Which Waterproof Trousers?

this may be total bullshit, but i remember reading somewhere that nikwax doesn't make goretex waterproof, just upholds its breathability? may have been on this forum so probably not right...

this may be total bullshit, but i remember reading somewhere that nikwax doesn't make goretex waterproof, just upholds its breathability? may have been on this forum so probably not right...

You don't need any chemical to make Gore Tex waterproof. The GTX membrane is inherently waterproof on it's own.

The issue is that all GTX jackets are bonded with a facing layer that is treated with a Durable Water Repellant (DWR).

The facing layer is there to stop the Gore Tex membrane getting dirty, and also to stop it getting 'wetted out'. When either of these occurs, the membrane is no longer 'breathable'

The DWR treatments make water bead off the facing layer, but when you wash the garment this treatment is stripped off. The purpose of re-proofing agents is to return the beading DWR to the facing.

Many DWR chemicals are heat activated, so after washing Gore Tex should be ironed or tumbledried.

ah-ha. Thanks dommy.

This is all academic now anyway— have you seen the WEATHER?!

yey i was preaching da truf.

Cleftilicous - which gaiters are those?

http://www.trekmates.co.uk/b/1/Trekmates/c/92/Gaiters/Trekmates-Gaiters.html

It looks like mine predate the current range as the label says SGT2T
However, looking at the spec - the Cairngorm look exactly the same - I think they may some up big though - the ones I have are S/M even tho by their reckoning I would be Large.

The other thing I like about them is that they dry really quickly, and you can just stick em in your bag as they take up zero room, I reckon they'd be pretty good with overshoes as well, once the weather warms up.

some intense rain today, so first chance to put my swrve WWR trousers to the test. the proper downpour lasted less than 10 minutes though.

impressed with how the trouser legs let absolutely no water trough and just ended up covered in beads.

but water seeped trough in the bum area after much less than a minute. a shame since I was hoping I had found the ultimate waterproof trousers. and these are 85 quid mind.

I just went ahead and bought bib tights when its really cold. They also hold the rain off for a while too. Figure when the weather gets bad again I'll buy some waterproof trousers.

some intense rain today, so first chance to put my swrve WWR trousers to the test. the proper downpour lasted less than 10 minutes though.

impressed with how the trouser legs let absolutely no water trough and just ended up covered in beads.

but water seeped trough in the bum area after much less than a minute. a shame since I was hoping I had found the ultimate waterproof trousers. and these are 85 quid mind.

To be fair the Swrve WWR trousers (and shorts) aren't sold as 'water proof' and as with a lot of 'resistant' DWR finishes, water can push through where the fabric is under pressure. I'm not saying you've got a fat ass, but if that's the area under tension, water will push through. Do you have mudguards? 'Cos if not that would explain your ass getting soaked through. Water proof shmoof - stay dry on the outside, get sweaty like a mofo inside......

the Endura Event 3/4 are great - sure you get lower leg wet but that soon dries and elsewhere they are totally waterproof and robust. Also avoid the boil-in-the-bag effect during summer and better than paclite - need no reproofing. Look for an online offer

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/clothing/34-length-trousers/product/venturi-event-34-25781

... water can push through where the fabric is under pressure. .....

yeah, seems like that was the case. hangs relatively loose down my lower leg so excellent waterproofness there. but as I was wriggling my butt about it's as if I helped soaking moisture into the fabric a bit like squeezing a sponge.

Saw these in a country outfitters at the weekend for £130 but not in my size.

Just found them for £75 online

http://www.allcocksoutdoorstore.co.uk/store/product/1549/Laksen-Garcia-Breeks-33/

cordura/cotton outer with full goretex lining

in the post now

should be quite hard wearing and keep my arse dry in winter

Should have ordered one of these bad boys while you were there:

I have a pair of these, paid about £50 quid last year they are breathable don't let any water in and pack into the pocket so no hassle to carry about I always keep them in my bag. The only thing is they are quite baggy being over trousers so you need to wear clips with them. http://www.theoutdoorshop.com/showPart.asp?part=PN61128

Yesterday the laksen breeks got used for the first time in the rain.

Utterly amazing, I stayed warm wet and dry

teamed up with a pair of knee high sealskinz country socks I remained totally comfortable. Shoes were soaked through but I was toasty.

If anyone wants a pair the shop gave me a ten% discount code.

They sound nice. To be fair though it was hot yesterday and riding in jeans with a long sleeve sports t shirt and a gillet I was hot! I'll be interested to hear a cold weather rain report though in the autumn / winter.

I went out in shorts and jersey. HTFU

In light of todays weather, I think I need something other than my tracksuit bottoms to ride to work in.

I've got some 3/4 lycra things, like this:

...and was thinking about 'teaming them' with tracky-Bs, but they'll just get soaked.

The other obvious option is some sort of leg warms...

... which would fulfill my schoolboy Britney Spears fantisies ;)

Any other options/advice? I'm happy wearing lycra on road rides, but I'm not really sure if I can be arsed with a daily office piss-take.

Also I'm ony riding for around 30min to work, so I don't need polar gear. And I'm not that flush at the mo, so cheaper is better.

Cheers.

I picked a pair of Giordana legs for pretty cheap (£10). I also have knee warmers and separate arm warmers.

They are all great to have, as you can roll them into a jersey pocket, and they dry quicker than full tights.

I cant stand cycling in waterproof over-trousers.

I'd recoment probikekit suff, but they seem to be running low on stock.

Expensive but worth it in my opinion:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?PartnerID=79&ModelID=18080

For that price you might as well get some of these.
http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/product-detail-DAD-LON.htm

I am still waiting for these (lost in the post/ nicked by customs)
http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/product-detail-SNA-LON.htm

Cheers for the tips.

My 3/4s often ride down so the padding is on my balls rather than arse, so I think I'd rather have bibs if I was buying lycra stuff.

Although I'm not sure I'd want the intergrated vest like on the Snake Bites. a) bc I'd rather have versatility and b) I don't think I need that much warmth.

They do look good tho...

I'd get bibs everytime. I mentioned the tights, as some folk prefer them for versatility.

Honest recomendation:

Get some decent but cheap bibshorts (ie. something you would'nt mind commuting in)
Get some thermal boxers.
Get some themal knee warmers.
Get some thermal full leg warmers.

Thats a lot of kit, but it covers you all year. the boxers are good fo the colder days, as the legs and your jacket will leave your hips cold. Also the modular nature means you can cycle too and from work in comfort even if temperatures change drastically.

Keep an eye on websites like Planet-X and ProBikeKit, for own-brand bargins.

I don't like having to undress to pee. I get cold. Pissing over the gate still requires removal of too many layers. Otherwise bibs are good.

Any other options/advice? I'm happy wearing lycra on road rides, but I'm not really sure if I can be arsed with a daily office piss-take.

Also I'm ony riding for around 30min to work, so I don't need polar gear. And I'm not that flush at the mo, so cheaper is better.

Cheers.

Sounds like my situation as well. I usually ride to work in cheap jeans then change them once I get to work. I think I'll have to start riding to work in lycra before long though as I can't deal with hanging up wet jeans all day.

I don't like having to undress to pee. I get cold. Pissing over the gate still requires removal of too many layers. Otherwise bibs are good.

I nearly always think I'm finished when I'm not, when weeing 'over-the-bridge'. This causes me to dampen my pad.
Not trying to be gross. Its a genuine problem, as a wet pad, when you're cycling in sub-zero conditions, gets fecking cold. Therefore proper winter bibs with a zip, are a very good idea.

(ED: thats just too much info. Sorry)

Sounds like my situation as well. I usually ride to work in cheap jeans then change them once I get to work. I think I'll have to start riding to work in lycra before long though as I can't deal with hanging up wet jeans all day.

Jeans are the worse thing you wear in cold conditions. Very poor thermal properties, and zero wind protection.