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Waterproof Gear

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ScorpionT16

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Question for the experienced about waterproof gear.

I have a Dainese leather jacket, not waterproof. Bought an Icon DKR jacket + Alpinestar Drystar Pants, was waterproof, till I crashed in it and ripped them. Now I'm in search for new gear for next season and in a dilemma. Some say nothing is 100% waterproof, some say good gear and Gortex is worth it. My gripe with that is, if one did spend $1k+ on a Gortex jacket/pants, and then has a slight mishap/fall and it tears (sure that's what gear is for, though I mean small, like off-roading and it gets snagged on a tree maybe), then all of a sudden your $1k waterproof investment has a hole and is a dud the whole trip. I'd cry a little. Plus, there's a giant hole at the top of every jacket for your neck, and pant's for your waist/legs to contend with. This all still doesn't take into account the frustrations I have with the XD-4 lid fogging up in rain, and it didn't come with a pinlock like the shoei, nor does it work well cause of the steep visor angle. So i'm thinking some snow googles for that on rainy days.

Then come liners, inside and outside. What's the all around solution people use? I mean for long trips where you don't have a closet full of gear to choose from and see varied conditions. Thanks!
 
Cheap overlayer like frog toggs for times it's really pouring. Try to keep some airflow through the outer layer to keep the condensation under control. If you rip it, either tape the hole or throw it out and buy new stuff.

If you go with waterproof liners inside, you protective gear will be so wet it takes days to dry out. Needing to wear your waterproof liners to protect you from your wet protection when it's sunny sucks.
 
Gore-Tex everything. Worth the money for the simple fact that Gore-Tex themselves warranty anything made with it for life against leaks within reason.
 
I'm straying away from the removable inner rain liners, the concept just baffles me, considering something like Frog Toggs. I have some Gore-tex hiking gear, and a pair of Gortex Klim Gloves. The Klim gloves suck, leak, and liners come off every time the glove is removed, at one point I spent over 40mins under a hwy underpass trying to get them back on cursing the company. Contacted Klim, no option to replace them with and its a common issue, I'm stuck with them.

Got Gortex Hiking shoes, on my 3rd pair, all 3 have leaked after a few months. I'm pretty much off Gortex prices and quality. Warranty doesn't mean much to me on the road, I want to plan some long exclusions, when I'm 2 weeks away from home, I don't care to deal with back and forth issues. Did with Klim, Alpinestars, and with Arai now, not fun, takes months. Only thing I'll give Gortex is breathability.
 
If you can get over the crashing aspect of ruining your gear, then I'd agree that Goretex is great.
If you are too concerned about crashing and ruining your fancy gear then similar to Frogg Toggs, I have the First Gear Sierra Line which I will say has kept me 100% dry during multi day trips of torrential rain.

Generally speaking you won't look like a dork in Goretex and you will absolutely look like a dork wearing some sort of thin over suit.
 
After the crash I realized the importance of quality gear and don't mind it doing its job. The Icon jacket compared to something like a Re'vit Sand or Klim, has a paper thin outer, it shredded up to the Armour. I've heard people fall with higher brands and walk without an issue, it depends obviously on many factors. I had bought new soft luggage before the trip, which also shredded through. That's another thing on the gear list lol

I'm looking at either the Dainese D-dry system now, or Rev'it Hydratex stuff, something like the Horizon line. Doesn't break the bank, yet isn't a big compromise, built in waterproofing and breathable (compared with the Fortnine Gortex video). I find the Alpinestar D-dry to be just about not breathable at all.

I might buy a rain shell as back up, though apart from looks, it flapping around the wind like a sail would annoy me, and I can't access Jacket/pant pockets then.
 
ScorpionT16 said:
I'm straying away from the removable inner rain liners, the concept just baffles me, considering something like Frog Toggs. I have some Gore-tex hiking gear, and a pair of Gortex Klim Gloves. The Klim gloves suck, leak, and liners come off every time the glove is removed, at one point I spent over 40mins under a hwy underpass trying to get them back on cursing the company. Contacted Klim, no option to replace them with and its a common issue, I'm stuck with them.
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Yeah removable liners are a waste of time. Klim and some others laminate the gore-tex to the garment, that is definitely the way to go if you can afford it.

Had the same issue with my Klim gloves, Klim warranty exchanged them for a new model. I just paid the price difference at retail, $15. Didn't have to ship them or go through any other hassles. Good experience with them.

My Gore-Tex boots started leaking after about four years/80k km's. Gore-Tex gave me a full refund for the amount I initially paid as the boots were discontinued. Quick and easy process, didn't have to ship anything, pictures were enough.

Nothing will stay waterproof forever, including Gore-Tex. I would much rather have a warranty to fall back on then have to throw away a product. Had a Teknic jacket that I loved, was perfectly waterproof for 3-4 years before it started to leak. Unfortunately, but that time Teknic had gone under, and my lifetime waterproof warranty was useless.
 
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I have a Klim gortex jacket and pants. When on the road I don't have to guess if it going to rain or not. I don't have to stop to wrestle my way into a rain suite at the side of a highway if I guessed wrong and it does rain. When you are far from home, it sucks getting soaked. If you ride a lot, and far from home its cost effective and make a lot of sense to have the best gear.
 
I have a separate Scott motorcycle rain jacket and pants, made with "DRYOsphere", which have done very well so far; I like how far up the neck goes, so that the rain doesn't run down your back. They're made in China, if that's an issue. I also have an over jacket and pants that came with my Olympia jacket, which some think aren't quite as good as the Scott, so that I can swap between the two. Before that, I used an old oversized MEC goretex rain jacket, and a pair of waterproof pants.
 
regder said:
Gore-Tex everything. Worth the money for the simple fact that Gore-Tex themselves warranty anything made with it for life against leaks within reason.
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Within reason is the catch. I have an expensive Berghaus Extrem 500 rain jacket, I paid about $500 for the thing 5 or 6 years ago. It sits in a carrybag inside my hardbags, I pull it out only when I need a rainjacket which is a few times each year. I have used the jacket 15 times tops, from the outside it looks brand new.

The GoreTex seam sealing has completely failed and the jacket now leaks like a sieve. Despite being inlike-new condition, neither GoreTex or Berghaus will honour the warranty because my receipt is not specific enough, it list the purchase as "Mens Wear" and not specifically "Berghaus jacket".
 
Blacque Jacque Shellacque said:
I have a Klim gortex jacket and pants. When on the road I don't have to guess if it going to rain or not. I don't have to stop to wrestle my way into a rain suite at the side of a highway if I guessed wrong and it does rain. When you are far from home, it sucks getting soaked. If you ride a lot, and far from home its cost effective and make a lot of sense to have the best gear.
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I have Klim Dakar gear, it's not GoreTex branded material but it's never failed me. Not has my favorite cold weather Technik Jacket with "powerskin" fabric.

The GoreTex warranty is great, but textile technology isn't where they get their edge, it's in the oversight of the garment designs that use GoreTex fabric. Better brands have the waterproofing on jackets nailed whether they use the GoreTex or any other polyurethane coated material.
 
Australian Outback, Overlander jacket (y) not a lot of money and it works.
 
Blacque Jacque Shellacque said:
I have a Klim gortex jacket and pants. When on the road I don't have to guess if it going to rain or not. I don't have to stop to wrestle my way into a rain suite at the side of a highway if I guessed wrong and it does rain. When you are far from home, it sucks getting soaked. If you ride a lot, and far from home its cost effective and make a lot of sense to have the best gear.
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Same story, by the time I stopped my bike and put the rain gear on I was already soaked so it would just stay stored. It was also instantly hot if in the middle of summer put it on early. I purchased Gortex Klim Badlands pants and jacket as well as Gortex Boots. Keep an eye out for late winter juuuuuuust before spring that is when Klim launches the new years products. I purchased from Revzilla at 50% off because they wanted to clear out.
 
Mad Mike said:
The GoreTex seam sealing has completely failed and the jacket now leaks like a sieve. Despite being inlike-new condition, neither GoreTex or Berghaus will honour the warranty because my receipt is not specific enough, it list the purchase as "Mens Wear" and not specifically "Berghaus jacket".
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The devil in me says make up a fake invoice that specifies the jacket...

Mad Mike said:
I have Klim Dakar gear, it's not GoreTex branded material but it's never failed me. Not has my favorite cold weather Technik Jacket with "powerskin" fabric.
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My Teknic Freeway jacket with "Powerskin" was awesome for about four years before it started to leak. Still love the fit and design of the jacket. Shame Teknic went under

Mad Mike said:
I have one of those waxed cotton jackets too, I wear mine when I ride my old girls. Look even better with a silk scarf and a Davida helmet.
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Those Speedway jackets look awesome, super tempted to get one, only $30 shipping from the UK
 
ScorpionT16 said:
I'm straying away from the removable inner rain liners, the concept just baffles me, considering something like Frog Toggs. I have some Gore-tex hiking gear, and a pair of Gortex Klim Gloves. The Klim gloves suck, leak, and liners come off every time the glove is removed, at one point I spent over 40mins under a hwy underpass trying to get them back on cursing the company. Contacted Klim, no option to replace them with and its a common issue, I'm stuck with them.

Got Gortex Hiking shoes, on my 3rd pair, all 3 have leaked after a few months. I'm pretty much off Gortex prices and quality. Warranty doesn't mean much to me on the road, I want to plan some long exclusions, when I'm 2 weeks away from home, I don't care to deal with back and forth issues. Did with Klim, Alpinestars, and with Arai now, not fun, takes months. Only thing I'll give Gortex is breathability.
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I like my frogg toggs. Easy in easy out. Not too bulky. Remember to put the hood up and put your lid on over it, that way you don't get any rain down your back.
 
All great advice and nice hearing of people's setups/experiences. I'll try a give a 2nd try for a warranty claim with Klim. The Goretex warranty sounds appealing, and if I can get some on sale as mentioned by @captain farkle then its a win win! That said, I won' be going the Klim route, the cut just isn't tailored to my body. Bought some pants of theirs, returned them, tried some jackets in store and way to baggy, a real American shape.

I fit much better in the Dainese/Alpinestar/rev'it range (Rev'its pants being a problem, way to short an inseam). I got the Icon DKR jacket on sale at 50% off, same one ryanF9 wears, its okay at that price. too baggy, flaps all around, missing some details, and gets hot hot hot. Plus is it came with the D30 armour which I shall re-use, Rev'ts seesmart stuff is my favourite, I tested it, it works, and doesn't feel bulky.

read the articles posted, good stuff! Am going toward the fused waterproof membrane in one setup, and also want matching pants. tried the mis-match jacket pant combo, not a fan, practical wise they don't zip together, fashion wise I look like a bargain bin lol.
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