Serious waterproofs for touring

[Fab Foodie]

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.

What Poncho do you use?

 

[MichaelW2]

I will third Paramo. The latest stuff is much lighter and less bulky.
I took my old Cuzco up to Norway and it served me well during days of torrential cool rain in sept. It dries rapidly in a tent and makes a nice warm layer for evenings. It is a bit bulky in panniers but worth the comfort on longer tours.
I feel the cold more than most. Many riders with more natural insulation and lower surface area/volume ratios find Paramo too warm.

 

[Danny]

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.

I bought an version of the Altura Pocket Rocket a few years ago. I've ridden through several consecutive days of heavy rain without water getting in or finding I was getting too hot and sweaty. It also works well as a windproof. Gore do a similar jacket, but it is about double the price IIRC.

The Pocket Rocket is really a summer jacket and I probably wouldn't stand up to a lot of rough use - but would be fine for wearing around a campsite.

I noticed that Edinburgh Cycles are currently selling their waterproof Leader Jacket for £50 - which is £60 off the normal price. It only weight 284 gms so sounds reasonably light weight.

I've also got some Polaris waterproof trousers which I mostly use for commuting rather than touring. Again I have an earlier version of the ones now on sale, but so far they have been totally waterproof and were a lot cheaper than Goretex equivalents.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I will third Paramo. The latest stuff is much lighter and less bulky.
I took my old Cuzco up to Norway and it served me well during days of torrential cool rain in sept. It dries rapidly in a tent and makes a nice warm layer for evenings. It is a bit bulky in panniers but worth the comfort on longer tours.
I feel the cold more than most. Many riders with more natural insulation and lower surface area/volume ratios find Paramo too warm.

Seem's there are 2 camps!
I have the Velez light Smock, it stuffs into a 3L drybag which I strap on the top of the luggage for easy access. What I've found so far is that it works really well in a variety of conditions - especially very variable conditions. When others are constantly stopping to add or remove layers I just open and close the vents and sometimes roll-up the sleeves. It also keeps you warm when you need to stop for p*nctures etc. on a cold day or night.
Works well for me at least, better than other lighter and so called 'breathable' jackets.
That I can use it for camping, hill walking, dog walking, pub walking and general outdoorsy stuff rather than look like a 'cyclist' all the time is a bonus too.

 

[steveindenmark]

For me the plan is to be damp and warm.

 

[robjh]

I was looking for warm and dry, but this discussion is all good - we all have our practices and preferences.
A particular reason for keeping the under layers dry is that I like to camp on tours, and the thought of putting on wet, cold clothes the next morning doesn't do it for me.

A question about the Paramo kit - it's not specifically designed for cycling so doesn't appear to have the longer rear flap and sleeves that some cycle-specific stuff has. Has anyone who uses Paramo felt that to be a problem?

 

[MichaelW2]

A question about the Paramo kit - it's not specifically designed for cycling so doesn't appear to have the longer rear flap and sleeves that some cycle-specific stuff has. Has anyone who uses Paramo felt that to be a problem?

The multi-sports jackets are all cut for cycling, with long backs, shorter fronts and arms well sized. They also have high collars for cosy winter riding.
They are a bit roomier than racing capes so you can wear a fleece underneath.

 

[Fab Foodie]

The multi-sports jackets are all cut for cycling, with long backs, shorter fronts and arms well sized. They also have high collars for cosy winter riding.
They are a bit roomier than racing capes so you can wear a fleece underneath.

Ditto.
I usually find that in general 'cycling jackets' don't fit me well, particularly under the arms, the Paramo has just a little more space inside and that also helps layer choice and as required increased air movement around inside it. Suddenly battening down the hatches is quick and easy on the move if instant warmth and weatherproofing are required.
http://www.paramo.co.uk/en-gb/garments/detail/?pgc=nikwaxanalogylightsmockvelezadventuremens
For me it's been one of the best pieces of kit I've ever bought. The Quito jacket adds the benefit of a central zip, but I wanted the smock style with a front central pocket.

 

[MichaelW2]

A number of jackets, Vaude in particular, suffer from very high underarm cut. It restricts freedom of movement and prevents airflow. If you try to wear a fleece, it bunches horribly. You can feel the tight edge if the underarm seam, instead of a generous and smooth transition.

 

[Dayvo]

A particular reason for keeping the under layers dry is that I like to camp on tours, and the thought of putting on wet, cold clothes the next morning doesn't do it for me.

If you're camping, you could try sleeping in your damp clothes. They'll be nice and dry and warm in the morning, and you don't even have to get dressed. Just don't make this a common practice, or you'll be on your own. But that's where Merino wool comes into its own.:

http://cycling-review.com/clothing/bicycle-jersey/wool-cycling-jersey/

 

[Ticktockmy]

As each and everyone of us handles wet and/or cold weather differently, it is hard to know what to recommend. personally I go for wearing 3 layers in bad weather, depending on the time of year, summer time it a light tee shirt then a cycling jersey and a light breathable waterproof jacket, Winter time I use a icebreaker Merino base layer, with either a cycling jersey and light breathable waterproof jacket, or a Cycling fleece depending on the temperature and it is raining, the nice thing about using light layers is you can quickly adapt to what ever the weather is.

 

[MacB]

As each and everyone of us handles wet and/or cold weather differently, it is hard to know what to recommend. personally I go for wearing 3 layers in bad weather, depending on the time of year, summer time it a light tee shirt then a cycling jersey and a light breathable waterproof jacket, Winter time I use a icebreaker Merino base layer, with either a cycling jersey and light breathable waterproof jacket, or a Cycling fleece depending on the temperature and it is raining, the nice thing about using light layers is you can quickly adapt to what ever the weather is.

That's what most of us learn to do but the OP is thinking of long wet days in the saddle without home comforts at the end of the ride. If you could take an entire wardrobe and a tumble dryer on tour it wouldn't be an issue. As mentioned I favour keeping dry underneath with maximum ventilation

 

[Crackle]

All the reviews of the Paramo stuff say it's quite warm?

 

[MichaelW2]

All the reviews of the Paramo stuff say it's quite warm?

My cutoff temp for Paramo is about 16C, much lower for other riders.

 

[Fab Foodie]

My cutoff temp for Paramo is about 16C, much lower for other riders.

I'm probably not far away. With the smock design, opening the front zip and the side zips allows quite a lot of free airflow, roll the sleeves up to above the elbows and it can be worn in surprisingly warm conditions and doesn't flap about like full zip designs..