Altura Night Vision Trousers - How Long Did They Last?

[GJT]

I bought these in Oct 2012, and they have been great- kept me dry in some really heavy rain on my short commute.
The white membrane on the inner has now worn away in places, so they are no longer waterproof, as I discovered as I arrived at work!
I know a few people on here have these- is under 3 years the expected life of these? At £55 I would have thought they would have lasted longer.
Does anyone know of anything better for a similar price?

 

[vickster]

Sportful make good kit. If the right size, these look a bargain

Italian sizing I expect

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sportful-rain-stretch-pant/?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&kpid=5360667774&sku=5360667774&ci_src=18615224&ci_sku=5360667774uk&utm_source=google&utm_term&utm_campaign=Clothing&utm_medium=base&utm_content=smmIs2dQh_dm|pcrid||pkw||pmt||prd|5360667774uk

Or you could try dhb

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-mono-wa...axCKSWz7_dm|pcrid||pkw||pmt||prd|5360565855uk

 

[screenman]

I have a pair of Ron Hills that have lasted 10 years, they have not been worn yet though.

 

[Deleted member 23692]

I had an Altura waterproof jacket that started to rapidly delaminate after around a year of ownership.. and I'd only worn it a handful of times.

Never a problem with Endura gear tho

 

[GJT]

I had an Altura waterproof jacket that started to rapidly delaminate after around a year of ownership.. and I'd only worn it a handful of times.

Never a problem with Endura gear tho

I've just been looking at the Endura Gridlock as a possible replacement, but there isn't much reflective detail. That was one of the good things about the Altura- blokes from work behind me in cars on dark mornings, say they couldn't miss me. I've emailed Altura customer services, to see what they expect the life of the trousers to be, but not had a response yet

 

[Deleted member 23692]

Endura's Luminite is more on a par with the Night Vison gear

Any use? http://www.endurasport.com/products/?ProductID=66

 

[GJT]

Endura's Luminite is more on a par with the Night Vison gear

Any use? http://www.endurasport.com/products/?ProductID=66

I like the look of those, although they are a bit more than I wanted to pay. A definite contender though- thanks

 

[CUBE CRD]

I wear a pair of reversible anklebands (reflective / high-vis) along with my Gridlock jacket to compensate for the lack of reflective detail on the jacket.Motorists do seem to slow down and give me a bit of room when they pass me at night in winter.

 

[sidevalve]

It's the wrong trousers Grommit !!!

 

[screenman]

I've just been looking at the Endura Gridlock as a possible replacement, but there isn't much reflective detail. That was one of the good things about the Altura- blokes from work behind me in cars on dark mornings, say they couldn't miss me. I've emailed Altura customer services, to see what they expect the life of the trousers to be, but not had a response yet

Send a recorder delivery letter to the chairman of the company, far better than an email to a member of staff who may not be bothered that day.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

For £55 I think 3 years use is probably about right. I don't think with the kind of use I put waterproof trousers through that they would have lasted that long personally (I have been through 5 or 6 different pairs of waterproof trousers over the years I have commuted and toured.) I have had waterproof trousers that have lasted less than a season. My current set cost me a lot, but the fit and I like them. They are now 6 or 7 years old at least, have been on every tour I have done, seen lots of use and although they have needed a repair or two along the way (mostly from being bitten by a dog), they have lasted really well. I have even used them in my mountaineering rather than my dedicated walking ones which ironically didn't seem to work as well. My OH is that impressed with them that he has now purchased a pair as well, which have also been on several tours and he uses them for commuting as well. They were 3 figures for both of us. You get what you pay for and £55 is not much for a set of waterproof trousers in my opinion.

 

[GJT]

Excellent Customer Service from Altura. They replied wanting a picture and asking how I had washed them. I'd used Nikwax Tech Wash and TX Direct
They said the inside of the trousers were also proofed because of this, and that prevented moisture from getting out, and together with the friction of my legs, this had worn the membrane away. They recommend just using pure soap flakes and then if need reproofing, to use Grangers spray on XT.
Anyway, as a goodwill gesture, they are sending me a new pair.

 

[mrbikerboy73]

I might try my luck with the Altura customer services and see if they will replace my Pro Gel undershorts which have fallen to pieces after only a few washes.

 

[summerdays]

For £55 I think 3 years use is probably about right. I don't think with the kind of use I put waterproof trousers through that they would have lasted that long personally (I have been through 5 or 6 different pairs of waterproof trousers over the years I have commuted and toured.) I have had waterproof trousers that have lasted less than a season. My current set cost me a lot, but the fit and I like them. They are now 6 or 7 years old at least, have been on every tour I have done, seen lots of use and although they have needed a repair or two along the way (mostly from being bitten by a dog), they have lasted really well. I have even used them in my mountaineering rather than my dedicated walking ones which ironically didn't seem to work as well. My OH is that impressed with them that he has now purchased a pair as well, which have also been on several tours and he uses them for commuting as well. They were 3 figures for both of us. You get what you pay for and £55 is not much for a set of waterproof trousers in my opinion.

What make are yours .... I seem to be quite hard on waterproofs ... Though I do wear them a reasonable amount (I'll pull them on in winter if I'm cold as an extra layer).

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

What make are yours .... I seem to be quite hard on waterproofs ... Though I do wear them a reasonable amount (I'll pull them on in winter if I'm cold as an extra layer).

Gore Bike Wear, but like I said, they were not cheap but by far the best I have had and still going strong. I actually got the lightweight Goretex ones. The patches I have used as a result of the dog bite are the McNabb ones which are excellent and worth the £6.99 for 2 patches! These ones, or at least their equivalent rather a large number of years ago
www.wiggle.co.uk/gore-bike-wear-womens-alp-x-gore-tex-active-shell-trousers/
I did make 1 modification to them many years ago on tour after changing from cycling in boots to cycling in shoes and that was to add some elastic to go underneath the shoe and clip into a stiff popper. I've done been asked to do the same to my oh's set as well. It cost about £2 in material and just stopped them riding up and putting water into a waterproof shoe!