Waterproof Trousers + Gloves

sirichmond

Afternoon all,

Its getting to that time of year and with a ride planned for Skiddaw in the next two weeks I feel I should invest in some winter/ waterproof trousers. Dont want to spend a fortune as if its not wet I generally wear shorts even if its below freezing. Can anyone reccomend so decent value trousers oh and while I'm on some warm waterproof gloves.

Cheers
Simon

andrewyzfr6

I have had a pair of endura waterproof mtb trousers for about 6-7years, i just wear them with bib tights underneath. they have been excellent, but i cant remember the price.

Anonymous

I've got a pair of Endura gridlock trousers which work well, and are pretty cheap. You'll need to wear some sort of baselayer or leggings underneath them though.

As for gloves. Sealskins, every time. But check before you buy, contrary to popular belief, not ALL sealskins glove are actually waterproof!

Northwind

I never knew that!

Can't get on with trousers myself but Altura's Attack 3/4 shorts are very good- tough as old boots and completely waterproof. Bit noisy in use but otherwise they're just like any other 3/4s.

Anonymous

Northwind wrote:

I never knew that!

About the sealskins you mean? I know! I'd seen some bargaineous ones in a local outdoors shop, that were sold as "windproof" gloves. But the construction looked like any other sealskin glove. I asked LOADS of people for confirmation, and everyone though all sealskins gloves would "obviously" be waterproof.
They weren't

cooldad

They probably weren't made out of freshly clubbed baby seals.

jayson

I have a pair of the thick winter gloves from seal skinz and they most definitely are waterproof, infact i'd go as far as to say they're prob one of the best buys ive ever made in my life along with the waterproof socksk they do.

They really are winter gloves though, anything other than COLD weather and your hands will get warm although they're breathable too so its never unbearable and i'd rather be warm than cold.

Anonymous

The sealskinz thick winter gloves are just incredible!

The winter riding gloves, or winter "technical" glove is ace too. Not as over-the-top as the heavy winter ones, and still totally waterproof, thin enough to feel the controls on the bike, and also warm enough to go snowboarding in. All for about £25 or so.
I'm so impressed with every sealskinz stuff I've bought over the years that I don't bother with anything else any more.

Ooh, worth mentioning as well, are their waterproof socks. They're merino lined, so they're warm, don't get manky as easily, and don't get too hot.
Stick them on and get a pair of quick-drying shoes and you're all set.

Northwind

Do the inner liners still pull out of the Sealskinz gloves? I had a set, but years ago now, they were awful for that- as soon as your fingers were sweaty, they'd turn themselves inside out... Put me right off. I need a new pair of waterproof gloves so might have to put them back on the menu if they've fixed that.

Oh on the subject of the socks, someone very helpfully recomemnded me the Gore socks a while back as a better alterantive to sealskinz. Turns out they're absolutely s**t so, take that as a recommendation for sealskinz if you wish Clearly designed by a man who has never worn socks- quite likely he has no feet.

Anonymous

I know the finger issue you mean, but I've never had any sealskinz do that. All my previous winter gloves did that though!

rhialto

I agree, the Sealskinz waterproof socks are great. Although my feet still get damp (probably from sweat), they stay warm.

I have 2 pairs of Gore gloves. 1-Countdown's, fully waterproof with a thermal lining. Warm and waterproof but not great in warmer temps. You can easily pull out the lining when it's damp. Recommended when it's pouring rain and cold. 2- Alp-x, windstopper fabric. Not 100% waterproof but wards off showers. Is nice and thin for sensitivity but warm enough for 5-15 C. I have been using these almost every ride in the cool and rainy Lake District and I am very pleased. I keep the Countdowns in my pack just in case.

I have not solved the waterproof lowers issue yet so I will be considering the opinions in this thread.

And the comment about the feet made me laugh and reminded me of an old Steven Wright joke: I was sad because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet. So I said, "Got any shoes you're not using?"

BigLee1

If you`re still up for wearing 3/4`s or shorts buy a pair of army surplus goretex trousers and cut them down. Far better value at £15 than the expensive branded ones They pack down small and do what they`re supposed to with the minimum of fuss

Anonymous

dpaulett wrote:

I have not solved the waterproof lowers issue yet so I will be considering the opinions in this thread.

The very best solution (although moderately expensive) I've found is to use some lightweight, quick drying shoes, and for waterproofing, the longer, hiking sealskinz socks, worn under Endura Stealth Extreme waterproof leggings/tights.
Absolutely awesome combination, that works in virtually all conditions.
I've used the combo in temperatures from around 18-22degrees, when I was expecting a monsoon mid-ride, right down to -15degrees.
The only difference I've made in the extreme cold, is to switch to warmer boots.

The trouble is, that the Stealth tights are about £110, but they really are amazing.

rhialto

yeehaamcgee wrote:

The very best solution (although moderately expensive) I've found is to use some lightweight, quick drying shoes, and for waterproofing, the longer, hiking sealskinz socks, worn under Endura Stealth Extreme waterproof leggings/tights.

Thanks yeehaa. I will definitely look into this combo. I was at Wheelbase this morning and I didn't find anything that pleased me.

I do have some Alp-X Goretex pants and they are totally waterproof but they are quite baggy around the calves and ankles and are very noisy when pedalling. As a result, I don't wear them very often. I don't mind spending a bit of cash for something that is comfortable and works. I remember being soaked and shivering in a near-hypothermic state in the middle of nowhere on a 4 day mtb trip. At that time I would have paid a lot to be warm!

P.S. I enjoy reading your comments due to their incisive and scathing nature but this one was very helpful if not as fun to read.