Foul Weather Suits

Foul Weather Suits

EVALUATION

Riding in the Cold, With Tour Lion, Tour Master, Wheels of Man, Hondaline and Perfectos.

Cold weather riding suits have been on the market and in general use for several years. Ever since made-for-bikes gear became readily available, we've been wearing these suits and reporting on them. We’ve learned a lot, while also getting cold, wet and disappointed. We’ve ridden through car washes and we once even borrowed a cold-storage room and clocked exposure/discomfort time. We’ve done side-by-side comparisons and when all these tests were over we had no tidy points tally. We couldn’t give one suit a 10, the next an 8.

So early last winter we began a longer riding suit test, controlled in a different way. We bought or borrowed the most popular suits on the market. Then we used all the suits during winter and spring and resumed again with the arrival of fall, in hopes of being able to say how they held up under regular use; which features were a waste and which endeared themselves in the long run.

Tour Lion Early Warning Suit

This suit is nylon, with polyester insulation and a quilted lining. A two-way nylon zipper runs up the front of the jacket and is backed by a 2.0-in. wide, Velcro-secured wind flap. Velcro holds down the flaps on the four large patch pockets. Side-entrance, hand-warming pockets are underneath the lower patch pockets. The collar can be unfolded up around the neck and zipped shut or folded down and secured with Velcro tabs. Knitted cuffs are sewn inside the sleeve ends, and a narrow, elasticized waist belt is sewn in the back and secured in the front by a chrome buckle. A wallet pocket is sewn inside the left front of the jacket.

The overall pants have two-way nylon zippers running from waist to cuff with a 1.5-in. wind flap backing each zipper. The leg zippers can be opened at the top to allow pants pocket access or opened from the bottom to fit easily over heavy riding boots. Double layers of outer material are used in the knees and seat, and the back of the overalls is elasticized above the waist. Two straps cross behind the back and run across the shoulders, fastening to the overalls bib with chrome buckles. The straps are elasticized in the back so the pants don’t bind when the rider bends over. Elastic straps run under the arch of the rider’s boots, keeping the pants leg from creeping up when the rider is seated.

The outside layer of nylon is backed by a urethane coating to make it waterproof, but the suit will leak at the seams where the coating is punctured by needle and thread; therefore the suit is water resistant.

The Tour Lion suit is available in several versions, including the Early Warning model we tried. A Scotchlite reflective treatment is applied over the outside surface of the nylon. The Early Warning suit looks normal enough during the day, except that the black color has an overlaying gray tinge, almost a dusty appearance. At night the Scotchlite (essentially consisting of millions of tiny glass beads imbedded into the nylon) reflects light directly back at its source. According to the manufacturer, a person wearing the suit is recognizable in car headlights at twice the distance of a person wearing an untreated white suit.

In our testing the suit had no significant warmth advantage over the others. It held up well and didn't snag the zippers. However, the sleeve ends are too bulky to fit easily inside the gauntlet of cold weather gloves, which means getting suited up takes longer than usual and is a hassle. It’s also difficult to reach the overall straps when they’re unbuckled. The reflective finish and normal daytime appearance made this suit the favorite of one staffer, a long-distance (45 mi. one way) commuter.

The Tour Lion suit is distributed by Rocky Cycle Inc. and is available at local motorcycle dealers. As tested with the Early Warning coating, the jacket sells for $129.95, the overalls for $113.95. A shorter, sport-style jacket costs $113.95. All are available in charcoal (black) or silver.

Tour Lion Two-Tone Suit

This Tour Lion suit is identical to the Early Warning suit except that the reflective finish is applied only to the yoke and sleeves of the jacket and side stripes on the pants. Two-tone suits are available in silver with black trim, black with silver trim, and burgundy with silver trim. Two-Tone touring jackets sell for $120.95, overalls $100.95. A shorter sport jacket sells for $91.95.

We still don’t have a sliding scale of relative excellence. Riding suits are like helmets, in that any suit is better than no suit, while the very best suit may not be enough for some conditions.

In general, we’ve come a long way since WWII surplus flight suits and jackets were the best bikers could get. Considered as a group, the suits in our collection are made with several layers of durable fabric, plus linings to keep heat in, wind out and water—sometimes—away. They are designed for motorcycle use, with extra length legs and sleeves, and with zippers and pockets and secure closures at the appropriate places.

They are all sized to be worn over regular clothes; a jacket marked Regular will be a loose fit atop a shirt marked Regular.

They are stylish. This one took some courage. Road riders tend to resist fashion. Lots of us won’t be seen in anything except dusty black. Black remains the most popular color but riding suits also come in blue, silver, an occasional red, plus two tones, stripes and reflective panels, with the outer fringe being flaming orange, as endorsed by the safety crowd.

That’s another subject. For now riding suits do look good. They are acceptable. The non-bike crowd may still ask why mom dresses you funny but the other riders will want to know where you got it, what you paid and how well it works.

Wheels of Man Grand Touring Suit

The overlapping, double-layer. Velcrosecured chest flap on this suit combines with reflective striping and an angled front patch pocket to give a futuristic, Starship Enterprise look.

Beyond the styling, the suit is made of urethane-coated nylon, and the fabric is woven of thicker threads than the material used in most suits. The lining is quilted and insulation is provided by the usual polyester fill.

The jacket has a coarse-tooth, two-way nylon zipper down the center. The chest flap completely covers the front of the jacket (and the zipper), being sewn on the left edge and held by half inch wide Velcro on the right. A 13/s in. wide belt reaches across the front of the flap and is held by an easy-release nylon jacket. The rear of the jacket is elasticized at the belt line. Reflective striping is sewn onto the jacket back, and the sleeves have knit inner cuffs.

Besides the snap-secured patch pocket, there is a zip-up side pocket on the left. There is no inside wallet pocket.

Although it isn’t advertised as being waterproof (again, anywhere a needle and thread pierce a urethane coating, water can leak through), the Wheels of Man suit has some unusual anti-rain features. To start with, rain cannot easily reach the front zipper due to the chest flap. And the snap-shut collar is actually a rolled-up hood designed to be worn underneath the helmet to keep rain from running down the rider’s neck.

Strategic seams in the matching overall pants are sealed before the lining is installed, preventing water seepage. And the two-way nylon zippers running the length of each leg are backed with rain-proof gussets. The gussets end 4 in. from the top of the zipper, so the rider can reach his street pants pockets. While the rain gussets keep out water, they also limit the expansion of the pants legs when the zippers are opened. That means that the pants are harder to put on over heavy boots, and if the boots are muddy, it’s almost impossible to put on the overalls without getting mud on the lining.

The overalls have their own quick-release belt and are elasticized in the back of the waist. The overalls’ center zipper has its own Velcro-secured wind flap. There are elastic arch straps to hold the pants down when the rider’s legs are bent, and those straps can be unsnapped and removed before the rider dismounts and walks through mud.

But there are problems, too. The sleeves aren’t tapered enough at the ends, so they’re hard to stuff into the gauntlets of cold weather gloves. The lack of an inside wallet pocket bothers some riders. When the hood isn’t used, the single snap closure on the collar lets wind blow down the rider’s back. The chest flap does a good job of keeping wind out, but the Velcro strip isn’t wide enough and the flap often works loose on the road, flapping, as it were, back and forth. The styling put off some test riders. One, a college student, thought the jacket looked okay while riding but complained that it drew strange looks in the classroom, a problem not encountered with more conventional-looking suits.

If we absolutely had to vote on warmth, the Wheels of Man suit would probably win. The crossways flap, so awkward when it’s not secured, does seal out the ice-cold finger just below the adam’s apple. Probably because it’s warm, the WoM suit is also the bulkiest.

The Grand Touring Suit is available in silver, navy blue and black. The jacket sells for $105, the pants for $94. Distributed by Wheels of Man, the suit is sold at local motorcycle shops.

Tour Master Suit

The Tour Master is a veteran, having survived two seasons of hard use. Like the other suits, it’s nylon with polyester insulation and a quilted lining. A two-way brass zipper down the center of the jacket is covered by a 2-in. flap held in place by Velcro. Three patch pockets are sewn on the out-> side of the jacket and a wallet pocket is located inside, on the left. Hand-warming pockets are positioned underneath the lower patch pockets and are left open. A 1.5-in. nylon webbing belt circles the waist, held in place by wide loops on the rear of the jacket and by being routed through tunnels underneath the lower patch pockets on the front. The belt buckle is nylon and features quick release.

The mandarin collar is closed by a 3.5in. Velcro-faced strap that can be positioned anywhere along a 5-in. piece of Velcro on the opposite side of the collar, making possible adjustments to allow for riding with or without a scarf. When the jacket is worn unzipped with the collar unfastened, the Velcro-faced closing strap folds back upon itself and is held in place by another piece of Velcro, the result being no flapping in the breeze.

Knit cuff's are sewn inside the sleeves and Velcro-secured straps wrap around the wrist, compressing the sleeve ends to seal out wind and make it easier to put on gauntlet gloves. Reflective stripes run the length of each sleeve and across the back.

The overalls have two-way brass zippers along the outside of each leg and a twoway brass zipper running down the center of the bib. A half inch wide flap of nylon material is sewn along one run of the leg zippers to serve as a wind seal on the outside.

The overall shoulder straps are elastic webbing. Narrower elastic straps are sewn on the ends of the pants legs and loop underneath the rider’s boot arches. Velcrofaced straps compress the pants cuffs around each boot for a wind seal. The overalls are elasticized at the rear of the waist.

The Tour Master jacket has held up well. The overalls’ wind flaps catch in the brass side zippers, causing the zippers to jam. The elasticized arch straps both wore through long ago and one leg bears scars (melted spots) from the exhaust pipe of an SR500 Yamaha. We’ve had several Tour Master suits and they’ve all suffered from exhaust burns. We sort of think it’s a freak run of bad luck, and that any nylon suit is vulnerable to hot pipes. On the other hand none of the other suits in the group got burned.

The latest versions of the Tour Master suit, built after we acquired ours, have been updated with nylon zippers to end the problem with jamming. The new suits are also available with a bright yellow jacket material as well as the black and silver colors previously available. Tour Master jackets sell for $114.95, the overalls for $99.95. One-piece suits are also made, selling for $169.95.

Hondaline Interstate

One clear extra here. Honda’s Interstate suit is built on the standard pattern: an outer layer of waterproof nylon, layers of insulation, etc. But this suit has an inner rainsuit, and the rainsuit is electrically welded. There are no seams or stitching in the liner, so the suit can be labelled waterproof. Better yet, it actually is waterproof. It has survived hours in the rain, and while it’s possible to get some water down the collar if it isn’t snugged right down, and water can be blown up the sleeves unless you’re using gauntlet gloves, the suit itself doesn’t soak through and even the vulnerable fold in the rider’s lap doesn’t collect rain that results in cold water where you like it least.

As with the others, Honda’s suit varies in details. There’s a front zipper, metal, with a strip of velcro outside that and a row of snaps outside the strip. The suit does stay closed in the wind, even though the flap isn’t wide and a thin line of chill comes through. The legs have full-length zippers down the sides so boots are no problem. The cuffs have a velcro-back strap. They zip tightly over riding boots and our man seldom used the straps. There is no provision for keeping the legs from riding up but our man, 5-foot-10 in a Medium one-piece says the cuffs stay in place anyway. Sleeves are not zippered and have only a Velcro strap to close the cuffs. Again, though, this suit isn’t bulky and there’s room for the average hand to slip through, while the normal glove fits over. The collar has a corduroy backing and a Velcro strap, seldom used because the top snap is high and pulls good and tight, especially with sweater or scarf underneath. There are four large pockets, all in front, with Velcro and metal snaps and generous flaps. Good for gloves and designed so water doesn’t come in and wallet, gloves, etc., don’t work their way out. The back of the suit (and the jacket for the two-piece model) has an elasticized panel with belt in front so there’s no ballooning from the wind.

The Interstate suit is sprayed with Scotchgard, as protection against stains and dirt. This means it can’t be drycleaned but it can be washed and dripdried. Just follow the instructions on the label. They seem to work. The silver has lost maybe a bit of its sheen but the suit hasn’t been scorched—despite being used by one of the guys who burned a hole in another suit—and the zippers haven’t jammed. There are traces of smudged soot from the pipes and spray from overlylubed chains but as this was being written this suit’s occupant was asked where he got it. By a lady with a cycle-nut son. It’s held up well, in other words.

Interstates come in silver or blue, one or two piece, or as a jacket only. The jacket has a zip-out lining for extra flexibility. Prices are $250 for the one-piece, $275 for the two-piece and $175 for the jacket alone. Hondaline says any Honda dealer will stock them or can get them on order.

Perfectos

Now here is one that’s different. The Perfectos suit isn't well known in the U.S. We’ve never seen another and we wouldn't have this one except for an ad, in Cycle Canada, placed by Philip Funnell. He's a touring guru and runs an accessory store dedicated to stuff he’s tried and endorses. We gambled our money on his reputation and won.

First, the color. Black and white photos don’t do it justice. The Perfectos comes in black, light blue, navy blue or this dazzling shade of Safety Orange. You can hardly stand the glare in sunlight and there are those who'd rather get wet than wear such a thing. There are also those who would be seen, pardon the pun, who want to be seen on dark and stormy nights.

Next, the Perfectos is made of Supertex fabric, with “guaranteed 100 percent waterproof polymerized surface coating impervious to the natural elements and industrial chemicals and pollutants,” quoting from the tag. (The suit is made in Scotland, which may explain the King James language cited here.)

Inside, it’s fairly basic. There’s an insulated lining, lighter and thinner than those in the other suits, and some slick fabric for the innermost liner so the suits slips on and off. There are short zippers at cuffs and sleeves. The trouser-style (no bib) pants have only elastic to keep them up. The jacket has a front zipper and a narrow flap with Velcro that won’t align right unless you use both hands and take it slowly. There are two pockets in the jacket's front, none in the pants. Final adjustment is by a belt that dangles from one loop at the rear when it isn’t fastened; not as handy as the permanent belts shown elsewhere. The collar has a simple Velcro tab.

This is a light suit. It isn’t as warm as the others in group. Also is doesn't have as many features and some items, for instance the relatively small openings for booted feet, make it easier to remove your boots, put on the trouser and stomp back into your boots. Either that or be ready to hop one-footed while everybody laughs.

So why is the Perfectos, better described as an insulated rain suit than a cold weather suit, here at all?

Because no suit travels better. This is a real rain suit, really waterproof. Our man has ridden through all-day rain, day after day, across Europe and Scandinavia. This suit has been to the Arctic Circle. It was warm enough for that, well, it was warm enough worn over touring leathers atop two sets of longies and it never let in one drop. The frayed cuffs are the only sign of several years in service.

Finally, there is a pocket inside the jacket. It holds a little sack. When not being worn, the sack—attached with a strap—holds the suit. Honest. Roll up the trousers and jam them into the bottom, then begin grabbing and stuffing corners of the jacket. It all goes into the sack and you close it with a ribbon.

The full cold suits are bulky. They’ll take up a saddlebag all by themselves. But the Perfectos, nearly as warm as a thermal suit, packs into the space of maybe two rain suits. It'll go into the saddlebag with room for boots and tubes and chain lube and tools, or into a tank bag next to the shaving kit, scivvies and socks. Used in that role the Perfectos is the best add-on, just-in-case suit we’ve seen.

They come is the colors mentioned, sized extra small (aka ladies), small, medium, large and extra large, $150 for the jacket, $95 for the pants. From Philip Funnell Clothing, Ltd.

66 Victoria Dr.

Vancouver, B.C. V5L 4CE

Conclusions

This is the main point and the major finding of this test:

Don’t plan on just the suit. We’ve read the ads and we even have friends who talk about riding in ambient air down to 32 " or so, with just the suit and maybe a T-shirt. They may not be making things up. They may be able to do it.

But we can’t. Metabolisms vary, thin people feel cold.more than thick people do, etc. We’ve been asked to report not on merely chilly days but on riding through the snow. We don’t do it. Our collective experience is that without a fairing none of these suits will keep everybody warm below 50° for more than an hour. If that. Plan on also using a scarf or neck protector between helmet and collar and for thick wool sweaters, down-filled jackets or the equivalent between street clothes and riding suit.

This may be a good time to comment on features. All riding suits have some method for closing the front, the neck, the sleeves and cuffs. Most have a combination of buckles, zippers, snaps and straps. There are sleeves that close tightly and sleeves that are supposed to go over the gloves. There are collars that roll up and collars that tuck away, and so forth, with each suit having variations.

There are also rider preferences. Reading the notes shows no trend. One man demands straps to keep the cufls down, the next rider cuts off the straps because they pull the trousers too tightly across his knees.

There’s also a familiarity factor. After a riding season wâth a suit, the riders collectively came to like their suit best. The guy with the one-piece says the jacket and pants are clumsy, the two-piece crowd says yeah but it’s nice to be able to wear just the jacket if it warms up. Most of this is personal, and because none of these suits showed great advances over the others, personal preferences can freely be indulged.

In general:

Big zippers jam less often than small zippers.

Velcro is easier than buckles and straps.

There’s no such thing as too many pockets.

Better a suit that’s loose without a down jacket than suit that’s too snug to let you wear at least one extra layer beneath it.

And being warm and dry is better than being cold and wet.