Rainlegs — For When the Sky is Falling
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 01.30.06

A British friend says of cycling in the UK: “if it doesn’t rain on the ride out, it probably will on the way back.” I wonder if she has seen these. Rainlegs tackle the wetness problem in two ways. They're lightweight, wind and water repellent ‘parachute cloth’ leggings, that one wears in a thin band around the waist. When it begins to rain, roll 'em down and fasten around the upper leg and knee, to shed the worst of the weather. And because they're not a complete cover, sticky condensation as often found in overpants is significantly reduced. Testers seem to agree that they really do work. While designed with cycling in mind, Rainlegs are also suggested for horseriding, running and rowing. Discovered at ::Cleverchimp. £25 ($43 USD) from ::Rainlegs




















I commute by bike and the part of the leg that this product covers seldom gets wet. From the knees down you get soaked with an oily/wattery mix. Your body (bent over)tends to cover the top of your legs, if you don't have a fender, your back and butt will get wet. This just doesn't seem like a useful design.
If you ride in the rain enough to need these you really should have full fenders too - they make a huge difference. With good fenders (a subset of all fenders), it is the top of your legs that gets wettest and coldest.
Cycling in rain is way more comfortable with long fenders and rain clothes. For me this includes rain booties, jacket or light cycling raincape and if using a jacket use chaps or breathable pants.
Right now Vancouver Can is having record rainy weather and quite cold. Great for snow on the nearby peaks but pretty crappy 26 days in a row. Today is sunny and beautiful mountains visible but I'm packing my tiny roled up nylon cape and booties because it is easy insurance that I don't get caught out in the rain. Cheers pol
I haven't tried these, but that's definitely the part of my legs that gets wettest/feels clamiest/takes longest to dry.
I have mudguards (fenders) on my commuting bike, of course.
That's doing nothing to keep your feet dry, which is far more uncomfortable than wet thighs. Good idea, but fenders are going to do way more.
The only way this would protect you in the rain is if you're wearing them indoors on rollers while it's raining outside. Anyone who's ever ridden a bike in the rain will tell you that the butt and the bottom part of your legs get the wettest.
The inventor of this product, has never encountered puddles?
I like the idea - in lighter rains, it is my knees that get wet. Stay out of puddles and have a fender.
Also you wear it as a belt. Light rain, roll it down. Heavy rain or if it is raining when you leave you can put your full stuff on. No having to stop to tug rainpants on over damp legs/pants.
I'm searching for a pair of snow Leggings that draw strings from just under or just above the knee. Then elastic or draw strings at the ankle of at the boot. I had a pair of these in the early 80's made by North Face that matched a down vest. Do you know of any Leggings like this on the market now? Thanks.....Neal
If you ride often in rain, get fenders. You will not stay dry without them.
I usually don't mind light rain. I sweat anyway BUT when i get hard cold rain, my tight and knee get so wet and cold my mind want to shut off. I wait for my Rainlegs. I think it is a great idea. They don't flap in the wind.
I live in Florida, home of horrendous rain. I don't understand the comments from people who say the Rainlegs "don't cover the part of the leg that get wettest". Anyone who's ridden in a downpour knows that the part of the leg which is HORIZONTAL gets wet first---the thigh/femur. Wet clingy shorts are not fun. I don't care if my shins get wet, as they are bare. Rainlegs combined with rain booties and a jacket/cape/poncho and a helmet cover would seem to be a decent combination.
I have a pair of these (bought them directly from Holland) and, while I haven't ridden them in the rain yet, they work nicely in the cold and snow. The top of my thighs is what gets coldest because that's where my trousers are drawn tightest against the skin while pedalling. Just keeping the wind off makes a big difference, and the stiffer knee bit helped keep my knees warmer too. Plus, this is one eye-catching garment!
Our snow's melting now and it won't be long before I can try them in the actual rain.
Matt in Minnesota
I've got to agree with Mike, the fronts of my legs get soaked but I have an upright riding position and a jacket that covers my butt. I have been looking for something like these precisely because my front gets so wet.
Matt's suggestion about winter use is great too - I have a hard time keeping my thighs warm and they might just help.
The new name of Rainlegs are Rainmates.
have a look at www.rainmates.nl
they also protect the under legs with a patented "knee free"system.