5 Things to Consider When Buying Rain Gear Enjoy the Ride While Staying Dry! As
February and winter come to an end, so does the snow, but that means
rain, rain, and more rain is just around the corner here in the Pacific
Northwest. But don’t let that stop you from riding your bike! When
riding in the rain, it is essential to have the proper rain gear so you
can enjoy your ride and be safe while doing so. Here are the five
things to consider when buying rain gear:
1.Fabric:
There are three types of waterproof fabric: PVC, coated, and
laminated. PVC is typically the least expensive of the three, but its
lack of breathing ability is why. The PVC fabric is waterproof, but
because it cannot breathe, it has to contain vents. Without vents, the
rider would become very hot and sweaty. Coated and laminated fabrics
have a micro-porous structure, keeping rain out but allowing sweat to
escape. These fabrics are generally more expensive and more durable.
2.Coverage:
Waterproof gear is useless if it has openings or shortcomings that
allow water to get through to your body. One problem area is wrist
openings – make sure any rain suits you are considering can be tightly
closed in that area. One of the essentials for rain jackets is having a
tail long enough to cover past the top of your rain pants while in the
riding position. Additionally, many rain jackets have a fleece-lined
collar which protects your neck from chapping and keeping moisture out
at the same time. This black rain suit from Eagle Leather has a removable collar/hood, which makes it a flexible option for changing temperatures.
3. Pockets:
Not only does your body need to stay dry during a rainy ride, but so
do your valuables! Make sure your rain suit has plenty of closable,
waterproof pockets. This jacket features dual storm closure pockets, and an integrated stuff sack.
4.Reflection:
Typically rain suits will have reflective piping and tape. Rain
affects the visibility of many drivers, so reflection and bright
coloring is key to staying seen on the road. This two-piece rain suit is a great example of bright coloring on your rain gear.
5.Ease of Putting On: Many rain suits are one-piece,
which provides the ultimate rain protection, however they can be very
difficult to get on and off – especially with a motorcycle helmet on and
in the rain. Other ease-of-entry necessities are the leg openings.
Make sure they are wide enough to fit over your boots in a hurry. A
rain suit won’t do you much good if you get soaked while trying to put
it on!
Yet, there’s no denying it: Unless you plan to ride exclusively around the Southern United States, you’ll face some chilly winters. And even before it...
