Dainese waterproof motorcycle trousers – review

Packing for a motorcycle ride – at any time of year – is far more tricky than packing for a car journey.

Riders have to choose what they carry with infinite care, as there’s only so much space in the average top box, or rucksack. Which is why Dainese’s latest packable Rain Pants come in so handy.

Extremely lightweight, and complete with their own carry pouch, the Rain Pants scrunch up so tightly, that on some bikes they can even be stashed under the seat. Even if your top box is already crammed with an extra fleece for warmth, along with a spare, dry pair of gloves alongside the usual map, bottle of water, and other accessories, there will still be space for these ‘emergency’ wet weather trousers that can be pulled over leathers or biking jeans.

Costing around £49.95, they have many benefits, the first being that – unlike many waterproof over-trousers I’ve tried – these look smart, and are relatively close-fitting so that they don’t flap around in the wind too much, or catch on your footpegs. Dainese rightly claim they have a ‘modern cut for a superior fit’.

Despite the reasonably tailored fit, the wide-opening lower leg – with waterproof zip up to the knee and Velcro’d storm flap – means they’re relatively easy to put on at the roadside, even if you’re wearing boots. The Velcro pads are adjustable, too, so you can make sure they tighten properly around your ankles.

They have an elasticated waist and – when it stops raining again and they’re dried out – they’re easy to fold up and stash away in the logo’d carry bag, which helps protect them from wear and tear when not in use.

Dainese claim that – in spite of their evident lightness – the material is 100 per cent waterproof and that has, so far, proved to be the case, even in torrential rain on the motorway.

Being lightweight, some care will need to be taken to prevent tears or even burn holes, but in terms of an extra waterproof layer that can be permanently stashed on the bike for rainy day emergencies, they make a lot of sense, at a price that won’t break the bank.

More at dainese.com