Leather pants or chaps?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 60
From: Greer, South Carolina
Chaps are better for me because, they come off easy. When I start out on a cold morning I'm wearin' the chaps and by noon I don't need them. Just unbuckle and unzip and stuff 'em in the saddlebag.
My $0.02
My $0.02
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 13,422
Likes: 2
From: Las Cruces, NM
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 862
Likes: 3
From: East Tennessee
I was in Nevada and California looking for a pair of leather pants since I've lost quite a bit of weight, and my FXRG pants look like clown pants. All I was able to find were chaps, or leather pants/jeans with no armor pouches.
Online I found a very nice pair of leathers from Alpinestars for cruising, complete with armor pockets in knees, and hips - although they appear to be discontinued. But it occurred to me that chaps might be a more versatile option. I have a pair of Sartso Killer kevlar pants with armor for cruising around town, and I could put on chaps for added protection on longer trips.
I'd like something that I can wear off my bike as well as on it. I'm also a bit concerned about excessive heat in the summer, as I sweat a lot - although non-perforated leather pants without vents are not exactly cool, either.
Any experience on pants vs chaps from those with more miles than me?
Online I found a very nice pair of leathers from Alpinestars for cruising, complete with armor pockets in knees, and hips - although they appear to be discontinued. But it occurred to me that chaps might be a more versatile option. I have a pair of Sartso Killer kevlar pants with armor for cruising around town, and I could put on chaps for added protection on longer trips.
I'd like something that I can wear off my bike as well as on it. I'm also a bit concerned about excessive heat in the summer, as I sweat a lot - although non-perforated leather pants without vents are not exactly cool, either.
Any experience on pants vs chaps from those with more miles than me?
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 710
Likes: 7
From: Colorado
I wear leather overpants for winter, spring and fall riding where the temperature is consistently below about 55 degrees. Over jeans I don't feel the need for heated pant liners. SInce they are overpants, they are as easy to put on and take off as chaps.
During the summer and when temperatures are consistently over 50 degrees I wear chaps. If it gets really hot I can take them off and store them in my saddlebags. I always carry chaps though. Even on the hottest summer days there can be a 40 degree change in temperature as elevation changes in the course of a ride through the mountains.
During the summer and when temperatures are consistently over 50 degrees I wear chaps. If it gets really hot I can take them off and store them in my saddlebags. I always carry chaps though. Even on the hottest summer days there can be a 40 degree change in temperature as elevation changes in the course of a ride through the mountains.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,780
Likes: 69
From: Al Bu Ker Key, New Mexico
Chaps for me when it cold. Also will wear in the summer on long road trips just to keep the interstate grime and bugs off my pant legs. I'll leave the leather pants to Billy Idol.