Here's the thing..... you can wear whatever (helmet a must in many states) but what many do not consider is all that can occur besides falling from the ryde causing the road rash if not more. Think about all the other side effect.... windburn, road debris, bugs (I have run into a couple swarms of bees and one of grass hopper like critters). The other thing is I have never found it to be that much cooler but they have those zip off pant leg type pants that would give you protection and be shorts when your not ryding....