What to wear?

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Oct 20, 2009 | 01:14 AM

#11

surfcitybum

Road Captain

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 690

Likes: 0

From: Huntington Beach, SoCal

Have a pair of chaps but I think I've worn them 2 times in the last 5 years (doesn't really get too cold out here in HB) but when I did, they were just what the doctor ordered.

Oct 20, 2009 | 01:41 AM

#12

krashed

Tourer

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 326

Likes: 0

From: Central AR - Ozark Foohills

Here in Arkansas the weather is not as cold. I use chaps that are lined and ride in the 30's. As another has said when I stop for a while for coffee snap, snap, zip, zip, they are easy to get off. Your body core will warm up faster than when you are wearing all that gear that still cold from the ride.

Oct 20, 2009 | 01:58 AM

#13

RKKY

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 2,049

Likes: 6

From: Oregon City, OR

I wear Jeans, boots and big a$$ wool socks that almost get to my knees. Little chilly but not miserable. May pick up something warmer for the legs this winter. Of course I don't think it gets as cold here in Oregon City as it does in Michigan. With all the moisture up here and the nice shady and windy stretches of road I have to ride to get anywhere from my house I have pretty much stopped riding if it's below 35. If it's 35 at the house, those sections of the road more than likely have a nice layer of ice over them. Slid through the turns once too many last winter and implemented the 35 degree rule.

I'll probably buy something along these lines before too long up here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Polypropylene-Th...item99ab18160e

Oct 20, 2009 | 02:38 AM

#14

Mike

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 6,786

Likes: 40

From: Centralia, Wa

Chaps are fine for cool weather riding. If it's raining, waterproof textile pants are a better bet.

Oct 20, 2009 | 06:53 AM

#15

carlgrover

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 8,852

Likes: 2,493

From: Decatur, Alabama

I have worn leather pants but in really cold weather you will need to wear insulated long johns underneath them. I have also worn flannel lined jeans. They are good for cool days but not really cold ones. When it gets real nippy, below 45, I wear textile, lined, overpants. These keep me warm down to about 35 or so.

The Gerbings heated gear is on it's way for the really cold weather.

I don't think there is any "best" gear but I like the overpants since I can take them off when I get to wherever I'm going. I've never worn chaps so can't comment on them.

For gloves I wear leather in cool weather and Tourmaster polar tex gloves for the under 45 temps. The Gerbings heated gloves are on their way.

Oct 20, 2009 | 07:06 AM

#16

spence222

Road Warrior

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 1,271

Likes: 1

From: Northern MI

Here in Northern Michigan we opt for a Down sleeping bag with holes strategically placed for our feet to slide thru....

Oct 20, 2009 | 07:59 AM

#17

piasspj

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 9,208

Likes: 374

From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74

Chaps to block the wind, mainly because they are easy to take off, put on and pack light. Insulate as required underneath.

Oct 20, 2009 | 09:01 AM

#18

gmc

Road Warrior

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 1,802

Likes: 2

From: Salt Lake City, UT. Dushore, Pa.

Chaps make it feel at least 10-15 degrees warmer. Try Road Spirit soft lowers also. Then electric stuff and UA if it's really cold which I know it gets in MI., lived in Midland for 11 years.