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Rain Pants Recommendations?

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Old 06-18-11 | 09:50 AM
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Rain Pants Recommendations?

Hi all,
Can anyone recommend rain pants made for cyclists? There seem to be a number of brands & I want to hear about people's experiences.
Thanks!
Neil
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Old 06-18-11 | 11:06 AM
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I second this post. I've been looking around for some good rain pants that are fairly priced (preferably less than 50 bucks...) and the only ones I've been able to see in person are the Novara cycling rain pants at REI. However, these (like the reviews say online) don't seem like they breath at all and I can imagine you would become really sweaty if wearing them in the rain during warmer weather. Thanks!
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Old 06-18-11 | 11:11 AM
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Bikes: 2007 Dahon Cadenza w/ Alfine IGH11, modified MEC Desire w/Alfine IGH8,+ 2 ebikes: Bionx PL350 & 36V eZee FHB/Tidalforce frames.

For most rain application I like Rainlegs and my MEC shoe covers.

For nasty, driving, torrential deluges of near-biblical scope I prefer full coverage rain pants to the Rainlegs, though.

The MEC Splash, Secteur and Derecho pants all look pretty good. I have an older pair of MEC rain pants that are similar to both the Splash and the Derecho. Good pants.

Last edited by El Duderino X; 06-18-11 at 11:16 AM.
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Old 06-18-11 | 11:24 AM
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I have the MEC Derecho pants and they suck. Huge and baggy down at the bottom, right where you don't want them to be. They have snaps to close them up, but they stick out funny when you do it and rub on your cranks. Drives me crazy.
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Old 06-18-11 | 11:41 AM
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When needed I have some Field & Stream $30 pants from a sporting goods store. They have been water proof, but they don't let moisture escape. Since most of my rides are under 5 miles it doesn't matter much.
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Old 06-18-11 | 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Commodus
I have the MEC Derecho pants and they suck.
Sucks to hear those pants are so awful. I can't remember what line my older MEC pants are but I have none of the water ingress problems you describe (though they are baggy but thats my fault for buying such large pants before dropping a ton of weight).

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Old 06-18-11 | 03:55 PM
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I'm also curious if anyone has anything that's halfway decent.
For summer rain, my legs just get wet. For cold early spring and fall rain I just use $30 rain bottoms from REI, plus shoe covers.
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Old 06-18-11 | 04:22 PM
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Old 06-18-11 | 04:42 PM
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Originally Posted by El Duderino X
For most rain application I like Rainlegs and my MEC shoe covers.

For nasty, driving, torrential deluges of near-biblical scope I prefer full coverage rain pants to the Rainlegs, though.
The MEC Splash, Secteur and Derecho pants all look pretty good. I have an older pair of MEC rain pants that are similar to both the Splash and the Derecho. Good pants.
This is my method as well, except I have RainMates instead of Rainlegs. The difference being that the RainMates have lower leg coverage as well. I also use my RainMates in the winter as wind pants.

My full coverage rain pants are something that I got at the local outpost of the Evil Empire (aka WalMart).
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Old 06-18-11 | 05:27 PM
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I'm a fan of Showers Pass
https://www.showerspass.com/catalog/m...nvertible-pant
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Old 06-18-11 | 05:28 PM
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Bikes: 2007 Dahon Cadenza w/ Alfine IGH11, modified MEC Desire w/Alfine IGH8,+ 2 ebikes: Bionx PL350 & 36V eZee FHB/Tidalforce frames.

Rainmates, like rainlegs with extra leggings for your lower limbs. Could've used that or my full rain pants this morning after an oncoming car hit a puddle in his/her/its lane just perfectly to propel the majority of water across two lanes and all over my (more or less) unprotected shins.
Soaked shins. That really pissed me off this morning.
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Old 06-19-11 | 05:27 AM
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My Montane Atomic DT pants have a slim cut, high enough waist and a bit of reflective stuff. They are not cycing specific.
I would go for some with a long lower zipper + velcro tabs. There are lots of pants without the zipper but these are too baggy.
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Old 06-19-11 | 08:17 AM
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Originally Posted by hurley81388
The only ones I've been able to see in person are the Novara cycling rain pants at REI. However, these (like the reviews say online) don't seem like they breath at all and I can imagine you would become really sweaty if wearing them in the rain during warmer weather. Thanks!
Nothing will breathe well enough to keep you comfortable in warm rainy weather. As with rain jackets, there are two properties to look for: breathability and ventilation. Breathability is a function of the material and ventilation is a function of the design. I look for both, but I generally just go without rain pants if it is over about 50 degrees F. I wear REI Taku pants which are pricier, but they have a huge zipper that goes from waist to just above the knee and really opens things up when they get too hot.
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Old 06-19-11 | 08:58 AM
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I use my normal cycling clothes in rain, as others above have said nothing will prevent you from getting wet on the inside. So unless a ride is particularly short, I don't see the point of anything special. I carry rain gear only to help me stay warm if I were to flat on a rainy day.
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Old 06-19-11 | 09:08 AM
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J&G are a great budget pant. I'd buy them again if I was on a serious budget. Made in the USA. https://www.bicycleclothing.com/Water...ain-Pants.html

ShowerPass fell apart on me. They split at the seam next to the pocket. I wouldn't waste my money on them. Made in China. https://www.showerspass.com/catalog/m...nvertible-pant

Taiga are bomb proof, and the full side zips are great for adding ventilation. They are top notch and worth their high price due to the quality and extremely well thought out design. Made in Canada. https://www.taigaworks.ca/cart.php?m...ct_detail&p=63
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Old 06-19-11 | 02:01 PM
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I've taken to using a Cycling Rain Cape recently ,
the umbrella effect keeps my legs dry, pretty much, hands stay dry too.
I have a Spats, a shoe- shin cover legging to use when the weather gets heavy
this winter..

$50 will be low for a Waterproof breathable fabric feature , coated nylon will work,
who sells it and markets it is kind of secondary..

I find the seams tape bonding on my 3 layer WPB rain over-trousers goes away
after a while..
where they are sat upon, the rest of the seam tape is fine..
all brands use the same sort of seam sealing tape machines.

but ..
The inner surface of the 3 layer stuff does protect the coating.

Last edited by fietsbob; 06-19-11 at 02:11 PM.
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Old 06-19-11 | 02:33 PM
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Don't know what size you are but I have a nice pair of never worn Showers Pass gore-tex size medium
for sale. Cheap
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Old 06-19-11 | 03:07 PM
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Originally Posted by stringbreaker
Don't know what size you are but I have a nice pair of never worn Showers Pass gore-tex size medium
for sale. Cheap
Showers Pass Goretex rain pants - don't exist. Not at all.
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Old 06-20-11 | 01:56 PM
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[QUOTE=El Duderino X;12805963]For most rain application I like Rainlegs and my MEC shoe covers.

Can you get Rainlegs and/or Rainmates in Metro Vancouver? Seems like a good solution for my reluctance to ride in anything more than light rain.
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Old 06-20-11 | 02:24 PM
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I bought a pair of RAINSHIELD 02 3FLOW PERFORMANCE SERIES PANTS about 4 years ago when I started commuting daily. They've been a good pair of rain pants. In the warmer weather when I do wear them they work real well. I just roll up the pant leg, like shorts. And they keep me and my shorts dry. Good 4 season rain pant. I think they breathe extremely well. I was going to go with the Showers Pass but these were cheaper. When I bought them they were $55. But I've worn them in all kind of rainy conditions from a light rain to a downpour and they've kept me dry everytime. Highly recommend.
https://www.gottaridebikes.com/page/GRB/PROD/JAC/JAC0012
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Old 06-20-11 | 07:01 PM
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Originally Posted by PaulRivers
Showers Pass Goretex rain pants - don't exist. Not at all.
Whatever you want to call them.Ok lets split hairs and call them waterproof breathable. They are the older model that have the vents at the knees.
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Old 06-20-11 | 07:30 PM
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Originally Posted by fietsbob
I've taken to using a Cycling Rain Cape recently ,
Where'd you get yours? I haven't been able to find anyone local that supplies cycling specific ones.
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Old 06-20-11 | 08:39 PM
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Originally Posted by scoatw
I bought a pair of RAINSHIELD 02 3FLOW PERFORMANCE SERIES PANTS about 4 years ago when I started commuting daily. They've been a good pair of rain pants....Highly recommend.
https://www.gottaridebikes.com/page/GRB/PROD/JAC/JAC0012
Thanks for the tip! I might buy some of those.
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Old 06-20-11 | 09:26 PM
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Originally Posted by EChing
Originally Posted by El Duderino X
For most rain application I like Rainlegs and my MEC shoe covers.
Can you get Rainlegs and/or Rainmates in Metro Vancouver? Seems like a good solution for my reluctance to ride in anything more than light rain.
Sadly, no, not that I know of. I ordered mine from the Rainlegs website and they shipped from the Netherlands. Can't remember how long they took to get here but, IIRC, it didn't take any more than two weeks and the shipping rates were quite reasonable.
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Old 06-21-11 | 07:11 AM
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Originally Posted by aggiegrads
Nothing will breathe well enough to keep you comfortable in warm rainy weather. As with rain jackets, there are two properties to look for: breathability and ventilation
Take a look at Rainlegs. I have some, they're a great WP/B pants compromise that keep you dry up to the point where you really shouldn't be riding anyways.
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