All weather commuting kit

[The Spin Doctor]

I thought you might have had one of the pink ones.

I did.

Me too - it was a Rukka clone by a British company.

[Horse]

Me too - it was a Rukka clone by a British company.

That was the stretchy 'flexothane', wasn't it? And why the f I remembered that, I really don't know ...

[Skub]

I thought you might have had one of the pink ones.

I did.

Me too - it was a Rukka clone by a British company.

Mine was definitely Rukka. It was endorsed by Barry Sheene and bore his signature.

But it was kinda pink!

[Horse]

Me too - it was a Rukka clone by a British company.

That was the stretchy 'flexothane', wasn't it? And why the f I remembered that, I really don't know ...

It was 'Baleno'.

Flexothane is a textile developed by Sioen industries, its breathability prevents the clammy feeling which so often plagues those working at high temperatures. Further to this, Flexothane is strong, supple, light and makes no irritating rustling noise. When a garment meets all these requirements, productivity increases as movement is not being restricted. Flexothane also does not rely on the use of harmful chlorides in its production. This means that when the lifespan of the garment comes to its end, the disposal of Flexothane can be done without having a detrimental effect on the environment. Finally, Flexothane is machine washable meaning that after a long day’s work it is a simple matter to throw your jacket in the washing machine and relax.

Flexothane still available:

https://www.graniteworkwear.com/b_18_sh ... -work-wear

[Taff]

some really good stuff here, thank you.

Hideout is a brand that I checked out at the NEC last year and I was really impressed with their kit, it looked absolutely top notch, but the price tag

Klim is another brand that I looked at a few years ago, but ruled out when I found out that it has no thermal liners and no option to zip any in. No use to me for commuting in the UK.

The thing that is buggin me about my Dainese kit is that it is showing almost no sign of wear and tear, it looks really good and has got loads of life left in it..as long as it's not pissing down. It is the warmest kit I've ever owned, so much so that I removed the heated jacket's power supply of the bike a couple of years ago as it wasn't getting used.

So, a cheapy set of waterproofs to keep under the seat / in the topbox makes a lot of sense provided that I can find something that will fit over the top of the Dainese without being sized for someone whos 6'10"

now to sort out the boots

[The Spin Doctor]

Mine was definitely Rukka. It was endorsed by Barry Sheene and bore his signature.

But it was kinda pink!

Ha. Mine was VERY pink

[Hot_Air]

now to sort out the boots

I gather Covid-pink is this season’s colour.*



* It’s like regular pink except it makes you feel unwell.

[Supermofo]

Not worn them but Halvarssons get good reviews don't they? Spendy but not silly spendy. Not as cheap as over suits though.

When I did last commute in winter I had a Arlen Ness jacket that was generally waterproof, but often I wore my leathers with an overjacket/trousers mainly for protection. Was a bit of a faff though.

[Horse]

now to sort out the boots

I gather Covid-pink is this season’s colour.*

What the Fox that all about?

[Taff]

Not worn them but Halvarssons get good reviews don't they? Spendy but not silly spendy. Not as cheap as over suits though.

When I did last commute in winter I had a Arlen Ness jacket that was generally waterproof, but often I wore my leathers with an overjacket/trousers mainly for protection. Was a bit of a faff though.

I had a Halvarson's safety suit for a short while 10 years ago and really liked it other than the chest pocket leaking profusely so I took it back and got a refund. I still wear their summer and winter gloves that I bought at the same time.

I was looking at their walkyr jacket last week and it seems to fit the bill but there'sb little/ no stock in the UK which makes me wonder if the company is in trouble through covid.

[The Spin Doctor]

Not worn them but Halvarssons get good reviews don't they? Spendy but not silly spendy. Not as cheap as over suits though.

When I did last commute in winter I had a Arlen Ness jacket that was generally waterproof, but often I wore my leathers with an overjacket/trousers mainly for protection. Was a bit of a faff though.

A buddy of mine upgraded to Halvarssons kit not that long ago for his fifteen minute commute after his Alpinestars Drisuit started leaking, but wasn't impressed. ISTR the jacket leaked too, and he had a pretty rapid zip failure. He's already moved on.

The latest kit is only rated AA too, which means it's just about up to a commute - remember, the AAA standard is lower than the old Level One. And A = decent pair of ordinary denim jeans.

[Beancounter]

The thing that is buggin me about my Dainese kit is that it is showing almost no sign of wear and tear, it looks really good and has got loads of life left in it..as long as it's not pissing down. It is the warmest kit I've ever owned, so much so that I removed the heated jacket's power supply of the bike a couple of years ago as it wasn't getting used.

Does not compute. Heated kit power supply is the first thing to go on to my bikes. Even in Summer I'll take my heated vest with me.

So, a cheapy set of waterproofs to keep under the seat / in the topbox makes a lot of sense provided that I can find something that will fit over the top of the Dainese without being sized for someone whos 6'10"

now to sort out the boots

Is it worth considering Army surplus Gore-Tex waterproofs? I've got a camo jacket that my brother gave me about ten years ago and it's still waterproof. It doesn't pack down as small as some bike specific waterproofs so I doubt it would fit under a seat. Alternatively, my Marmot Precip waterproof jacket works well too and packs down a lot smaller that the Army surplus.

On boots, my Brasher walking boots have been far better, waterproof-wise, than my motorcycle boots, my only complaint about them is they're short and water can track up (assume sit up bikes like my GS are worse for this than something sportier). Obviously feck all protection in them.

I'm looking for new boots myself and am swaying between Altbergs and walking boots.

[G.P]

I've had my Rukka jacket for 5 or 6 years now, its drop liner and gets soggy but it doesn't leak so its staying. I've gone from commuting 650 miles a week to zero at the moment so its not an issue. I've got Dainese gortex trousers which will occasionally leak slightly in the bollocks but not consistently They were £150 cheaper than the Rukka trousers but I'm not sure I did the right thing.

For people doing big all year round miles I think the bike choice needs to be considered. When I swapped from a VFR800 to a Triumph tiger with big screen and hand guards make a massive difference in how soggy my drop liner gortex kit got. I was considering a T-max with an apron at one point....

@Bigyin had the sensible answer one winter - a small Peugeot..

[Trogladyte]

Klim is another brand that I looked at a few years ago, but ruled out when I found out that it has no thermal liners and no option to zip any in. No use to me for commuting in the UK.

Yes, I find that odd. My Klim strides are like that, but they are the best textile troosers I've ever had. You just need to wear something under them.In the winter I wear my armoured jeans under them. In the summer, you have to have some sort of base layer, largely for the sake of decency (the vent zips are BIG), but ts sometimes a struggle to get it right when the temperatures are high.

[Taff]

So, a cheapy set of waterproofs to keep under the seat / in the topbox makes a lot of sense provided that I can find something that will fit over the top of the Dainese without being sized for someone whos 6'10"

now to sort out the boots

Is it worth considering Army surplus Gore-Tex waterproofs? I've got a camo jacket that my brother gave me about ten years ago and it's still waterproof. It doesn't pack down as small as some bike specific waterproofs so I doubt it would fit under a seat. Alternatively, my Marmot Precip waterproof jacket works well too and packs down a lot smaller that the Army surplus.

On boots, my Brasher walking boots have been far better, waterproof-wise, than my motorcycle boots, my only complaint about them is they're short and water can track up (assume sit up bikes like my GS are worse for this than something sportier). Obviously feck all protection in them.

I'm looking for new boots myself and am swaying between Altbergs and walking boots.

I've got a few different types of military waterproof kit and it's the last thing that I'll reach for. I left the RN 6 years ago and I just can't bring myself to wear what was uniform for so many years, I'm not saying that I miss that life (I do) but it's behind me now :|

The current leaders in the boot front is the Altberg roadrunner, They're reasonably similar to my All Weather Hoggs but instead of lace up, they have a zip up the side



https://www.altberg.co.uk/boots/all-yea ... 42010-2221

[Bigyin]

@Bigyin had the sensible answer one winter - a small Peugeot..

And it cost less than a new set of Rukka kit. I had just come from 3 years of all year round commuting 70 miles a day and the Rukka stuff was leaking so i bought the little 1.4 207 and it lasted 2 and a half years commuting in shit weather trouble free till i retired and sold it to a work mate

[Skub]

https://www.altberg.co.uk/boots/all-yea ... 42010-2221

Not even a faint tip of the hat to anything remotely stylish! They'd need to be great at something,because they look like fuckin' welly boots.

[Taff]

@Bigyin had the sensible answer one winter - a small Peugeot..

And it cost less than a new set of Rukka kit. I had just come from 3 years of all year round commuting 70 miles a day and the Rukka stuff was leaking so i bought the little 1.4 207 and it lasted 2 and a half years commuting in shit weather trouble free till i retired and sold it to a work mate

Pre lockdown, being on a bike meant that I got to work in about 40 mins. In a car that would have taken over an hour because of the gridlock to get through Chepstow, it was an absolute 'mare. Currently the journey is taking me about 30 minutes so realistically I could drive...but I don't want to. I get frustrated at the inability to 'make progress', especially when you get stuck behind grandad doing 40 in a 60 for mile after mile after mile

[Taff]

Not even a faint tip of the hat to anything remotely stylish! They'd need to be great at something,because they look like fuckin' welly boots.

I have Tetheras not Roadrunners but:
Seriously comfy
Absolutley waterproof without being sweaty
Can be re-soled
Will last long enough to make resoling worthwhile
Pick from a range of widths (mine are XW) not just one size and can be made to measure...

agreed on all those points, my hoggs have lasted 11 years being refurbed & resoled about 6 years ago

I don't really care what they look like, I can't see them when I'm riding, and nor can anyone else with my trousers pulled over the top of them

[Bigyin]

Pre lockdown, being on a bike meant that I got to work in about 40 mins. In a car that would have taken over an hour because of the gridlock to get through Chepstow, it was an absolute 'mare. Currently the journey is taking me about 30 minutes so realistically I could drive...but I don't want to. I get frustrated at the inability to 'make progress', especially when you get stuck behind grandad doing 40 in a 60 for mile after mile after mile

I agree completely mate ....... my commute back then was fairly open but the slightest accident or delay would shaft me in the car whereas the bike would just slip through easily. I much preferred being on the bike as i still do now. The difference is i now have about 20 miles to do in total instead of 70 and i need the bike for instructing so i ride every day no matter what the weather. If its that shit i wont be teaching novices anyway

So far the Dainese and Alpinestars Goretex kit has kept me warm and dry and i also managed to adapt my old bar muffs that i had fitted on the GS1150 and Multistrada to fit (sort of) the Fazer.

One thing i have been surprised at is how warm the Shoei Neotec 2 is with all the skirting on the bottom. It is the warmest helmet i have ever worn and a complete contrast to both the Arai helmets i have. I expect it from the Tour X4 as its that style but the Astro R is a similar style road helmet (without the flip up of course)