If finding a rain jacket isn’t hard enough, trying to find something to keep the lower half dry is a real problem. For cycle specific rain pants the only pair I have had are from J&G. Then I have tried some other non-cycling pants, some worked, others didn’t.
The rain pants from J&G I purchased were the basic Waterproof pants in the 3X size. Construction is right on with the jacket, nicely sewn with reflective tabs around the ankles. While the 3X size is listed as a waist of 47-49 inches and a inseam of 34 inches, I found the rise in the back of the pants to be tad short and gave a bit of “plumbers butt” if not careful. But just to keep in mind, at 6′4″ I’m a Clyde in both girth and hight. I have a long torso and wear a 32″ inseam, so they get a little baggy at the bottom. The zips at the bottom are a bit small for my size 14 shoes.
My first set of non-cycling pants that I have used are Frogg Toggs Pro Angler Suit. I purchased these some time ago and for use on both my bicycle and motorcycle. I carried these with me on my 20o mile self contained tour of the San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island. The pant’s are a bib style that help prevent the “plummers butt” but also can be a bit warmer due to the extra fabric on the chest. But for me that is not a minus since most of the rain here is on the cool side. The sizing on my set are very much on the big side with the 3x showing a waist size of 50-54 inches and inseam of 36′ inches. They seem every bit of that and maybe a bit more so they are baggy on me (not something I’m use to). The inseam kills since it all bags up at the ankles and can get caught in the chain ring really easy. I have not used the jacket that comes with the set for cycle riding but I would think it would be comfortable, but since it is designed for bib use it is a bit on the short side.
The last set of pants are are from the sporting goods store Cabela’s. Their packable Nylon Rain Bibs are very well made and are very true to fit with the 3X running 48-50 inch waist. The length is good with the standard inseam measuring 30 1/2 inches and the tall (yes you can get talls here) adding another 2 inches. The appropriate inseams make these alot better while riding, minimizing chain ring interference. The only real minus on these pants are they with out a doubt non-breathable. If you really work up a hard sweat you will know it, but at least you will stay warm. These are the pants that I wear the most when commuting, they go on quick and y easy over the shoes. With the current price at $44.95 for the tall 3X size makes them pretty reasonable. If you don’t feel like bibs are your thing they are also available in regular pant style.
If you have any other pant’s or jackets that you like I would like to hear about them and share with others.
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Imagine riding to work and not having to worry about the right hook of a motorist trying to get their morning latte, or going for spin around the lake even when there isn’t a trail. But at 25 meters in length, it might be a little hard to find a parking space at work or home.
