Do you bother with a waterproof outer shell?

[Fiddlesticks]

Do you regularly ride in bad weather?  If so, what is your approach to keeping dry?

 

My old IXS Navigator suit has a basic drop liner which isn't all that effective.  I've cobbled together an outer shell which is none too flattering but does the trick. Having pulled the trigger on a GoreTex laminated suit, I'm still considering adding a decent rain suit over the top for the worst weather.  Overkill?  Or a sensible way of keeping the new gear clean and dry?   I had a look at the Scott rainsuits at J&S recently and they seemed pretty good.

[bonio]

I used to.
Laminated goretex is the gold standard in keeping the rain out. I've never needed to add anything to stay dry inside my jacket, even in all-day wetter-than-water Scottish rain. But all trousers allow a bit of damp in around the crutch, given the right circumstances. You might find an outer pair of rainproof pants improves this; I've never tried.

[bud]

I've tried loads of different brands. But nothing seems to keep the heaviest prolonged rain out. 

So if it's really bad I just put a two piece rain suit over the top. I use the Oxford rainseal gear at the moment.

[Simon Davey]

Apparently, a mesh gel seat cover allows the water to drain away, then it doesn't soak through the crotch of the trousers. Of course, you're also getting wet in comfort. 

Edited April 14 by Simon Davey

[RideWithStyles]

 

You could get a two piece over suit, The results could vary with what you have already.

would less likely to allow water and cold to get through but then your more likely to hold that warm vapour and cool down in the layers making it seem think one or the other has failed but really you’ve held it in place to build up. 

so to put it in a context your sort of putting up a double glazing window on the inside to only put a different single glazing one just infront of that one. 

to be honest if you paid a fortune for laminated product to do its job, it needs to do it or you’ll might aswell not of bothered or claim on the warranty. 

Edited April 14 by RideWithStyles

[Steve_M]

In the day I used to,commute all year on the bike I had a one piece boil in the bag oversuit. it was fine for commuting 30 minutes.
 

Now I don’t commute this has been replaced by Berghaus walking trousers which have a zip down the full length of each leg which makes them easy to put on and remove. Combined with a waterproof over jacket from Infinity motorcycles. This works well for touring duties in those circumstances where weather can change quickly.

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

Same here as @bud I bought a cheap Oxford Rainseal jacket years ago and it's my go to kit for bad weather. Coupled with a pair of Oxford Montreal trousers. I know some people don't have much luck with Oxford stuff but I've tried various brands and the Oxford kit is the only kit that keeps me 99% dry on long very wet rides. I think the jacket cost me a whopping £25 - and it has never leaked.

 

I say 99% because last winter I had to travel from Chester to Oxford in torrential rain. I was 99% dry - the only damp bit was just around my neck where spray got between my helmet and collar. I also left the top vent open on my helmet so the top of my head got wet.

 

My Goretex gloves got very damp but I've never found any gloves that stay totally dry. My TCX boots were dry.

[S-Westerly]

I use laminated gear (not always Goretex) and ridden from Morpeth to Stroud in monsoon rain all the way. Not pleasant but I was dry except for a damp collar as there's no way to stop water seeping down. In summer months when my gear isn't laminated I use a Scott 2 piece which works well, especially the jacket. Summer gloves? I'm in the market for an allegedly waterproof pair.

[daveinlim]

I commute all year round. I have a laminated suit and then I have a 2 piece outer waterproof shell on to if it's really chucking it down. 

My laminate suit won't let water in but it's nicer to have it dry hanging in the office. Also I find I get my socks or shirt wet when getting changed so the outer shell helps as the main suit is dry anyway. 

 

I've got a outer shell jacket that's compatible with my airbag vest which I've not tried yet. 

[skyrider]

i used to have a one piece suit from a builders supply shop and nothing got through that thing 

[bonio]

Yeah, I pack my Berghaus walking trousers when I go touring. Never actually used them though.

[Fiddlesticks]

Here's what I've settled on:

 

 

Having shelled (no pun intended) out £90 on the Scott jacket from J&S I couldn't justify another £80 on the trousers. Also, wasn't too sure about the length and the elasticated ankles, although the high waist was a good idea..

 

These alternatives are made of the same breathable, stretchy, rubberised material with welded seams. In black. £14 plus delivery from Amazon. (Search Fort - Airflex Trousers - they do them in bib & brace style as well).

 

To be honest, both items seem equally well made and go well together. Quite pleased, but the real test will be in a downpour...

 

[Capt Sisko]

On 13/04/2025 at 21:54, Fiddlesticks said:

Having pulled the trigger on a GoreTex laminated suit, I'm still considering adding a decent rain suit over the top for the worst weather.  Overkill?

No, well not on long rides it isn't. I've got a GoreTex laminated Richa Atlantic suit and whilst it's 100% waterproof the surface fabric still gets wet (the beading properties never last that long). The problem is that after it's stopped raining the jacket can suck heat out of you as that surface fabric dries out. A waterproof over the top prevents that and keeps you a lot warmer. It’s what a lot of us Iron Butt nutters do on long, wet & cold runs and it does work.

 

In truth it's probably a bit OTT for summer daytime use, and certainly too complicated for just in case on a normal day rainy ride, but it the cold wet weather or as the temperature dips overnight and you’re starting to feel a bit tired, warm is better than cold.

 

Edited Friday at 16:54 by Capt Sisko

[S-Westerly]

If the rain is likely to be heavy or persistent and I've got a longish ride ahead then the waterproofs go on over the laminated kit. It does keep the water off and as Capt Sisko said keeps you warmer.

[Mickly]

32 minutes ago, S-Westerly said:

If the rain is likely to be heavy or persistent and I've got a longish ride ahead then the waterproofs go on over the laminated kit. It does keep the water off and as Capt Sisko said keeps you warmer.

Thought you’d wear a Sou’wester?

[S-Westerly]

Never worn a sou'wester in my life. Bloody fishermen do. 

[Throttled]

A waterproof over a goretex jacket defeats the purpose of the goretex. I have never had goretex let me down and I have ridden in a lot of heavy, prolonged rain.

[S-Westerly]

So have I ridden in a lot of rain and if it's heavy rain i wear both. The overjacket is breathable too so it's not defeating the purpose of the goretex. If it was the plastic bag type it would and I wouldn't.

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

On the other hand every GoreTex item I have owned has leaked....with the single exception of my TCX boots. I still buy stuff made with GoreTex for its breathability but I don't expect it to keep me dry. 

[bud]

A couple of GoreTex jackets I've owned have been good initially. But as they get used every day they do start to leak eventually.

Even using a GoreTex restore conditioner, never got them back the same as they were new.