Rain Gear - what do you know?

[hppants]

OK friends, much to my dismay, I'm not going on the Deal's Gap trip without rain gear.  I'll go with my fishing method.  If I bring the gear, it won't rain.   

So, a few questions:

Do you wear the rain gear over your jacket and pants?  Does the gear come with armour or padding?  How do you deal with the gap between your helmet and the jacket?  Are the boot covers worth anything?  Finally, obviously, which gear do you have and what are your likes and dislikes.  Thanks.

[Brittles]

They go over your pants and jacket. No armour ones that I'm aware of. The collars zip up around your neck enough to allow minimal water entry. The boot covers are good to have but probably not needed if you have waterproof boots (I don't).

I've got a 2 piece suit from Nelson Riggs. It has the bib type bottoms. Have ridden for hours in downpours and stayed pretty much dry. But that's been on a bike with a windshield, so not sure what the difference would have been riding without the shield.

There are tons of choices and prices. I think I paid somewhere around $80.

[Brittles]

btw HP, I bought mine from Dennis Kirk and see they are offering free shipping on $25 orders through the 18th.

[Burgi]

I can't say how mine does in the rain since I've never had it with me when I was out in the rain. 
I have worn it on trips though since it makes a good insulating layer over my gear.
My jacket has a rain hood that tucks into the collar.
You might want to think about getting something higher viz. Cagers have limited ability to see as it is, rain only makes it worse. My rain jacket is bright yellow with reflective patches, husband's is orange. He looks like the great pumpkin, but you sure as heck aren't going to miss seeing him!!
I've heard good things about Frogg Toggs but don't have them.

[green427]

I have a 2-piece rain suit that I got from Jafrum for $25 or something like that. The only purpose of it is to keep the water from soaking you. It is a simple raincoat/rainpant that is reinforced to deal with the high speed wind. I wear it on top of my armored jacket. Frogg Toggs have a good reputation, and can be rolled up really tight & small and stored in your saddlebag/tankbag, etc.

I've used it a few times in heavy downpours. Definitely worth having. The biggest downsides are the lack of air flow, which makes you hot & sweaty, and the added bulkiness to what you are already wearing.

Just be sure to get the brightest color available, since cagers have a harder time seeing you while it is raining. Most of my close calls are during rainy days.

And, be sure the zippers are YKK brand, the one I have is not, and is not good quality.

[luckylindy]

 I've got a Tourmaster suit that has been in the wet stuff many times and always keeps me dry.  Don't know about the boot covers as my h2o proof boots take care of that.  Don't leave home without it.

[hppants]

My jacket has a rain hood that tucks into the collar

Does this mean a hood that goes over your head and under your helmet?  Tucks into the collar means the hood folds within the collar of the jacket when not in use?

[Burgi]

My jacket has a rain hood that tucks into the collar

Does this mean a hood that goes over your head and under your helmet?  Tucks into the collar means the hood folds within the collar of the jacket when not in use?

Yes, the hood is a thin stretchy sort of fabric, like a do-rag. It is attached to the water proof collar so the collar stays up and water won't get down your neck. When you don't need it it can be snapped down into the collar of the jacket.

[FocusPlayer]

Now and then, FrogTogs go at a pretty good sale price at BassPro.

[Hondo]

I bought a set at Wal Mart in the middle of a trip, and it is some high quality gear.

Found it in the sporting goods dept, was about $23 and blue in color. I recommend that you get one size larger than you would normally wear (to go over your other gear)

[bajakirch]

I have a set of Frogg Toggs and I've been happy with them. They don't seem like they'd hold up to the wind (they are a paper product, after all), but mine have never shown any signs of ripping. My biggest concern with them is keeping them away from the engine or pipes. I don't know how much heat it would take to melt/burn through that plasticized paper, but I don't really want to find out.

My set is light tan. I look like a walking grocery bag when I'm all decked out, but it's pretty visible. I've been thinking about adding some reflective tape as well.

One of the great things about them is how portable they are. I have no bags on my bike, so I have to stuff everything into a backpack. Storability is key.

My set has a pretty high collar that comes up high enough to keep most water out. In a heavier rain, I'll pull out the hood (stored in the collar) and put it on under my helmet.

I don't wear boot covers, but mostly wear waterproof boots with a higher upper.

[lew750]

I have a set of Frogg Toggs and I've been happy with them. They don't seem like they'd hold up to the wind (they are a paper product, after all), but mine have never shown any signs of ripping. My biggest concern with them is keeping them away from the engine or pipes. I don't know how much heat it would take to melt/burn through that plasticized paper, but I don't really want to find out.

My set is light tan. I look like a walking grocery bag when I'm all decked out, but it's pretty visible. I've been thinking about adding some reflective tape as well.

One of the great things about them is how portable they are. I have no bags on my bike, so I have to stuff everything into a backpack. Storability is key.

My set has a pretty high collar that comes up high enough to keep most water out. In a heavier rain, I'll pull out the hood (stored in the collar) and put it on under my helmet.

I don't wear boot covers, but mostly wear waterproof boots with a higher upper.

I also use Frogg Toggs.  I have others but Frogg Toggs pack better.  Be sure to get the "Road Toads" that are made for riding.  The thinner ones will tear (trust me).  Like FocusPlayer said, I got them on sale at Bass Pro.

[Soupskin]

I have a rain liner for my Tourmaster Intake jacket and Venture Air pants.  The liners go inside the mesh outer of the jacket and pants.

I'm seriously considering some FroggToggs in hi-vis green.  While my liners are great if I am expecting rain, the FT's would be easier to put on OVER my gear when caught in a sudden storm.  The florescent coloring would be a great added bonus.

[Soupskin]

Hi-Viz Green FroggToggs for $55 with free shipping!

http://cgi.ebay.com/HI-VIZ-GREEN-froggtoggs-roadtoad-Motorcycle-Large_W0QQitemZ370254389293QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_CSA_MC_Outerwear?hash=item5634e1a02d#ht_2376wt_835

[LOKi]

For you I would say FroggToggs. Your not the hardcore type that will be doing a lot of rain riding. Get something that you can use on your boat too. Don't worry about the water getting in at the neck and going down your back.

I have yet to find rain gear that is 100% effective. Water always finds a way in. Well eventually it does. So instead of spending big money on the fancy under helmet thing just know that in the end it doesn't make much of a difference. You will get wet if you ride in the rain long enough. Might as well get something cheep and useful for your other hobby...fishing.

[highwayjamin]

I have frogg toggs,and I carry them with me where ever I go. So far I havent needed them but I'am sure that will change.

[FocusPlayer]

I just got a sale notice about rain gear that DOES have armor.   

First I'd seen.   

Must have been LeatherUp or NewEnough .. as I spend most of my cycle-wear bucks there.

[cmyers]

When I started commuting here in Florida I knew I would be getting wet, so I bought some rain gear very similar to Frog Toggs. It works really well, except for having to pull off and get everything on. Down here by the time I got off the rode, got the rain gear out and over my clothes the rain would almost be  past me. So I gave up wearing or carrying rain gear, but I think I would carry it for road trips were I could be caught in rain for hours.

[LOKi]

So I gave up wearing or carrying rain gear, but I think I would carry it for road trips were I could be caught in rain for hours.

Little story about that. The last time I went to NC (from New Orleans) it rained for 8 of the 11 hours on the road. Full rain gear but it didn't really matter. Still was completely soaked by the time we got to camp. I was happy I had the rain gear on though because it keeps the wind out 100% and once your wet any amount of wind is going to make you cold.

It took a full day of riding to dry all my gear out.

[rotomotor]

I have supposedly waterproof boots, the only major rain that I have ridden through was in Florida, and the water ran right down my pants and into the boots. The boots did a fabulous job of holding the water inside until I got to my destination. It was funny pouring out water from my boots on to the parking lot. Even though I thought that my riding pants were covering the tops of my boots, somehow the water got in there. If I was going on a significant trip, I would get something better than what I was wearing.

[niteman]

tarted commuting here in Florida I knew I would be getting wet, so I bought some rain gear very similar to Frog Toggs. It works really well, except for having to pull off and get everything on. Down here by the time I got off the rode, got the rain gear out and over my clothes the rain would almost be  past me. So I gave up

Amen brother...gotta love FL summers. The only time it has bothered me to ride in the rain down here is if I'm on my way TO work...that sucks. On my way home I could care less. I've got a little "Sea to Summit" dry bag for my phones, wallet, and other pocket stuff. If/when I start touring a rain suit will be in my kit though.

[Custom82Hawk]

They're not cheap and not good for summer riding.  But when I was in the national guard, we were issued gortex equipment.  I thought it might rain, so I packed my pants and parka combo just in case.  Well, it did start raining.  I put em on, buttoned the pants to the parka, tightened the legs and sleeves, and man.  i've never been so comfortable in the rain before :)  but, they weren't made for bikes, they don't offer any protection other than from the elements.  just my $.02

[hppants]

Thanks to everyone for their input.  I've got a high grade rain suit that I wear for fishing - I'm going to see if it will fit over my riding jacket and pants (not likely).  Failing that, I'm going to pick up a set of Frogg Toggs.