Serious waterproofs for touring

[robjh]

Any recommendations for serious waterproof gear - jackets, trousers, gloves - if you were touring somewhere like Scotland or Norway where serious rain can hit for long periods (as well as temperature drops)?

I've got lightweight stuff but it's of limited use in real downpours, and I've not yet found waterproof gloves that I'm really happy with.

 

[Brandane]

somewhere like Scotland of Norway where serious rain can hit for long periods

How very dare you!
I rely on Sealskinz gloves. They are the best I have used but they do get a bit sweaty if it's not the middle of winter, then the lining sticks to your fingers when you take them off.
Trousers/jackets I would remortgage the house and go for Goretex; you really need breathability if doing big distances. Me, I just avoid going out in the rain.

 

[MacB]

Have you considered a waterproof poncho for the really bad stuff you can't avoid?

 

[Dayvo]

In summer cycling, when the weather's bad/wet, I personally think that it's better to be warm than dry.

Having heavy weather rain trousers and jacket will only boil you, from your effort.

I would have overshoes, leggings, bib shorts (possibly with rain shorts on top), short sleeved shirt with arm warmers, gilet, and/or a jacket, depending on how warm it is.

 

[robjh]

Have you considered a waterproof poncho for the really bad stuff you can't avoid?

Not really. What got me thinking of this was seeing cyclists touring in Norway in July when it poured down for three days, and it got pretty cold. I'm not planning this trip any time soon, but anything that is good enough for those conditions is going to be good enough just about anywhere.

In summer cycling, when the weather's bad/wet, I personally think that it's better to be warm than dry.

Having heavy weather rain trousers and jacket will only boil you, from your effort.

I'm thinking particularly of times when it's not very warm. Especially if you're camping and get no chance to dry things out overnight.

 

[Dayvo]

Not really. What got me thinking of this was seeing cyclists touring in Norway in July when it poured down for three days, and it got pretty cold. I'm not planning this trip any time soon, but anything that is good enough for those conditions is going to be good enough just about anywhere.


I'm thinking particularly of times when it's not very warm. Especially if you're camping and get no chance to dry things out overnight.

Fair enough, but your clothes will probably be drenched in sweat.

The weather in Norway varies tremendously: it can be hot and dry one day, and cold and wet for a few days after. One benefit for cycle touring here is the long daylight hours, so you can cycle at night (to keep warm and maybe dry) whilst sleeping during the day by the side of a lake/river/farm/park/field etc.

 

[MacB]

Not really. What got me thinking of this was seeing cyclists touring in Norway in July when it poured down for three days, and it got pretty cold. I'm not planning this trip any time soon, but anything that is good enough for those conditions is going to be good enough just about anywhere.


I'm thinking particularly of times when it's not very warm. Especially if you're camping and get no chance to dry things out overnight.

It will depend on how much you sweat/overheat and how vigorously you cycle. Layers are good but there's nothing I've found that can keep me fully dry and avoid overheating apart from a poncho. The next best for me has been Paramo stuff.

 

[Fab Foodie]

It will depend on how much you sweat/overheat and how vigorously you cycle. Layers are good but there's nothing I've found that can keep me fully dry and avoid overheating apart from a poncho. The next best for me has been Paramo stuff.

Second Paramo, most excellent and multifunctional too, cycling, walking, causal. Downside is bulk and cost.

 

[Crackle]

I would suggest some of the more serious mountaineering jackets such as Arcteryx stuff, which has come down considerably in weight but sadly not price. Some of the newer Gore stuff activewear looks pretty good too.

 

[MacB]

Second Paramo, most excellent and multifunctional too, cycling, walking, causal. Downside is bulk and cost.

Exactly I'd rather wear something else and carry an emergency poncho, light, waterproof, cheap and easy on/off. There are also the times that it starts to rain while you're riding. Chances are you'll be wet before you can get your waterproofs on, if said waterproofs are a poncho then you dry out underneath a lot better. Also good for when you want to stop, easy to whip a poncho off and walk in dry somewhere rather than trying to remove waterproofs or walking in dripping.

 

[HelenD123]

Check out Rohan's Elite waterproofs. They're very light and tough. I've only used my overtrousers for walking so far but think they'll be great for cycling too. If you look in the 'Offers' section on their website you'll see both a walking and cycling version of the jacket. I have both but in persistent rain prefer the hooded walking version to be able to keep my hair dry.

 

[HelenD123]

I wouldn't take Paramo stuff on tour. It's too bulky and heavy. I did set off on my Canada tour with my Paramo jacket (didn't want to spend money replacing it) but ended up posting it home and buying something much lighter.

 

[22camels]

Well, I don't really know what I'm doing but I'll be in Iceland for a few weeks this summer and have spent a while thinking about suitable waterproof kit, I'll be taking a Berghaus Vapour Storm gore tex jacket and Altura Night Vision overtrousers, I know at least the jacket works and is very light and the trousers have good reviews but not tested them yet. Feet and hands don't need to stay dry as long as they are warm but I have some Louis Garneau Shield gloves and Shimano open toe sandals with some combination of naked feet/sealskinz socks/neoprene booties depending on temperature. Having seen some jackets and trousers, I find myself drawn to the ones with minimal thermal insulation and weight because I can always add extra layers if I need to.

 

[vernon]

Any recommendations for serious waterproof gear - jackets, trousers, gloves - if you were touring somewhere like Scotland or Norway where serious rain can hit for long periods (as well as temperature drops)?

I've got lightweight stuff but it's of limited use in real downpours, and I've not yet found waterproof gloves that I'm really happy with.

Waterproofness isn't an essential.

I forgot to take my new CArradice cycling cape with me to the Lake District last week and it rained continuously on my first day's riding. I couldn't have got wetter if I was a fish. However, I didn't get cold. A thermal layer, a lycra top and a Roubaix style lined jacket with Roubaix bib longs kept the cold at bay and at no point did I feel uncomfortable. In warm weather, wearing less is better - there's fewer items of clothing to dry out.

 

[psmiffy]

Well, I don't really know what I'm doing but I'll be in Iceland for a few weeks this summer and have spent a while thinking about suitable waterproof kit, I'll be taking a Berghaus Vapour Storm gore tex jacket and Altura Night Vision overtrousers, I know at least the jacket works and is very light and the trousers have good reviews but not tested them yet. Feet and hands don't need to stay dry as long as they are warm but I have some Louis Garneau Shield gloves and Shimano open toe sandals with some combination of naked feet/sealskinz socks/neoprene booties depending on temperature. Having seen some jackets and trousers, I find myself drawn to the ones with minimal thermal insulation and weight because I can always add extra layers if I need to.

More or less what I use -except the jacket is a Gore one - with the exception of the sandals - Ive been through loadsa gloves but have not found anything that keeps my hands warm and dry in a Scandinavian downpour - gloves of last resort are a pair of fisherman's neoprene gloves with thin polyester liners

I forgot to take my new CArradice cycling cape with me to the Lake District last week and it rained continuously on my first day's riding. I couldn't have got wetter if I was a fish. However, I didn't get cold. A thermal layer, a lycra top and a Roubaix style lined jacket with Roubaix bib longs kept the cold at bay and at no point did I feel uncomfortable.

Probably the equivalent of a 3mm neoprene wetsuit so im not surprised you were not cold