waterproof layer on the INSIDE??? no comprendo!

[CODan]

When I look at a lot of riding jackets I see that the waterproof layer is on the inside of the jacket. This makes no sense.

To me, you should have outside to inside:
Optional waterproof layer
Jacket layer with armor and abrasion protection
Optional inner layer with insulation

Help me understand this please!

[greench440]

The waterproof coatings, gore tex layer, etc are usually pretty soft and are damaged more easily by daily wear and tear than the textile or leather outer layer.  Things like tossing your jacket in the "gear pile" or cramming in into a saddle bag or even laying it over your seat would eventually put holes in the water proof coating much sooner than the outer layer.

[FiremanBob]

1. The waterproof layer has no structure so it would balloon in the wind if placed over the jacket.

2. In a mild spill, such as a zero-mph drop, the waterproof layer would rip and be ruined, whereas the cordura of the jacket would at worst show the mildest fraying.

[highside]

Of course you can accomplish what you want by simply putting a rain cover over a non-waterproof textile (or leather) jacket.

[forester]

When I look at a lot of riding jackets I see that the waterproof layer is on the inside of the jacket. This makes no sense.

To me, you should have outside to inside:
Optional waterproof layer
Jacket layer with armor and abrasion protection
Optional inner layer with insulation

Help me understand this please!

You already understand it.  What you are suggesting is absolutely logical.  All outergear should have the waterproofing as it's most exterior layer by design.

[servicerifle]

Forester, glad you sold the Radian!  

Yes, the waterproof part should be on the outside but it won't be due to the above mentioned reasons.  I do take a lite windbreaker/water shedding thing with me and squirm into it over my leathers, but it is such a snug fit that it won't balloon.  Hard to get in and out of though!  I wouldn't want something big enough to easily get into just because of the ballooning problems.  I'm sure gear manufacturers have already decided that it's easier to not worry about the ballooning and just put it on the inside instead.

[Bandera]

Help me understand this please!

CODan,

Lower cost to meet a retail price point is most likely the reason this compromised design is common. A properly fitted removeable waterproof/breathable shell that won't balloon is more expensive to manufacture than a simple waterproof liner. Since a waterproof shell would look suspiciously like a rainjacket over gear the market would most likely resist accepting the design. Fashion does come 1st in apparel marketing, except in Minnesota.


Regards,

-Bandera

[Dichotomous]

I have the tourmaster defender rainsuit that I put on over my gear.  keeps my gear warm and dry and lighter without all the water weight. it has the waterproof (not waterresistant/breathable, sorry, goretex dont cut it for me, tried it and denied it) PVC membrane on the inside of the nylon though, because the nylon is better at abrasion and will protect the waterproof layer.  there are coatings available, nixwax makes a nice one, that you can spray over your gear and it gives it a fair amount of water resistivity.  if you go to a camping store they have 2 types, 1 is a waterproof/breathable spray that is commonly applied to most ski/snowboard/rain gear on the outside as a first defense, the other kind is for tents, and its basically spray PVC, and its supposed to be waterproof, as in, no water or air goes through, at all.  so your sweat will build up inside, if you are ok with that (as I am) then thats the stuff that will help, at least as a first defense

[Clive]

They already make waterproof liners (covers?) that go on the outside instead of the inside.  They're called "rain suits".

Seriously, though, I only see waterproof liners paired with textile or mesh jackets, not with leather.  The textile dries quickly enough that it's not really an issue; wet textile isn't overly heavy; and moisture doesn't harm textile the way it does leather, so getting the jacket wet isn't a huge long-term concern.

Plus, you'd have the cover's mating zippers on the outside of the jacket, where they can both get damaged as well as scratch your ride.

[Lawn Dart]

When I look at a lot of riding jackets I see that the waterproof layer is on the inside of the jacket. This makes no sense.

To me, you should have outside to inside:
Optional waterproof layer
Jacket layer with armor and abrasion protection
Optional inner layer with insulation

Help me understand this please!

Ok, the answer here is MAYBE.  The real answer is "Depends on the application".

For street riding I agree - put the waterproofing layer on the outside of the jacket.  

But for OFF ROAD riding the answer is very much the opposite - waterproofing layer on the INSIDE of the jacket.   The main reason is to protect the waterproofing liner.  If you are riding around off-road and it starts to rain, all your roads turn to mud.  Muddy roads = slick as snot roads and the chances of falling are very high.  More likely you will fall multiple times.  Putting the waterproofing on the INSIDE means that you will stay dry and not shred your waterproofing liners during the crashes.

Another advantage of inner liners is staying cooler in a warm rain.  I live in SoCal and staying cool is a lot more important than staying warm...

I have a BMW Rally 2 Pro suit with full goretex liners.  The liners will get used off road (which I intend to do) and will also be another insulating layer.  On road the Liner will be used for insulation:  I also carry a 2-piece oversuit for rain.

[Mookie]

Water proof liners suck.  I've got a rain jacket I put over mine, it's got pit zips!

[chornbe]

When I look at a lot of riding jackets I see that the waterproof layer is on the inside of the jacket. This makes no sense.

To me, you should have outside to inside:
Optional waterproof layer
Jacket layer with armor and abrasion protection
Optional inner layer with insulation

Help me understand this please!

I'm with you. That's why I originally chose my Teknic Spyder jacket. Outer shell is waterproof and insulated, zips on over a mesh jacket with armor and pockets.

[CODan]

Well, I think it's a stupid idea.

Ballooning could be handled with appropriate adjustment belts.

The jacket should be water resistant, like a typical ski jacket, but not waterproof. Waterproofing techniques, even Goretex, make things hotter.

After spending a couple of hours looking at riding gear, I didn't really like any of it.

So I might make my own. I have access to good sewing people through a side business I have making dirt bike stuff, so it'll give me something to do over the winter.

[Boxerdawg]

Besides the reasons already posted for inner waterproofing layers, I will add this:  most gear of the type has outer layers made of materials that do not absorb water, do not get soaked and will dry very quickly.  I have ridden in all-day rain with this type of gear and it has worked flawlessly.  I've got the one-piece pullover rain gear too and I like it as well.  Definately has its place.  You should get the gear that you like the best and are more comfortable with.  Good gear can save your life.