Totally waterproof, a real shield against the cold and comfortable, the Vaude Yaras winter cycling rain pants could achieve perfection with more length. We tested it, here is our feedback.
The Vaude brand is one of the benchmarks in terms of cycling equipment. It stands out for its saddlebags rivaling Ortlieb, and for its equipment offered to cyclists. The availability of its items is quite rare among resellers or bicycle dealers: you must therefore turn to its official website, as well as specialized platforms (Bike24, Vélotafeur, Beastybike, etc.).
In the German firm's clothing range, we tested one of its cycling rain pants. This is the Yaras, not to be confused with the Rain III version (light), the Zip or the convertible (in shorts), and which we have in the Men's variant.
These rain pants are expensive: €200, designed mainly for winter, and highlighting their ecological design. It is certified fluorocarbon-free (PFC) and made with recycled polyester (PET). We tested it, here is our opinion.
Perfect pants in fall and winter!
Here in its green version (which has since disappeared in favor of the more sober black version), these Vaude Yaras look out of place with most other rain pants. It seems a little imposing and still weighs 500 g. Size M is a little big in our opinion. The garment is adjustable via a Velcro fastener and a snap button that is too loose (it often gives way when pedaling), but compatible with a belt to hold it correctly.
Good point: you feel comfortable inside, a warm little cocoon given the double layer with padding. You should therefore not risk wearing it above 20°C, otherwise you will sweat. The pants, however, allow side ventilation by opening the zip at the top to compensate a little in the event of a heatstroke. Against the cold, the Vaude Yaras insulates effectively, even at 0°C, nothing to say!
-Against the rain, it's also near perfection. The pants tested in many showers, even sustained and continuous rain, protect the legs from water. Water-repellent up to a certain intensity of precipitation, it absorbs everything but dries easily in the wind. It is only after an extreme storm or heavy rain lasting 2 hours that it reveals its limits.
There, the water seeps a little at the bottom of the zippers, lightly but without ever getting our legs wet. But to get there, you have to do it!
A little short, but durable and easy to maintain
Small problem with these Vaude rain pants: the length is too short. Our size is missing a few centimeters to properly protect the socks, even with high-top shoes. A Velcro allows you to insulate the interior if you wear this Yaras over gaiters, which is a good idea.
The pants offer a single pocket on the right side at the front. An original position, and only suitable for small objects. Impossible to put a smartphone or keys there, not for lack of space, because this can hinder pedaling – which is less the case on an electric scooter. This pocket is completely waterproof, nothing passes through it, nor even on the zip protected by reinforcement.
Once used, Vaude Yaras dries very quickly! It takes a maximum of an hour to find your pants dry, which here reflects the effective water-repellent treatment. Easy to clean, the rain pants also show no signs of wear. Yet we wore it frequently for months, with hundreds of miles under its belt in the rain…and even snow. It is possible to machine wash it (30°C maximum, gentle cycle) while reapplying a water-repellent treatment to make it effective.
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