Winter/Rain Pants

[NuRider250]

Does anyone have any experiences with Tour Master pants? I am looking at the Caliper and Flex pants. The Caliper seems like a Fall and Winter pant which are not cool enough for the hotter season but seem to have Rainguard on the outside and insulated liner inside. The Flex pants are all season pants. They have a windproof/rainproof liner plus a quilted insulator too that can be put on and off. I think the Flex pants if caught in a storm would keep me dry but the outside material is not waterproof thus getting heavy cause it would get soaked. Any feedback would be gadly appreciated!

[Fourstring]

In fact, there's a discussion going on about this right now.

I've got the Calibers and they were waterproof until I crashed them.  I have talked to other riders who say they aren't as waterproof as they'd like.  Yes, they suck big time in the heat, but they rule in the fall/winter.  I'd buy them again.

[county]

There is no such thing as "all season".....except if you live in Southern Cali.

[jsanford]

There is no such thing as "all season".....except if you live in Southern Cali.

When it comes to pants, I respectfully disagree--my BMW pants work well in the winter with the rain liner zipped in, and just fine on hot days with vents zipped open and liner removed.  Overpants seem to offer the best flexibility for temperature control.

[burnergold2B]

Does anyone have any experiences with Tour Master pants? I am looking at the Caliper and Flex pants. The Caliper seems like a Fall and Winter pant which are not cool enough for the hotter season but seem to have Rainguard on the outside and insulated liner inside. The Flex pants are all season pants. They have a windproof/rainproof liner plus a quilted insulator too that can be put on and off. I think the Flex pants if caught in a storm would keep me dry but the outside material is not waterproof thus getting heavy cause it would get soaked. Any feedback would be gadly appreciated!

Old post, oh well....Skip the Joe Rocket/Tour Master stuff and just research MotoPort or Aerostich pants, or a one piece Roadcrafter suit. If you cannot afford new buy used. With gentle washing and re-application of Nikwax or other waterproffing spray ons, they're good for many years.

[Mastros2]

Would you be interested in leather pants with rain pants?  Textile is very difficult to keep waterproof.  Seems like they fail (leak) way too soon.  Leather pants will keep you warm enough and the rain overpants will keep you dry.  

I learned the hard way buying textile and having a leaky crotch (tried a few brands but all end up leaking after a season or two). I don't mind riding in the rain at all so I need a decent pair of pants. I'm done screwing around with leaky pants. Last fall I purchased nice rain pants (tourmaster Sentinel, already had the rain jacket).  My next step is leather.

If you buy decent rain pants, you will be set for a long time.  

[Justin]

Would you be interested in leather pants with rain pants?  Textile is very difficult to keep waterproof.  Seems like they fail (leak) way too soon.  Leather pants will keep you warm enough and the rain overpants will keep you dry.  

I learned the hard way buying textile and having a leaky crotch (tried a few brands but all end up leaking after a season or two). I don't mind riding in the rain at all so I need a decent pair of pants. I'm done screwing around with leaky pants. Last fall I purchased nice rain pants (tourmaster Sentinel, already had the rain jacket).  My next step is leather.

If you buy decent rain pants, you will be set for a long time.  

I've found that First Gear and other brands made by Intersport Fashions West are the best when it comes to staying waterproof. I have never had them lose their watertightness or start leaking.

[mugwump58]

I'm pleased with my  First Gear TPG pants. The 3/4 lenth jacket not so much. Not warm to me and not cut for sport riding. My fault for buying it not the manufacture. Caliber pants are definetly not warm weather pants.

[Mastros2]

I've found that First Gear and other brands made by Intersport Fashions West are the best when it comes to staying waterproof. I have never had them lose their watertightness or start leaking.

I do have a pair of FirstGear HT overpants. They kept their waterproofness for 3 seasons but offered minimal protection.  This year I purchased a pair of Fieldsheer pants. Although they look better and offer more protection, it took only a few months until they started to leak.  

The TPG pants do look promising but at this point, I'll spend the money in leather pants.

[Justin]

I do have a pair of FirstGear HT overpants. They kept their waterproofness for 3 seasons but offered minimal protection.  This year I purchased a pair of Fieldsheer pants. Although they look better and offer more protection, it took only a few months until they started to leak.  

Hmm .. my HT overpants have hip and knee CE armor, and extra thick material on the lower legs. Did yours have that, or were they an older style?

As to the waterproofness, do you "wash" your gear with anything but water? Strong soaps can remove water proof coatings. The FG stuff has a waterproof liner though, shouldn't be damaged by cleaning.

[mugwump58]

My HT overpants work great. They enabled me to get 'stich crotch at a fraction of the price. I would wash once a year and use Scotchgard on the exterior fabric. I still have them as back up pants, their great for snowblowing as well. Very versatile, good commuter pants. Mine had armor and heavier fabric in spots. Never crashed a pair.

[Mastros2]

Hmm .. my HT overpants have hip and knee CE armor, and extra thick material on the lower legs. Did yours have that, or were they an older style?

As to the waterproofness, do you "wash" your gear with anything but water? Strong soaps can remove water proof coatings. The FG stuff has a waterproof liner though, shouldn't be damaged by cleaning.

I purchased the HT pant when they were a closeout item on NewEnough, maybe in 2005?  Back then, the knee and hip pads were not ce approved and just padding.  Here is what NewEnough says about the current version, "•Removable Temperfoam knee and hip armor".  Just seem like they don't offer good protection, my opinion only.


I have washed my gear before.  Actually wash it 2-3x a season. Most of the time is with Nikwax  but sometimes I have to use spray and wash to get the grime out.  After washing, I nikwax it and use a "Camp Dry" type of spray on repellant.  No luck.  I know I shouldn't wash gear that much but stinky gear is almost as bad as wet crotch.  

[mugwump58]

I was under the impression that the water proof fabric in the HT was akin to Gortex. Occasional washing being a good idea. A write up in the 'stich catalog seemed that they were no longer pushing Nikwax, kind of a nix on the Nik, ok I'll stop. Everything I've read makes the waterproofing of the textile covering of the waterproof barrier imperative.

OK I'll retract that. But I'm claiming revisionist history! No longer is there any such statement in the catalog. However the cleaning instructions still call for mild powder detergent. Damn I wish I'd never recycled those catalogs.