Breathable, Windproof Rain Gear Recommendations?

Ken H

Ken H

Joined
Dec 15, 2004
Messages
358
Location
Liberty Hill, TX
Bike
2011 BMW R1200GS
This is probably a tall order and there may not be anything out there that meets all the criteria but I thought I would throw it out there and see if anyone can offer up any recommendations. I would like to find some rain gear that can be worn over riding gear, is wind proof, breathable, and preferably has reflective piping, striping or other visibility enhancements. I just recently purchased some Cycleport gear and opted for the windproof/waterproof liners that go underneath the jacket and pants but I am rethinking that decision. I think I would prefer something that is windproof, waterproof and breathable to put on over the gear if rain is encountered as opposed to having to stop, take the gear off, put the liners on, then put the gear back on and then be on my way. I like the idea of stop, put the gear on over what I already have on and then be on the road again. The suit would also serve the dual purpose of being the windproof component in colder weather. Does anyone know of a product that meets those criteria?
 
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I bought a breathable, 100% waterproof and windproof in 3/4 length at Iron Pony Motorsports, on sale for $50.00 + shipping. The brand is NITRO and it's a very high quality, very attractive rain jacket. BTW, it's fabric, not PVC...
 
I just looked at that Nitro. Looks interesting, but WHY do manufactures make rainsuits in black!? If there was every a time you need to be as visible as possible, it's got to be in the rain!

I might seriously consider buying one if it were bright yellow, or orange. But not black.
 
Well they are not motorcycle specific, but I use Frog Toggs. You can pick your color, and mine has a hood for off the bike. I have riden in some mind boggling hard rains and they kept me dry. And they are light weight and beathable. And inexpensive.

]Monty[
 
montyshaw said:
Well they are not motorcycle specific, but I use Frog Toggs. You can pick your color, and mine has a hood for off the bike. I have riden in some mind boggling hard rains and they kept me dry. And they are light weight and beathable. And inexpensive.

]Monty[
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I'll second that, and you can't beat the price. They can pack up very tight. I keep a set in my saddle bags year round.
 
Some potentially useful info:

One brand of breathable rainsuit that quite a few riders use is Frogg Toggs.

http://www.froggtoggs.com/catalog/2008catalog/page00.asp

I have one, and have mixed feelings about it. It does breath, and it's therefore cooler. But it's not designed for motorcycle use. The leg zips aren't very long, so it's kind of hard to get over boots. And the leg zips aren't weather sealed, so your pants get wet.

Although I just noticed a couple of new Frogg Toggs suit that appears to be motorcycle oriented:

http://www.froggtoggs.com/catalog/2008catalog/page13.asp and
http://www.froggtoggs.com/catalog/2008catalog/page15.asp

Looks like the leg zips still aren't fully waterproof, though, since they're trying to sell overboots as an accessory. Still not available in bright colors, and:

http://www.froggtoggs.com/catalog/2008catalog/page21.asp

Claims to have waterproof zippers, but still not brightly colored.

A google search found a few things, but not really designed for motorcycle use, either:

http://www.coolraingear.com/

http://www.tgw.com/customer/category/product.jsp?SUBCATEGORY_ID=6034

Here's one that is designed for riders. Don't know anything about it, though:

http://www.bransonwholesale.com/rainsuits.html

HTH,
 
+1 Frogg Toggs....

Not reflective... just buy the bright colors...

Love mine... use them....
Verrrrry dry... verrry comfy

BRIGHT ORANGE!!
 
It's unanimous!!! Frogg Toggs can't be beat for breathability and value!! I've got 2 sets. :headbang:
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jwayden said:
It's unanimous!!! Frogg Toggs can't be beat for breathability and value!! I've got 2 sets. :headbang:
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I have a set of the Frog Togs myself but I purchased them only as a supplemental rain suit with the gear I have been using prior to my recent purchase of the Cycleport gear. I briefly thought about the Frog Toggs to achieve my purpose with the Cycleport gear but I have wondered if the fabric is durable enough to hold up to sustained riding for extended periods as well as will it be effective during extended riding in cold weather. I have taken a cursory look at a local Bass Pro Shop at rain gear and have found some Goretex rain gear that gives me the impression that it would be more durable and probably more effective against wind and rain and for extended periods. Has anyone used both a Goretex type product and Frog Toggs and can can give a comparative analysis?
 
I've been wearing my Frogg Toggs (bright yellow) over my Roadcrafter for several days. Good but not perfect. Cheap, tho. I get damp in the crotch area after a few hours of continuous rain. That has happened more than once this trip.

For the price, they are hard to beat. I have carried this set for well over a year and never needed'em. This trip is making up for it. :D
 
Why don't you just use the Motoport liners and see how you like them. I use the jacket liner more than the pant liner simply because it's easy to put on beside the road, and the ST has great lower body protection. How hard is it to just take off your jacket and put on the rain jacket, then put your jacket back on. There is no rule that says you have to zip the rain liner in or connect all the tabs, and I like not having it flap in the wind. With the liners and appropriate clothing underneath Motoport mesh is year around for me.
 
George said:
I've been wearing my Frogg Toggs (bright yellow) over my Roadcrafter for several days. Good but not perfect. Cheap, tho. I get damp in the crotch area after a few hours of continuous rain. That has happened more than once this trip.

For the price, they are hard to beat. I have carried this set for well over a year and never needed'em. This trip is making up for it. :D
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George,
I thought one of the reasons for buying an Aerostitch Roadcrafter was that you don't have to stop and put on rain gear. Are they not waterproof, or does yours just have a gazillion miles on it?
 
I had Frogg Toggs early on but mine started to fray on a long, wet road trip. I have the FirstGear Rainman suit that fits over my Firstgear Kilo suit fine. It's breathable and waterproof - 12 hours on the road in a downpour tested it just fine!
 
UP I thought you were a Stich man as well?

Ken, I think I had mentioned to you in an email that I have searched long and far for a rain jacket that was waterproof, packable, hi-viz and had reflective strips (in that order) and hadn't found anything. BUT, I recently ran across this which looks to be the closest yet. I think I'll order one and see how it does. http://alertshirt.com/wirajaancl3.html

Actually, using the Cycleport rain liner for the jacket only might not be such a bad idea as long as you can just put it on and not zip/snap/attach to the jacket. BUT, pulling a rain jacket over the gear would be much quicker (in my mind anyway) and you could pull it right over with the gloves on and have the rain jacket sleeve over the gloves so water doesn't run into the glove cuff. Also, an over-gear-rain jacket might be better at keeping water from running down into your pants at the waist?

Something else to think about is that Cycleport mesh material might not be too kind to the fabric of Frogg Toggs flapping in the wind - I don't know. But one thing's for sure....... you won't be the hottest-sweatiest guy in the group with that gear on :D

..
 
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CLAIR - Yep, the Rainman sure has worked well for many many times.

JASON - I do have the Darien that I used during the winter. But I use the FirstGear stuff when it warms up. The windproof/waterproof liner ain't quite waterproof in a heavy downpour. :)
 
I bought some real nice Goretex from LLbean last summer on sale. May not be the chic cycle gear brands but great quality and good pricing.
 
Ken, I think I had mentioned to you in an email that I have searched long and far for a rain jacket that was waterproof, packable, hi-viz and had reflective strips (in that order) and hadn't found anything. BUT, I recently ran across this which looks to be the closest yet. I think I'll order one and see how it does. http://alertshirt.com/wirajaancl3.html
 Jason-
I followed the link and checkout the jacket. Looks good from the waterproof and visibility aspect but I didnt see anything that indicated that it breathes. I have been looking to see what is out there for suitable windproof, breathable rain gear. I went to Bass Pro to get some ideas and I am going to Cabella's next. What I saw at Bass Pro looked like some top notch high tech stuff but unfortunately nothing was hi vis or had any reflective qualities. I would like to find out a little more about the rain gear Bob Meyer put up a link to in a post earlier in this thread. (http://www.bransonwholesale.com/rainsuits.html) It looks like it comes as close as anything to meeting all the criteria but I would like to get some more info, preferably first hand, on the quality of it.

Why don't you just use the Motoport liners and see how you like them. I use the jacket liner more than the pant liner simply because it's easy to put on beside the road, and the ST has great lower body protection. How hard is it to just take off your jacket and put on the rain jacket, then put your jacket back on. There is no rule that says you have to zip the rain liner in or connect all the tabs, and I like not having it flap in the wind. With the liners and appropriate clothing underneath Motoport mesh is year around for me.
Coop- You may have a good point about the jacket. That may be just as easy as trying to put something on over the jacket. It is the thought of having to get out of the pants on the side of the road, put rain gear on, and put the pants back on that really underwhelms me.

Uncle Phil and Clair- Thanks for the recommendations on the First Gear Rainman stuff. That is what I am interested in as much as anything - real world experiences of riders. I think I will see if I can find some locally to take a look at. Heck, Tucker Rocky is probably only about 30 - 40 minutes from where I live. I wonder if they would let me in the warehouse to look around at ALL the rain gear.

And thanks to everyone for all your feedback. If anyone else has suggestions or recommendations then please chime in.
 
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