Bike tights with Gore-Tex, Lycra

November 8, 2007 7:41 PM

Bike tights with Gore-Tex (or equivalent) on top, Lycra on bottom?

I have some very old MEC cycling tights consisting of Gore-Tex and nylon on top (the latter somewhat loosely affixed for movement) and stretch Lycra on the bottom. Great combination for most inclement weather, even when it’s warm out.

Well, they don't make those anymore. Nobody makes anything similar, apparently. The closest thing I could find to a list of current bike-tight technology was a very long comment in a blog post.

I already have full-on Gore-Tex pants (overkill). My application (year-round riding) needs something waterproof at least on the top layer. And it doesn’t have to be Gore-Tex®, whose patent ran out anyway; I am, however, strongly swayed by the fabric combinations in the tights I have. Reasonable suggestions?

posted by joeclark to clothing, beauty, & fashion (4 comments total)

you sound like you're talking about the older style 'windfront' cycling tights. I don't think this material was specifically Goretex, as I used to have an older pair of Bellwether tights that sound exactly like what you're describing.

Unsure why they fell out of favour, although IIRC I never liked them much due to the restrictive nature of the front windblock material (it wasn't flexible / stretchy enough and bound at the knee).

Try this link, you may find something. If not, then perhaps here.

The magic search term you might be missing is 'windblock' or 'windfront' cycling tights.
posted by lonefrontranger at 7:59 PM on November 8, 2007

I think those pants were an attempt to compromise between waterproof breathable fabric (which wasn't at all stretchy at the time) and stretchy fabric. Nowadays, you can have your cake and eat it too, because waterproof breathable fabrics don't have to be totally stretchless.

Any reason why you rejected these pants at MEC?
posted by ssg at 8:15 PM on November 8, 2007

Those pants would be great, ssg, if they were yellow (or red, or blue, or anything visible!).

And to steal the question completely..
Any comments on how effective these breathable fabrics are in general? I have great plastic pants that I'm very happy with for cold wet riding, but.. I sweat a lot, and when I step into a store, it isn't nice. Though I've never tried breathable fabrics, I seriously doubt that the feature would even be noticeable under those conditions.
posted by Chuckles at 11:55 PM on November 8, 2007

My girlfriend swears by her Rainlegs. They provide the front-of-leg protection when you need it, where you need it, leaving the choice of other layers up to you.
posted by mumkin at 12:30 AM on November 9, 2007