Riding pants for warm weather

[Unnamed]

With summer coming up, I'm looking into a set of riding pants that will protect me while being comfortable in the Chicago heat (105+ at times). I'm disinclined to get full leather since I think I'll melt, and most of my travel will only be a few miles at a time. Since a lot of this time will be spent learning (I'm a newb) I think a lot of it will be spent at lower speeds while I learn. I'm inclined towards armored jeans like Draggin Jeans because they're lighter and still look good, but the other options are tempting, like mesh leathers. What kinds do you wear/ what kinds will hold up reasonably well at low speed (less than freeway) falls?

[My Name Is Dave]

I've heard to avoid Draggin jeans because they're not much better than normal denim. Get some textile or mesh/leathers like you said. Even at low speeds, pavement is pavement.

My balls get hot in my leathers even when it's in the 60s here, so I'd probably not throw them on in Chicago.

[secondgen7]

I got a pair of Gericke cargo (over)pants for Christmas and have worn them almost every day since then (I commute on the GS).  The liner works well for rain and cool/cold (20s+) weather and it allows a good amount of air to flow through without the liner.  That's important for the Hotlanta summers.  I also like the fact that they're equally comfortable when worn over jeans or shorts (for those short jaunts on really hot days). 

My only gripe is that the knee armor kind of "floats" .. meaning it's a bit loose.  But it stays in (a good) position when I'm on the bike.  They also have pockets for hip armor, which I'll probably pick up eventually. 

So far I'm really happy with them.  I haven't had to put them to the test but am confident they'd protect me better than regular jeans or khakis.  Not sure what they cost but I'd guess it was somewhere around $120.

[Mandres]

How much are you looking to spend?  The best is probably the motoport air mesh kevlar riding pants.  They'll run you about $300 and take 6 weeks+ to make.

www.motoport.com



If you're not looking to spend that much most of the major manufacturers make armored mesh overpants in various styles.  Have a look around www.newenough.com and see what fits your style / budget.

-M

[LimaXray]

hey those are sexy!

[Unnamed]

I do like those pants, unfortunately I don't really care to spend 6 week waiting to ride so I think I'll go for something off the shelf 

What mesh pants and jackets do people own and recommend/ have horror stories about?

[Alphamazing]

I do like those pants, unfortunately I don't really care to spend 6 week waiting to ride so I think I'll go for something off the shelf 

What mesh pants and jackets do people own and recommend/ have horror stories about?

My father owns a pair of Fieldsheer mesh pants he really likes. They go over his jeans. They are called Titanium Air. Not sure if they are 1 or 2, but he really likes them for hot weather riding.

I do like those pants, unfortunately I don't really care to spend 6 week waiting to ride so I think I'll go for something off the shelf 

What mesh pants and jackets do people own and recommend/ have horror stories about?

Also, NewEnough doesn't take 6 weeks to get you something. You'll usually get your gear in about 1 week.

[jake42]

I have a pair of joe rocket phoenix mesh armor pants that I wear year round, mainly becuase they're all I own. They're not bad in warm weather and they have the armor in the knees, hips and some nice padding int he crotchal area.

Jake

[mike_mike]

I need some riding pants, jeans feel a little too unsafe at speed...

*pavement vs levis... hmm *

[oramac]

I just invested in some chaps. 

[mike_mike]

I just invested in some chaps. 

assless chaps?

[oramac]

ahem...yes.

[FearedGS500]

i have the Icon-Recon pants... theres no armor . but there think denim .. 14oz. there heavy but the strechy part lest so cool air in you just have to spreed your legs for a sec.    but i have them on no matter where i go when i'm on my bike

heres your link  http://www.pitposse.com/noname50.html

[cell_491]

i would either go with some icon strongarm pants...or just get a pair of dickies (the kind with the knee pads should give more than enough protection).

[My Name Is Dave]

i would either go with some icon strongarm pants...or just get a pair of dickies (the kind with the knee pads should give more than enough protection).

More than enough protection for what, a spill at 8 mph? I'd have to see these to believe that they're gonna protect you in a real accident.

[on2wheels]

I've heard to avoid Draggin jeans because they're not much better than normal denim.

I wear Draggin jeans and find them very comfortable and thought that they provide quite good rash protection. I thankfully haven't had the opportunity to test them out and hopefully I won't have to, but your comment does concern me. Can you or anyone else provide info on why they are no good?

[joedude]

I remember seeing some riding pants that had cloth mesh (kinda like basketball jersey material but I'm sure it was stronger and probably not as open) and it had armor at the usual contact points (knees, hips, lower back).

I don't remember where I saw them (I'm thinking eBay), and I can't seem to find any now... I think they would be Ideal riding pants, if needed, you could just wear something heavier underneath for warmth when that time of year comes along, rather than buying 2 sets of pants.

****EDIT****Just found em:
they're called the Phoenix 2.0 and they're made by Joe Rocket

[cell_491]

i would either go with some icon strongarm pants...or just get a pair of dickies (the kind with the knee pads should give more than enough protection).

More than enough protection for what, a spill at 8 mph? I'd have to see these to believe that they're gonna protect you in a real accident.

the dickies i have are actually thicker than the icon riding jeans we sell in our shop and they only cost about $35

[jake42]

Those are what I have. They are pretty decent warm weather pants.  They do have the armor in the usual places. I use them as my all year round pants cuz i'm too cheap to buy another pair.  Then only complaint i have about them is that the velcro at the ankles tends to come undone alot.

Jake

I remember seeing some riding pants that had cloth mesh (kinda like basketball jersey material but I'm sure it was stronger and probably not as open) and it had armor at the usual contact points (knees, hips, lower back).

I don't remember where I saw them (I'm thinking eBay), and I can't seem to find any now... I think they would be Ideal riding pants, if needed, you could just wear something heavier underneath for warmth when that time of year comes along, rather than buying 2 sets of pants.

****EDIT****Just found em:
they're called the Phoenix 2.0 and they're made by Joe Rocket

[Mandres]

I wouldn't trust Levis, Dickies or Draggin Jeans / Icon jeans.  They all offer no impact protection (armor) or much abrasion resistance.  Check out this thread for information / gruesome pictures about crashing in denim pants:

http://www.sportbikes.net/forums/showthread.php?t=309362&highlight=jeans+website

-M