So, I'm going to Florida for a two week credit card style tour with some friends. Our route will take us along the Gulf of Mexico for about 8 days to Pensacola and then back to Ocala. I have several great rain coats (Showers Pass) to use, but no rain pants.

My question is: Do I need pants?

I am of the school of thought that says that if it rains hard enough and long enough a rain coat (and presumably rain pants too) really won't keep me dry, but it (they) may well keep me warm. OTOH, how cold is it likely to be in Florida in April? I'm guessing- not very.

So, my inclination is to pass on the pants and put on some tights or leg warmers if I get cold in the rain, but don't bother trying to stay dry with rain pants.

Anyone care to dissuade me?

I've found the only time I bother with my rain pants is around camp at the end of the day. I'd rather get a little wet if it's not freezing cold out. I'm not thinking it's going to be all that cold in FL?

I tend to sweat as much as i'd get wet from the rain.... so.................... 9.9 out of 10 I will pass on rain pants.

What time of year? Winter I say get some. Not sure about Florida but I know it can get cold as a well diggers behind in Texas along the Gulf.

Summer, I would not bother. Maybe a pair of tights just in case (I like them better than leg warmers).

April that would be a coin toss I would think.

Sorry, I should have mentioned that we're going in April.

Just for grins...if money's no object, what rain pants are the best? What features separate just OK rain pants, from rain pants that are actually comfortable and useful?

Oh! Oh! Do take a look at the new Rivendell awful orange rain pants. They are the greatest thing since the later greatest thing I bought!

Tom

I used pants like these touring last summer. They are lightwieght and mostly waterproof/fast drying and they zip off into shorts for riding in good weather or for casual, off-the-bike wear.

The problem I have with rain pants is that I sweat in them. The problem I have when I don't wear rain pants is that my a$$ gets soaked and it tends to lead to saddle sores. It seems every time that I ride in the rain with no rain pants I get sores, not sure if the skin just becomes softer or what....

Anyway I use Marmot precip pants

Rain Legs.

They are awesome for cycling. the best thing out there, period. They are also great as legwarmers for cold days. Do a search on google. I htink Peter white sells them, but I got mine in the UK.

they look stupid, but they are brilliant.

WOW. What a fashion statement,eh?

Seriously, I do like the way they are made/designed. And Made in US....didn't think ANYTHING was made in US anymore.

Don't know if they're available in the US, but I have a pair of Rab rain pants made from 'eVent', which are brilliant. They're super-light and breatheable (I don't sweat at all in them), have full-length zips, and have well-articulated knees so flexibility for pedalling is brilliant too. Expensive kit though - mine cost about 100ukp.

I think your correct in your decision, rain pants to stay warm, not dry.

I have a pair of goretex rain pants that I bought from nashbar 3 or 4 years ago. I really like them, I always wear them for my commute ( and tours) if it is raining hard. They have vents below the knee which keep them from getting too hot. They are the best for cold rainy weather, if it's really warm out I don't bother. They definitely keep my legs dry.

Fenders and a longish jacket, tucked between me and the saddle. For me, it's less the rain than the oily, gritty stuff that gets flung up by my tires. Since you're bent over anyway, the jacket is almost like an umbrella for your upper legs.

If you have some time, get in touch with Lou at Foxwear. His rain pants are a good balance between breathable and keeping dry. I highly recommend both them and his rain jacket. He custom-makes all his clothing.

I use the Showers Pass eVent pants. Very well designed, but very pricey. I don't think they make them anymore.

I use a cheap coated nylon jacket and pants from REI. I think they were made by Sierra Designs. They are waterproof, not breathable, very light in weight, and pack tiny. I have been pretty satisfied with them. I don't generally wear the pants on the bike, but have put them on in camp quite a few times. I have generally not found breathable fabrics to work very well for me. I wind up soaked in sweat any way.

Hi Al,

Which Rab pant do you own? Bergen?

Thanks,
Tom

Gulf Coast in April? Shouldn't need pants to stay warm or dry.

It's the feet you gotta worry about. Cycling sandals with no socks for rainy conditions. Or maybe Sealskinz. Or booties over your cycling shoes.

For your tour I wouldn't bring rain pants. With the temperatures you'll be seeing, whether to bring rain pants basically depends on whether you want to be soaked by rain or sweat. I'd choose rain.

If you are still looking for a pair, I can say that I've been very dissapointed with my Frogg Toggs Road Toad rain suit. The jacket works well but I get soak through in the crotch of the rain pants. I think it's a combination of the seam tape having torn from the cycling motion, and the material not being fully waterproof when it is compressed and abraided between you and the bike saddle.

While it can get chilly in North Florida, this year especially, you shouldn't need anything other than maybe a set of leg warmers or tights. Unless I'm commuting I tend to stay away from rain pants, they don't breath too will.

I'm beginning to see a consensus developing here: Take a pair of rain pants for standing around in the rain or if the weather gets really "Biblical"...but if it's typical "April in Florida" weather I won't need them for riding. Bought a lightweight pair of Pearl Izumi rain pants at REI today and I think I've got it covered.

Thanks for the great input.

That's the one! Great kit. They're the only waterproof pants I could wear all day without noticing, or feeling like a lemon. I forgot to mention that they're much quieter than 'normal' rain pants too.

For Florida, quick dry over Gore-tex.

My MEC Gore-tex pants are toasty. I'll use then when I lift ski or toss them in the rear bag if it's below 50 and I'm expecting a rainy night commute.

I usually pack a set of stretch waterproof cycling pants from MEC. they've been in their lineup for years.