wipekitty

I am considering upgrading my waterproof gear this year, and am looking for waterPROOF (not just resistant) pants under $50.

I've been using Helly Hansen Voss pants for the past few years, and they are fine; the only downsides are that they can be hard to put on over shoes and they wear out somewhat quickly (6-12 months of daily use). I can get a new pair for $20-$25, and will do so again if I do not find anything better and reasonably cheap.

My riding conditions include: Cold rain (for about a month), wet snow (for about a month), dry snow plus moisture and gunk from road salt/sand/blue stuff (two months), freeze/thaw cycle slush (2-4 weeks), occasional cold rain again.

Desired features: Waterproof (not just water resistant), no lining or insulation, easy to get on and off over shoes, available in smaller sizes (small men's or women's, large youth), durability (no cheap Frog Toggs). Breathability is less important than the ability to keep out water.

rumrunn6

our local outdoor store has a rack devoted to rain gear. they sell separate tops & pants. non cycling specific & in varying levels of quality & price but all are lightweight & affordable. highly useful & handy. you might try something like that

Stormsedge

I have some gore-Tex I bought on sale ~15 years ago...they're still in great shape after lots of abuse including brambles and rocks.

fietsbob

water proof coated is the Cheapest Kind, unless you get foul weather gear for off shore fishing.


Again, cyclist's rain cape they drape over the handlebars, so legs stay pretty dry, under that, awning like..

any pair of rain pants will wear out pretty quickly , from sitting on them riding the bike. ( look for rain chappes without a seat)

My Burly Rain Gear was nice until the 3 layer WPB fabric Delaminated.






.....

Timequake

I use these Columbia rain pants. Easy to get on and off, waterproof, easy to ride in, and have velcro straps around the ankles so the pants don't get caught in your chain. They're $50 from Columbia, but I got mine on sale from REI for just under $30. They also fit a little baggy so they go on easily over your regular riding pants.

https://www.amazon.com/Columbia-Mens.../dp/B00HW1A6WC

wipekitty

So...I gave up on finding something fully waterproof for under $50, and ponied up for a pair of Showers Pass Transit pants. (They were on sale at least.)

It's good and nasty here today and I need to get to work, and I might throw some extra miles in on the way home tonight. We'll see how they do

rumrunn6

did you order them or buy them in a shop? meaning do you have them now? how is the sizing? meaning what size are you, what size did you buy & how do they fit?

wipekitty

I ordered them online, and have them now. I think they run a tiny bit on the small side, even when compared to the size chart.

I'm actually a girl kitty of average girl kitty height (5'5" or 165cm) and typically wear a small in women's clothes, sometimes an XS for brands only marketed in the US. Usually men's stuff is too big, even in size small; I've ordered things in boy's size 14 that have worked out.

I got the men's XS because I found a good deal. I thought they'd be a bit baggy, but they're actually perfect in the waist and a bit tight through the thighs. They've been fine to ride in, though I'll probably go with a small when they wear out in a decade.

rumrunn6

thanks, just ordered the XXL after looking at their sizing charts. not cheap tho! guess I'm riding thru the winter again this year ...

wipekitty

Yeah, the price is a good motivator to keep riding

rumrunn6

they're not shiny, are they?

wipekitty

No, though there are reflective stripes. They're really only shiny in the dark.

rockpilex

I've had great luck with my J and G Cyclewear rain jacket so I just ordered the rain pants Waterproof Pants from People Who Really Know Waterproof Pants!. Not the most fashionable cyclewear but you can't argue with the price under $40.

rumrunn6

wow these are hard core. love the ankle closure system. the XXL fits over my regular cargo pants. probably could have gone w the XL. truth is, I didn't need rain pants cuz I have generic rain pants that work just fine for cheap. don't know why I bought them. but now that I have them, I'm glad to have cycling specific rain pants. roomy w lots of options for layers under. they say you never regret buying quality. these will be in the mix for years to come. now I want a sleet storm!

rumrunn6

gave them a ride last night. temp down to 30 degrees w thin fleece tights under. good wind protection. def got a size too big, oh well, but I'll use them when I go out in the blizzards this winter really nice they don't require ankle straps

there's no worry about these pants being long enough, that's for sure, thank you wipekitty for recommending them even if they aren't $50!

SylvainG

I bought this from Amazon for this time of the year, below 5F (40C) and raining. $43 for pants and jacket. They pack small too. Pants and jacket are vented on the back. Since the leg and arms are not vented and it's completely waterproof, you'll sweat in them if you go hard.

rumrunn6

finally used them for a good reason today. combined w REI brand fleece tights I was good for 3 hrs in the elements at 19F

srestrepo

hey just curiuos, what do you wear on your feet though?

rumrunn6

those are some Columbia winter boots, sock liner, hand warmer taped to top of toes, then a winter sock

wipekitty

Finally...after a ridiculously dry, then cold and dry, then freezing effing cold and dry winter so far, I got to try out my Showers Pass Transit pants in legitimately awful weather. We had some kind of pretty serious sleet storm going on today...a great mixture of wintery goop, freezing rain, and pools of mud, water, salt mix on the streets.

I was dry when I got to work. Happy!

rumrunn6

yahoo!

CliffordK

I have some Shower's Pass rain pants. Really good, with extra rain protection around the seat. However, they are expensive. I also don't like their cuff velcro. It just doesn't quite line up right

I've also kept an eye out for good rain pants from local thrift stores. Usually cheap, but quality can be all over. However, the rain pants can take a beating, so cheap is never a bad thing.

berner

I'm late to the party here but I have quite a bit of gear from the hiking and pack packing world. I've seen expensive gear for hundreds of dollars but I've been happy with Marmot brand rain gear. https://www.sierratradingpost.com/ma...-rec-prod116UJ My Marmot waterproof jacket has been going strong for a good many years and is still waterproof.

I've also had good luck with Red Ledge brand gear. Red Ledge? My full zip rain paints have also lasted, in like new condition, for years. LL Bean in Maine always has good quality outdoor gear as does the Kittery Trading Post in Kittery, Maine.

fietsbob

charity shop finds..

scoatw

I've been using O2 rain pants pushing 12 years and they're still going strong. More than $50 though. But worth every penny.