Chaps or Riding Pants?

[lstayner]

You are kind of asking an apples and oranges question. Are you looking for protection or warmth? Chaps offer very little protection in a crash were riding pants typically have armor in the knees, shins and hips. I started riding again in 2008 and bought a pair of chaps. After a year I moved to riding pants for the protection. I own both a summer and a cool weather set of riding pants.

You dress for the crash.

 

[jnt]

Riding SUIT(s) here. Been wearing Aerostich since 1990s, did have it repaired (minor) after truck attack in 2006.

Advantages:
- waterproof (don't worry about rain suit, etc)
- HIGHLY abbrasion resistant
- room for layering underneath

 

[lstayner]

Riding SUIT(s) here. Been wearing Aerostich since 1990s, did have it repaired (minor) after truck attack in 2006.

Advantages:
- waterproof (don't worry about rain suit, etc)
- HIGHLY abbrasion resistant
- room for layering underneath

This is a serious question. How do you right in that suit when the temps get in the upper 90's? Even the upper 80's for that matter? I have a non mesh jacket and at 70 degrees I absolutely bake.

 

[ARtraveler]

I think it's all about choices available. Over my twenty plus years of riding I pretty much have every weight and style of gear for riding. I pick and choose for the mood of the day. The good thing, the stuff hardly ever wears out. Pick wisely my friends. You will have it for a long time. :yes:

 

[Bfromla]

When cold enough not just cool I like my flannel lined jeans. If it's wet & cold then the chaps too, just for the spray off tires, I can leave chaps with the bike when I reach destination.

 

[cruisinTX]

After reading all of the responses so far, I was struck by very few mentions of the purpose of your gear. I think you must first decide why you are wanting to wear special gear on the Spyder. What-ever you decide is entirely up to you of course. Next you must decide if you are comfortable with something that covers only part of your lower body or all of it. Chaps don't cover the back half which is where most bodies tend to fall and slide in an accident. Next is the warmth or not issue; again chaps only cover half while textile pants cover all and usually are available with both quilted and rain liners. All that said, I will add that I come from the world of riding motorcycles pretty aggressively and have been wearing all the gear all the time for the protection it provides since the summer of 2000. I started that practice after seeing that a good friend of mine came out of a potentially deadly accident with only a few bruises, but no scrapes or cuts because he was wearing full gear including a modular helmet, leather gloves and heavy boots.

To deal with hot or cold, I have two complete sets of gear. Mesh for summer months and solid textile for winter. Bein ATGATT guy, the issue of ease of removing is not a big deal for me as I never plan to remove my gear until the ride is over. However, before I retired I did still wear all the gear and carried my work clothes neatly folded military style in a plastic bag. Then when I got to work, I would simply slip into the restroom and get out of my gear which usually included jeans and t-shirt warmer clothes in the winter; then into my work clothes.


To address one question brought up about textile gear being too hot; that's where mesh gear is great as it is not really all that much hotter than jeans and a sport shirt but provides you with far more protection in the event of an accident. So that choice should really boil down to this; "I'd rather sweat than bleed."


In the end think it through from all perspectives; skid protection, warmth, cool factor and decide which is most important to you.

 

[UtahPete]

After reading all of the responses so far, I was struck by very few mentions of the purpose of your gear. I think you must first decide why you are wanting to wear special gear on the Spyder.

To address one question brought up about textile gear being too hot; that's where mesh gear is great as it is not really all that much hotter than jeans and a sport shirt but provides you with far more protection in the even of an accident. So that choice should really boil down to this; "I'd rather sweat than bleed."


In the end think it through from all perspectives; skid protection, warmth, cool factor and decide which is most important to you.

:agree:

Very well said.

 

[soaring hawk]

Colorado chapps custom made to fit you and fleece lined.��

 

[SpyderAnn01]

This is a serious question. How do you right in that suit when the temps get in the upper 90's? Even the upper 80's for that matter? I have a non mesh jacket and at 70 degrees I absolutely bake.

Textile pants and suits from Aerostitch and others are breathable and are comfortable in the cold and the heat. Look for Gortex or equivalent fabrics.

 

[wilpir]

Pants on the bike..chaps in the bedroom!:thumbup::roflblack:

 

[Bob Denman]

I believe in ATGATT!
Having said that: if you wanna look like a Cowboy... wear the chaps. If you wanna look like a rider... get yourself some Kevlar lined riding pants.
In any event: leave the spurs at home!

(IMHO)

 

[lstayner]

I believe in ATGATT!
Having said that: if you wanna look like a Cowboy... wear the chaps. If you wanna look like a rider... get yourself some Kevlar lined riding pants.
In any event: leave the spurs at home!

(IMHO)

I am an ATGATT rider myself. I am also in the Hi-Viz camp. One thing we ATGATT riders do have to remember that it is a freedom of choice decision for all riders.

 

[Docster]

Chaps but not until the temps get into the 20's