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Keeping Warm And Dry
Post Date - December 2016
By Pocketpete
Keeping dry was something I thought I had cracked when buying some textile jackets and trousers from J&S in Manchester to match my new 250 Suzuki.
My bike came with a Jacket as part of the deal so I got some Alpinestars trousers from J&S. The first time I used them I got soaked to the skin literally and took the £140 trousers back. I then used the Akito summer jacket that came with the bike, this prove much more effective at keeping off the showers than the trousers. Sure it leaked at the elbows but not as much as the trousers.
With my refund I got a pair of Oxford trousers. Rubbish. The zip broke within days and another refund later I got a set of Furygan trousers. These leaked around the crotch it was like sitting in a warm paddling pool of wee. I obtained my third refund and the exasperated guy in J&S said those immortal words "well nothings waterproof you know they are only shower proof." My retort was "why does it say 'Waterproof' on the label?" The RST were anything but waterproof. After speaking to another Muppet in the shop he suggested some Frank Thomas trousers for £90. I thought hell why not. They have actually proved OK, as good as anything else bless him.
Many months later and many soakings later I had the fortune to meet Sharon and Ren. I was amazed by their outfits., rather an eclectic match of items. I feel a bit guilty but I really pumped them for information, a bit of a CID/Police interrogation. That's the price you pay for a cup of tea.
Ren suggested the Berghaus deluge trousers. I read his article and tried them on in Go Outdoors over my Frank Thomas trousers and then ordered online for £28.99 instead of £40. Perfect fit. My god they are so easy to put on and take off and never leak. Really waterproof and don't seem too sweaty. (Berghaus Deluge Waterproof Overtrousers Review)
After the impressive trousers I looked for a similar jacket. The Berghaus jackets were £70, The Regatta seemed ok at £35 but the colour choice was rancid brown. Then I stumbled on the Richa Rain Warrior Jacket at £32.99. Very good reviews so I ordered one. Its a nice bit of kit very thick material totally waterproof. Supposed to be breathable but certainly not Gore-Tex. Much better than the Regatta. Tight elasticated sleeves high neck loads of velcro. My first try it leaked and I was a bit pissed off to say the least. Then I realised I hadn't fastened the velco properly at the front so as I bent over it creased and leaked. I made sure I folded the double edge in and no more leaks. (Richa Rain Warrior Jacket)
Whilst returning my last trousers I ended up with a credit note of £59.00 at J&S so I used it to buy some new gloves. I didn't want to keep going back and forward to the shop so after many hours of research I ended up with 3 or 4 pairs to try on at J&S who have loads. I tried on about 5 pairs before a young lad suggested the Alpinestars Drystar OSLO Glove. He looked about 18 and didn't work there he was just browsing for a pair of leather racing gloves. The gloves were £69.00 so would cost me a tenner with my credit note. He said they were very warm, very waterproof and very breathable. Yes right heard it all before. I tried them on, great fit, very warm, very comfy, very snuggley. Hmmm, I purchased them but the guy on the counter said he didn't think they were waterproof?
They are the best purchase I have yet made. They are just so warm. A bit stiff when I got them quite padded and don't offer any real hard protection, they are not armoured but seem really well made. A bit bulky and stiff but they have worn in a bit and I can now feel the grips better. They also have the advantage that since I got these I have not used my heated grips. Last week my -5 journey to work of 22 miles seemed nothing, no cold fingers. A trip to Liverpool of 51 miles proved just as warm, I was just thinking of putting the heat on when I arrived in Garston. I have experienced many monsoons and they have not leaked at all. The only downside is being textile they soak up water. They get very heavy and laden with water but dry inside, however when you arrive they are very wet. So after 8 hours at work they are still wet unless I leave them on a radiator. Over the day this moisture slowly soaks its way through the Drystar Gore-Tex type liner making them wet even though they were dry when I took them off. The secret is hang them upside down on a radiator as soon as you get in. (Alpinestars Oslo Drystar Gloves)
I already explained in my previous review of the NEC bike show that I needed boots. My Aldi boots were OK but did leak in extended bad weather. (NEC Bike Show 2016 Report)
The Daytona boots are a strange beast. Firstly I would say that everyone should watch this video. Yes its in German with English Subtitles. I am not a German type person firstly because of the war Lol but secondly my Schuberth helmet is pants (there I have said it). I didn't want to admit it after spending all that money but it is a crap overpriced very comfy quiet helmet that I would NEVER buy again.
When I tried the boots on at the NEC the display of boots was really strange they had several pairs on display which were second hand with 100000 miles on the boots, that's a strange way to advertise, some sort of psychology going on there. The pair I tried on were scuffed and tatty but Sharon has these boots, Ren thought they were good. The reviews were good and the price is insanely high.
I purchased them on a bit of a whim really I didn't really need them I could manage with the old boots. But hey its only money and I didn't want to leave the show with just a Givi calender and some brochures.
The following day I opened up my shiny box with my shiny matt boots and couldn't actually get them on. They fitted OK but were so stiff I could not zip them up and I was worried I would break the zips. I then panicked 'cos I did not know how I would return them having got them at the show. I rang the company (Infinity Motorcycles) who said I could return them if needed to the shop by post. I explained the boots were the right size but I could not fasten them. They laughed at me! I mean really laughed. They told me to unzip the boots, pull open the rear Velcro sections and put them on then to zip up the little zip first then zip up the big zip, then readjust the rear Velcro sections. to match my calf size.
Well I know I'm not the brightest person in the world but I could not see the rear Velcro panel sections. I actually had to watch a video on Revzilla before I realised there were sections at the back to adjust. Idiot, it looked like they were sewn up at the back but its because the boot is so stiff it simply didn't look like it opened up. Ok, adjusted and I could just about fasten them - what a bloody pain. I have worn them every day since and the leather took 2 weeks to soften up. They really are so thick and well made. It's now 4 weeks and I can honestly say OMG how did I manage before? They fasten with ease now, they are like wearing slippers on my feet. I want to sleep in them. They are warm, cosy, comfy, soft, scrumptious, delightful things. They are everything that is great about Britain on a summers day, a pint of cider at a cricket match, strawberry's and cream at Wimbledon. The only fault with the boots is they are made in Germany. God those Germans are smart arses. They sit there over in Germany and sell us these boots with a smug look on their faces lording it all over us knowing just how bloody good they are, really rubbing it in all our British faces. I sit in my truck and admire them adoringly as they sit in pride of place above the cab heater gently warming them for my next ride home. If only them were steel toe capped I could wear them at work all day. (I have checked, Daytona don't make steel ones ......)
I have experienced 3 mad Manchester monsoons since the purchase of the boots. The one 2 weeks ago resulted in some serious flooding just up the road from me in Stalybridge where rivers burst through houses. My field was flooded and the road outside 2 foot deep. Today it poured down that horrible wet rain that really swirls round and soaks you. As you can see from the picture I was bloody soaked. A quick telling off from Paula was given "DO NOT leave the kitchen!" I removed my Rain Warrior jacket, bone dry underneath just a hint of water at my neck. Berghaus off, bone dry underneath. Just the bottom of my Frank Thomas trousers were damp about the bottom 5 inches, I expected this as the spray was amazing on the road. There underneath all this were my Daytona boots just quietly laughing to themselves in that smug German tone wondering what all the fuss was about. Bone dry, no leaks, smugly warm and toasty.
They remind me of something oh yes, that famous Bolton comic peter Kay. He did a speech on Hobnobs.
These boots are the Hobnob of the biking world bloody smug German engineers.
So after all this effort and nearly 2 years down the road I am now bone dry, warm, toasty and willing to go out on my bike in the harshest of weather. If I don't go out my boots cry at the back door waiting to be taken out for a walk ah bless them they are so just so 'well hard...'
Reader's Comments
pocketpete said :-
You advanced to next years NEC and my boots are now a year old according to Bikes and Travels. I feel some sort of Back to the future moment. Your obviously experiencing mid life date crisis.
15/12/2016 21:18:39 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Oh for goodness sake! I'm perpetually trapped in a time bubble. I shall correct my error...thanks Pocket
15/12/2016 23:00:06 UTC
Alan said :-
Nice review Pocketpete.
Ghostbikes have Richa Rain Warrior Jacket and Trousers for 50 squids so I think I know what I am getting myself for Christmas.
16/12/2016 06:41:09 UTC
Pocketpete said :-
My alpinestars jacket is a xxl so I got a xxxl richa jacket. Fits over the top perfectly without flapping around. Not sure about the richa trousers I just can't see them being as good as the berghaus ones. They are truly the perfect design for biking with the full length zip and poppers.
16/12/2016 08:43:26 UTC
Chris Bell said :-
Nice article,I've been riding again for about 2+yrs. My 1st Stein jacket leaked in after about 2 mins and had an horrendous draft on the chest area, the replacement was no better wet wise,(it didn't leak anyway it wicked up the arms apparently,what ever it made me wet!, I should have put some jubilee clips on my wrists maybe,)but it was 50% warmer strangely.This may be able to be com batted now.
I avoid rain if poss, the worst bit though which you seem not to have a problem with, was my crash hat(Nolan),it runs in at the back neck area, and down the inside of the visor also, pretty horrible and distracting.Never had that problem years ago.
Is it common in the £50 to £100 range maybe?.Any ideas?
19/12/2016 20:56:59 UTC
Ian Soady said :-
Re water running down your neck: the old trick was to use a baby's nappy (preferably clean) around your neck although I'm not sure that disposable ones would work as well....
A bit of towelling would serve the same purpose.
Not as stylish as a white silk scarf but more functional.
20/12/2016 10:10:49 UTC
Chris Bell said :-
Thanks for that,I just realised Pete's face is soaked in the photo,what am I moaning about lol?
23/12/2016 19:52:37 UTC
Alan said :-
I think that's tears of joy because he is dry underneath. :-)
23/12/2016 23:49:00 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Condensation. I've told Pocketpete he really needs to hold his breath while riding. I can ride 400 miles on the 125 and only take 3 breaths.
24/12/2016 07:33:33 UTC
road2 said :-
Great story PP . I once bought a one piece none breathable suit (Buffalo), that caused major muscle strains getting it on when I was already wet. Then being fully sealed in the temperature outside had to be very low to ensure I was not getting a sauna.
30/12/2016 10:58:03 UTC
Ian Soady said :-
Ah, one piece oversuits.....
I once had one that was tricky to get on over a leather jacket but downright impossible to get off again single handed. I once had to enlist the help of a waitress in a cafe. How we laughed.....
30/12/2016 11:20:57 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Is that waitress now the present Mrs Soady Ian?
30/12/2016 15:33:05 UTC
Ian Soady said :-
No - the story of how we met is not motorcycle-related and may be unsuitable for some of the more sensitive souls around here......
30/12/2016 16:07:11 UTC
Derek Mansfield said :-
Loved the review.And the editing.
If Mancunions stay dry, it has to be good :)
31/12/2016 09:39:55 UTC
Henrik said :-
:-)
31/12/2016 12:18:18 UTC
Henrik said :-
And thanks for the article, and indeed, people in shops seems to be amongst the most incompetent members of the human race,..
I will try the the Berghaus Overtrousers, already use Overtrousers, over-sized so that I can take them on/off without getting the boots off,..
As for boots, the wife and I just got the Forma Adventure not tested out yet
31/12/2016 12:33:44 UTC
Henrik said :-
Forma Adventure ,.. told to be very water-proff ,.. we hope
But almost nothing water-proff remains water-proff for years, if the coating last, or is possible to maintain, the seals and edges will sure fail you,...
Water-proff things are temporary equipment, and in my experience this is the case, equally much, in both expensive brands and models, as well as mid-priced,..
Sometimes even cheap clothes or boots will outperform the more expensive stuff
One of the biggest lies on earth is "you get what you pay for"
31/12/2016 12:40:56 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Just had a look at the Forma Adventure boots. They do a short version, I think that might be right up my street. I do very little serious off roading and I find the tall boots interfere with my knee pads too. I'll keep an eye on those Henrik.
Do let me know if they are waterproof. I mean REALLY waterproof.
31/12/2016 19:04:48 UTC
Henrik said :-
Forma Adventure is very soft, and certainly not same level of safety like "real" endure or MX boots, but then again likely better than normal "biker-boots". The great thing about them is that its actually ok to take them for a walk out in the wilderness, plus using them as normal boots, this I can confirm already, for the waterproffness I will return.
My old boots are stiff Gearne Enduro boots, they have remained totally waterproff after two years use, but they are only OK for driving,..
Dont remember the model, but pic here, Donau and Bulgaria in background
Think they make normal touring boots as well
01/01/2017 09:31:41 UTC
Henrik said :-
As for the knees I will be a mix
A few mounths back I got a pair of real Asterisk knee-protectors
These are protectors that will actually work, and be in right place always
These plus Leatt neckbrace will be used when I am out in the woods on my own for the hole day, driving alone there is not optimal, so I decided to do the best possible to "dispensate", two different phones also,....
Protection from toes to up over the knee, overlap, Asteriks down in the boots
On road it will be a more risky setup, it got to stop somewhere,..
Just like Overtrousers, I am looking for something similar for the top, in tune with the wish for a more lightweight equipment in general. The water-proff "over-stuff" will serve as windbraker at the same time in case it gets cold, and also for normal rain-clothes at the camp,..
What I hate most is the solid pockets in my jacket being blocked,.. argggg
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aogrRotj5Ug...
01/01/2017 09:56:53 UTC
Henrik said :-
Roleff jackets is my preferred for road use, I absolutely love them
But unfortunately they are not water-proff at all !!! none of them !!!
One out of more reasons for using over-jackets, I can keep my Roleff's then
01/01/2017 11:06:42 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
WOW! Serious knee protection there Henrik. That looks much more like MX stuff rather than a bit of extra padding for my knees. And the price? Yikes.
Over jackets, even cheap flimsy waterproof overjackets do help keep the wind off and keep you warm. I was surprised this summer on a cool day I just popped my light and cheap waterproof jacket on and it really took the chill off. Same with the pants too.
Of course the problem is sweating as stated before. Here in the UK we get days where the sun pops out and warms things up then short showers. With the overjacket and overpants on it's far too easy to build up a clammy horrible sweat in ya bike gear.
I did once own a pair of enduro/MX boots. Man oh man they were uncomfy. Sure you can feel the support and protection but on a long ride with a few cafe stops in between they'd nip and squeak and sweat and groan. For all day use they were awful.
I guess the idea of adventure boots is to compromise the superior protection of an MX boot with the all day wearability of a sturdy walking boot.
Nothing's perfect.
01/01/2017 12:15:33 UTC
Henrik said :-
Asterisk, this kind, cost 400-575 GBP in DK, new, got mine for 92 GBP, just needed some new lace's, and a train-ticket to collect them, so maybe 110 GBP in total, had been chasing a offer like this for a long time :-)
Leatt Brace cost 300-350 GBP new here, got it for 140 GPP, (with one more child model brace included for re-sale).
The UK weather seems close to DK ,.. in SE just one hours drive away from the cost, into the land, will give much lower temperatures, especially in
the early spring, f.eks. april can be cold in Växjö SE, with your bottle of water totally frozen when you wake up in the tent in the morning, while in
DK its much more spring-like, and generally 5-10 degrees warmer, in the middle of the summer the climate is more on par, not much diffrense,...
01/01/2017 16:19:25 UTC
sue said :-
Daytona boots...insanely expensive....insanely water proof and soooooo comfortable. I have the ones like Sharon which make me slightly taller! and they have proved a great investment. I too struggled to do them up at first but its just a technique. Love them.
05/02/2017 16:06:41 UTC
pocketpete said :-
Yes Sue, Soooo comfortable. I simply don't know how I managed without the Daytonas. They are really soft and supple now, been wearing them in the worst Manchester can throw at them for the past 3 months. Not a single drop of water has got inside them.
In Manchester we get a lot of rain, if I remember rightly it we don't get the most rain by volume but we get more rainy days than anywhere but Glasgow and Huddersfield.
They deserve it anyway. So if my boots can survive Manchester then I'm a happy customer.
They are also so comfy to walk in, as comfy as my hiking boots.
05/02/2017 16:52:42 UTC
Borsuk said :-
pocketpete said :-
"In Manchester we get a lot of rain, if I remember rightly it we don't get the most rain by volume but we get more rainy days than anywhere but Glasgow and Huddersfield."
That's me doomed then. I am a Glaswegian who spends his UK time in Huddersfield, the rain gods will be ganging up on me.
I bought Richa Adventure Boots. Claimed to be waterproof but being doomed I also apply plenty of G wax to the leather parts and especially the stitching. Not had any really wet weather yet and have been mostly warm and toasty when wearing them, right foot toes were a bit nippy after 4 hours in the cold spell the other week there but that's been it. good tread on the sole and very comfortable, wore them continuously for a week without any pains or niggles.
05/02/2017 17:33:03 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
What is this the Daytona appreciation society? Maybe I should approach Daytona and ask for sponsorship.
05/02/2017 17:50:36 UTC
pocketpete said :-
Those in our world unfortunate enough not to have sampled the Daytona boots, well you all have my pity and sympathy. My screensaver is a Daytona boot. Sad or what. Why make do with anything else...
If only they more more affordable. But quality comes at a price I'm hoping that I can breed a pair for Paula I'm going to introduce mine to a female pair. Maybe they will breed in captivity.
05/02/2017 23:04:30 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Well if we put your boots with Sharon's we could be onto something. The only problem is we know nothing of Daytona breeding, I wouldn't even know how to tell which ones are boys and which are girls.
Other than that I would busome Daytonas save for the issues I have previously discussed.
www.bikesandtravels.com/biker.aspx?ride=695...
06/02/2017 07:04:58 UTC
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