Review: Tucano Urbano Diluvio Rex waterproof jacket and trouser set, £96.99
I ask only one thing of waterproofs – that they be waterproof
Member for
54 years 8 months
YOU could spend the best part if £1000 on a properly waterproof all-weather textile suit – or you could keep wearing a leaky old one under some lightweight waterproofs.
Like these: the ‘Diluvio Rex’ (what?) two-piece waterproof jacket and trouser set from Tucano Urbano.
They fold into two fairly compact rectangular bags which Velcro together to sort of make one, which is quite neat. Unlike some waterproofs, getting them in the bags isn’t particularly challenging.
The jacket has one internal pocket in the mesh lining and two big waterproof outer ones.
It’s got a good hood which either folds away into the corduroy-lined collar or can be removed altogether thanks to more Velcro. I don’t know what to make of that. It’s too many options to compute.
There’s hi-vis on the arms and on the Velcro straps of the trouser ankles. It’s all quite spacious. I’m a size medium – as is this suit – and it goes over me and my leathers without too much bother. The trouser legs expand to go over boots thanks to zips at the bottom.
It’s all pretty good and well thought-out, and it had performed well too, keeping me dry in some fairly persistent downpours.
But a couple weeks ago, riding home from London to the south coast on the M23, I hit some really biblical rain. The only warning had been an ominously dark sky ahead. Then it all changed very quickly, from light rain to floods – literally. A section of the motorway was probably three-inches deep in water across all three lanes (and I almost shat myself when I realised it, the cars ahead sending up walls of water).
I plodded on for 30-odd miles through some of the heaviest rain I’ve ever ridden in. It was the toughest of tests for any waterproofs, but I have kit that I know would pass - and this suit didn’t. My arse felt wet and when I got home and removed my jeans, there was damp patch on them. You can tell from the location – right on the arse – that it’s not ingress but a leak. I think you can make it out in the picture.
It’s the usual story with cheap waterproofs – water pools around your bum in heavy rain and finds its way through the tiniest flaw. The trouble is, at £96.99, this set is not all that cheap.
Product tested: Tucano Urbano Diluvio Rex waterproof jacket and trouser set
Price: £96.99
