Pants Input

[Dredgshadow]

I'm having some trouble finding some riding pants. Most people, me included, get the jacket, gloves and boots as their first gear purchase. (helmet should be a given.) What I have thought about since beginning to ride last year is that pants are probably more important because like skateboarding or bike riding, the knee is what hits first. Shoulder armor in my leather jacket isn't gonna do a darn thing to help that. Therefore, after being lucky to not hit the ground yet I decided that I will not ride again until I have proper pants.
The problem;
I am an internet searcher to the max. I look up every option and try to make the best decision from that. Pants have really been a big issue. My needs are to absolutely without any question have knee armor. Period. Hip armor is usually associated with knee and I want that too. I know leather is better, but I would be okay with a high quality textile. Mesh is out. The issue is that I find full on race pants with knee pucks and the whole deal or I find textile overpants that are basically just for abrasion resistance. Kinda extreme or nothing.
I have seen some pants like the Spidi Hurricane, A* A-10 and Dianese Drake Airs that seem okay but I have no personal input. I'm looking at approximately $300 or so.
Thanks for any input. Not looking for a direct answer, but maybe just a push in the right direction.
Spring is almost here!
Mike

[jeffb502]

In the what's everyone wearing for pants thread the AGV Sport Willow are a fairly popular, relatively low cost, leather pant. They're less than $200, and come in perforated or non-perforated versions. I have a pair myself. Like you, I don't find the knee pucks necessary at this point. I decided having the pucks wasn't a big deal, even though I'm not planning to use them any time soon.

If you're extremely anti knee puck you could just remove them; usually they're stuck on with velcro. I think the more protective leather pants are going to be more race oriented, so finding a nice protective pair of leather pants without pucks might not be very easy (as you've discovered).

[Dredgshadow]

Originally Posted by jeffb502

In the what's everyone wearing for pants thread the AGV Sport Willow are a fairly popular, relatively low cost, leather pant. They're less than $200, and come in perforated or non-perforated versions. I have a pair myself. Like you, I don't find the knee pucks necessary at this point. I decided having the pucks wasn't a big deal, even though I'm not planning to use them any time soon.

If you're extremely anti knee puck you could just remove them; usually they're stuck on with velcro. I think the more protective leather pants are going to be more race oriented, so finding a nice protective pair of leather pants without pucks might not be very easy (as you've discovered).

I forgot about those from when I browsed previously. Great suggestion! I am not anti knee puck, it was just an example of how you have race pants or casuals and I'd like a middle ground. Off to look at those.
Thanks

[Yarhj]

After a parking lot drop in which I was wearing jeans, I decided to get a used Aerositch Roadcrafter off of ebay, which has been fantastic. Aerostich also sells a two-piece version of the Roadcrafter, so you might be able to find some used Roadcrafter or Darien pants for (relatively) cheap!

[CaptainPlatypus]

At this point I just use kevlar jeans and/or leather chaps, with separate knee armor to protect against impacts. Not an ideal solution, but an extremely budget-friendly one. Dunno if you're as willing to futz around with multiple pieces of gear as I am, but when I'm already putting on earplugs, helmet, jacket, and gloves, tossing on a couple of knee guards ain't the end of the world.

[rasta]

I'm confused...you are looking for leathers (or textile) with knee and hip armor, but don't want "full on race pants." Do you see why that confuses me?

[Sirref]

I'd recommend RHOK jeans, from what I've heard they're super comfortable and convenient while still being protective. Currently I'm just using knee/shin guards which I leave in my backpack when I get places but down the line when the budget allows for it I'll be getting a pair or two of these jeans.

http://www.rhok.com.au/jeans.htm Reading it pretty much sells itself, made by motorcyclists for motorcyclists.

[JohnnyBravo]

Icon hooligan overpants

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by rasta

I'm confused...you are looking for leathers (or textile) with knee and hip armor, but don't want "full on race pants." Do you see why that confuses me?

Yeah, exactly.

Pants like the Willows (which are what I have) fall into that "full on race" category. They're snug, especially around the lower leg, and designed to fit inside your boots. They are definitely not styled like street clothes.

There's a reason for this. It's not fashion. It's so that the armor won't move if you go down. That's much of the point of wearing this stuff.

Street clothing (and motorcycle clothing styled to look like it) is relatively baggy. Assuming you don't wear armor on your body (e.g. strap-on knee protection, Bohn armored underwear) what's going to keep those pads in place?

You do know that the knee pucks come off right? They're just held on with Velcro.