Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Camping Equipment and all Clothing
Camping Equipment and all Clothing Tents, sleeping bags, stoves etc. Riding clothing, boots, helmets, what to wear when not riding, etc.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia




Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 24 Aug 2009
Airhead Wrangler's Avatar
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Seattle
Posts: 14
Riding pants or Carhardts + armor?

I'm about to set off for South America for 6-9 months and am still debating what to wear for pants. I have a pair of revit dakar pants that get a little too hot and the armor doesn't seem to stay where it's supposed to. For that matter I've never found a pair of riding pants that fit me well and are easy and comfortable to wear. I'm wondering if I should just forget about riding pants and get some heavy carhardt work pants and wear some strap-on MX style knee/shin armor over them. This would make getting off the bike and walking around in towns much easier and less conspicuous as well. For rain gear I'd just have some waterproof overpants that I can pull on over my boots. I also hate that riding pants use waterproof liners. When it's hot and steamy I won't have the liners in, but then that tropical rain comes all of a sudden and I have to pull over and strip on the side of the road in the rain to put my liners in. That's just stupid. Any opinions out there?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 24 Aug 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Dreaming of travelling and riding bikes in general..
Posts: 445
Sounds like you're not happy with your Dakar pants. Perhaps it's time to try some other combinations. The Dakars aren't perfect but without the liners they do cover a wide range of temperatures, are easy to clean, look marginally less like a multi-coloured stormtrooper and the loose fit does help with the cooling. I used my set in Africa (West Coast, N to S) and I'll use a new set for my Russia trip next year.
__________________
Find out details of my 2011 trip to Siberia on a lightweight dirtbike:
www.brighton2expeditions.co.uk
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 25 Aug 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 166
riding pants are the best camping trousers ever. mine are bmw jobs with plenty venting, armour and not too silly a colour scheme.

why bother putting liners in for a tropical storm? you're not made of sugar, who cares if you get a tad wet, as long as it's warm? anyhow if they're goretex liners they rely on a humidity gradient to get sweat from in to out. so are therefore useless if it's hot and wet.

cheers,
andy.
__________________
www.outforaspin.blogspot.com
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 25 Aug 2009
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 376
Have you seen the Klim Dakar pants? Seach on Avdrider.com and you'll find all you need to know.

I'm wearing those with some EVS vision knee brace / guards for riding in morocco. Only going for a few weeks, but the temps and roads will be similar to what you'll be doing.

I have a pair of waterproof trousers with zips all the way from the ankle to the waist, so I don't even have to pull them over boots - just stand, wrap and zip!

Any single garment which aims to be all things is always going to be a compromise. I went down the route of:

Armour strapped to my knees where I'll need it and it'll stay put.

Tough trousers with extra venting to keep me cool.

Waterproofs to keep water out.

And I bet it's no more bulky than an all-in-one pant.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 25 Aug 2009
Dodger's Avatar
Large Golden Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 1,085
You might want to keep looking for a comfortable set of riding pants ,however in the meantime check out some Wrangler Rigg pants ,they are made of tough material and have cargo pockets ,which helps when you need to carry a lot of stuff on your person .
Riding pants usually have pathetic pockets .
I hate to say it but , some of the BMW pants are quite good and are available in wierd sizes for abnormally shaped buggers .
__________________
Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 26 Aug 2009
stuxtttr's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Lutterworth,Midlands, UK
Posts: 576
Must say I am happy with my BMW city pants they have good armour, they do get hotter than normal but they blend in well, although without any extra work they are only light shower proof but this doesant sound like it would be a problem for you.

In the past I have worn combat trousers with mx armour over or under at the knees, with a gore tex camo overtrousers for very wet conditions this combo works great and covers all conditions. plus it costs a lot less than the BMW pants did.

for better protection what about draggins or similar and just nikwax then that would be a great combo and would protect against gravel rash as you dont always fall and slide on your knees !
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 26 Aug 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: johannesburg - south africa
Posts: 108
Riding pants

About 18 months ago I bought a pair of BMW pants made of some sort of magic fabric: they breathe when it's hot, close up when it's cold and for the first 12 months they really did not let a single drop in. The weakness is always at the pocket zips - about 6 weeks ago I rode non stop in the rain for three hours and I was wet to the toe tips inside my (still waterproof after a year) offroad boots. And it was never over 12 deg C. At the price I think only a year's good performance is simply not enough and I won't buy them again. But they still look decent.

End of 2005 in South America I wore weatherproof (lined) pants and I will not EVER do that again. They should sell those things with a trailer full of sugar soap and deodorant!

The BMW pants' armour is still the most comfortable I've experienced and now I just take a rain suit along...
__________________
"The fates lead him who will; him who won't they drag." - Anon
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Vented Riding Pants STG06 Camping Equipment and all Clothing 14 23 Sep 2008 13:03
Need Riding Pants in Buenos Aires jolaglabek TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 1 10 Jan 2008 15:01
riding pants? klr650tr Camping Equipment and all Clothing 17 8 Feb 2007 00:56
Riding pants for short women rswisher Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 3 20 Oct 2006 14:45

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 17:42.