Rain Pants

[divingbiker]

Ok, commuters, I have a question about rain pants. I wore a pair for the first time today, and I didn't like them at all. They kept me dry, and I wasn't hot, but they pulled at my knees so much that my legs started to hurt.

The ones I have are the cheapest that REI sells (http://www.rei.com/product/795099), so maybe that's the problem. I just feel like they need to have a bit more give in the knees.

Does anyone have rain pants that are comfortable? Guess I'll go window shopping at TE. I've had my eye on these (http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodGB_TALPGL.html) for a while.

[Becky]

I hate rain pants. I thought about a pair of those awesome Gore rain shorts, but wasn't willing to spend the coin for something I'll only wear a few times a year. (If I lived in the PNW, it would be a different story!) Instead, I took my cheap Performance rain pants and hemmed them into knee-lenth rain shorts.

They're not stylish and they still rustle, but the price was right and it only took me about 30 minutes to do.

[divingbiker]

I took my cheap Performance rain pants and hemmed them into knee-lenth rain shorts.

They're not stylish and they still rustle, but the price was right and it only took me about 30 minutes to do.

Now why the heck didn't I think of doing that? My sewing machine's all set up and everything.

I actually think the pulling of the rain pants at my knees yesterday messed up my back. I can barely stand up today.

[KnottedYet]

I'm in the process of ordering these: http://www.wallbike.com/oddsnends/rainlegs.html

[Melalvai]

http://www.terrybicycles.com/product/detail/5683/current/alp-x-rain-pants
http://www.terrybicycles.com/product_images/v2/5683/attr1/00/medium.jpg
These were expensive, but they have been worth every penny. If they get a little leaky after a year or so, I learned that heat reactivates the waterproof chemicals, so toss them in the dryer.

[lph]

I hate rain pants. I thought about a pair of those awesome Gore rain shorts, but wasn't willing to spend the coin for something I'll only wear a few times a year. (If I lived in the PNW, it would be a different story!) Instead, I took my cheap Performance rain pants and hemmed them into knee-lenth rain shorts.


I did that too! And they rock. I cut them to hit just below the knee when pedalling. Wide enough to not drag and be plenty airy, long enough to cover the most important part, my diaperclad butt :p I've even worn these as an extra layer on those really cold winter mornings, to stop windchill. Perfect.

I do have a pair of cycling-specific rain pants, thin Goretex with velcro cinches in the calf to snug them in so they don't drag. But they're still a hassle to bike in. If it's pouring massively and cold out I'd wear them, with wool underneath, but probably get pretty clammy unless I really slowed down.

[Cataboo]

I mostly just use softshell pants when riding in the rain - they're water resistant and that's usually good enough. They're stretchier and more breathable.


But for stretchy actually waterproof rain pants, check into the patagonia spraymasters - I have a pair of those and really like that they're tapered, stretchy, and full zip...

But generally I'm not really really riding in the rain, so I can't say I've given them a good test other than it's raining and I'll bike the few miles into work.

[KnottedYet]

What appeals to me about the Rainlegs chaps is that I can put them on right over my work pants for my commute, take them off at the bus station without looking like I'm doing a strip-tease, leave the wet chaps in my bike locker.

I sweat terribly, so I pretty much gave up on the idea of full lenth pants. The rain shorts in the Terry catalog intrigue me, but not so much for my commute. I'm hoping the chaps will ease the clammy-sweaty issue.

[Becky]

Now why the heck didn't I think of doing that? My sewing machine's all set up and everything.

I used a sharp needle (rather than a universal) and that seemed to do ok with the polyurethane(?) coating on the inside. I didn't bother sealing the seams since they're so close to the leg opening anyway. The hardest part was pinning the hems evenly without the nylon sliding around.

Give it a try :)

[lph]

I hemmed them with duct tape :) In an ideal world I would have used reflective tape, but that's what I had. Oh, and I reinforced some tatty seams in the rear with duct tape on the inside as well.

[bikerHen]

The hardest part was pinning the hems evenly without the nylon sliding around. Give it a try :)

Don't use pins. Use "Wonder Tape" it's great stuff. It's sticky on both sides, about 1/4" wide and disolves when washed. You can find it on the notions wall at any JoAnns type fabric store. bikerHen

[7rider]

You guys are an amazing wealth of reeeally cool ideas.

DB...you've GOT to let me know if you do this and how it turns out. I gave away my sewing machine to Purple Heart...I may be knocking on your door if this works for you. You know how we've both been Jones-ing for those rain shorts.

e.t.a. Of course, my REI rain pants (DB...I have that same pair, but an older model) did come in really handy during this winter's snow storms for shovelling, walking, and x/c skiing.....hmmmmmm...

[DebW]

I just saw some PI rainpants in our shop, and they have a pleat at the knee so you can bend without binding. Looked very light and packable too.

I've got a pair of Showerspass rainpants with a vent at the knee. The new ones Showerspass sells have zip-off legs to make knickers.

[jdubble]

What appeals to me about the Rainlegs chaps is that I can put them on right over my work pants for my commute, take them off at the bus station without looking like I'm doing a strip-tease, leave the wet chaps in my bike locker.


love my rainlegs. have had them for a couple years now and they do the trick, unless it's a truly torrential downpour. but for most standard PNW rains, they work great IMHO. and they're so compact. i can throw them in my purse or pannier for "just in case" days.

[badger]

this may sound retarded, but with the chaps, how do you not get the bottom half of your legs wet? or are we just talking about a few sprinkles and not the deluge that is the PNW?

I use a pair of old goretex ski shells that I had forever. It's lasted me very well, though I do look like I'm wearing a parachute...

[jdubble]

I have fenders, and I often wear boots to work, so my lower legs don't really get wet. It's mostly my thighs that get wet in the rain, and the RainLegs take care of keeping those dry. If it's really really pouring, then I've got Showers Pass pants, but they're a bit big on me, and I get hotter in those.

[KnottedYet]

I got an email note that my Rainlegs shipped yesterday. (wow, Bill of Wallingford Bicycle Parts is FAST!!!) Hooooray!

[divingbiker]

Well, I got some sharp needles and some wonder tape today, so tomorrow the rain pants become shorts, just in time for the rainy commute Monday. I'll let you know how it goes...

[KnottedYet]

I got my Rainlegs! I got my Rainlegs!

I looooooove Bill at Wallingford! http://www.wallbike.com/oddsnends/rainlegs.html

Following the advice someone gave somewhere (?), for women's sizing I ordered one size LARGER than the height chart specifies. (by the chart I should be a Large, but instead I ordered an Extra Large) The fit is perfect.

Hopping on and off my bike in the safety of my living room, I had no issues with the chaps at all. The chaps did not catch on the nose of my saddle, the straps did not rub anywhere.

These chaps will be travelling with me on my commute to my bike locker at the bus station from now on, and dare I say I hope it rains a little soon so I can write a complete review?