Rainsuit

[rpoppen]

I don't see this topic listed so I'll ask. What rainsuit would you recommend?
My Goretex suit does not do the job. Vinyl suits I've had in the past are like a sauna, especially in warm weather. Is there anything that's both waterproof and breathable?
--Roger

[AncientMariner]

Just get a Roadcrafters Darien Jacket and Pants. You won't have any further need for raingear, and you won't have to risk stopping on the side of the road in a rainstorm to pull on your rain gear. I rode 250 miles in rain and snow on Saturday and arrived home high and dry.

Bruce

[dbrick]

Just get a Roadcrafters Darien Jacket and Pants. You won't have any further need for raingear, and you won't have to risk stopping on the side of the road in a rainstorm to pull on your rain gear. I rode 250 miles in rain and snow on Saturday and arrived home high and dry.

[fastdogs2]

Frogg Toggs. They are inexpensive, lightweight and breathable.

Aerostich may be fine for northern climates with mild summer temperatures and low humidity. Remember, they are based in Duluth, MN, so they may know what works in cold weather (Mark Twain said the coldest winter he ever spent was a summer in Duluth), but they don't know what it is like in the 90 degree plus temperature combined with the 90 percent plus humidity of the American south.

Take it from a guy who lives and rides in North Carolina. It is easier for me to put the Frogg Toggs on over the mesh gear (I wear the BMW Airshell Jacket and Venting Machine Pants), that to roast my body in the restrictive confines of an Aerostich suit.

Bill

[Bob Ain't Stoppin']

I also use a rain jacket over the summer riding gear (Revit). The rain jacket is the First Gear one and it works super!

Here's a link: http://www.firstgear-usa.com/Rain/CSSSplash.html

But I think they changed the colors since I got mine. Stuffs down nice for storage. My riding pants are already water proof, so when it rains I just have to fix the jacket and glove situation. Not to bad at the side of the road for about 2 minutes.

[bmwk100]

Frogg Toggs. They are inexpensive, lightweight and breathable.

Aerostich may be fine for northern climates with mild summer temperatures and low humidity. Remember, they are based in Duluth, MN, so they may know what works in cold weather (Mark Twain said the coldest winter he ever spent was a summer in Duluth), but they don't know what it is like in the 90 degree plus temperature combined with the 90 percent plus humidity of the American south.

Take it from a guy who lives and rides in North Carolina. It is easier for me to put the Frogg Toggs on over the mesh gear (I wear the BMW Airshell Jacket and Venting Machine Pants), that to roast my body in the restrictive confines of an Aerostich suit.

Bill

Actually, Twain allegedly said the coldest winter he spent was a summer in San Francisco. (He actually did not say either statement) But, I live in South Florida and the Darien light with Darien pants are fine for summer showers here. Frog Toggs are good too.

[Rolando33]

I got the BMW one-piece pro-rain suit. I never feel a drop. You would have to submerse yourself to get water inside. And it was pouring outside. I should not have been riding, but I had to get home.

[ka5ysy]

This works pretty well. I find it a little heavy though.....

[angellr]

Frogg Toggs. They are inexpensive, lightweight and breathable.

Aerostich may be fine for northern climates with mild summer temperatures and low humidity. Remember, they are based in Duluth, MN, so they may know what works in cold weather (Mark Twain said the coldest winter he ever spent was a summer in Duluth), but they don't know what it is like in the 90 degree plus temperature combined with the 90 percent plus humidity of the American south.

Take it from a guy who lives and rides in North Carolina. It is easier for me to put the Frogg Toggs on over the mesh gear (I wear the BMW Airshell Jacket and Venting Machine Pants), that to roast my body in the restrictive confines of an Aerostich suit.

Bill

Actually, Twain allegedly said the coldest winter he spent was a summer in San Francisco. (He actually did not say either statement) But, I live in South Florida and the Darien light with Darien pants are fine for summer showers here. Frog Toggs are good too.

Twain was RIGHT! Got Pneumonia in August while in SFO a couple of years ago. Love the Bay Area, but the city is definitely NOT warm during the Summer (would say average temp is 60-65F). Outside the city, it really warms up ... interesting weather.

Frogg Toggs look interesting - do they have ANY armor built into them? Thanks.

[ErikM]

Only rain suits that are breathable are going to be Goretex or similar materials, but of course if it's 80+ degrees and you're putting on another suit over the one you're wearing you're gonna be hotter... I have a BMW ComfortShell suit which works great but it's pricey. I think a good compromise without spending too much money might be a Aerostich Darrien Light suit http://www.aerostich.com/darienlight-jacket.html

I don't see this topic listed so I'll ask. What rainsuit would you recommend?
My Goretex suit does not do the job. Vinyl suits I've had in the past are like a sauna, especially in warm weather. Is there anything that's both waterproof and breathable?
--Roger

[fastdogs2]

Angelr,

"Frogg Toggs look interesting - do they have ANY armor built into them? Thanks."

Frogg Toggs have no armor. They are a rainsuit and like any rainsuit garmet made to fit over your base layer, they are not constructed to include armor. You need to include that in your base layer garments.

When I am not wearing my BMW gear (Airshell jacket and Venting Machine pants), which have abrasion protection and armor, I like to wear the Diamond Gusset Defender jeans for comfort in walking around while off the bike. However, I have been concerned by the lack of armor with these Defender jeans. Not wishing to add armor at the risk of looking like the Incredible Hulk, I have ordered some of these to wear under my Diamond Gusset (Kevlar lined) Defender jeans:

http://www.bohnarmor.com/catalog/products.php?cat=17

I ordered the Cool Air version, because I want to maximize the cooling effect. I'll give a ride report, as soon as I receive them.

Bill

[angellr]

Angelr,

"Frogg Toggs look interesting - do they have ANY armor built into them? Thanks."

Frogg Toggs have no armor. They are a rainsuit and like any rainsuit garmet made to fit over your base layer, they are not constructed to include armor. You need to include that in your base layer garments.

When I am not wearing my BMW gear (Airshell jacket and Venting Machine pants), which have abrasion protection and armor, I like to wear the Diamond Gusset Defender jeans for comfort in walking around while off the bike. However, I have been concerned by the lack of armor with these Defender jeans. Not wishing to add armor at the risk of looking like the Incredible Hulk, I have ordered some of these to wear under my Diamond Gusset (Kevlar lined) Defender jeans:

http://www.bohnarmor.com/catalog/products.php?cat=17

I ordered the Cool Air version, because I want to maximize the cooling effect. I'll give a ride report, as soon as I receive them.

Bill

Bill,

Thanks! I have plenty of armor with my Motoport suit, but do not like the fact that I have to stop and put rain gear on underneath what I am currently wearing (been thinking of Rukka for this reason, but not sure how well I will like Rukka on the 95+ degree days - also hard to justify to SO close to the almost $2.5K in riding gear if I go the Rukka route). Would be nice to have something I can stop and slip on over ATGATT that I wear. Will look into the Frogg Toggs as a potential alternative.

[fastdogs2]

Bob,

I think the first motorcycle apparel company that invents the ultimate suit, that is, one that is; a waterproof, breathable, vented, comfortable in all temperatures/seasons, lightweight and flexible armored suit will make billions! It will probably have to involve an external cooling/heating device, something similar to what the astronauts wear.

I too, would love to have something to wear that doesn't require adding another layer just for rain protection.

Right now, I have the following garments for riding, which I change into, depending on my mood at the time:

Winter - Leather jacket and pants, BMW Torrance 2 Suit, Aerostich windproof fleece, various balaclavas and Patagonia fleece long underwear

Summer - BMW Airshell Jacket, Venting Machine Pants, Diamond Gusset Defender jeans, Draggin' Jeans, polypropylene/Cool Max underwear, LD Comfort shorts, Bohn armored pants

Rain Suit - Frogg Toggs Elite and Frogg Toggs action suit

Gloves - Revit Sand, Aerostich, BMW ProWinter, Tourmaster vented, BMW Airflow

I haven't added up the cost of all of these individual pieces, but I am sure I have spent over $2,500 in total.

Bill

[ErikM]

Fwiw the BMW Comfort Shell Suit is pretty damn close. Good in any temps up to 85, waterproof, great armor and comfortable.. When it get's into the 90's I've got to switch to a BMW Airflow jacket, but I've used the Comfort Shell on road trips in the 90's and it wasn't too bad..

[websterize]

Motorrad just this week released its 2011 rider's gear catalog — a few new items, and a lot of odd art direction.

[Caroanbill]

Fwiw the BMW Comfort Shell Suit is pretty damn close. Good in any temps up to 85, waterproof, great armor and comfortable.. When it get's into the 90's I've got to switch to a BMW Airflow jacket, but I've used the Comfort Shell on road trips in the 90's and it wasn't too bad..

Based on a mate's experience, I'd agree. I have the Tourguard Jacket and Streeguard II pants - OK but a little warm in summer (pit zips etc) ... but it's clear my mate is more comfortable in the ComfortShell. Soft armour (hardens up in impact - comes out of NASA??? experience) and the breathable membrane is more "open" in hot weather, more "closed" in cold .. thus better in both. If I win the lottery or learn how to save, I'll get the next generation of the ComfortShell.

In really hot weather, I wear my Airflow II suit with dritech gear underneath and a BMW 2 piece rainsuit in the bike .. but if it's that hot (ie over 30C / 90F), I leave the rasinsuit in the bike, just get wet and enjoy the sensation!