Riding warmth
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 87,496
From: Western South Dakota
Mostly though, just don't ride under your age for a temp and you should be ok.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,117
Likes: 1,192
From: Maryland
I'm a 35 waist. I got them in 34. Fit perfectly. 36 was too big for me. I don't have any problem with the overpants accommodating jeans and UA base layer (or long johns) underneath. So, no, you want to get them to fit your waist size. You should be good to go with whatever layering you want to do underneath.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 46
Likes: 10
From: Colorado
If you like the idea of Gaiters but want something designed specifically for motorcyclists; Colorado Chaps offers 'Spat Chaps.'
They are taller and thicker across the front of your leg than a gaiter which will give you more windchill protections. They are also made of ballistic nylon is case of an unplanned dismount.
https://www.coloradochaps.com/
They are taller and thicker across the front of your leg than a gaiter which will give you more windchill protections. They are also made of ballistic nylon is case of an unplanned dismount.
https://www.coloradochaps.com/
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,004
Likes: 2,329
From: Camp Lejeune, NC
As the chaps debate goes....
I use leather over pants. Have the following:
https://www.firstmfg.com/collections...ucts/the-baron
Same conveniences as chaps. They have full length zippered legs down the side and snaps on the bottom. You can take them off and put them on same way you do chaps. No butt or crotch exposed (both warmer and safer). They have normal pockets in front. In back they have one normal pocket and one zippered opening to allow access to your wallet in your jeans underneath. I wear them with jeans and UA base layer. So far so good.
I use leather over pants. Have the following:
https://www.firstmfg.com/collections...ucts/the-baron
Same conveniences as chaps. They have full length zippered legs down the side and snaps on the bottom. You can take them off and put them on same way you do chaps. No butt or crotch exposed (both warmer and safer). They have normal pockets in front. In back they have one normal pocket and one zippered opening to allow access to your wallet in your jeans underneath. I wear them with jeans and UA base layer. So far so good.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,117
Likes: 1,192
From: Maryland
I say all that, but I have actually been a place or two after a ride where I had to stay in my base layer/long Johns and jeans. It was actually no problem and I was pretty comfortable. Each time I had UA base layer (long johns) on. They breath well and are thin/comfortable. Actually, I had caught a little bit of a chill on the rides and was glad to still have the UA's on for a while.
Last edited by T^2; Dec 7, 2016 at 11:32 AM.
Novice
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 22
Likes: 3
From: Alaska
I wear Langlitz westerns pull over leather pants. They are expensive, but warm, and keep you dry even in heavy rain. I got mine with 28 inch leg zippers, and they can go on over jeans, or long johns in the late fall.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,323
Likes: 37
From: NJ
Today at 56 I years old i won't ride below 55 degrees. (General rule of thumb)
Not proud of it but.......tis what it is.
Why? Cause I just don't enjoy it anymore and because I don't have to. Lol
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I wear fleece lined jeans that I picked up at Cabelas on sale for about $30 a couple of years ago. Love them. Pair them with leather legs gator style chaps and I am comfortable easily into the 20's.
Trick is to not wear layers under them and make sure they fit loosely. This is so they will trap the warmth from your body, just like home insulation and goose down in jackets (loft), to keep you warm. For the leather legs, I bought a 1" extension for when I wear them over the fleece lined jeans. That way they will also fit normal jeans without the extension.
I also wear a Columbia omni-heat jacket liner from my Columbia parka. Between the above and the Columbia liner, I stay toasty warm.
Trick is to not wear layers under them and make sure they fit loosely. This is so they will trap the warmth from your body, just like home insulation and goose down in jackets (loft), to keep you warm. For the leather legs, I bought a 1" extension for when I wear them over the fleece lined jeans. That way they will also fit normal jeans without the extension.
I also wear a Columbia omni-heat jacket liner from my Columbia parka. Between the above and the Columbia liner, I stay toasty warm.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 758
Likes: 134
From: Florida Panhandle
That rule isn't exact as I know 70 year olds that ride in the 40s-50s...but it's a good rule of thumb