Slipstreamer Sn-1 Rainsuit

Slipstreamer SN-1 rainsuit

EVALUATION

Rainsuits are like any other form of insurance, in that when you aren't in need they’re a terrible bother and overpriced, and when you are in need there’s no such thing as too much coverage.

What we see here, with Slipstreamer’s Thunderwear (aside maybe from a name too big for its britches, ho ho) is what a good insurance agent will do; you’ll never notice it most of the time, but when you look for help, there it is, ready and able.

Carrying the analogy too far, most rainsuits are mostly alike, that is, they’re made of some waterproof material or coated with it and they’re supposed to keep rain out of the various openings with clever flaps and seals and such.

This suit is Slipstreamer’s best, the SN-l. The basic material is 200 denier nylon. The seams are stitched with nylon thread and electrically welded (according to the maker; we guess this means melted so as to seal the thread to the suit itself.)

The corduroy-lined collar, the sleeves and the cuffs are sealed with Velcro, plus the sleeves and cuffs have flaps that fold over and are held with snaps. The front closure has a zipper (waterproofed) and a Velcro strip for the overlying storm flap. Inside the front opening of this onepiece suit is an apron, a wide triangle that spans both sides but lets them pull apart when you’re climbing in. Then it •tucks away, forming another seal between the suit front and the rider front. Plus, this apron and the pouch it forms channel into a drain outside the zipper and flap. As we’ve all learned to our discomfort, the lower front of a rainsuit is usually the weakest link in the chain. When it isn’t right, you get a cold bath right where it makes you wince just thinking about it.

The suit is generously proportioned. As the photo shows, the medium size has more than enough room for a 5-foot-IO, 140 pound rider in street clothes. There’s room in the suit for rider and touring leathers or jacket. The legs and arms are three inches longer than street clothes, so they don’t pull tight on the bike.

The SN-l is the fanciest of the three Slipstreamer

rainsuits. It comes with a bright stripe around the shoulders, a hook so it can be draped and left to drain, and removable stirrups to keep the legs down over boots. There’s a pocket at the right breast, a deeper pocket at left hip and a transparent map pocket on the front of the left leg. The first two are useful for eyeglasses, wallet, smokes, etc. We haven't been impressed with the map pocket because it's far from the rider’s eyes and once the map is folded to fit, it doesn’t stay flat and anyway, the visible area is so small you’ll cover it between gas stops; why take your eyes off the road while you’re in motion?

Concerning shortcomings, the leg openings aren’t quite big enough to get boots through without tugging. Because the suit’s first job is to keep out water, there’s no opening except the front zipper. During the photo session our man found a dollar bill and some change in the pocket, left there because there’s no way to reach your

pants pockets without unsnapping, zipping, pulling and twisting about. The leg openings could have been better, the lack of access is part of the design.

Negatives can’t be proved. This suit has been used through the rainy season. It hasn't leaked one drop. This isn’t to say it can’t or never will, but it has kept its occupant dry in conditions that left him wet in other suits.

Oh, yeah. When you don’t need insurance. The SN-l comes with zippered pouch. No wrestling match to stuff the suit into the tank or saddlebags. You fold it, cram it into the pouch, zip and there it is, flat, compact,

10x8x2 inches.

For $69.95, at dealerships or write to Slipstreamer, 9835 W. 69th St., Eden Prairie, Wise. 55344. 0