Helter Skelters

Out-of-control rain pants for mountain bikers, the playfully insane and long distance tourers. Three-quarter length styling makes 'em easy to pull on and off, enhances breathability, avoids chain suck and reduces bulk when stashed. 3 layer HydroFoil™ Endure fabric shields your thighs from deluges and your bum from rear wheel splatter.

+Features

• Lightweight waterproof-breathable 3 layer HydroFoil™ Endure fabric with fully tape-sealed seams for maximum waterproofness.
• Unique, PFAS-free, silicone-impregnated water repellent treatment that lasts longer and stays drier than standard finishes, maintaining its breathability in wet conditions.
  
• Zipped fly with gripper elastic waist keeps them hitched up.
• One piece gusseted crutch.
• Articulated knees.
• Zipped rear pocket.
• Turns into itself to form a tidy package in your backpack or pannier.
• Hazard!™ reflective labels.
• Waterproofness: 20,000 mm hydrostatic head with a water-repellent finish.
• Breathability: 18,000 gm per sq.m per 24hrs.
• Weight: 190 gm.
• Designed & made by us in Aotearoa | New Zealand.

+Inseam Length

The garment's inside leg measurement from crotch to cuff.

S	M	L	XL	XXL
49 cm	50.5 cm	52 cm	54 cm	55.5 cm

+Tech

+HydroFoil™ Endure

A waterproof, windproof and highly breathable laminated fabric specifically developed for high aerobic activities.

• The Pertex® Shield+ membrane is sandwiched between an outer fabric and tricot lining. It is highly waterproof and highly breathable.
• The outer fabric has a unique, non-PFAS, silicone-impregnated water repellent treatment. Individual fibres are wrapped with silicone, creating an integrated barrier that is not easily worn off or washed out.
• Wet fabrics severely inhibit breathability. Compared with standard DWR and C0 finishes, HydroFoil™ Endure stays dryer for longer in the rain, so your garment maintains its high level of breathability during each ride and over time.
• And because it is an integrated silicone treatment, Endure does not require regular reproofing or recharging in a clothes dryer.
• The outer fabric has a small amount of stretch allowing for a closer fit, and the lightweight tricot mesh liner increases durability and moisture dispersion.

Specifications:

• Composition: 100% ripstop nylon outer and tricot liner, with Pertex® Shield+ membrane.
• Waterproofness: 20,000mm hydrostatic head.
• Breathability: 18,000 gm per sq.m per 24hr.
• Silicone-impregnated water repellent treatment.
• Weight: 118 gsm.

+Hazard!™

Night travel is a spooky experience. Many Ground Effect garments feature our Hazard!™ reflective logo and piping to help remind traffic that we're on the road too.

+More than Kiwi Made

Ground Effect clothing is crafted right here in Aotearoa | New Zealand. Has been ever since we started back in 1994. Manufacturing locally works for us. We operate a quick-response system - holding minimal stock of any one item, but churning out a few more quick-smart when the pile gets low. The upshot is that we are seldom caught with our shelves empty, so orders get despatched the same day you place them.

+FAQ

+Benefits of 3/4 vs full-length over trou?

We've extensively tested both full-length and 3/4 waterproof pants over the years. In our experience 3/4's provide the best trade-off between functionality and performance in most conditions - especially for mountain biking, bikepacking and touring.

 

• They are easy to whip on and off over your shoes.
• Repel rain from the most exposed areas - your bum and thighs.
• Avoid 'chain suck' at your ankles.
• Minimise overheating when pedalling hard.

However full-length over trou are sometimes best - notably for commuting when you want to keep your long pants dry, or when touring to really cold and/or wet places.

▸ HydroFoil™ Endure vs standard HydroFoil™?

Both HydroFoil™ Endure and standard HydroFoil™ are constructed from the same fabrics and waterproof-breathable membrane. However, HydroFoil™ Endure’s outer fabric has a unique, PFAS-free, silicone-impregnated water repellent treatment. Individual fibres are wrapped with silicone, creating an integrated barrier that is not easily worn off or washed out.

Wet fabrics severely inhibit breathability. Compared to our standard HydroFoil™, and most other DWR and C0 finishes, HydroFoil™ Endure stays dryer for longer in the rain, so your garment maintains its high level of breathability during each ride and over time - making it actually more breathable and more comfortable in wet conditions.

+Which jacket is best for me?

• All our rain jackets are shells, ie. they have no insulation. Your shell is the primary defence against wind and rain - and is good insurance to take on any ride at any time of the year. They are high performance jackets made from HydroFoil™ Endure fabric, providing effective protection in serious weather but still relatively light and low bulk to carry.
• The anti-Cyclone, Storm Trooper, Antidote and She Shell are tape-sealed and have hoods for maximum protection from the elements. They are most suited for multi-day mountain bike trips in the backcountry, commuting or touring when you're likely to encounter rain for more than a few hours.
• Zipping off the yoke and sleeves of the Flash Gordon lets you quickly change between jacket and vest mode. The hi-visibility vest delivers a decent shot of weather protection - all with substantially more breathability than the full jacket.
• The Rivet and Rivulet are tape sealed but have no hood. Compact and light when stashed away, but completely waterproof when the heavens open. Perfect for lightweight touring and bikepacking.

+How waterproof is it?

• The challenge is for a jacket to keep you as dry as possible. With all shell fabrics this involves optimising both waterproofness and breathability.
• Our HydroFoil™ fabric is built to a very high specification with more than 20,000 mm hydrostatic head and a unique, PFAS-free, silicone-impregnated finish. Many other lightweight fabrics with a 10,000 mm head are also described as waterproof. However all waterproof membranes become less waterproof with time and use. Our field testing over the years has shown that the higher 20,000 mm fabric stays waterproof for longer.
• Yet, even garments made from this most waterproof fabric will eventually leak when you're belting along at 30kph in the wet (rain gets in through the collar, cuffs or closures). So it's difficult to quantify waterproofness in meaningful terms for cycling. Keeping out the wind stops the majority of heat loss.
• The Flash Gordon provides extended protection and is good for up to a couple of hours in continuous rain.
• If you're heading into exposed areas for a day or longer or often ride in the rain for more than a couple of hours, then choose the anti-Cyclone, Storm Trooper, Rivet, Antidote, She Shell or Rivulet for maximum protection - with their tape sealed seams. And remember, if it all gets too grim then it's okay to hunt down a warm fire and a pint of Guinness.
• Whatever your choice, it's important to use any shell in combination with an effective base layer (a Lightwave Merino or HyperActive top) so that any accumulated moisture is transferred away from your skin.

+How breathable is it?

• Cycling is a highly aerobic activity - so you sweat, a lot. Even the most breathable fabrics won't actually stop you sweating and because they're windproof, you lose the cooling effect of the air rushing past as you ride.
• Our rain shells are constructed from 3 layer HydroFoil™ Endure fabric. It is highly breathable, has a small amount of stretch allowing a closer fit - and a lightweight tricot mesh inside for greater durability and improved moisture dispersion.
• Wet fabrics severely inhibit breathability. HydroFoil™ Endure features a unique, PFAS-free, silicone-impregnated water repellent treatment that is not easily worn off or washed out. The outer fabric stays dryer for longer, so your garment maintains its high level of breathability during each ride and over time.
• The full front zip on the Storm Trooper, Rivet and She Shell provide additional temperature control, while the anti-Cyclone and Antidote sport mechanical venting at the chest and arms. Zipping off the arms of the Flash Gordon leaves you with just a vest.

+Washing

Hydrofoil™ Endure

Like the drivetrain or expensive components on your bike, proper care and maintenance is essential to extend the life of your HydroFoil™ Endure rain jacket or pants and optimise their performance over time.

Wash Regularly

• Accumulated dirt, body oil, sunscreen, insect repellant and sweat degrades the waterproof-breathable membrane and the factory-applied water repellant treatment on the outside of the HydroFoil™ fabric.
• Wash often - even with no visible dirt - to maintain performance and extend garment life. In real terms that translates to washing after about half a dozen outings, or after a particularly grubby ride. If it looks dirty, then your garment is definitely overdue some love.
• No need for kid gloves - just a warm machine wash at 40º with a mild plant-based soap like Ecostore, Earthwise or Aware.
• You can also opt for a specific sport wash like Nikwax Tech Wash or Grangers Performance Wash - around NZ$30 online or from most outdoor shops.
  
• Avoid cold-water detergents and those with bleach, 'oxygen whitener' or fabric softener.
• The cold-water varieties have little enzymes that are super-charged to brave the cold but damage technical fabrics like HydroFoil™.
• Bleach and sodium percarbonate (the main ingredient in oxygen whitener) can also cause damage and make colours run.
• Fabric softener and wool wash attack HydroFoil's water repellent finish.

Drying

• After washing, preferably line dry or if that’s not practical give it a spin in the dryer on a warm (not hot) cycle.
• Unlike standard DWR treatments HydroFoil™ Endure’s integrated silicone treatment does not require ‘recharging’ in a dryer.
• And because the integrated silicone treatment is so durable, it is only after extended use that there will be any benefit from reproofing with a water repellent solution like TX Direct.

Store Dry

• A damp jacket left to fester for an extended period of time in your bag will suffer. Hang it on a hook or coat hanger in a dry place between rides.

+ Shipping

• Items are generally packed and sent the same day your order is received.
• Costs $9 by overnight courier within New Zealand.
• NZ$12 by tracked airmail to Australia.
• Around NZ$15-25 by tracked airmail to destinations elsewhere in the world - calculated in our shipping cart as you check out.
• More shipping and tax details in our FAQ.