I've had EVERY option, and none are perfect! I think it comes down to personal preferences, there is no obvious winner.

The very best I've had for ME, and currently use, is the Rukka suits with removable liners. NEVER been wet inside, and they breathe well enough to not get stinking hot when the liner is out. From riding comfort point of view, I think it's the best option - BUT and it's a BIG BUT - if the weather changes drastically and you suddenly have to put on the rain pant liner - side of the highway sucks big time. Susan REALLY gets twitchy about it! Generally we make out best guess - liner or not - and maybe put in the jacket liner if it gets cold or starts to rain and leave the pants unlined if it doesn't look too bad. Haven't had soaking wet legs yet with that method. As for staying dry - 100% waterproof, ridden for DAYS in massive rain and not a drop inside. So a winner there.

Another option is the Touratech suits - they went the OPPOSITE way - waterproof liner on the OUTSIDE - easy to pull on a waterproof pant and jacket combo, and very very dry as well. And the suit without the outer layer breathes well, similar to the Rukka. BUT - and again, it's a BIG BUT - the outer layers are huge and don't pack well, much bulkier than the Rukka.

So waterproof for both, good ventilation for both, Rukka negative - adding waterproofing at the side of the road sucks, Touratech negative the outers are very bulky.
For the laminated waterproof - non-liner suits, their BIG plus is that you only need to undo a few zips to get ventilation, or close them for waterproofing - so definitely more convenient.

An important comment about Goretex and other similar waterproof fabrics that I think is super important and often not understood:
Goretex (etc.) leaks when it's DIRTY. Virtually ALL the complaints about Goretex leaking is because they're dirty. If you're wearing a suit with laminated Goretex, you're sweating into it on the hot days and clogging the pores with your sweat, which eventually impedes breathability, and provides a wonderful path for water to follow. You're also getting road dirt, mud etc onto it from the outside. IT WILL LEAK. You MUST wash it PROPERLY and regularly to keep it waterproof. Washing must be done correctly and with the right soaps and rinsed thoroughly etc or it will leak WORSE. Follow the instructions CAREFULLY.

The BIG advantage in my mind of the removable inner/outers is that you only wear them when needed, so they only need washing occasionally! That increases the life of them, as they are not getting abused by the washing machine, and they are in better condition and therefor waterproof for much longer before needing washing.

We have also ridden with leathers way back when, and "waterproof" Goretex (and other waterproof fabrics) hiking pants and jackets to put on top when needed. BUT - Hiking rain gear is not as waterproof as motorcycle gear, the fabric is lighter and flaps - a lot, and will eventually leak. DAMHIK. I would not go back - UNLESS I had a decent protective jacket and pants and a super tight budget, and then I'd be sure to get excellent hiking waterproofs, and make sure I had at least a windscreen and preferably a fairing.

And WAY WAY back when, my very first actually WATERPROOF rain suit was a one piece Rukka vinyl suit modified from sailing gear (by Rukka, and designed to be sold to motorcyclists as one of their first motorcycle oriented suits). It was sheer bliss - for the first time ever, dry. Who cares about sweat - I'm DRY! An absolute revelation at the time, when the best was rubber lined junk vinyl work jackets and pants which lasted maybe a month or two in a Vancouver winter - which means a LOT of rain and some snow, and I rode every day.

In the end, you make your choice, you pay your money and live with what you get! And decide you don't like it and try something else next, decide you don't like it and try something else next, and decide you don't like it and try something else next, and...........


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NOTICE: I have been given a couple of Rukka and Touratech suits. NO requirement to say nice things. I originally ran into Rukka again at Intermot years ago, and with my much earlier experience was very interested and asked them what they could do for me. They have been very generous, and I still love their stuff. Touratech was also very generous. I have also paid for many suits over the years. Once upon a time I ran a couple of Outdoor stores, hiking etc gear, and learned a lot about waterproof fabrics. Opinions expressed are very much my own, YMMV.

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Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
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