Rainlegs or anything better?

[anweledig]

What do you think of them? Do they work? Are they worth buying? At the moment I have a pair of waterproof trousers which Are baggy and flap around a lot. I could really do with some waterproof leggings that fit more closely but haven't seen any on the net. These seem like the next best thing but I would like to get other opinions or suggestion. I am really looking for something for those wet days where I am going to be out n he rain for a while not just a quick shower where I'll dry off in 10 mins anyway.

 

[Freewheeler]

I use rainlegs with cycle shorts, they keep the worst of the rain out on my 30 minute commute. I doubt they'd be much good with normal clothes though, but if you are wearing polyester shorts they work well.

 

[Arch]

I use rainlegs - usually with jeans on my commute (that is relatively short, I admit), and they work fine - the thigh is the worst bit to get wet, since it then clings to you miserably, and any spray that might catch your lower legs will dry off quick enough. They are certainly nicer than full on trousers, in terms of being neat, and not sweaty. Also, they bundle up nice and small, and if the weather looks iffy, you can wear them rolled up round your waist, and pull them down quickly if it come on to rain, rather than struggle into trousers.

 

[byegad]

They're a bit like Marmite. You either love them or hate them. I bought mine for emergency use on my DFs and now carry them on my recumbent trikes. They keep your thighs dry without building up too much sweat and are easy to carry.




I like Marmite too!

 

[hambones]

I wouldn't use anything like that 'cos getting soaked and cycling is deeply therapeutic and a lot of fun!

 

[Plax]

I have rainlegs. They are okay but I found I sweat just as much in them as my waterproof trousers that I use for hiking. I've used them in the rain on a 4 mile commute wearing trousers for work, the bottom of my trousers got wet, but that was bearable. It's the thighs that I hate getting wet! I have them for emergency use as I can clip them to the outside of my carradice saddlebag. If it's a downpour when I'm leaving home then It's normal waterproofs with trouser clips.

 

[cyberknight]

I had a look at these and i had a thought........

not to bothered about lower legs, have overshoes to keep the feet dry anyway so i`ts only rain on top of legs and spray off the road getting on arse even past the rear mud guard.

Can we get a water /shower proof over shorts? i have even considered taking scissors to a pair of leggings

 

[Randochap]

I don't use any kind of "waterproof" leg coverings on the bike (only around camp on tour). I find waterproof trousers keep in moisture and cause overheating. I've never seen the need to wear anything other than tights or leg warmers, even touring through Yukon and Alaska in inclement spring weather.

The heat from legs will evaporate moisture in all but the heaviest rain rather quickly.

You do, of course, have full coverage mudguards and flap.

 

[Dayvo]

I'd like to see some kind of wrap-round shorts-cum-girdle thingy that covers and protects the lower back from water and splashes.

 

[Randochap]

I'd like to see some kind of wrap-round shorts-cum-girdle thingy that covers and protects the lower back from water and splashes.

It's called a rain jacket.

 

[byegad]

I don't use any kind of "waterproof" leg coverings on the bike (only around camp on tour). I find waterproof trousers keep in moisture and cause overheating. I've never seen the need to wear anything other than tights or leg warmers, even touring through Yukon and Alaska in inclement spring weather.

The heat from legs will evaporate moisture in all but the heaviest rain rather quickly.

You do, of course, have full coverage mudguards and flap.

I was waiting for this kind of reply. While Randochap may be happy while wet some of us aren't. If I get wet and cold I'm in pain, with arthritic joints complaining and muscle cramps when cold, riding would be a pain in every sense of the word. So for me, gven the choice between arriving soaked with rain or soaked in sweat, I'd choose sweat everytime.

However nowadays there is no need to be sweaty in order to keep dry, modern fabrics can deal with both and leave you warm and dry. I have a Goretex jacket that will keep me dry in any weather without overheating. I find Rainlegs allow my legs to stay pretty dry but not too sweaty and so are a boon in warmer weather.

Now there's nothing wrong with getting soaked and riding yourself dry but some of us can't do it and it doesn't make us bad cyclists or those who can good cyclists, we are just different.

 

[Arch]

Now there's nothing wrong with getting soaked and riding yourself dry but some of us can't do it and it doesn't make us bad cyclists or those who can good cyclists, we are just different.

Also of course, if you get rained on near the end of your journey to work, you end up sitting at a desk while your thights feebly give off the heat to dry your trousers, because once you stop cycling the heat they give off is pretty minimal....

 

[Randochap]

I've used Gore-tex membrane since the very first prototype in 1977 (it delaminated). No waterproof-breathable fabric will keep you absolutely dry on a long, rainy ride. Even a good rainjacket with pit zips (I own four) will still retain some perspiration and over the long term, you'll get cold if you don't keep moving. Hence the avoidance of such jackets in all but the worst rain. You are actually better off with good layering, including wool, than closing yourself up in a bag that doesn't vent well.

Everyone I know doesn't sit at the desk in pants they rode to work in.

I was however referring to use on long rides. Wearing anything over ones tights/leg warmers would lead to restriction and chafing problems. I don't know a single rider who does so.

I'll concede that a very short commute (under 5 km) on flat ground might be the place to use waterproof leg coverings.

On edit: BTW, I also suffer w/ arthritis.

 

[byegad]

I've used Gore-tex membrane since the very first prototype in 1977 (it delaminated). No waterproof-breathable fabric will keep you absolutely dry on a long, rainy ride. Even a good rainjacket with pit zips (I own four) will still retain some perspiration and over the long term, you'll get cold if you don't keep moving. Hence the avoidance of such jackets in all but the worst rain. You are actually better off with good layering, including wool, than closing yourself up in a bag that doesn't vent well.

Everyone I know doesn't sit at the desk in pants they rode to work in.

I was however referring to use on long rides. Wearing anything over ones tights/leg warmers would lead to restriction and chafing problems. I don't know a single rider who does so.

I'll concede that a very short commute (under 5 km) on flat ground might be the place to use waterproof leg coverings.

On edit: BTW, I also suffer w/ arthritis.

We are going to have to agree to differ on this. Your solution is not mine, I commuted 16 miles each way to work in my last job with my Goretex jacket and rainlegs on when it rained in warmer weather and Gortex jacket and over trousers in colder. My average time to work? 1h 3mins, in all weathers.

 

[anweledig]

Thanks for all the comments on this topic. I'm not sure whether I'll get some or stick to the w/proofs for the time being. I do get sweaty in the trousers I have worn and was hoping the rainlegs would solve the problem but perhaps not. I also have problems in prolonged cold and wet which is another reason for considering some sort of covering. When I do get something that works I'll post it back here.