how "waterproof" is schoeller softshell material?

[Rontele]

going mtn biking this weekend and the forecast calls for Heavy Rain
But the afternoon monsoonal type variety. Are my softshell pants sufficient to keep me dry or should I invest in a cheapo REI-type pair of rain pants?

[pechelman]

so with the new avatar and all, is your alias now INTENSE Rontele, or is it still just Rontele?

in my experience with soft shell jackets in light rain and heavy snow, they do a pretty good job of keeping you dry, but for riding a bike depending on how much you mind being and staying wet, a light set of rain gear would be much appreciated.

[Rontele]

so with the new avatar and all, is your alias now INTENSE Rontele, or is it still just Rontele?

in my experience with soft shell jackets in light rain and heavy snow, they do a pretty good job of keeping you dry, but for riding a bike depending on how much you mind being and staying wet, a light set of rain gear would be much appreciated.

Good call. I actually have a hybrid jacket that is softshell in the areas where you need to breathe and a highly water resistant shoulder and hood.

Cheapo rain pants are in the works.

It is still just Rontele, I am far from Intense.

[lemon boy]

IME - You're generally better off toughing it out in just shorts for summer monsoons. If you have some joe-roadie leg warmers toss those in. A long enough raincoat will often keep the shorts generally dry and your legs will dry soon enough.

[Rontele]

IME - You're generally better off toughing it out in just shorts for summer monsoons. If you have some joe-roadie leg warmers toss those in. A long enough raincoat will often keep the shorts generally dry and your legs will dry soon enough.

That is a pretty decent point considering that the pants could get caught in the chain rings and rip. I am going to bring a pair of pants because it looks to be fairly cool temperature wise.

Upper 50s + wet legs = no fun

[Meathelmet]

Well, the Mammuts schoeller extreme pants may keep few drops out, but they get wet fast in any kind of rain. On the other hand, they dry out quite quickly.
But my Arcteryxs jacket that has polartec powershield, practically keeps everything else but a downpour out.

So, a mixed soup it is i guess?
Gore for the top and shorts down stairs,with dry panties in the backpack?

[Squatch]

dude, upper 50s? are you french? when it's in the upper twenties, then we can talk.

[Rontele]

I have those same Mammut pants, so I will keep them in the truck for post ride. Rain pants go in the pack, but now the question is gore tex shell or hybrid shell?

[Rontele]

dude, upper 50s? are you french? when it's in the upper twenties, then we can talk.

bah. i hate the french (jk of course). I will be going so fast, with the wind chill and the cold water hitting my legs, it will feel like the upper 20s

I guess I haven't taken into account that I am the hairiest person alive. I have an extra layer of fur covering nearly my entire body, though it is not as thick on my legs...

[lemon boy]

Much more useful IMNSHO is a small tarp/poncho with some strings pre-rigged at the corners that can be tossed up in some trees or simply held above you if you're forced to hole up for a few mins.

[Rontele]

Much more useful IMNSHO is a small tarp/poncho with some strings pre-rigged at the corners that can be tossed up in some trees or simply held above you if you're forced to hole up for a few mins.

already thought of that. but I agree, you can never go wrong with shelter.

[Arno]

the problem with Schoeller in my experience is that the seams aren't taped so the fabric may be waterproof, but the wetness gets in through the seams.

i'm with lemon buy on toughing out in shorts. low 50s? you'll be working up a sweat in that surely?

[Z]

dude, upper 50s? are you french? when it's in the upper twenties, then we can talk.

heheh. I wouldn't worry about pants, do you legs really ever get cold? And then you need to worry about getting sucked into your chainrings? Not worth...Just some good stuff up top and you'll be fine.

[davep]

If you ride in schoeler pants in heavy rain, you'll be wet through in 3 minutes.
If you wear waterproof pants, you'll be wet through in 4 minutes, and steamy as hell.
Go with leg warmers/tights, or snug fleece pants, or long johns, or just shorts. you'll be wet instantly, buy you wont have that anoying wet-clingy-pants feeling when you pedal. I'd rather be a bit cold than have clingy pants

[El Chupacabra]

Good call. I actually have a hybrid jacket that is softshell in the areas where you need to breathe and a highly water resistant shoulder and hood.

Which one? I picked up that Arcteryx one off SAC awhile back, then the weather got hot, and haven't worn it yet. Feels very lightweight, but I question its waterproofness. If you've tested it out in rain/wet conditions I'd like to hear your results.

[MakersTeleMark]

If your legs get cold, just shit your shorts!

[f2f]

Which one? I picked up that Arcteryx one off SAC awhile back, then the weather got hot, and haven't worn it yet. Feels very lightweight, but I question its waterproofness. If you've tested it out in rain/wet conditions I'd like to hear your results.

are you talking about the alpha sl? i don't think it's a soft shell (2-ply gore-tex) but it's really light and lets no water through. my wife got one off SAC and has been really happy with its waterproofing, she puts it on whenever it may rain, regardless of the temperature...

here it is, hiking/scrambling in new mexico:


(i never made a TR out of it, never quite sure how people would react to summer pictures, plus i don't even know where to put it )

edit: a pair of gore-tex gaters keep the legs warm enough even when it snows and are really easy to de-clamp if you get all sweaty (as i always do).

laugh all you wish, but getting caught in shorts by early september snow, i survived looking like this:

[El Chupacabra]

No, the one I got off SAC was the "Sidewinder Comp" --
http://www.backcountryoutlet.com/out...ns+ski+jackets

[leroy jenkins]

Ok, I realize this is a bit of a bump, and I don't mean to revive old threads, but I just wanted to say that what works for me riding in the rain is just wearing warm ski socks, the knee high kind. Before you get wet, you just keep them pushed down all the way, and once it starts pissing, you hike them up. Not quite as heavy duty as actually wearing waterproof pants, but no baggy chainring fucking issues, and much simpler and easier. Also, I find wearing warmer layers on the upper body helps much more biking.