I don't do a lot of cold riding, but if my day starts out below 65, i'm taking 2 minutes out of my life to throw my chaps on, and then a whole minute to throw them in a saddle bag once the low 70's makes it presence. They're great when you have that pissy foggy weather hanging about.
I wear chaps with snap in liners when temps are between 30* and 50*. They work very well. Once the temps are below 30*, I wear insulated leather overalls. I have worn them as low as 12* and they're marvelous. I don't use heated gear. I layer under my jacket above the waist. With the chaps, once the temps drop below 30*, I've found the uncovered crotch area begins to suffer from the cold wind passing over to the point of burning. I can ride with my chaps for hours comfortably as long as my upper body is layered well.
I've lived in New England and I've live along the Wasatch Front and I've never owned or worn a pair of chaps. I guess some folks like them but I've never seen the need especially now that I live in Florida. I figure since I've never seen a snow ply down here then it never really gets that cold. The do look good on long legged women though. But on men, not so much.
I abandoned my chaps 10 years ago when I discovered flannel lined jeans. I live in the Atlanta area and ride year round - it's never been too cold for anything other than the flannel lined for a typical commute. Now, if I'm headed out on a 400 mile lunch ride in 35-40 degree weather I'll throw the overpants on as well.
I abandoned my chaps 10 years ago when I discovered flannel lined jeans. I live in the Atlanta area and ride year round - it's never been too cold for anything other than the flannel lined for a typical commute. Now, if I'm headed out on a 400 mile lunch ride in 35-40 degree weather I'll throw the overpants on as well.
I have a nice pair of flannel lined jeans and they are great in the cold weather, but it's a pain in the a** to have to change my jeans once I get to work. I think the chaps will be a good solution.
You could try freeze out gear. I used it when I was riding in the Bay Area in CA as rolling up in the mountains would drop the temp sometimes 40 degrees. You can wear under jeans pretty comfy all day unless it’s real hot in the work place.
The freeze out gear was on clearance with cycle gear earlier this year for like 80% off.
I had horse hide chaps for years on my metric cruiser. Work well. Unless it rains. Then you have to pull over and squeeze rain pants over them. If you do buy chaps, don't bother with the thin lamb-skin, fashionista kind. Get horse hide or at the least cow-hide. If you have crash bars, put the leather wind covers on them also.
Now I wear insulated Carhart jeans. I put long johns under them last week in mid to upper 40's. My plan is to get textile pants this winter or use my snowmobile pants.
If you want chaps, I have these heavy horsehide with industrial zippers. They fit my fat **** up to my 44" waist. They can be adjusted down. 32" inseam and they run a bit long to cover boots. PM me if interested.
I ride in cold tems often and use Milwaukee lined chaps to keep warm and somewhat dry in light rain. Easy to put on over your jeans, they roll up well and slip into my saddlebag, the thermal liner is removable, and their leather quality is good.
Since flannel lined jeans, the chaps hardly get used. Mainly as another layer. I keep my torso heated electrically. When it gets down to around freezing (32), I'm pretty much done riding.
11-11-2018, 06:10 PM
