All Weather Commuting gear recommendations

[KEITH]

Get your self down to M&P in Swansea they have tech7 cordura gear with all the protection jacket and trousers for under £100 the pair me and Jan have them and they really work keeping you dry and warm and Ive just got a pair of RST waterproof boots that are waterproof and warm for £49.99 its much more fun when your dry and warm

[thundercatsho]

Buffalo do some superb waterproof and quilted trousers and get a frank thomas jacket of flea bay

Worn in some atrocious weather dry as a bone

My Buffalo trousers didn't stay waterproof for long rode home in the rain the other day and me bollocks got soaked OK in a shower but not in a downpour imo.

My Richa Jacket is very good at keeping out the wet stuff though.

I also got myself a one piece rain suite last year for £40 and I have got to say its never let me down.

[Smasher]

RST Raptor 3/4 jacket and Buffallo trousers is what i wear and yet to get wet
Jacket is extremely good and loads of protection aswell

[Defblade]

Top half caused me trouble until I got a jacket with the waterproof on theoutside instead of a liner which lets the textile outer get soaked, heavy and cold still. Goretex is great!

As said, a neck tube is nice.

Heated grips and hand guards or muffs (not fashionable, but....) make winter much better :)

Bottom half - I use waterproof overtrousers on top of standard textile trousers (with their not-very-waterproof liner and thermal liner in as well in the winter).

Boots - most important section after your head to protect - more ankle injuries than anything else in real life, apparently. Again, waterproof is really needed for comfort.


On the whole, I'd say buy the best you can afford.... being wet (and then cold)is dangerous to your abilities and concentration; with speed can happen even on warm days. Look for sale/show/old stock bargins if on a budget - put looks low on the list!

[trafford davies]

I've had Heine Gericke Tuareg suit about 10 years & still dry as a bone.
Get a neck tube to soak up rain before it goes down your back.
Whatever gloves you have remember to tuck them inside your sleeve & carry a spare pair if you can. I like H G Pathan gloves.
I used to commute in all waethers.. get to work & do a superman quick change in the men's room.
Look at Ride magazine in Smiths as they always have gear reviews.
Cold & wet on a bike is not nice so get the best kit you can afford & good luck with Uni.

[mykoniatis]

ouf...I am spoiled for choice i think. i cannot make up my mind. i spend about two hours in HG cardiff today and I was changing my mind every 5 mins.

your thoughts on alpine star kit?

I am eyeing a 2-piece leather suit for long journeys...but it is not waterproof... so I am thinking that this can wait until I decide to go cross country (it will be a while).

I was looking on Alpinestars Long Range Drystar Jacket and Pants for my commute...
but then again it's summer so I am thinking of postponing their buying until September.

Then I like the ALPINESTARS RANSOM WP JACKET as I see it as the easy option of put on and ride for my 20 mile commute.

aaarg...

your thoughts?

thx in advance.

[Bloke]

Alpine stars kit is alright. Little overpriced as you're paying for the brand.

Whatever you do get, make sure if its textile overtrousers that it has a removable liner. Oh sweet jesus, I have some cheapo Joe Rocket Ballistic 5.0's non-removable liner means that if I am riding in the summer I sweat, and I mean SWEAT!. buckets. Keeps me dry in the heaviest of downpours mind but unbearable heat when its summer.

Leather suit always strikes me as a bit impractical as if you end up wanting to visit anywhere you walk around looking like a power ranger, in sweaty, tight leather. At least textile I have the option of taking off my trousers rolling them up into my tankbag and just dealing with the jacket.

Also biggest thing I'd say is check it for speed. If getting ready for your bike takes 20-30 minutes you'll be loathe to get it out for a quick blast. If you can be ready in five you'll be on it all the time.

Me it takes me 20 minutes of faffing and so I don't nearly go out as much as I'd like/should nor use it for commuting as much as I value an extra 20 minutes in bed.

[Tippon]

Boots - most important section after your head to protect - more ankle injuries than anything else in real life, apparently. Again, waterproof is really needed for comfort.

 

I've had a few minor offs while learning, and the only injury that kept me off the bike was almost breaking my ankle. It bloody hurts too! 

[RC46]

I rode right through last winter, apart from when it snowed, 134 miles per day.

Weise Hornet hi viz jacket. Buffalo WP trousers. Sidi Mega Goretex boots. EXO2 Heated gloves (AWESOME). EXO2 heated insoles (AMAZING). Pinlock insert (wasn't THAT good) and a reusable gel hand warmer down the back of me pants!

Coldest temp I saw was -13 degrees in freezing fog passing Brizzle but I was toasty :)

[blueracer]

I rode through last winter but it is only nine miles to where i work only had aldi,s gor tex nice and dry