How we tested and scored them

Wearing a set of two-piece leathers and boots, we timed how long it took to put each suit on and scored them accordingly. If the suit could be donned in under 1m 30s, it scored three points; if it took between 1m 30s and two minutes, it scored two points and if it took more than two minutes, it scored one point.

We then stood under a running shower for five minutes wearing each suit and moved around to simulate the movement of a rider (crouching into a riding position, turning as if looking over your shoulder etc). We wore a pale-coloured body suit underneath the waterproofs so that damp patches from any water which seeped in could be easily spotted. The suits were marked out of three: if no water seeped in, three points were awarded; if a little water seeped in, two points were given; and if lots of water got through, the suit only earned one point. A waterproof neck tube was worn to ensure water did not find its way in down the neck and a helmet was also worn, in order to deflect water in a more realistic manner.

The suits were also assessed for general build quality (are they so thin that they’re likely to rip the first time you catch them on something?) and extra features and functionality, like whether they have pockets and reflective piping to aid visibility. Value was also taken into account, as there seems little point in spending £100 to stay dry when a £50 suit can do it just as succesfully.