Frogg Toggs or Mototrek rain suits...?

[radguzzi]

One more bit of gear that I have been thinking about for the cross country trek is the need for a rain suit. 

I do have a textile jacket that is "Water resistant" and over pants that are good for a while in rain but certainly not sustained rain riding. 

Do any of you folks have first hand, wet weather riding with either of these products..?    The Frogg Toggs and Mototrek Rain Suits.  They appear to be very similar.

Thanks,
Rob

[twhitaker]

I've used FT for years and they are best described as "water resistant".

[Lannis]

I've used FT for years and they are best described as "water resistant".

I rode through a "frog-strangler" downpour (the kind that has cars pulled over on the shoulder) on my way back from the National this week in my Frogg Toggs and everything, including Stephen and the twins, remained dry, so I'm going to stick with them.

I haven't had the opportunity to try them in a steady all-day rain, but so far so good.

Lannis

[wrbix]

Routinely ride in an Aerostich jacket and leather pants.....when the rain starts put on my Frogg Toggs over them. Would say more than weather resistant.
If you expect to stay dry on a really rainy day best stay off the motorcycle

[radguzzi]

I rode through a "frog-strangler" downpour (the kind that has cars pulled over on the shoulder) on my way back from the National this week in my Frogg Toggs and everything, including Stephen and the twins, remained dry, so I'm going to stick with them.

I haven't had the opportunity to try them in a steady all-day rain, but so far so good.

Lannis

I almost hesitate to ask but "Stephen and the Twins...?

Thanks Lannis.

If you expect to stay dry on a really rainy day best stay off the motorcycle

I do not know whether I Expect to "Stay" completly dry or not however, staying off the motorcycle is not going to be an option either...

Just asking for real life experience.

Thanks,
rd




 

[twhitaker]

Resistant being said I do like the 'breathability' of the Togg. On your typical ride, 5 minutes of rain followed by an hour of dry, then more rain the suit works well. Did I mention my suit is over 10 years old.

[LowRyter]

I like FT because they are water proof and breathe.  You'll sweat yourself wet in the ones that don't breathe.

FT are pretty durable unless they touch an exhaust pipe or something and will dissipate like a sandwich bag.

[Moto]

I liked the overall performance of my Frogg Toggs over several days of strong wind and rain in my Arkansas Derecho Tour last summer. Some leakage in the seat when I sat on a soaked sheepskin, but otherwise pretty good. I recommend them.

[nick949]

"Stephen and the twins"

I don't know who the twins are, but I suspect Lannis is referring to our esteemed Prime Minister.  He's certainly a dick!

Nick

[rodekyll]

Frog togs:

Booties are dangerous to wear.  The plastic goes over part of the bottom of your boot making for a deadly situation when you put your foot down on anything other than clean dry pavement, which you're not going to have if you needed to wear the booties.  They hole quickly since you walk on them and they split because you're walking in them.  They melt in a heartbeat if you get them close to anything hot.

Pants are almost impossible to get on or off once either you or they are wet, especially over your riding shoes.  It's best to donn them before it rains and remove them after they dry out -- not practical.

Haven't tried the coat.  I use a Helly Hanson pullover for warm rain and my tourmaster for cold rain.

In their favor they store in very little space.  To their disfavor they are best left there.

$0.02

[Lannis]

Had my Frogg Toggs on and off several times last Sunday.   The legs have a zipper that goes to the knee, so getting in and out of them in boots is easy.

I threw the booties away before I ever used them, just like any other plastic booties or (worse) the covers that have an elastic strap that goes under your boot sole.   Death traps, all of them.   My "Timberland" boots are waterproof, like it says on the tin .....

Lannis

[lorazepam]

Another vote for frog toggs. They work well for me.

[Texas Turnip]

My FrogToggs were worthless in a 3 hour heavy rain, however when I left the National in Keene  Sunday in light rain I stayed completely dry.

I don't have to remove my little size 15 RedWing boots to put the pants on.

Tex

[rdbandkab]

Timely thread for me. 
After riding in and then out the back side of a cloud burst a week ago, we stopped to remove the rain suits.  Well...I thought I'd just drape the suit pants over the handlebar ends to air dry them. Guess what happens when you touch a rain suit leg to a Stelvio's exhaust header.   Yea that..  Luckily 99% of the 5 inch square of rubberized material pulled off the pipe.   We'll probably be stopping at Cyclegear soon to replace the pant.

[twhitaker]

Our shipping department has these plastic envelopes that have adhesive on one side and are used for attaching shippers to packages. They make the best band-aid for the holes in my pant legs. One on the inside and one on the outside after trimming to size.

[kirb]

I used to use FT all the time as my go-to rain gear. Pack small, breath, and stay pretty dry in all-day rain. Some seepage, but not much considering all-day rain. I always use Gore-tex boots and glove covers. I could go all day and still not be 'wet' when I got there. The only down side was gearing up at over passes. Not very durable, but not that expensive to replace. I could get about 3 seasons out of a set before I would tear the pants or do something equally stupid with the jacket.

I have since switched to Klim gear, kept the boots, kept the glove covers. Same result- all day dry in nearly any condition. I only have to zip up the vents when it starts to rain.

[Hymes Inc.]

My brand new frog toggs left me wet in a steady 90 minute rain. Not impressed.

[kidsmoke]

I recently bought a Nelson Rigg AS-3000 hi-vis rain suit. Fairly inexpensive, breathes well and kept me dry in the one good rain I've used them in. Other than the suspenders (too short, you'll be singing soprano) pretty good bang for the buck.

[rodekyll]

I think folks should visit their local marine outfitter and see what good quality waterproof gear looks like.  The motorcycle toggeries don't make any.

[kingoffleece]

I always wonder how some report getting wet in FT stuff.  I'm at a loss as to what happens=I know dozens of riders who use their stuff and none of them ever get wet.  I know I don't as I use them when not in my KLIM gear and they work a treat.

The best part is they are so inexpensive that to replace them from time to time is no biggie.

Not doubting the leak reports but wondering what we do different that they don't leak?

[Hymes Inc.]

I think folks should visit their local marine outfitter and see what good quality waterproof gear looks like.  The motorcycle toggeries don't make any.

My Toggs actually came from Bass Pro, bought them for fishing. They work fine if you're just standing on the deck of your boat in the rain.

[atavar]

What i found about FT's is that they are amazing when new, but after a couple years of actual use (wearing, not packed in the luggage) water resistant would be a kind description.
that being said they are cheap enough that buying a new set every third or fourth season is pretty reasonable. 

[NC Steve]

Frogg Togg makes a number of different models, from those designed for casual sports watching, to those for fishermen, or hunters, then those made specifically for motorcyclists. I bought a set of Frogg Togg Road Toads 3 years ago, and have ridden 200-400 mile days, and, beyond having wet hands from using lousy waterproof gloves, have arrived bone dry at the end of each day. The Road Toads also have zippers and zelcro overflaps reaching to the knee, as well as various pockets for wallets, cell phones, etc, all of which are very well sealed and watertight.

They will melt though around hot exhaust, so be sure to swing a wide leg when getting on or off your bike. And, FT also makes a repair kit, with various colored, largish patches, that can be cut to size and glued on, so all is not lost if you scorch a lower leg, which is the usual melt-thru area. I bought my kit on eBay for, I believe, $13. For their weight, price, packability, and ability to breathe, I haven't found anything even close