[Closed] Waterproof Shorts

I honestly don't think they exist!
I have tried in the past but nothing seems to work ..and the shorts themselves seem to take a direct route to my ankles ..
I now just wear "ordinary" shorts with Endura tights and accept that if its raining I'm going to get wet

Sweet mudrides are great but expensive. Pair in the classifieds at the moment.

chopped down army/raf goretex. £19

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/192330010051?chn=ps&dispItem=1&adgroupid=47759957419&rlsatarget=pla-370632537579&abcId=1128946&adtype=pla&merchantid=7438834&googleloc=9046326&device=c&campaignid=856243141&crdt=0&var=492284210407

can be found without pp

I just bought some of the Madison Storm waterproof ones for under 50 quid. Fit and construction seem believable, but I've not used them properly. My experience with waterproof shorts off road in the Peak is that the grit deposits between saddle and seat simply wear through the shorts relatively quickly and where they're reinforced, there's a tendency for them to slide down so the non-reinforced areas can wear.

My plan is to use them mostly on the cross bike on back lane stuff. I'll try and come back in a few weeks time with some user impressions.

chopped down army/raf goretex. £19

+1
pair have lasted years so far, the rustle a bit but keep you dry. take into account they are over trousers and size accordingly

Big fan of the ALtura Attacks- they work, they last, they can go in the washing machine, that's all I really want. Just got some Tenn ones to try though, they seem decent but we'll see if they go the long run

There was quite a bit of chatter about the RaceFace Agent shorts about this time last year but I have not heard much since so if anyone has bought them it might be good to get some feedback on them!

Sweet Protection MudRide usually get good reviews. Think Fox have some too but again not heard much real life feedback on them.

I'm looking for a new pair myself and the above are basically my shortlist!

I've a pair of blue (that is more "neon" than photo suggess, so good winter/night visibility) http://www.merlincycles.com/funkier-mtb-rider-baggy-shorts-62177.html

Not many sizes/colours left now, bought mine last Xmas, might be stock elsewhere.

Quite like those Funkier ones but "water resistant", doesn't that basically mean nothing for bike kit?

As per hodgynd and rocketdog I don't believe they exist either.

I'm on a longterm quest to find something that works in the peaks for more than one winter (or in some instances more than 2 rides):

So far I've been through:
3x altura attacks all delaminated and warrantied
1x Endura MT500 waterproof delaminated warrantied
2x Tenn waterproof (the worst of all) both wore through warrantied
2x Maddison storm first ripped second delaminated and all the seals on the zips came off warrantied
2x Maddison addict dwr, very nice shorts but the taped seam around the bum comes off in a couple of rides warrantied
Currently on Atura 360 with the dwr bum, after two very wet and muddy enduro races the the taped seam around the bum is coming off.

I'm hesitant to spend the crazy money on the mud rides as I can't see them lasting long either.

Army shorts may be next but as noted they are very baggy and flappy

Edit
What does work though is a good pair of water resistant 3/4 bibs under my shorts if its cold enough

Another +1 for the ex army stuff. Why would you not at that price? Pack down really small and light as well. If you so desire get some iron on reflective tape for dark rides

I've never worn mine when it's been lashing it down, but in light rain, they've felt nothing like sopping wet sponges wrapped around my legs. The liner is decent too, not as good as the excellent http://www.merlincycles.com/funkier-active-14-panel-gel-shorts-61118.html , but worthy of being a backup pair to wear separate from the baggies.

Tbh I've 2 pair of the camo cut down pants and never found them too baggy at all, on eBay at the moment for around £11.50 :O

I've also used the cut off bits stitched onto my overalls so if I kneel down when it's wet my knees keep dry 🙂

Standard waterproof walking trousers with just liners underneath. You might get a bit warm but not that you'd really notice.

Anybody tried the Endura Helium 3/4`s ?
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/endura-helium-3-4-2017/rp-prod107378

Another diehard cut down army surplus goretex overtrousers user here. The seams are very sturdy, so the material will wear through before they go. No pockets or other accoutrements, which is a good thing.

What you save on the shorts you can partly spend on a couple of lots of Nikwax, which is the real key. I only ever rinse mine down, never washing with soap and softener. Every couple of months a reproof wash and tumble dry to activate/reactivate the waterproofing.

I paid eighty odd quid (I think) once upon a time for some eVent waterproof shorts from DHB and they were nowhere near as good as the army surplus ones.

It's nice to see the bumcrack tape delamination isn't just me. I was wondering if I needed to see a dietician...

Edit: and I'm just going to seal it with Seamgrip. The tape, not the bumcrack.

It's nice to see the bumcrack tape delamination isn't just me.

Isn't it anyone who has ever owned any Endura shorts? Bloody rubbish, they are.

Mind you, I sweat a lot (a drip off the nose every ten seconds even in October - humid summer days have me wringing my riding shirt out every few minutes as a 'party trick'), so perhaps I am just very hard on riding clothes.

I have some of those ex army goretex things and TBH they're shit.
Too low at the back and keep falling down whenever you move about on the bike.
Had Altura and Enduras. Both of them the ass fell out after very few rides...
Just taken a chance on the Mudrides in the for sale section fitting me...

Too low at the back and keep falling down whenever you move about on the bike.

You need a bigger arse.

I'm fine with the arse I have thanks. 🙂
If I need a bigger one there are plenty on here a can rely on. 😆

bollocks about em falling down.
i have a bigger arse and waist and mine have been fine for 10+ years.
if the fall down, £1.50 braces sort the problem.

save you cash for spunking on odd expensive bikes (which you seem to like). spend some cash on something with good vfm....... 😆

Get a rear mudhugger instead. Cheaper than expensive shorts that may or may not work and your arse will be dry on most rides.

If I need a bigger one there are plenty on here a can rely on.

Get a rear mudhugger instead

I've always painted over the seams with seam seal as soon as I get some and they last loads longer.

I've got some old endura ones that didn't last (dispite reproffing). Now just use them as a bad weather short as they have less material to soak up water. Going to try coating them in fabsil to see if that works. Yeah they won't breath but I'd rather keep the water out.

Also got some altura ones. Only use these on road/light off road though to avoid the same issue as killed the endura ones.

https://www.polaris-bikewear.co.uk/AM-500-Waterproof-Mountain-Biking-Short-p/pol01-5898-p.htm

Haven't got any myself, but I have four pairs of the non-waterproof ('repel') version - the oldest of which is still going strong after 3 years. As you know, my bottom is capacious and these accommodate it a treat

I have some of those Polaris shorts. They're pretty good. Granted I don't bother going out when it's the rain is biblical, but they keep me mostly dry when the trails are wet and muddy.

I have recently bought some Endura MT500 shorts and while they've worked ok so far, they are ludicrously slippy on the saddle when dry and clean. So slippy, in fact, that I could barely stay on the bike! After 20 minutes when they are filthy, they ride like normal shorts, but this "slippy when clean" thing is utterly bizarre.

Only me?

Never thought of re-sealing but would only be a short term fix in my experience the sand and grit in the peaks rubs the material that it either wears though or in most cases delaminates

I've just bought some army pants on eBay so will see how they work out over this winter.

I'm still using some ensure venturi shorts. More than 5 years in, still waterproof, still in one piece and I don't feel like a boil in the bag fish when wearing them. Shame they don't seem to make them anymore.

I’m still using some Altura attack 3/4 awesome shorts about 7 years old still as good as new.

Doesn’t appear they make them anymore, might order the 540’s as they are in “short” supply...

Never thought of re-sealing but would only be a short term fix in my experience the sand and grit in the peaks rubs the material that it either wears though or in most cases delaminates

Tbh, I think you're onto a loser with waterproof shorts in the Peak. The abrasion kills everything. The best answer I've found is a winter Mmmbop set up with Mudhuggers front and rear and a bloody great big crud catcher-type downtube guard as well. The coverage is good enough that you can ride through big water splashes without that familiar mud enema sensation, which makes things a bunch less miserable. In fact, those and waterproof shorts, in combination, might just work.

BWD I've just been living in hope that just one of the British brands would make something that works in typical British conditions

I’ve been toying with the idea of something like Montane Terra/Terra Stretch with bibs. They seem to be reinforced in sensible places and look like they should cope reasonably well. Mind, they are just DWR not ‘waterproof’...

I’ve had a pair of the raceface agent winters for 12 months, ride mainly in the peaks, edge of Sheffield & the pines - so far they have been excellent. Kept me dry on most rides with rain lashing down. The bum panel is starting to discolour but not given way yet.

They were tested in stupid rain over four days at the Staines, a wet weekend at afan, damp at coed-y-brenin too so they seem to last. Not the cheapest but I want another pair for crimbo as the fits great too

I'll be boring and mention mudguards again.

Keeps you and your bike cleaner, bearings last longer, and you don't have to wear waterproof shorts which are never as comfortable as decent water resistant ones.

If mudguards offend your eye, why not take 2 bikes on your ride?

The aesthetically pleasing one to lean against the trailcentre cafe or your car, the other to actually ride -because you don't look at your bike when you ride it. 🙂

I'm about 8 rides in to a set of Raceface Agents. Originally bought the mudrides but they didn't fit me at all. Anyway, impressed with the Agents, they're waterproof and seem well thought out and put together. Can't complain and at c.£50 cheaper than the mudrides I'm happy with them. Endura stuff I am not buying again. Everything I've had just falls apart or has a 'design feature' which is just ill thought out.

[quote=Gotama ]I'm about 8 rides in to a set of Raceface Agents. Originally bought the mudrides but they didn't fit me at all. Anyway, impressed with the Agents, they're waterproof and seem well thought out and put together. Can't complain and at c.£50 cheaper than the mudrides I'm happy with them. Endura stuff I am not buying again. Everything I've had just falls apart or has a 'design feature' which is just ill thought out.

I looked at these as an alternative to the mudrides, but got put off by what looks like a large hole on the back of them?

[quote=epicyclo ]I'll be boring and mention mudguards again.
Keeps you and your bike cleaner, bearings last longer, and you don't have to wear waterproof shorts which are never as comfortable as decent water resistant ones.

Even with the best mudguards water will still get past, and they obviously do nothing to prevent rain getting to you. Decent waterproof shorts make you completely impervious to all water from the knees up, which I find to be far, far more comfortable than being wet and having mudguards.

I'm about 8 rides in to a set of Raceface Agents.

I'm still wearing my AW15 Raceface Agents - and part a small section of the internal seam taping coming adrift they seem to be holding up pretty well.

The 'seat' area is showing a little sign of wear & abrasion but so far they have held up better than any other winter/wet weather short I've owned ...

I had a pair of Gore 3/4 length waterproof shorts that were pretty much trashed in the bottom dept after one particularly wet gritstone ride

I looked at these as an alternative to the mudrides, but got put off by what looks like a large hole on the back of them?

A non-issue in my, albeit limited, opinion. You'd have to be pretty unlucky to get water in the flap as its sewn down at a few points across the short and it doesn't gape open. I certainly haven't had any water issues as a result of it. That said I'm not sure it lets much heat out so it's possibly a little pointless but there you go.

I bought some Specialized Deflect H2O shorts that were £100 but reduced to £30 on the Sigma website.

They look a bit special, being shiney, but they are also very waterproof - which is a novelty, as i've never had waterproof shorts before 🙂

They also look no where near as special as the mudhugger guards.

had a few and none have lasted more than 6 months really. I ride sat down a lot so wear the arse out with all my weight and calderdale mud.

Having said that the madison soft shell ones are heading for their second year now. Not waterproof but keep it a bit warm. Quite thick

Sorry to resurrect this ... but the recent weather suggests I might need waterproof shorts.

How baggy are the RAF/ Army Goretex ones .... i.e I I have a 38" waist do I buy 36s?

Or are there any better solutions around a year down the line ...?

Thanks

I’m using 7mesh waterproof shorts and they have been excellent!

Bought some if the Tenn waterproof shorts last week when they were on a 60% sale. They seem pretty comfy on, and have a nice high back.

Funny sizing though, based on some old comments on here I bought the 40" waist ones, and they fit my 34.5" waist just right!

First ride out on them tomorrow, should be a good test!

Another one for Tenn shorts here

You must measure your waist with a tape measure and use that measurement when buying, DO NOT go by your jean size

The newer ones have belt loops and a elasticated waist so the fit is much better

At the price they are (i paid £23) if they only last a year they are cheap to replace

The zip on mine broke after 4 months, contacted Tenn who said no problem we will send you another pair, never asked to see or return the broken pair so they are now emergency back ups (cant really see the fly is open when worn)