Leg Gear and commuting to work: The 6 options

[e90]

Here's my gear list so far:

Helmet: AGV K-4 (fiberglass)
Gloves: A* SPX-1
Jacket: A* GP-R Perforated Leather with optional CE back protector insert
Boots: Planning to get a pair of SMX-1 boots from A8

Here is where I need help.. legs.. here are the options (I'm going to do light riding and commuting on my bike in the spring):

Option 1) Regular Jeans, no armour
Option 2) Riding Jeans with kevlar ($100)
Option 3) Knee/Shin pads with regular jeans ($50)
Option 4) Knee/Shin pads + kevlar riding jeans ($150)
Option 5) Finding a pair of expensive riding jeans with insertable knee armour pockets (200$+)
Option 6) Textiles with armour (keep a pair of jeans at work)

Since I'll be riding to work I want to minimize my on/off time with all the leg gear (would hate to spend 20 mins a day in the bathroom adding/removing gear)

Thanks!

[Motofool]

None of the above (1 to 5) will be good protection, 6 will not be practical.

Legs tend to receive more damage than the rest of the body.

Consider textile overpants with leg-long zippers and knee+hip CA protection.

http://www.bikebandit.com/search?q=overpant

http://www.bikebandit.com/fieldsheer-slip-on-pants

[lgk]

agree with hernan,

go with armored textile overpants

[e90]

Originally Posted by lgk

agree with hernan,

go with armored textile overpants

I would try to avoid these to be honest - I feel as if they would fit/feel terrible and look even worse. I know the reaction I might get with saying that but I just won't be comfortable in 2 pairs of pants to be honest. In that case I might as well get leathers and change into pants at work everyday.

[lgk]

It may not look good but liners are warm, and save time going on/off.

But if you have short legs, i would go with leathers that zip to the jacket.

[rojoracing53]

I use text pants with armor built in and I zip then to my jacket.

I leave work clothes at work and it takes like two mins to change, longest part is tying my shoes.

If its the same routine every day I don't see why this wont work.

Depending on what I want to wear under the pants they can be used as over pants but I normally just wear them by the self.

[Redgeneral]

Originally Posted by e90

I would try to avoid these to be honest - I feel as if they would fit/feel terrible and look even worse. I know the reaction I might get with saying that but I just won't be comfortable in 2 pairs of pants to be honest. In that case I might as well get leathers and change into pants at work everyday.

I have a pair of Textile overpants and they actually work great. The armour is pretty important, but just as much as the abrasion resistance that jeans just don't offer.

Think of it this way, you wouldn't ride witha jean jacket with armour in it, but you would in an armoured textile jacket.

[red5]

I wear these over my dockers and keep a pair of shoes at work.

Telluride Pants

Not designed as overpants but they work pretty well.

[e90]

So the overall consensus is a big NO to any sort of kevlar jeans then?

Well if I'm going to be spending time in a bathroom stall twice a day changing, I might as well just get something like these: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...3-0-Pants.aspx

It is full textile/vented with CE armor built in. That should cover it I guess and just keep a pair of jeans at my desk at work.

[allanoue]

Just get a size or 2 larger then what you normally fit and they will be conferrable, even more so if you go down. My jean size is 32 waist and I get 36 leathers. On and off quicker also. Work shoes go into my backpack with my laptop and lunch.

[Aggrotech]

yup everyone pretty much mentioned it already. Get some overpants. I recently bought some FroggTogg waterproof overpants and they are absoutely amazing, although they dont provide really any extra protection.

as for textile overpants I'm currently looking at..

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/i...-textile-pants
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/revit-axis-pants
aand
http://www.revzilla.com/product/icon-arc-textile-pants

Theres sooo many options though. Surely you'll find somethin you'll like.

[Nemesis]

Originally Posted by rojoracing53

I use text pants with armor built in and I zip then to my jacket.

I leave work clothes at work and it takes like two mins to change, longest part is tying my shoes.

If its the same routine every day I don't see why this wont work.

Depending on what I want to wear under the pants they can be used as over pants but I normally just wear them by the self.

BOLD is what I used to do when I commuted to work on a bike. Or take extra clothes with me in a backpack.

Because careful about those textile pants...during a crash the armour will shift out of place. Just make sure you buy pants & upper jacket that's very snug but not restricting.

I used to commute in a textile 2pc track suit (Dainese) is prolly the best 2pc textile I've owned (crash tested too ).

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by e90

..............In that case I might as well get leathers and change into pants at work everyday.

If leather is your thing:

http://www.leatherup.com/c/Leather-P...669E08F06D0CB8

Jeans will break; but even if they won't, your skin will acquire burning scars from them; I do have some on the skin of my legs from jeans that did not rip during a fall.

A chain is not stronger than its weakest link: protect your hands, head and legs well.

[DaBlue1]

You may also want to check Competition Accessories for some good deals and quality gear (whatever you decide to get). I've shopped at their store a few times and the customer service is great.

Always remember the 7 P's
Prior Proper Planning Prevents Possible Physical Pain.

[dfox]

textile overpants are a good solution.

no need to change at work, just zip them off, and hang them next to your jacket. With the liner, they also provide decent rain/cold weather protection.

[outasight20]

One more vote for textile overpants. I have Scorpion Deuce Overpants and I can wear them over jeans comfortably. With the liner in they keep me warm even in the winter months. They are a little baggy being overpants so the knee protection is questionable in a crash scenario. In the summer I'm considering getting some knee/shin guards to wear under the overpants instead of the built in knee armor.

[geeker]

I've used my Rev'It Airwave pants as overpants before. There is enough adjustment at the waist to make it possible.

[e90]

I understand that there is a huge consensus for "pro-overpants" but don't you guys feel weird wearing snowboarding pants over your jeans everyday?

Also is the safety going to be that much better than kevlar jeans??

[Motofool]

No weird, just clean, dry, warm and isolated from the wind, debris and the erosive pavement.

Cordura and kevlar-reinforced-denim don't perform alike:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordura

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevlar

What about Kevlar jeans and exterior knee armor?

[thunderpipes127]

I wear textile over pants with my riding boots. carry work boots in back pack. I have too many metal additions to my legs as it is to fool around too much.

[e90]

Originally Posted by Motofool

No weird, just clean, dry, warm and isolated from the wind, debris and the erosive pavement.

Cordura and kevlar-reinforced-denim don't perform alike:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordura

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevlar

What about Kevlar jeans and exterior knee armor?

I think this is the way I'm probably going to go to be honest. I just don't feel comfortable with overpants and my commute is going to be 15-20 mins each way tops a few days a week.

I'm thinking of just buying some 100$ kevlar reinforced jeans and either some external or internal knee/shin protectors that way I get some abrasion protection and knee protection.

I will invest in some proper A* leather that zips up to my jacket for serious riding or trackdays which I fully intend to take advantage of.

[Slono]

I bought Dainese Kevlar D6 Kevlar Jeans, and I wear them in combination with my Knox knee pads and my Alpinestars SMX-5 boots. I feel very comfortable during my 40 minute commute to work and I don't have to worry about looking out of place if I need to run errands or go for dinner while taking by bike. Not to mention if you ride in relative heat you won't want to be wearing 2 layers of pants if you're going out. In terms of protection, they're worse than textile pants, but above regular jeans.

Are Dainese products cheap? No.
Are they quality? Yes.
Are they stylish? Extremely.

If you want kevlar jeans that look good, give these a shot. And if you decide to go with kevlar jeans, at the very least wear motorcycle boots (not shoes) as well as knee protection. I was thinking of investing in leather pants, but if you've ever been stuck in rush hour (sometimes standstill) traffic on your motorcycle in the heat, you know how unbearable it already is to be wearing full gear without heavy pants.

[ChaoSS]

Originally Posted by e90

I understand that there is a huge consensus for "pro-overpants" but don't you guys feel weird wearing snowboarding pants over your jeans everyday?

Also is the safety going to be that much better than kevlar jeans??

THey aren't snowboarding pants, but I wear textile overpants every day. During these winter months, I wear thermals, dickies, and then the riding pants over those, and I have no issues with them. The pants I have aren't even overpants, just oversized riding pants that fit over my pants. I just have to take my boots of and put them back on, but no getting changed.

[geeker]

There are also suits you can wear. Aerostitch and Teiz come to mind.

[e90]

Thanks everyone.

I've decided that since I'll only be riding in the Summer that I will be buying a pair of good quality Kevlars and invest in some knee/shin protectors and couple that with a 3/4 racing style boot. That should be perfectly suited for short commuting and then when I get to work all I have to do is take the knee pads off...

Also I will be investing in some A* leathers to zip up to my jacket for serious riding.

Thanks for all the advice/info.

[Malicious Logic]

I agree with the rest of the input here about the over pants. I think in the end though, it all comes down to the rider and what you want to wear. I have a pair of Icon textile overpants that I sometimes wear when I go out for spirited riding but I never wear them to work simply because I don't feel like it.

[nycsteve]

Originally Posted by allanoue

Just get a size or 2 larger then what you normally fit and they will be conferrable, even more so if you go down. My jean size is 32 waist and I get 36 leathers. On and off quicker also. Work shoes go into my backpack with my laptop and lunch.

I basically do the the same! But i have textile overpants that I use.

Originally Posted by Motofool

No weird, just clean, dry, warm and isolated from the wind, debris and the erosive pavement.

Cordura and kevlar-reinforced-denim don't perform alike:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordura

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevlar

What about Kevlar jeans and exterior knee armor?

Motofool said it best: CLEAN, DRY, and WARM.

Kevlar jeans are cool i think, and i might invest in them some day, but you will get dirty and wet while on the bike. The overpants protect you from everything. I too thought about "looks" before i got my overpants, but 3 crashes later (one in the rain) all while commuting, I can say I'm extremely glad i purchased them. I was able to pick up the bike and keep on trucking... errr motorcycling or whatever to work! lol

I wear my business pants, underneath the overpants, along with work shirt. The wrinkles go away after an hour. I also wear full road race boots. In NYC no less.

Rev'it Axis overpants are extremely quick to get in and out of.

[e90]

Originally Posted by nycsteve

I basically do the the same! But i have textile overpants that I use.



Motofool said it best: CLEAN, DRY, and WARM.

Kevlar jeans are cool i think, and i might invest in them some day, but you will get dirty and wet while on the bike. The overpants protect you from everything. I too thought about "looks" before i got my overpants, but 3 crashes later (one in the rain) all while commuting, I can say I'm extremely glad i purchased them. I was able to pick up the bike and keep on trucking... errr motorcycling or whatever to work! lol

I wear my business pants, underneath the overpants, along with work shirt. The wrinkles go away after an hour. I also wear full road race boots. In NYC no less.

Rev'it Axis overpants are extremely quick to get in and out of.

I don't intend to ride in the cold at all or in the rain either. That's what cars are for

[lgk]

Originally Posted by e90

I don't intend to ride in the cold at all or in the rain either. That's what cars are for

lolwut

[e90]

Originally Posted by lgk

lolwut

I don't intend to ride my bike in under 15 degree C weather.. nor when it rains or rain is forecasted further in the day.

It is strictly a bike that is going to be ridden on hot sunny days. Otherwise I will be using my car.

[lgk]

Originally Posted by e90

I don't intend to ride my bike in under 15 degree C weather.. nor when it rains or rain is forecasted further in the day.

It is strictly a bike that is going to be ridden on hot sunny days. Otherwise I will be using my car.

i was just messing with you.

[dfox]

Originally Posted by e90

I don't intend to ride my bike in under 15 degree C weather.. nor when it rains or rain is forecasted further in the day.

It is strictly a bike that is going to be ridden on hot sunny days. Otherwise I will be using my car.

overpants suck in hot weather, no way around it. Mine are textile mesh, and they still suck.

that being said, I still wear mine. I have debated getting a set of knee pads and ditching the overpants on hot days like you're suggesting, especially since my commutes are low speed (under 35). But the lack of hip protection, and absence of a good knee pad that doesn't have a huge shin protector on it, (I ride with full on race boots, every day) has held me back from making the switch.

[Legend]

hey e90,

I posted on GTA too.

I bought a good set of overpants when I got my bike. Those lasted 3 days. End of July temps and overpants were a fail for me. I have no idea how people do it. I mean I am not enough with the rest of my gear, the pants were just too much for me. Passing out by overheating was something I decided to avoid.

I switched to jeans and armour (A* knee/shin and Knox Shorts). Bought my Draggin Jeans yesterday to replace my regular jeans so now I am ready for next season. I have TCX S Sportour boots so I have a fair amount of protection under the Kevlar reinforced jeans.

[tnr4]

The leg armor is good -- in fact, better than overpants, as armor in pants doesn't stay put very well in a crash (ask me how I know). But you might also want some hip/ass/coccyx armor. When I'm not wearing my leathers, I either wear overpants + knox knee/shin armor, or kevlar jeans + knox armor + dianese armored shorts. With the armored shorts and knox armor under the kevlar jeans, plus good boots (SMX5s for me), I feel very protected and look fairly normal from outside (well, no less normal than always ).

[NDspd]

These are what I'm wearing right now. http://www.compacc.com/p/Sliders-Kev...ding-Jeans-4-0 They have tons of kelar in the important areas, and they don't cost a lot. These are also way better than cheaply made Icon victory jeans....trust me I've "tested" them both.

[thumper64]

It was mentioned that the armor shifts while in a crash. Do any of the companies make overpants or regular pants that have an adequate method of keeping the armor in place? Damn the comfort, I can live with a little restriction and heat.

I can see a need for hip and knee protection. The knee pads on my pants cover the front, not the side at all. And there's not much of anything keeping them even facing forward. I feel a little naked still.

[Miles_Prower]

I have these: http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com...l.bok?no=13029
They work very well, are warm, waterpoof, CE armor in the knees, and pretty low key if you get the right size. I can put them on/take them off within 10 seconds right over my jeans. I don't ride in just jeans anymore..overpants or suit, thats it.

[tooblekain]

For knee and shin protection...and BMX, MTB, or even MX gear that you can easily strap or wrap around your leg that I wear under my slacks

Icon Automag Leather overpants...that way I can wear my work slacks underneath

Its full leather and not chaps, looks cool, provides protection, and the armor for the knee and shins is discreet.

[alex.s]

shorts are fine... YOLO right? those crocs will keep your feet from smelling bad too.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by tooblekain

For knee and shin protection...and BMX, MTB, or even MX gear that you can easily strap or wrap around your leg that I wear under my slacks

Icon Automag Leather overpants...that way I can wear my work slacks underneath

Its full leather and not chaps, looks cool, provides protection, and the armor for the knee and shins is discreet.

Any links, Matt?