Stupid question about waterproofs!

Ok, so I know this may be a dumb question but here goes.

Do people wear waterproofs over textiles?
I have a one piece rst suit that I bought to go over my textiles. Thought it'd be a good idea in the winter, but to fit over the bulky textiles it is massive, far too big for when I want to use them with my leathers

They are such a pain in the @rse to put on as well. I a thinking of getting a two piece set, but not sure whether to get a slightly smaller set to fit over my leathers so I don't look like mr staypuft!

What does everyone else do?

[yorkie_chris]

Sometimes but only if I know I'm going to be doing 200 miles in the p***ing rain.

I quite like the idea of those triumph waterproofs that you just put on like a jacket and then zip down over your legs... no dancing about on one foot trying to get them over your boots!

[TEC]

Really does depend on what the weather is doing, if lightish rain then may not bother but would rather look over sized going into work than sitting in that damp patch

But have also used a one piece on a long run in winter just to add a wind proof layer and it does keep the textiles a bit cleaner

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Sometimes but only if I know I'm going to be doing 200 miles in the p***ing rain.

I quite like the idea of those triumph waterproofs that you just put on like a jacket and then zip down over your legs... no dancing about on one foot trying to get them over your boots!

I am just off to the Triumph dealers now to look at their waterproofs, so I'll look out for them. Cheers!

I know it's often a question of cost, but I believe the much better solution is just to buy waterproof textiles.

Gore-Tex is the best solution, but if you can't afford that (it's less than you might think, you can get Gore-Tex jackets for £200 and trousers for £150) then plenty of the budget textile garments include waterproof zip-in/out liners. Ok you sweat a bit because they aren't breathable, but I'd take being a bit sweaty over being soaked to the skin! You can always zip the liners out on a nice day and leave them at home.

Oh and to add a few other points about how I arrived at that thinking, because it took me a while and a bit of experimenting on the commute.

I bought a £150 textile jacket with zip-in waterproof liner. Back in Sept/Oct I had to take the liner out on the warmer days or I just got too hot, but I could always roll it up in my rucksack and slip in on over (rather than zipping it into) my jacket. In the current weather, there is no need to even consider zipping it out.

I was commuting in kevlar jeans, and decided I needed to have something in case of a sudden downpour. I started putting my (v. expensive, Galvin Green, Gore-Tex) golf waterproof trousers on over the jeans, but stopped after a while because if I came off I'd destroy them and I was worried about melting them on the engine.

It was about that time I decided I'd need something warmer for winter, so I did my research and eventually decided on HG 'Journey' trousers. They are Gore-Tex, were £150 in a sale, and are lovely and toasty. For summer, I can remove the thermal lining that they have zipped in.

Overall position is save up, bite the bullet, and buy Gore-Tex. It's so nice not having to stop to put things on and take things off when the weather changes. I'll be getting insurance money for my jacket after the crash (still usable, but noticeably damaged) so I'll probably make it up with a bit of my own and buy a Gore-Tex one. Kicking myself for not buying a Gore-Tex one in the first place, actually.

[rictus01]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Sometimes but only if I know I'm going to be doing 200 miles in the p***ing rain.

I quite like the idea of those triumph waterproofs that you just put on like a jacket and then zip down over your legs... no dancing about on one foot trying to get them over your boots!

Originally Posted by paiste

I am just off to the Triumph dealers now to look at their waterproofs, so I'll look out for them. Cheers!

I have a set of those, really easy to get on, but then as I can't stand on my left leg it's kind of needed, Triumph don't sell them anymore, so it'll be old stock if you find any, but worth getting if you can find them.

And yes I uses them as an extra layer this time of the years mainly as wind stoppers; on longer runs.

Cheers Mark.

[Luckypants]

I have waterproof textiles for the winter. Work well.

[ophic]

My old textiles used to leak badly after a particular jacket/dog interface incident. I've been through about 3 sets of cheapy waterproofs. I bought a great b-square 1-piece set, totally waterproof but unfortunately slightly on the small side. Then I bought a 2-piece set - easier to get on and the right size but leaked slightly, or water got through the gaps, don't know which. Then I bought another 1 piece set that was the right overall size but really weirdly proportioned - legs far too short. Oh and it leaked

So I gave up and spent a load of money on some new winter gore-tex textiles. They are really good and save loads of time getting kitted up. This is what I'd recommend, unless you only ride in fair weather and only carry waterproof in case you get caught out in a shower.

[Drew Carey]

I had waterproof textiles, but alas they eventually let the water in. It will always find a way in if it wishes too!!!!

My solution, was simply to wear leathers all year round. With decent underlayers etc, leathers are just as warm if you think about what you are wearing underneath and offer better protection. I then simply had waterproof top and bottoms. Keep the waterproofs on the garments all the time and then there is no silly hoping about.