Topic: Rain gear, One piece or Two piece, what's your opinion?

[2wheels]

The subject says it all.

[ZoomyZen]

Hmmm.  Seems like it would depend on your destination.

[Gordon]

Hmmm.  Seems like it would depend on your destination.

And how often/ how long you'll be using it.  Also how much you want to spend.  I keep separate rain pants and a jacket in my K1 saddlebags.  Good for the occasional ride home from work in the rain, but I wouldn't go cross-country in cool weather with them.  

[Kong]

2-Piece.  Under any circumstances they are uncomfortable and flap in the wind.  Most of the time you can get away with just the upper half and only need the lowers for prolonged riding in pretty heavy or continuous rain.  So on the theory that less is best and that you don't always need the full package I'd opt for two half, either or both of which to be worn at the rider's discression.

But you don't get as many leaks with a 1-piece and you can get it on faster on the side of the road..  Hmmmmm.

[andy750]

All rain gear will eventually leak at the crotch. Fact of life. If its expensive gear it may take longer (due to sealed seams etc) but it will leak - $100 versus $25 for the cheaper option. Goretex or any other tex will still leak at the crotch area after a while. This is why I no longer buy goretex trousers for motorcycle riding. I now use Hely Hansen $25 pvc trousers and they are very very good. Get them at REI.

But back to the original question - a one piece will eventually leak at the crotch area rendering the whole suit useless (as anyone who has had a wet crotch for hours on end while riding a bike will know its not fun unless you have a Norwegian soccer babe sitting behind you :-)). Therefore a 2 piece suit allows you to mix and match and of one part leaks you are not down a lot of cash.

I use a 2-piece - Marmot Precipice jacket (orange) and Hely Hansen trousers - no flapping in the wind and they are very comfy and work for prolonged rain. Jacket goes over the leather jacket and rain gear goes over the boots and over the textile trousers (even though the RevIt Factory trousers I have use a waterproof liner I still prefer to use the Hely Hansen rain trousers).

good luck
Andy

[kpier883]

Two piece here.  My current setup is Nelson-Rigg.  I recall riding through most of Arkansas in a downpour when it was new and I mainly recall that I got water down the neck.  However, I was wearing the rain suit over a thick leather jacket and it might have sealed more thoroughly at the neck if it weren't for that. 

By scrunching my shoulders just right I could seal out the water but that got kind of old.  I believe the pants stayed dry. 

I also use it over layers of clothing in extreme cold just to help seal out drafts.  One day while struggling to attach the velcro over several layers including a thick jacket, I pulled too hard and ripped the jacket near the zipper at the top of the jacket leaving a big hole. 

Although I didn't think I was pulling that hard on it, I can say that I was doing something beyond normal.  Your mileage may vary.  Since I am cheap, I sewed it back together but I doubt it will ever be as water proof as it was.

In the end, to answer your question, I prefer a two piece setup in which the pants come up pretty high beneath the jacket so that you don't wind up with a gap between the jacket and pants.

[brandEn]

2 piece Aerostich Roadcrafter. Best piece of gear ever!

[ZoomyZen]

Just a general thought on the sizing:  Perhaps buy whatever your end decision may be, sized a little over.  This may help with a quicker dress on the side of the road, [provide more comfort over already bulky clothing and perhaps prolong the life of the seams so you don't end up with that pesky pissed-in-the-pants sensation.  

Of course I have zero experience.   I can imagine problems with sealing at the neck and cuffs.  A previous poster noted that bulky clothing actually compromised his seal so a large size may actually be more beneficial in a similar situation. 

[andy750]

Dont forget to get a jacket with velcro cuffs or you`ll blow up like the Michelin Man when you ride...and no hoods -they will strangle you at speed!  . Also a jacket with a storm flap that covers the main zip -another area of leakage...a velcro cuff around the neck is best but this is harder to find. The better fitting it is the better to prevent blowing around and billowing at speed.

good luck
Andy



 

[Retro Rocket]

I used to have a 1 piece Dryrider rain suit, best rain suit i ever had and no wet crutch, it was that good that i used to wear it while working on a professional fishing boat, the guys thought i was mad until i walked into the cabin, pulled the suit off and was bone dry....
The salt eventually wrecked that one, i try and avoid riding in the rain these days.......

Mick

[Really?]

Had a one piece TourMaster back in the early 80's.  It kept me dry in the rain for sure.  Even the rain I started to hydroplane at about 80.  It was coming down hard. 

[2wheels]

Great responces.
I am replacing a Dryrider (one piece) that I bought in 1982.  It never leaked, even in the crotch, when it was new.  Now it leaks everywhere.  I'm pretty sure I got my monies worth.
Now I'm thinking of a 2 piece but I want the Velcro sleeves, ankles and neck.  I'm glad to hear some good experiences with 2 pieces.
I'll investigate some of the names mentioned above, no rush, I have 4 months of snow ahead.

[Retro Rocket]

Great responces.
I am replacing a Dryrider (one piece) that I bought in 1982.  It never leaked, even in the crotch, when it was new.  Now it leaks everywhere.  I'm pretty sure I got my monies worth.
Now I'm thinking of a 2 piece but I want the Velcro sleeves, ankles and neck.  I'm glad to hear some good experiences with 2 pieces.
I'll investigate some of the names mentioned above, no rush, I have 4 months of snow ahead.

Mine had the velcro round the neck sleeves and pant legs, i got that one in around 1988....

Mick

[DavePhipps]

Textile riding jacket, pants and gloves treated with knikwax.

[Grnrngr]

I've got a one piece TourMaster , a matched two piece Stearns set, and a pair of Stearns pants with an "Amati" coat...what I can't seem to find tho, is waterproof boot covers..saw some really nice electric waterproof boots, but they're spendy....

[Alan F.]

I've been using a Frogg Togg Road Toad 2 piece, it's got velcro at the wrists and a flap over the jacket zipper, but that's about it. I got mine way extra large and can fit any gear I own under it. It doesn't flap around too badly on the highway too badly, but I'm not that much of a die hard rider. It'll keep me dry enough and comfortable enough for anything I'll ever ride in or find myself in, has reflective trim, and it's about $47 shipped.

In the heaviest rain I've ever ridden in, after fifty miles or so enough water had blown up the outside of my boots that I was just a little damp up to my knees... maybe some sort of additional velcro strap around the ankle, or a strap under the heel of my boot would have prevented that...
Alan

[seaweb11]

  $25.00 and still no holes yet.


raingear by seaweb, on Flickr

[KeithTurk]

Aero stitch Darion.....  but I've got a one piece that works Very well...

My original $40 two piece stuff worked just fine as well.... ( it eventually started coming apart from age )....

K

[hijynx]

the best setup I've found for the pacific northwet riding is sweats,pads, grundens petrus jacket, grundens or columbia rain pants & probably my single favorite piece of riding gear my klim snowmobile boots.

[Brandotheamazing]

well seeing as i havn't had any rain gear since i've been sailing. But on my bike i usually get "caught" in the rain, so usually jeans and a leather jacket. heh heh.

[Duke McDukiedook]

One word: speedsuit.