Re: Rainlegs---dorky but effective

02-14-2007, 12:26 PM

Gooserider <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
>
> I bought a pair of these due to recommendations from other cyclists.
> They are easily the dorkiest item of cycling clothes ever invented, but they
> definitely work. I live in an area which gets regular rainfall, and my rain
> gear consisted of a clear rain jacket, a pair of booties, and a helmet
> cover. Rain pants are too hot to wear in Florida, so I usually just ended up
> with wet shorts. The Rainlegs solve that problem.
> In case you haven't clicked the link, Rainlegs are basically rain
> chaps made from parachute cloth. When it's not raining,they are worn rolled
> up to the waist like a belt. If weather threatens, they are easily rolled
> down. They fasten at the knee with velcro , and at the waist and behind with
> snap buckles. I rode home in a steady rain tonight, and my shorts stayed
> warm and dry. I think the ideal setup would be a rain cape, booties, and
> Rainlegs, but a rain cape would eliminate my handlebar light. For someone
> with a fork mounted light, that combination would be cool and dry.
> So, if you want to stay dry with a minimum of bulk, and don't mind
> looking like a dork, try Rainlegs. They work.

I've seen them before, and I've thought about picking them up. I just
hate ordering things from across the pond unless I can avoid it. As for
dorkiness, I've mostly long ago resigned myself to looking like a bike
dork.

Thanks for the review, I'm still wibbling about whether to order them or
not, but at least I know they're a good product now.

--
Dane Buson - [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
"In the fight between you and the world, back the world."
-Frank Zappa

02-14-2007, 01:39 PM

"Dane Buson" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> Gooserider <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>>
>>
>> I bought a pair of these due to recommendations from other cyclists.
>> They are easily the dorkiest item of cycling clothes ever invented, but
>> they
>> definitely work. I live in an area which gets regular rainfall, and my
>> rain
>> gear consisted of a clear rain jacket, a pair of booties, and a helmet
>> cover. Rain pants are too hot to wear in Florida, so I usually just ended
>> up
>> with wet shorts. The Rainlegs solve that problem.
>> In case you haven't clicked the link, Rainlegs are basically rain
>> chaps made from parachute cloth. When it's not raining,they are worn
>> rolled
>> up to the waist like a belt. If weather threatens, they are easily rolled
>> down. They fasten at the knee with velcro , and at the waist and behind
>> with
>> snap buckles. I rode home in a steady rain tonight, and my shorts stayed
>> warm and dry. I think the ideal setup would be a rain cape, booties, and
>> Rainlegs, but a rain cape would eliminate my handlebar light. For someone
>> with a fork mounted light, that combination would be cool and dry.
>> So, if you want to stay dry with a minimum of bulk, and don't mind
>> looking like a dork, try Rainlegs. They work.
>
> I've seen them before, and I've thought about picking them up. I just
> hate ordering things from across the pond unless I can avoid it. As for
> dorkiness, I've mostly long ago resigned myself to looking like a bike
> dork.
>
> Thanks for the review, I'm still wibbling about whether to order them or
> not, but at least I know they're a good product now.
>
> --
> Dane Buson - [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
> "In the fight between you and the world, back the world."
> -Frank Zappa

Most rain pants and jackets Resistant ones I mean. Pack into fairly
tight places. Why not just cut some off or bring a whole pair. I do not
see why the chaps would be any more doable and they obviously more expensive
with shipping.

SN

02-14-2007, 02:15 PM

nash <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
> "Dane Buson" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
>> Gooserider <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>>
>> I've seen them before, and I've thought about picking them up. I just
>> hate ordering things from across the pond unless I can avoid it. As for
>> dorkiness, I've mostly long ago resigned myself to looking like a bike
>> dork.
>>
>> Thanks for the review, I'm still wibbling about whether to order them or
>> not, but at least I know they're a good product now.
>
> Most rain pants and jackets Resistant ones I mean. Pack into fairly
> tight places. Why not just cut some off or bring a whole pair. I do not
> see why the chaps would be any more doable and they obviously more expensive
> with shipping.

Because I don't want rain pants. I'd be wearing them with cargo shorts
when I go out shopping or doing slow rides with friends. I don't need
or want to cover my shins, I just want to cover the thigh area so my
shorts don't get soaked.

I've considered getting a pair of rain pants and chopping them, but I
think the rainlegs present a neater bespoke solution. Also shipping
really isn't that ruinous on them (2.95 GBP).

--
Dane Buson - [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
"bash awk grep perl sed df du, du-du du-du,
vi troff su fsck rm * halt LART LART LART!" -- the Swedish BOFH

02-14-2007, 02:34 PM

In article <LcMAh.978067$1T2.100715@pd7urf2no>,
"nash" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> writes:
>
> "Dane Buson" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
>> Gooserider <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>>> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>>>
>>>
>>> I bought a pair of these due to recommendations from other cyclists.
>>> They are easily the dorkiest item of cycling clothes ever invented, but
>>> they
>>> definitely work. I live in an area which gets regular rainfall, and my
>>> rain
>>> gear consisted of a clear rain jacket, a pair of booties, and a helmet
>>> cover. Rain pants are too hot to wear in Florida, so I usually just ended
>>> up
>>> with wet shorts. The Rainlegs solve that problem.
>>> In case you haven't clicked the link, Rainlegs are basically rain
>>> chaps made from parachute cloth. When it's not raining,they are worn
>>> rolled
>>> up to the waist like a belt. If weather threatens, they are easily rolled
>>> down. They fasten at the knee with velcro , and at the waist and behind
>>> with
>>> snap buckles. I rode home in a steady rain tonight, and my shorts stayed
>>> warm and dry. I think the ideal setup would be a rain cape, booties, and
>>> Rainlegs, but a rain cape would eliminate my handlebar light. For someone
>>> with a fork mounted light, that combination would be cool and dry.
>>> So, if you want to stay dry with a minimum of bulk, and don't mind
>>> looking like a dork, try Rainlegs. They work.
>>
>> I've seen them before, and I've thought about picking them up. I just
>> hate ordering things from across the pond unless I can avoid it. As for
>> dorkiness, I've mostly long ago resigned myself to looking like a bike
>> dork.
>>
>> Thanks for the review, I'm still wibbling about whether to order them or
>> not, but at least I know they're a good product now.
>>
>> --
>> Dane Buson - [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>> "In the fight between you and the world, back the world."
>> -Frank Zappa
>
> Most rain pants and jackets Resistant ones I mean. Pack into fairly
> tight places. Why not just cut some off or bring a whole pair. I do not
> see why the chaps would be any more doable and they obviously more expensive
> with shipping.

Lately i've been experimenting with a pair of rubberized
rain pants that were given to me. They're surprisingly
okay for short hops in cool temps.

The RainLegs thing looks good, but for riding in street
clothes, you really want something that keeps the /lower/
legs dry -- especially in front and down around the trouser
cuffs, where it gets the wettest. 'Cuz there ain't much
tissue there to generate enough warmth to dry your jeans
with body heat while wearing them, after coming in from
a ride -- it's all just shinbone & skin.

If only RainLegs had snap-on extenders available, that
would cover the knees & shins, like chaps. Keep the
windward side dry, and let the leeward side vent.

If I could sew, I'd convert my rain pants into
rain chaps, and sew-on the remnants as built-in,
toe-covering spats. Strips of hook & loop velcro
would hold everything in place behind the leg,
while allowing ventilation back there, and keeping
fabrics out of the drive train.

The trouble with neoprene booties is: they're
enclosed in the back, where they don't need to
be enclosed. It's the front that bears the brunt.
It's the same with a lot of cycling rain garb.
We don't need space suits just to ride in the rain;
we just need appropriate coverage from what we're
riding into.

cheers,
Tom

--
Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca

02-14-2007, 03:31 PM

If I could sew, I'd convert my rain pants into
> rain chaps, and sew-on the remnants as built-in,
> toe-covering spats. Strips of hook & loop velcro
> would hold everything in place behind the leg,
> while allowing ventilation back there, and keeping
> fabrics out of the drive train.

Zoot does alot of sewing Maybe you two could strike up a bargain.
Both being in Vancouver and all.

SN

02-14-2007, 05:30 PM

In article <iRNAh.985884$5R2.811616@pd7urf3no>,
"nash" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> writes:
> If I could sew, I'd convert my rain pants into
>> rain chaps, and sew-on the remnants as built-in,
>> toe-covering spats. Strips of hook & loop velcro
>> would hold everything in place behind the leg,
>> while allowing ventilation back there, and keeping
>> fabrics out of the drive train.
>
>
> Zoot does alot of sewing Maybe you two could strike up a bargain.
> Both being in Vancouver and all.

Aw, he don't need me for ideas.

All it takes besides the ability to put it together,
is the understanding that riders get wetter in front
than in the back, so protect the front from rain, and
let the back ventilate. Like a backless, combined
rain jacket/dickie & rearward cape/mantle -- buttons-down
rainproofedly in front, and ventilates in the back, and
unlike a traditional rain cape, frees the arms to do
arm signals.

And for material, there's that outdoor fabrics store
almost beside Our Community Bikes. I dunno if they
have much in black, though. Black with reflective
white skull-&-crossbones motifs embroidered or appliqued
on there would be tres chic. Especially if it's
something sk8ers could use, too.

cheers,
Tom

--
Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca