Rain Tights

brettjmcc

After last weekend and getting soaked (and making my cold worse) I am thinking of getting some tights or knickers that have a level of water repellency.

Wiggle have an offer on Sugoi RS Zero 320s and Sportful Fiandre No Rain tights for about £72. I can't find much info about what temperature these would be good to use in. Can't see any good offers on knicks though

Any thoughts or maybe other suggestions please? Thanks

goonz

I dont think any tights are going to be fully waterproof. I guess its a case of getting quick drying ones so even if they get wet they can dry quickly. Bit difficult in winter I know but I have so far been ok with my winter tights. Only a cheap job from Biemme but they dry quickly so not really a massive issue.

I think Castelli make a decent rain resistant pair not sure what they are called but I think I remember seeing a review on BR.

iPete

are you running full mud guards?

jordan_217

Take a look at these:

http://www.ridebosh.com/mens_clothing/l ... nsert.html

I ordered some for commuting. The size chart is pretty accurate but the fit just wasn't right for me. Before returning them I held them under a running tap - water just rolled off and/or beaded on the surface,e.g it didn't penetrate the material. Not sure how well they'd fair in a downpour but seemed good value.

Review here:

http://road.cc/content/review/53804-rid ... hts-insert

keef66

At this time of year I wear DHB roubaix type tights (can't remember the name but they are about 4 years old). If it's proper raining I wear a Goretex Paclite shell which keeps my top half bone dry, and my legs are still warm even if they are wet.

I did get cold and wet a couple of weeks ago cos the weather didn't do what the forecast said, and my navigation skills took me on a longer route than I'd planned. I went out in my softshell windstopper jacket, which was initially OK, but as the rain set in it became progressively more waterlogged. My legs were the only warm bit by the time I got home

brettjmcc

To one question. I didn't put the Cruds on this weekend... it was actually dry when I went out. Plus they have warped slightly where I leaned something against them (doh)

To another statement, even my Paclite was soaked through when I got home. I just want something that will help. I appreciate I will get wet, but just also want something to help deal with spray etc. Current tights I have are either some non padded ones I put over my bibs, or a cheap set from Decathlon.

@goonz, I think you are thinking of the Nanflex or Fluido tights. Reason I thought about the Sportful ones is that I think Sportful are part of the same company as Castelli, but I can't seem to get a handle on what temp you could ride in with them

FoldingJoe

The Castelli stuff is the nanoflex range.

Keef66 - oddly enough, they are called DHB Roubaix. I have the same pair, and agree they are very warm, even in slight rain you feel warm and dry. Haven't really worn them in anything heavier than "slight rain\drizzle" so can't comment on their performance in more inclement weather, but I think that most bib tights would struggle in heavier rain.

FoldingJoe

brettjmcc wrote:

To one question. I didn't put the Cruds on this weekend... it was actually dry when I went out. Plus they have warped slightly where I leaned something against them (doh)

lean it on the opposite side!!

brettjmcc

HA HA, to true. Am trying that at present. It's twisted the rear, so it rubs against the tyre. I thinking of just getting a seat post attached one to catch most of the spray.

nferrar

I have Castelli nanoflex arm and leg warmers and whilst they're great at beading/shedding water in a bit of light spray they get overwhelmed and soak through in medium/heavy rain and lose a lot of their insulating properties then. I think the Sportful norain stuff is the more traditional relies on chemical treatment for the beading so will probably work better until you've washed it a couple of times (using liquid soap flakes...) after which you'll likely need to keep treating it to maintain the beading and stopping it wetting through.

Monty Dog

I have a pair of the Castelli Fluido Nanoflex tights - bought them last autumn and they've seen rather a lot of use this winter. These have panels covered in a membrane-type fabric rather than just a treament of the fibre like the regular Nanoflex tights / warmers etc. They are very good at dealing with spray etc - I've been riding my MTB a lot on 3-4 hour rides in the rain and stayed dry and warm. Coupled with a Gabba long-sleeve jersey it's really effective without getting the flappy-nylon, boil-in-the-bag experience.
Previously, had a pair of Sugoi tights with a stretch membrane, but they weren't as effective and didn't have a weatherproof panel over your backside. Once tried some Endura Stealth tights - they felt very restrictive.

Kingston2711

I have a pair of the Castelli Fluido Nanoflex tights - bought them last autumn and they've seen rather a lot of use this winter. These have panels covered in a membrane-type fabric rather than just a treament of the fibre like the regular Nanoflex tights / warmers etc. They are very good at dealing with spray etc - I've been riding my MTB a lot on 3-4 hour rides in the rain and stayed dry and warm. Coupled with a Gabba long-sleeve jersey it's really effective without getting the flappy-nylon, boil-in-the-bag experience.
Previously, had a pair of Sugoi tights with a stretch membrane, but they weren't as effective and didn't have a weatherproof panel over your backside. Once tried some Endura Stealth tights - they felt very restrictive.

+1 the Castelli tights are my go to for the Autumn/winter months, I felt they were restrictive when sized in "race" fit so sized up and though it makes them long in the legs they are much more comfortable.

My wife wears the endura stealth tights on very cold days where rain is not likely to be a problem but favours the Castelli ones for wet days. Great at beading light/moderate spray but soak through after long downpour. Dry out fairly quickly though.

On a related topic the Castelli rain overshoes look great but IMO are woefully inadequate. I will be picking up a pair of the Endura ones as soon as cash allows as an hour and a half on the cyclocross bikes saw me moaning after 5 minutes (Castelli) my wife smuggly laughing (Endura)

sungod

another vote for the castelli fluido - there may be two types, i've got "Fluido Nanoflex Wind Bibtight (No Pad)", wear them over normal bib shorts

for overshoes, "castelli diluvio 16", the 16 is important, the earlier diluvios weren't much cop, but the 16 is excellent

MattC59

These: http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/clothing/tights-longs-and-leggings/product/review-endura-equipe-thermo-tights-12-45532

They're the mutts nuts ! Seriously, I can't fault them, waterproof panels where needed, great pad, well cut, what more do you need ?