Darien Jackets (regular/light)

**butchman** · #1 24 Jan 2004

G'Day.
anyone has experience with the Aerostich Darien Jackets? they make two version, the Darien and the Darien Light.

regards,
BUTCH
www.butchshanghai.com

**Stephen** · #2 25 Jan 2004

G'Day.
anyone has experience with the Aerostich Darien Jackets? they make two version, the Darien and the Darien Light.

Hi,
I have a Darien not the the light and its an OK jacket. Keeps the rain off, comfortable and loads of pockets most of which are not rain proof. Its been for a slide on wet oily black stuff no problems,hardly a mark, yet on a simple drop in a car park and it holed. who can tell? I like it but then I got is second hand and quite cheap. If you take the inner fleece jacket out there is nothing inside, just the codura or what ever they are made of and the armour fits using velcro strips. To sum up it was easily worth the money I spent on it but I wouldn't buy one for the full asking price.
Chris Scott owned it before me and used it in BC see "Call of the Wild" tape/DVD. He also mentions the performance on his website.

Hope this helps

Steve

**Sean Kelly** · #3 26 Jan 2004

Hi

Just my two cents worth... I wore my regular Darien on my RTW trip and overall it was fine. I had one 'off' at maybe 40mph with no damage to the jacket at all. Good body armour.

The material is quite stiff even after washing and rough around your neck. Lots of pockets are great, but they aren't waterproof which means you can't always use them.

The jacket 'shell' is line with goretex and this becomes damaged and dirty and therefore will leak. Also, these breathable membranes don't and I wouldn't choose such a jacket with one for another trip in a hot climate.

Rather than one jacket that compromises everything I reckon layering is the way to go. I'd prefer to take a cheap one piece oversuit for raing days over a lightweight well vented jacket with a fleece liner for colder days.

------------------
Sean

**Jerome** · #4 21 Feb 2004

Hi,

I've had both light and normal (with the trousers). i sold the light beacuse i thought it was not strong enough and use the normal one every day.

i agree the pockets are not waterproof, nor are the arms in heavy rain.

they are amazingly practical. ive tried several and prefer my darien.

i sorted the rough colloar by having a bit from and old scarf professionally sewn in.

i had an elasticated bit to connect to the trousers (but never use it)

i also had a dainese back protector put in as the aerostch stich one is a bit of a joke in comparison.

------------------
Jerome

http://www.fowb.co.uk

**Ian** · #5 3 Apr 2004

Any opinions on the suitability of the Darien light in cold weather (like a British winter), given a few layers underneath?

Does the riding outfit suitable for both the Sahara and Iceland exist?

[This message has been edited by Ian (edited 02 April 2004).]

**DaveSmith** · #6 12 Jun 2004

I've been looking into Darien jackets too. I need something for hot humid weather and I'm not sure how they are.

I know you can bundle up under them as they fit loose, but still haven't found a good hot weather jacket. If anyone has any ideas, please share them.

**Kpick** · #7 14 Jun 2004

Hey guys,
I too have both the light and reg. I have been using the "light" in the hotter months and also in the dead of winter. I just plug in the electric vest!
Best combination I've found so far.
good luck,
Kevin

**Chris Scott** · #8 9 Jul 2004

I think Kevin's Light + electric in winter is the best idea - I have both but have yet to try out the vest on a cold ride.
It makes sense to use the bike's electrics to heat you up so you dont have to dress like a bag lady in 3 overcoats.

Chris

------------------
Author of Sahara Overland and the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, among other things

http://www.sahara-overland.com and http://www.adventure-motorcycling.com

**LordStig** · #9 5 Aug 2004

It does make sense! But I can't help thinking that clothes don't normally go "pop" and leave you shivering in the middle of winter, miles from anywhere. But then, life's a gamble, eh?

Stig

**Bill Shockley** · #10 16 Aug 2004

Hello,
I have the Darien Light with 100K miles and used in in Wisconsin weather at below freezing temps. I just got back from the Arctic Circle but it was HOT there and on fire. I use an electric vest and a fleece liner for cold temps and need both. According to the manufacturer the light version is warmer than the regular as it conforms better and neither offer any insulation(snowboarders use it).
My jacket does not leak but you have to keep it up where the pads wear on the membrane. Every 10K turn it inside out and look for wear spots, you will be suprised. I repaired the wear spots with Aquaseal(sold by Aerostitch) since the spots were small and I did not care about losing a little breathability. As for warm temps, in my opinion nothing works well but a wet cotton long sleeved t-shirted worn under the jacket at 100 degrees F. make me so cold I have to zip the jacket at speeds above 40 mph with the sleeves and pits open and the back vent unzipped.
I have crashed so many times riding off road I have forgotten the count but never done any severe damage to the jacket. I carry a spare swatch of cloth and aquaseal just in case. Hope this helps. Bill.

**Sean Kelly** · #11 16 Aug 2004

Hi

Oh, and the goretex lining feels horribly clammy against the skin, long sleeved shirts only!

------------------
Sean

**Melon Man** · #12 30 Aug 2004

I have Darren Jacket, Hi-Vis yellow. This jacket is extremely waterproof. After washing I apply ScotchGuard for ourdoodr clothing. Helps to bead the water off but leaves a bit of a stink for a few days.

I have had probelsm with the velco comming off where the padding is attched. I'm sending the jacket back for repair this fall.

The jacket was quite stiff until washed a number of times. Now it is quite comfortable. The liner is excellent, however you can purchase any fleece liner for the task at likely 1/2 the price..

Overall good value for the money.