Rain gear is an important part of motorcycle rider wardrobe. While some rain gear can be worn over the top of the rest of your bike rider wardrobe, mostRain gear is best suited for riding in rainy conditions.
For example, if you are wearing leather boots, gloves, and a leather jacket with Rain Gear, you are already in trouble. However, there are ways to keep the Rain Gear on while riding which is fun to do!
There are many ways to wear your Rain Gear: under tight-fitting black jeans or sweatpants, a loose-fitting white shirt with long sleeves, a sturdy pair of wool or fleece gloves, and finally the waterproof top that protects your skin from the rest of the weather.
Belt and suspender pants can also help keep the Rain Gear in place while riding.
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Waterproof vs water-resistant
These terms often get mixed up, which can be frustrating when trying to determine which one you should wear. Both describe they way they keep water out.
Waterproofed gear has a barrier in place to keep water and dirt on the surface. This includes jackets, pants, and shoes. The water must be able to pass through these barriers into the clothing material.
Waterproofing does not last forever. When it is gone, so is the waterproofed clothing! You will have to replace it when wet weather arrives or when your rain gear gets wet during accidents or rides.
When describing whether a piece of waterproof clothing is water resistant or waterproof, there are some key differences that determine whether you need to change what you are wearing: weight of clothing, temperature of body area being covered, and length of material being worn.
Adjustable vs one-size-fits-all
There are two main ways rain gear manufacturers make their gear. They can design a one-size-fits-all jacket that fits most people, or they can create more specific sizes of jacket. This is called a split range of coverage.
The other way is to design a specific size of jacket that fits smaller and smaller sizes. This is called a size range of coverage. Some people find the one size fits all nature too small, while others find the one size fits nothing enough. Which is better? neither!
Neither method guarantees protection from the sun or wind, which is what we want in rain gear. Which mode of split coverage fashion we talk about here is called blocadeaion.
Pit zips are your friend
When it comes to biking gear, nothing is as essential as a pit-zips. Pit-zips are narrow bands that can be closed or opened to create a rain shelter.
These are great if you are riding in the rain, as they can be pulled closed and placed over your helmet to protect you from precipitation. They also can be left open to provide additional protection while riding in heavy rainfall situations.
As these are limited resource material, they must be selected for quality and quantity. If you have more than one bike and/or person in your load, buy two sets of these things! They cost about $10 per set, which is cheap enough to buy even if you only need one set.
Jacket style raincoat
There are two main types of raincoat: jacket style, where the coat is around your body, and lightweight pants style, where the wet clothes are protected by a jacket.
Neither one is better with motorcycle riding. Jacket style raincoats are taller and thicker than lightweight pants ones, and therefore not suitable for riding in a full-body protection mode.
Also, while both have some waterproofing properties, which can help protect you from small water droplets, heavy waterproofing materials may hinder your maneuverability and speed.
With the right fit and proper use, neither one tends to be much of an issue. However, if you find yourself needing to constantly re-waterproof or unfold because of the weather conditions, then looking at these two styles may help determine which is best for you.
Pants rain cover
While not the first choice for motorcycle riders looking for rain gear, pants covered riding pants are an important part of a rain gear set. These cover your legs from the wetness, and help prevent dirt and debris being rubbed into your legs while you are wearing them.
With many pairs of riding pants having at least one pair of covered riding shorts in the set, it is easy to get overwhelmed. Fortunately, there are some great waterproof pairs that make the cut. Taking a little bit of time to sort through all of them and finding ones that work for you is an easy way to get started.
Some riders prefer sz 4 or 5 regular jeans; these are definitely waterproof but may be a little tight on the stomach area preventing enough room for a jacket.
Material matters
There are a few critical materials used in rain gear. These include waterproofing, breathability, and strength. Waterproofing helps protect your body from water that passes through the gear. Breathability helps keep your body warm while cooling down the rain. Strength makes a difference in how resilient the gear is to wind and water transport.
Most products have a standard of waterproofness they require, such as being able to stay on for an hour and be comfortable. Some have patters you must have to be fully waterproofed, such as not being able to wear anything under it due to being too heavy with the material.
Waterproof vs water-resistant
When it comes to weather gear, there is a clear division between water-resistant and waterproof. Though not as popular as the water resistant category, waterproof gear does exist!
Waterproof products typically have a term for how far they protect against precipitation. The higher the number, the more waterproof the piece of gear is.
Most wide-tooth Harman/Kardon motorcycle helmets are considered waterproofed. This includes the inside of the helmet as well as the outer shell. A lot of riders complain that it is hard to keep dry because you have to constantly find something to dry yourself with.
Some watches are designed for being only exposed to minimal moisture exposure. These are usually caution-worthy because you would have to keep them dry for some time before riding.
Zippers are important
When it comes to biking in the rain, visibility is very important. If you cannot see a bike or rider in front of you, you will be forced to swerve or turn around due to wet weather conditions.
In addition to visibility, temperature regulation is very important when riding in the rain. If your rainsuit does not have a shirt or sweatshirt to help regulate the temperature, then this is an issue.
Additionally, gathering enough water and cooling down are essential parts of riding in the rain.