100% waterproof one piece?

[Packer]

Still very happy with the Vanucci. So far it's done what it says on the tin

As the Velcro has bedded in and I've got used to it entry and exit is easier.

 

[paulbeard]

A final word on the Vanucci over-suit as I had my first ride wearing it into work in the wet this evening - in what was pretty heavy rain as it turned out.

In short, I arrived at work 20 minutes later bone dry...to qualify that, the top of my shirt collar was a little bit damp from where it stuck up a little above the neck of the suit - my own fault basically and easily solved with a neck tube. I was also impressed with the fact that the material felt reasonably dry on the outside shortly after being hung up. It certainly didn't feel sodden like the Hein Gerricke two piece it replaced has done after similar trips.

Also, like with the original poster, the velcro has become less stiff over the month I've used it, which combined with me getting into a routine has made the suit very quick & easy to get on & off.

All in all, a great bit of biking kit & good value for money.

 

[Belizibub]

Any updates on the Vanucci suit?

I bought a olympia Phantom about a month ago, leaks like a sieve.

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

make sure all the zips are done up properly...mine leaked until i made sure

 

[AndyT]

Any updates on the Vanucci suit?

I bought a olympia Phantom about a month ago, leaks like a sieve.

Mine is great. I rode up from Manchester to berdeen tonight (370 miles) and it was torrentiial rain in parts but I'm bone dry

 

[Belizibub]

make sure all the zips are done up properly...mine leaked until i made sure

Checked all the zips and it still leaks on the arms.

 

[Packer]

Any updates on the Vanucci suit?

Riding in torrential rain I got slightly damp on the right arm. I though about sending the suit back but as I had worn it for months and it was manky and coated in salt from the winter I decided to give it another chance. Washed and rinsed with Nikwax products and it's 100% again.

I rode into a cloudburst last night, it was so heavy that I thought it must be hail as the tarmac road looked white, and continued like this for about 10 miles at around 80mph (indicated of course a true 70 officer) and was bone dry.

Still happy.

 

[velofelo29]

What not to buy

I can't tell you what to but but can tell you to stay clear of anything with a Hein Gericke label.

I bought some expensive clothing from them last year, first ride in the rain, leaking crotch. Took it back to them (100 mile round trip), they said that they would have to test it, came back as "no leaks". I insisted their testing was crap so they sent it to a "special lab". Surprise, suprise, came back no leaks. Next time out in rain guess what, a leaking crotch. I am not sure what my next move is but I will never deal with Hein Gericke again. I accept that problems with equipment will occur, but the true measure of the company is how they handle it from there.

 

[iangough]

flippin eck

Just did a search for "Vanucci over-suit " on youtube and it came up with this... not quite what i was looking for after watching the vid of the 'phantom' suite. Jump to 2 mins 40 secs ladies...
And i mean ladies...

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yj3e2fIUQfU?fs=1&hl=en_GB"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yj3e2fIUQfU?fs=1&hl=en_GB" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

 

[fireman]

take a look at this new bit of kit by joe rocket, Stevie 73 has started selling them at adventure bike warehouse, been having a good look into them and the suit seems the dogs danglies

 

[Blowzorn]

Spidi Admiral I & Admiral II

I have had both Spidi Admirals over the last 4 years.

The original was a great suit which was 100% waterproof when it worked.
The suit was a cordura/gortex copy layered construction and worked a treat.
It's greatest strength was the single Tizip from ankle to neck. This would also prove to be it's greatest weakness.
Tizips are normally found on diving dry suits so you'd expect it to work and it did.
This zip was rather rigid and needed to be kept lubricated. but after a period of time the zip would kink and buckle around the crotch and eventually fail.
Customer service from both Spidi and Dobles was second to none and I had two suits replaced.
They then replaced the Admiral with the Admiral II.
Again under customer service my original suit was replaced FOC and as the new suit was cheaper than the original I also got a £100 refund.
The new suit was a single skin laminate construction so much thinner and lighter than the original, also the single full length zip had been replaced with an upper zip that ran up the side of the chest and a lower zip from the waist to the ankle with a convoluted flap and Velcro affair between the two zips at the waist.
On first sight this looked like it was going to be an instant point of failure and it was.
The suited was not fit for purpose and a complete waste of time. It was more awkward and fiddly to put on and it was also much neater in fit leaving very little room for additional layers.
I never understood how a company that usually makes spot on gear could get something so wrong.
From a personal point of view the original Admiral could have been fixed quite simply.
The zipper worked from the ankle up to the neck.
If it worked the other way I think it would have been less prone to fail.
When you zip the zipper up from the ankle there is always an awkward point as you close the zipper around the crotch area and without fail the zipper always hit the inner fabric baffle. This continuous knocking against the baffle (and jamming on the fabric of the baffle) was damaging the zipper in this area, and it’s here where the zipper repeatedly failed.
If the zipper zipped down from the neck it would never hit this baffle, additionally because the movement is downwards the zipper will also glide smoothly past the awkward crotch area.

I love the convenience of a one piece, but have yet to find that holy grail of a 100% waterproof one.

 

[nedflanders]

sorry to resurrect an old thread, finally got to use my new 'Stich after months of not riding due to injury, 4 hours in torrential rain yesterday and was dry as a bone except for my hands, Teknic gloves proved the weak spot, this may have been to the water running into the top of the gloves, not sure, next time I'll try the sleeves over the gloves , iphone in my chest pocket was dry as was all my paper licences and insurance docs in my hip pockets, nice to see waterproof zips on the pockets now, surprised the main zips are still 'normal' though but seem to do a good job of keeping the water out

 

[DrPete]

I have an el-chaepo Frank Thomas Aqua 1 piece oversuit. I've had it 10 years, and apart from a coat of Fabsil and new seam sealant every 2 years it's still going. It's not in the slightest bit breathable though.

 

[nedflanders]

The good thing with the 'stich is the back and underarm vents making it comfortable most of the year, I tend to wear windproof mountain hardwear gear underneath and it's a pretty good combi

 

[JackoUK]

The good thing with the 'stich is the back and underarm vents making it comfortable most of the year, I tend to wear windproof mountain hardwear gear underneath and it's a pretty good combi

For what it's worth, I ride in all weathers and my two piece suit does get damp. A guy I met on the ferry back from Morocco last year pointed out that a light gore-tex jacket and trousers, worn under the bike gear, was a good and effective solution. Added to that, the jacket doubles up as a non-biking coat when on long trips. Any one used this idea?