gloves that split well before their time, and got a credit note with no questions asked. Same for a bike lock that refused to unlock (bit of a problem there). I suspect that was a dud batch of bike locks, as the store no longer seems to stock them.

Bought a light cycling jacket from my LBS whose tag read, in great bold face, WATERPROOF. Rode home in it through a light mist which passed right through the material only to collect inside of the jacket and drip down my arms and torso. Ended up much wetter than had I not been wearing the damned thing at all.

Took it back the next day, proprietor says, like I'm some kind of moron (okay well maybe I am) "You can't expect a light weight material like this to be waterproof, maybe water resistant, it's something you just wear a short time, walking out to your car."

Anyway I hadn't taken off the tags so my money was refunded. Still... grrr.

I've always been impressed with MEC customer service too. I once bought a pair of tights and just stuffed them in the closet for a few of months, until the cold season came. In the fall I dug them out, only to find out they had seams in a place no cyclist wants seams. So I took them back, not necessarily counting on anything, because I held on to them for so long, and because it was totally my fault for overlooking this crucial and obvious detail in the first place. But after I explained the problem and assured the staff that I haven't worn them, they gave me a refund right away.

I find that sometimes MEC doesn't choose the best product lines, and it's definitely not the place to go for anything really flashy and trendy (as far as bike garb is concerned, anyway). However, typically the quality of their product is very good and their Rock Solid Guarantee is totally rock solid. Most of the time they pick just the right product - going for function, not for fashion. At times, I found their selection lacking when I wanted something from the higher end of some products, but there are lots of other stores around, really happy to sell really expensive stuff to you (like $200 helmets and $100 gloves). And the prices are hard to beat unless you go online or used (but neither of these is a fair comparison). Though MEC has its limitations, it's a wonderful store to have around, with true outdoor enthusiasts running it.

And no, I don't work for them. I just really like them.

That's so weird. Why wouldn't there be? What prevents manufacturers from manufacturing a glove out of Goretex or something similar?

https://www.axiomgear.com/products/ge...rs/typhoon-lt/ My Axiom Panniers. The main pocket area is absolutely waterproof, but the outside zippered pocket (supposed to be waterproof) is not. The zipper has a seal over it that breaks down after just a few runs of the zipper. I had my cellphone in this pocket during a downpour and the phone got soaked and was ruined.

Goretex isn't a waterproof fabric. Any Goretex garment that is waterproof is made so by application of a durable water-resistant (DWR) coating, which eventually wears off (or goes a lot faster if you don't launder it properly). I'm guessing that with something like a glove, with a lot of seams and many many chafe points, a DWR coating doesn't last long under the best of conditions.

Well...despite what you're saying (true or not), you can actually buy Goretext gloves. While difficult to find waterproof cycling gloves it's not impossible as long as you're ok with them having some insulation.

I own the Gore Bikewear "Everest" glove (not on their website not that it's summer):
https://www.davekanecycles.com/index....d8868c5c79e010

They currently list the Gore Bikewear "countdown" gloves (Goretex):
https://www.gorebikewear.com/remote/S...1208436857364A

Specialized makes a Liner + Waterproof shell glove called their "Subzero" glove:
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...40547&eid=1366

They also make an all-in-one glove called the "Radiant" glove:
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...40546&eid=1366


It's very much possible to find a waterproof cycling glove, but I have found it next to impossible to find one that doesn't have insulation (for those 40-60 degree days). From the link to the Pearl Izumi products, this is the only one I've ever found, and though it definitely claims to be "water-proof and wind-proof" (did the marketing people decided water-proof and waterproof were different?) I'm not 100% sure I believe them (haven't tried it yet, though):
https://www.pearlizumi.com/product.ph...uct_id=1321951

I'll chime in about products that claimed to be waterproof but weren't with my Showers Pass Elite 2.0 jacket. I assumed it was 100% waterproof (of course). Turns out it's waterproof - *except* the cuffs on the arms, which soak up water like a sponge. *sigh* (Rest of the jacket seems waterproof, though)