I agree too, many years ago, for hiking, I bought a set of British army Goretex jacket and pants, works wonderfully, paid 35 quid for both, still use them 15 years later
Ex-military kit is the way to go… I’ve got an outsized ex-German police over jacket that fits over the rest of my riding gear. GoreTex so 100% waterproof, high collar, fold away hood, storm flaps over the zip, cuffs adjustable, quick drying after the journey, keeps the rest of my kit dry (and therefore warm), and folds down small to live in my pannier. £55. Can’t beat it.
The Scott stuff is sort of a different product though, it has a lot of stretch and packs up very compact. I use some army Gore-Tex trousers from time to time but I find water gets in through the fly!
Spot on as usual! I have given up on expensive jackets for both biking and hiking. For biking - similar set up to yours, except I bought an all-in one suit from Lidl to go over my non-waterproof armoured gear. Regarding boots, I have some disgusting stretchy rubber overboots, which actually keep out any amount of rain. For hiking, I use a poncho over my expensive but ageing and now semi-waterproof Jacket when the heavy rain comes. btw - Austin Vince and co. used ponchos in heavy rain on their round-the-world epic `mondo enduro`
At last someone who tells it as it is over the expensive style over function motorcycle clothing. I have been using a N.A,T,O waterproof over jacket for the last 9 years, light takes very little room when on a road trip. Unfortunately the zip failed two weeks ago so need to get another, feel quite sad losing it, just looking at it reminds me of all the places/countries we have travelled but nothing lasts forever.
Sound advice Nathan and from someone who has been there 👍 and as someone remarked earlier about an Austin Vince video years ago on he’s around the world trip and as he said don’t listen to some people who say you need to spend on big name brands 🤔 when you can pick up a waterproof outfit for a few quid from even a fish tackle shop and spend your money on the trip and not a fortune on kit before you even start 🤔 but it seems these days some people follow the trend like sheep and have to have all the right names and labels to have the image.
Col de L'Iseran on the brilliant Route Des Grandes Alpes, you can never get the tourist pic of the bike against the summit sign because there's always a load of cycles left there lol ;)
I absolutely detest modern motorcycle clothing They weigh as much as a small person , uncomfortable, and which genius put the waterproofing on the inside for goodness sake
i have the same jacket you are wearing for work scaffolding in fact it is spot on when its chucking it down i agree you do not have to spend loads great video
Sound advice, spending loads of cash doesn't always work out. A cheaper dry layer on the outside is the way to go. One more suggestion,I replaced the thermal liner in my jacket with a 'down' jacket years ago, it's warmer, compressable/ small when not being used and is more usable when your not riding in the evenings. Thanks!
Good call on the outer layer Nathan, I have an Austrian Army Goretex jacket I got from a surplus store it was brand new never worn for £60.00 and some old Royal Mail waterproof trousers, both have all the features you mention and work a treat. Previously I had tried a one piece Frank Thomas waterproof and it just pooled the water into my crotch area, very uncomfortable and looked like I had pee'd myself when I got to my destination.
Great advice. I've tried a few things over the years but nothing has ever really kept me warm and dry in cold nasty weather. For only £35 it's worth a go.
I had free DPM waterproofs, kindly provided by the late Queen and a miserable stores Corporal. About 1988, and they were shit. I eventually got issued goretex a few years later, the Onion system aka Soldier 90 for you old boys. The goretex worked pretty well but we all found out you needed to layer under it. For cool weather my top layer went tee shirt, Norge, pertex windcheater thing then goretex. And a Biff hat. In English, and using modern kit, merino long sleeves, fleece or puffa (I was jealous of the lads who had Sleeka jackets) then a windproof layer, then water proof. I wear my body armour over my merino for dirt, warm layer on top of the armour. I found out the hard way, by getting hypothermia on exercise on a damp but not especially cold night, that keeping the damp away from my skin was essential.
Great call on the military gear which isn't something I'd have considered before. I have the same approach though with a decent summer mesh jacket and then cheap (£30) Givi waterproofs I bought in Vietnam a couple of years ago. That combo works better than an expensive laminated winter jacket I have!
I own good old fashioned waterproof over clothing. Trousers and jacket, £30 the set and it stops the rain and wind getting into the fabric of my kit. Keeps you warm and dry, absolute no brainer
Hi Nathan I just rode around France and Spain and used an Oxford mesh jacket with their Rain pro jacket over the top and a pair of zip leg Berghaus overtrousers. Over some Richa mesh trousers. Overall kit cost about £200. When camping it's always a problem with damp heavy bike jackets but the lightweight Oxford and Berghaus were easy to wipe off and put in a dry bag overnight. Wouldn't spend ££££'s on klim or rukka etc. The only reason I don't use a ex military jacket is the hood/collar as it gets in the way with my adventure style helmet.
I bought a “pink” all over waterproof in 2006. When I wore it in torrential rain abroad other riders that took the piss out of the colour said they could always see me as almost luminescent. Bought it at bike show. It never leaked I don’t know what brand it was but cheapo.still got it and don’t use it as fair weather if can now. I agree good boots. It’s very hard to get wide boots?
I agree there is some degree of diminishing returns in motorbike gear, but I don't think you should be recommending people buy and old £30 bike jacket they can find - people should learn to read the safety ratings for their kit and make an informed decision. I definitely agree with the principle of layering too, however that specific RAF Gore-Tex jacket comes up really short on my arms! Finding gear that fits and is comfortable matters more than saving a few quid imo.
I never claimed it to offer any protection whatsoever, only waterproofing, same as any of the over jackets the bike kit manufacturers use. I'm quite happy to recommend it to anyone who wishes to take my advice. It should obviously always be twinned with protective gear underneath (ce approved if you care for it). But definitely agree, people should make their own judgement on safety. Have you tried an army surplus store in person as I do find the fit of the jackets varies a fair bit? Might be worth trying a few on.
Whatever rain gear you have, fasten it up properly. Ideally don't have a buff scarf exposed to the rain as it will wick all the moisture inside your jacket.
Nathan can i suggest you do a short video on boots for UK green laning. I've been using heavy gortex military boots and they been great, now looking at other options but again don't want to spend £300 on something that doesn't get used a lot. I don't go tearing through green lanes on my 310 so trying to find the balance between safety, usability, cost etc. 👍
My Rukka of 35 years ago was money well spent, it did start to leak through after 5 years, but it was worn all day 6 days a week. Ex military gear is the way, I have some Swedish winter mitts which are good for -25.
Agree with the waterproof, for me there is nothing that really keeps you dry, as you sweat, her in thailand its the same, when it rains it rains, so just pull out a waterproof cheap top and put it on, ive just got a set of soft bags that are relatively cheap compared to the expensive stuff etc, you got the rhino walks throw overs, ive got the old 1st generation bags with a base as like kriega, to be honest its pretty good, I've done some videos on my channel but think it would be better coming from you, ride safe all
I wear a military surplus jacket also. I got a US Navy blueberry jacket for only $50. Curiosity what kind of rain pants are you pairing up with your jacket? I don't find the jacket packing that well. It's usually only use it for cold weather. Living in South Florida. I just use a light nylon rain suit
Great shout for the jacket. What would you recommend for the pants? I normally ride in my Kevlar jeans, had some Oxford over trousers in the past but ripped to pieces quickly
Sorry for late reply. You can get some military trousers to match the jacket but they were out of stock when I ordered. I have some bought some Helli Hansen trousers from Screwfix for the Scottish trip tomorrow. £27 I think they were.
I've seen these on eBay for about what Nathan said. I guess you need to go a size or two up with over jackets to allow for the armoured jacket you're wearing underneath. Anybody know whether to go 1or 2 sizes up?
Good advice, goretex is the way ahead. Ive bought waterproof gear before and after an hour of rain you're wet through, the neck is a weak spot on lots of jackets though, anyone any tips?
Rukka fail ? Yep .. they can, The worst value in motorcycling award goes to Schuberth. Utter crap that is not as quiet as they claim. *All three of mine leak dangerously and splash water into your eyes*
Yes yes yes! You don't need to spend £1500 on a jacket, the marketing is BS! Great to see simple, honest info.
This is a great little series, Well done and thanks for spending the time each day for a short video.
I agree too, many years ago, for hiking, I bought a set of British army Goretex jacket and pants, works wonderfully, paid 35 quid for both, still use them 15 years later
Ex-military kit is the way to go… I’ve got an outsized ex-German police over jacket that fits over the rest of my riding gear. GoreTex so 100% waterproof, high collar, fold away hood, storm flaps over the zip, cuffs adjustable, quick drying after the journey, keeps the rest of my kit dry (and therefore warm), and folds down small to live in my pannier. £55. Can’t beat it.
Great piece of advice Nathan,very true!
Just dropped £170 on Scott waterproofs, if I’d seen this vid before I wouldn’t have bothered. Great advice. 👍
The Scott stuff is sort of a different product though, it has a lot of stretch and packs up very compact. I use some army Gore-Tex trousers from time to time but I find water gets in through the fly!
Glad someone is pointing out the over coat n trousers over your usual gear is the only way to go . Good on ya for showing others the way 🎉
Spot on as usual! I have given up on expensive jackets for both biking and hiking. For biking - similar set up to yours, except I bought an all-in one suit from Lidl to go over my non-waterproof armoured gear. Regarding boots, I have some disgusting stretchy rubber overboots, which actually keep out any amount of rain. For hiking, I use a poncho over my expensive but ageing and now semi-waterproof Jacket when the heavy rain comes. btw - Austin Vince and co. used ponchos in heavy rain on their round-the-world epic `mondo enduro`
At last someone who tells it as it is over the expensive style over function motorcycle clothing. I have been using a N.A,T,O waterproof over jacket for the last 9 years, light takes very little room when on a road trip. Unfortunately the zip failed two weeks ago so need to get another, feel quite sad losing it, just looking at it reminds me of all the places/countries we have travelled but nothing lasts forever.
This man speaks my language.
Sound advice Nathan and from someone who has been there 👍 and as someone remarked earlier about an Austin Vince video years ago on he’s around the world trip and as he said don’t listen to some people who say you need to spend on big name brands 🤔 when you can pick up a waterproof outfit for a few quid from even a fish tackle shop and spend your money on the trip and not a fortune on kit before you even start 🤔 but it seems these days some people follow the trend like sheep and have to have all the right names and labels to have the image.
Brilliant!
It is the way to go. Posts like this will put AS out of business 😊 I love it. Sometimes the best motorcycle gear is non motorcycle gear 🎉
Col de L'Iseran on the brilliant Route Des Grandes Alpes, you can never get the tourist pic of the bike against the summit sign because there's always a load of cycles left there lol ;)
So right, we had to wait for the cyclists to move on to get our photo & vid. Such a great run both sides.
@@Banditmanuk really is brilliant isn't it? :)
@@BikingChap certainly is. 7.00 mins in th-cam.com/video/1lJ1k4NzSNA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=OiDvgIALDTUzRhs3
I absolutely detest modern motorcycle clothing
They weigh as much as a small person , uncomfortable, and which genius put the waterproofing on the inside for goodness sake
Expensive gear is a huge con, if you buy it you deserve the misery when it leaks.
Thank you for the videos Nathan. Appreciated.
Been using the same pair of ex army goretex trousers for years commuting all year round. never let me down.
I’ve been using the Adventure Spec jacket which is really a ruggedised waterproof outer designed for motorcycling, works well in hours of heavy rain.
Totals agree, I have done this for the last 30 years due to never finding the best waterproof jacket and pants.
i have the same jacket you are wearing for work scaffolding in fact it is spot on when its chucking it down i agree you do not have to spend loads great video
Sound advice, spending loads of cash doesn't always work out. A cheaper dry layer on the outside is the way to go. One more suggestion,I replaced the thermal liner in my jacket with a 'down' jacket years ago, it's warmer, compressable/ small when not being used and is more usable when your not riding in the evenings. Thanks!
Good call on the outer layer Nathan, I have an Austrian Army Goretex jacket I got from a surplus store it was brand new never worn for £60.00 and some old Royal Mail waterproof trousers, both have all the features you mention and work a treat. Previously I had tried a one piece Frank Thomas waterproof and it just pooled the water into my crotch area, very uncomfortable and looked like I had pee'd myself when I got to my destination.
The £1000 plus stuff is for the gullible GS riders who ride between cake shops on 20k bikes.
Great advice. I've tried a few things over the years but nothing has ever really kept me warm and dry in cold nasty weather. For only £35 it's worth a go.
I had free DPM waterproofs, kindly provided by the late Queen and a miserable stores Corporal. About 1988, and they were shit. I eventually got issued goretex a few years later, the Onion system aka Soldier 90 for you old boys. The goretex worked pretty well but we all found out you needed to layer under it. For cool weather my top layer went tee shirt, Norge, pertex windcheater thing then goretex. And a Biff hat. In English, and using modern kit, merino long sleeves, fleece or puffa (I was jealous of the lads who had Sleeka jackets) then a windproof layer, then water proof. I wear my body armour over my merino for dirt, warm layer on top of the armour. I found out the hard way, by getting hypothermia on exercise on a damp but not especially cold night, that keeping the damp away from my skin was essential.
Great call on the military gear which isn't something I'd have considered before. I have the same approach though with a decent summer mesh jacket and then cheap (£30) Givi waterproofs I bought in Vietnam a couple of years ago. That combo works better than an expensive laminated winter jacket I have!
Fantastic.... i do exactly the same. 😊 I wore this stuff while in the reserves and it always performed seamlessly.
I own good old fashioned waterproof over clothing. Trousers and jacket, £30 the set and it stops the rain and wind getting into the fabric of my kit. Keeps you warm and dry, absolute no brainer
Excellent idea! I spent about £600 on a set of jackets and trousers and was near hypothermic due to being so wet !
Hi Nathan I just rode around France and Spain and used an Oxford mesh jacket with their Rain pro jacket over the top and a pair of zip leg Berghaus overtrousers. Over some Richa mesh trousers. Overall kit cost about £200.
When camping it's always a problem with damp heavy bike jackets but the lightweight Oxford and Berghaus were easy to wipe off and put in a dry bag overnight.
Wouldn't spend ££££'s on klim or rukka etc.
The only reason I don't use a ex military jacket is the hood/collar as it gets in the way with my adventure style helmet.
Leather underneath and regular goretex on top is the way forward! High end gear may have a better fit in the bike seated position though.
I bought a “pink” all over waterproof in 2006. When I wore it in torrential rain abroad other riders that took the piss out of the colour said they could always see me as almost luminescent. Bought it at bike show. It never leaked I don’t know what brand it was but cheapo.still got it and don’t use it as fair weather if can now. I agree good boots. It’s very hard to get wide boots?
I have had on these for years, they are excellent. Mine does need reproofing.
I agree there is some degree of diminishing returns in motorbike gear, but I don't think you should be recommending people buy and old £30 bike jacket they can find - people should learn to read the safety ratings for their kit and make an informed decision.
I definitely agree with the principle of layering too, however that specific RAF Gore-Tex jacket comes up really short on my arms! Finding gear that fits and is comfortable matters more than saving a few quid imo.
I never claimed it to offer any protection whatsoever, only waterproofing, same as any of the over jackets the bike kit manufacturers use. I'm quite happy to recommend it to anyone who wishes to take my advice. It should obviously always be twinned with protective gear underneath (ce approved if you care for it). But definitely agree, people should make their own judgement on safety. Have you tried an army surplus store in person as I do find the fit of the jackets varies a fair bit? Might be worth trying a few on.
Whatever rain gear you have, fasten it up properly. Ideally don't have a buff scarf exposed to the rain as it will wick all the moisture inside your jacket.
Nathan can i suggest you do a short video on boots for UK green laning. I've been using heavy gortex military boots and they been great, now looking at other options but again don't want to spend £300 on something that doesn't get used a lot. I don't go tearing through green lanes on my 310 so trying to find the balance between safety, usability, cost etc. 👍
My Rukka of 35 years ago was money well spent, it did start to leak through after 5 years, but it was worn all day 6 days a week. Ex military gear is the way, I have some Swedish winter mitts which are good for -25.
Toolstation highway jacket. 30quid. Job done. Im not sponsored by them btw !
Agree with the waterproof, for me there is nothing that really keeps you dry, as you sweat, her in thailand its the same, when it rains it rains, so just pull out a waterproof cheap top and put it on, ive just got a set of soft bags that are relatively cheap compared to the expensive stuff etc, you got the rhino walks throw overs, ive got the old 1st generation bags with a base as like kriega, to be honest its pretty good, I've done some videos on my channel but think it would be better coming from you, ride safe all
Boots,, try altberg micro light hogs, I've had a pair for 8 years totally waterproof and all day comfortable
I wear a military surplus jacket also. I got a US Navy blueberry jacket for only $50. Curiosity what kind of rain pants are you pairing up with your jacket? I don't find the jacket packing that well. It's usually only use it for cold weather. Living in South Florida. I just use a light nylon rain suit
Richa Rainwarrior pvc - absolutely waterproof. Bit boil in the bag when it's warm mind 😂
Marino wool base layer, knox urban shirt, nick wool jumper then cheap military gortex.
Buy good boots and gloves.
Great video, well done. I detest all this £1500 riding outfit nonsense. I'll get one of those jackets you're wearing. Cheers!
Other motorcycle channels i end up disinterested with eventually.
Not this one, plain talking and varied. Cheers Nathan.
army goretex here, camo baby hehe, i ride green lanes in the worst weather and do not stay home in bad weather, always ok i am
bang on, got a French army gortex jacket, far better than expensive bike gear and cheap as
Agree completely 🙂
Great shout for the jacket. What would you recommend for the pants? I normally ride in my Kevlar jeans, had some Oxford over trousers in the past but ripped to pieces quickly
Sorry for late reply. You can get some military trousers to match the jacket but they were out of stock when I ordered. I have some bought some Helli Hansen trousers from Screwfix for the Scottish trip tomorrow. £27 I think they were.
I've seen these on eBay for about what Nathan said. I guess you need to go a size or two up with over jackets to allow for the armoured jacket you're wearing underneath. Anybody know whether to go 1or 2 sizes up?
I got a 110 chest which seems about right over a Lindstrands 50 with armour
just bought this jacket on eBay. 35 euro with shipping. Crazy :)
... is not a motorcycle jacket is my guess at the beginning of this video and... I'm right. Nice one, Nathan. Nick J
Good advice, goretex is the way ahead. Ive bought waterproof gear before and after an hour of rain you're wet through, the neck is a weak spot on lots of jackets though, anyone any tips?
Do you get such a thing as a waterproof 'snood'? (Neck-tube thingy)
What excellent advice Nathan particularly your experience of people wearing that high end gear that isn't performing as well as your jacket! 😳
Rukka fail ? Yep .. they can, The worst value in motorcycling award goes to Schuberth. Utter crap that is not as quiet as they claim. *All three of mine leak dangerously and splash water into your eyes*
Agreed, but the amount of people that get sucked in😂 I want a bike for the price of a Rukka suit.