Long Trip: Trust "Waterproof" or Bring Raingear?

[pbryon]

I'm about to head out on a 9 day, roughly 3000 mile ride around the Great Lakes. Still not exactly sure what I'm going to wear, but my 5-or-so year old Stich suit is the likely choice.

It says its GoreTex, says its waterproof. I'd like to save some packing space by not bringing raingear. That being said, if it rains and I have a failure, a soggy suit for multiple days could be pretty miserable.

My question(s): Trust the suit? Pack the raingear? When you've trusted waterproof gear, how often have you been let down? Thanks in advance for any replies.

(I'll add that I've never been truly drenched in the Stich suit, so I'm not entirely sure if I should trust it or not. I've heard stories about riders wearing them being both bone dry, and completely soaked.)

[KingOfFleece]

Not being a smart alack here. Put on the 'Stich and hit yourself with a hose. The only way you'll know for sure.
Or shower with it-but hose pressure is a better simulation.

[mogwai]

There are stores all around the Great Lakes. If your Stich fails, stop at the next one for gear update.

[Maggot12]

Good answers so far. Also, it's still pretty cool in the mornings, so bring warm gear as well. It could be 4-6 C in the mornings but 30ish by mid day.

ride safe...

[pbryon]

Thanks for the replies so far. I'm thinking of splitting the baby and just bringing the rain jacket. For some reason, I trust the bottom half of the Stich suit more than the top half. Less zippers, I guess.

[Mr. Canoehead]

Wash your 'Stich in some Nikwax before you go to restore the Goretex and go. I have never been let down by "waterproof" gear. I was once in a torrential downpour in my Firstgear Kili that flooded the outer pockets to the point that my iPhone was floating in a pool of water but I stayed dry underneath the waterproof membrane. The outer shell was soaked and it took a couple of days for everything to completely dry out - the jacket probably doubled in weight.

I have a rainjacket that I bought for a trip to England that has never been out of the package. It doesn't take up much room but putting it on it a PITA and I find that I never want to stop to put it on, so I trust my gear. I guess if I woke up in the morning to a torrential downpour, I might put it on.

Waterproof gloves, on the other hand, have never worked well for me and wet hands are miserable. Take some waterproof overgloves along.

[bomber60015]

Originally Posted by Mr. Canoehead

Wash your 'Stich in some Nikwax before you go to restore the Goretex and go. I have never been let down by "waterproof" gear. I was once in a torrential downpour in my Firstgear Kili that flooded the outer pockets to the point that my iPhone was floating in a pool of water but I stayed dry underneath the waterproof membrane. The outer shell was soaked and it took a couple of days for everything to completely dry out - the jacket probably doubled in weight.

I have a rainjacket that I bought for a trip to England that has never been out of the package. It doesn't take up much room but putting it on it a PITA and I find that I never want to stop to put it on, so I trust my gear. I guess if I woke up in the morning to a torrential downpour, I might put it on.

Waterproof gloves, on the other hand, have never worked well for me and wet hands are miserable. Take some waterproof overgloves along.

I have also had great luck with my stich (seam sealed and nikwaxed), but, depending on the time of year and location, I'd likely throw my cheap Frogg Toggs in a saddle bag, just in case.

there is no such thing as too comfortable.

[panchovilla]

not familiar with the stitch, but I have a BMW jacket with the inner liner. It keeps me dry but the outer garment gets wet and is very cold in rainy cold weather, so I always put on a frog tog over it. keeps me completely dry and the jacket stays dry, thus warm. I have toured the UP in June and it can rain hard and get cold! The water proof over gloves are a must in my view, and even though I have SIDI gortex boots I carry a pair of neoprene socks that keep my feet warm and dry. I even carried my heated jacket liner and used it several times. I always err on the side of caution and thus sometimes carry to much, but as the old saying goes, "it is better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it." I have been riding/touring for 45 years and I hate being cold and wet so I take the time to stop and put the stuff on. It is a PITA sometimes, but hypothermia is worse. Have fun!

[catweasel67]

I'd take the raingear -. Works a treat as an extra layer when it gets cold as well. And, from an end of day aspect - it's far easier to dry the rain suit than a riding suit.

[Hikertrash]

Good way to find out if its waterproof. If not, Gore has a lifetime warranty.

[bmwgrrl]

Wash the suit and while its wet, spray Revivex DWR and stick in dryer on low heat. This'll do 2 things

1 folks treat goretex with kid gloves and often wash and hang dry - this actually make the laminated membrane fail - low heat keeps it plyable, water proof and breathable. If its really old, use a nix wax or granger washin waterproofer. This clogs the pores somewhat and lessens the breathable part, but with older, much used gear, helps.

2 Revivex is the DWR (durable water repellant) spray that all factory goretex garments are coated with. It's what makes water bead on the surface. This wears/washes off after awhile. It's what gives the garment that Teflon-y feel and makes the water bead again

I use granger products & revivex on all my gear, and Sportwash, which is a non detergent detergent. Using regular Atuff has additives that actually clog goretex pores and also encourage dirt to embed in the outer skin. Remember goretex is a laminate - it's under the outer skin - folks think the goretex is failing because they feel the cold rain when it's the outer skin that's being soaked (that's the DWR failing)

Now that I've bored everyone to death, I carry a frog tog suit. 20 years in the outdoor industry and I've learned a lightweight backup on a trip is worth the space.

[Nanuq]

I live in a rain forest-everything has failed for me at a certain point:gortex, oilskin, you name it high end gear-marmot, north face etc. the only brands I trust are grundens, guy Cotten and sage. It's what we wear in the rain forest, in the boats on the ocean and and on our bikes. That's my two cents. Good luck !

[Wreckchecker]

I've done the Gainger and NikWax products and there is a point where they can't keep up. Don't be surprised for a 5 year old 'Stitch that has been used a lot to leave you with a wet crotch. It may take several hours, but the water pooling on the seat will seep in for some (mine) or make it through some other seams. A hose isn't the best test, so go ride for a couple of hours in the rain.

If your 'Stitch seems dry, go for it but be willing to buy a set of FrogTogs on the way. FrogTogs are cheap, don't have the plastic Walmart poncho feel of sticking to your skin, and can be compressed quite well.

[miniboxer]

Every membrane will fail after some time at often foldet parts as shoulders, ellbows, knees and where the legs meet (if you know what I mean). If you are going on a camping trip in constantly wet conditions, you won't get dry again during the trip. So add your rain gear to the equipment and your driving suit will stay dryer, cleaner and is a lot nicer to share the inner tent with!

[F.P.]

I have a 2 piece Roadcrafter that's about 5 years old with 35K miles on it. Never washed, never nikwaxed. Never leaked until last year in a 5 hour downpour through Northern California. SUCKED ASS. It leaked at the crotch and I think it was because of the jacket had opened at the bottom (on my lap) so added a snap closure to hopefully fix the problem. Thankfully I haven't experienced rain like I did on that trip but so far no leaks. I would wear the 'stich and pack the Toggs if you know fer sure it's gonna pour. FWIW I was bone dry except for the leak at the crotch, it wasn't the Goretex that failed, I think it was a zipper or some other opening. Stich is good shit.
Safe travels.
FP