"Best" biking trousers?

[Lonesome George]

There is a geeat thread here: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...st-boots-49406 about boots. Which are the best boots to combine riding and walking? (I still can't decide!). So I thought I'd ask the same about trousers. I know a lot of people swear by draggin jeans or hood jeans. But I just found these yesterday at my local Triumph dealers.

Bevan Motorcycles > Triumph Camo Pants

Triumph Camo pants. I know they aren't cheap but what I love about them is the fact that they are cut-offs. They unzip to make great shorts. (As well as being waterproof and windproof.) I've never come across motorbike trousers that unzip like this. I'm leaving on my RTW trip in July and am in the middle of buying all my biking stuff. I think I'll be investing in a pair of these next week (Even though I'll be riding a BMW). The only thing I don't like is the colour. I try to avoid anyhting military but it seems Triumph only do it in this one style.


But before I do - who can try to convince me that I'm making a big mistake and should be buying a different pair of trousers.

[motoreiter]

depends on where/when you're travelling, but seems to me like anything windproof/waterproof could be awfully hot in warm climates, both on the bike and as shorts.

Why do you need bike pants that convert into shorts anyway? Shorts take up about zero space.

If you really wanna go with this concept, BMW also makes a lighter, non-camo version:
Apparel - Pant - BMW Summer 2 Pants - - A&S BMW Motorcycle Parts and Accessories

[Flyingdoctor]

I'm a hood jeans fan.

Products

They look like ordinary jeans, because they are, but with the added protection of a kevlar inner. I find the kevlar keeps the heat out in the sun and is wind proof so keeps you warm when the weather isn't.

[Lonesome George]

Originally Posted by motoreiter

depends on where/when you're travelling, but seems to me like anything windproof/waterproof could be awfully hot in warm climates, both on the bike and as shorts.

Why do you need bike pants that convert into shorts anyway? Shorts take up about zero space.

If you really wanna go with this concept, BMW also makes a lighter, non-camo version:
Apparel - Pant - BMW Summer 2 Pants - - A&S BMW Motorcycle Parts and Accessories

Thanks for the link - a better colour option. With the Triumph ones, the inner lining (which is the waterproof bit) zips in and out, so you can wear them without the waterproofing making them lighter and cooler in summer.

I see your point that it is a bit gimmicky as a pair of shorts doesn't take up much room. I'm just thinking that when I arrive at a tourist spot and want to walk around, all I have to do is unzip my trousers and I've got shorts. I know, realistically, this may not happen all that often... I still think it's cool though!

[tomhughes209]

I have been thinking the same. I'd like a light colour for riding through the countries on the equator. Who makes the best and most reasonably priced light coloured jeans?

I'm going to go to A&S to try on their beige Kevlar jeans in a cargo pant style. They retail on ebay at £49.

Other than that I was thinking that I could put my thermal liner from my current jeans into whatever I'm able to get that is a more sensible lighter colour if I need extra warmth.

Any other ideas?

[Vaufi]

Originally Posted by Lonesome George

......

I see your point that it is a bit gimmicky as a pair of shorts doesn't take up much room. I'm just thinking that when I arrive at a tourist spot and want to walk around, all I have to do is unzip my trousers and I've got shorts. I know, realistically, this may not happen all that often... I still think it's cool though!

That's just the point. After sweating (& swearing) for years I found similar bike pants in light grey at a Hein Gericke shop. On long trips I do take a normal pair of shorts along, because the material of the bike pants is quite stiff. But when travelling in summer I enjoy zipping off the legs, get rid of the boots and relax with a cappucino

[SUPERENDURO]

For hot & sunny climate i choose my FLY Racing Patrol pant in sand/tan/beige color. (seems to be available in black only at the moment)
So I would get the KLIM Dakar Pants in light gray color if I needed a new pair of pants now.

[dave ett]

I have some Klim Dakar in blue and love them. So easy to get on over knee braces, and the back of the lower legs opens all the way to the knee, so getting boots on is simple. (Decent velcro holds them together again). And the zips do a great job of letting the air in and out!

Personally I think one piece of clothing to do all things is always going to be a compromise, and for me I prefer to seperate the functions: Protection, waterproofing, warmth.

Decent body armour, whatever jacket / trouser the climate dictates, then a seperate 'puffa' jacket and waterproof for sticking on top if it all gets too wet or cold. Waterproofs take up next to no space, and you find you can wear a North face (or whatever) padded jacket off the bike in the evening when the teperatures drop.

[swaino]

Have a look at these, i have a couple of pair, very comphy with extra protection.

Men's Fire Hose Loggers - Duluth Trading Company

[Mickey D]

I would not go with Jeans of any kind. Too hot and sticky, too heavy. A hassle to wash, take forever to dry. Have you toured much in hot and humid environs? Living off the bike you'll need stuff that is low maintenance, easy to wash, quick dry clothing.

Honestly, I'd rather take my leather pants than jeans.

But for travel I really like the Triumph pants, but seem too expensive. I love the KLIM and FLY pants. These make the most sense as a versatile travel pant. Light colors are the way to go. In cold climes you will have to wear something thin under (Silk or Wool ?) and put on Rain pants OVER to stay warm and dry. Rain pants use little space, cut wind, keep you much warmer. Easy on/off.

The Klim pants have vents that open and are pretty well made. I have been using several dirt based pants like these for years in hot climates.
I wear padded riding shorts under (hip, thigh, tail pads) and my own custom knee/shin pads. The shorts help with comfort and extend your riding day out a few hours as well. They wash up quick and dry in just a few hours.

BMW stuff is quite good but IMO, overpriced. A lot of the Asian stuff is just as good at 1/3 the price.


I am reviewing these First Gear TPG Escape pants at the moment. Not bad. $224 USD


First Gear Kathmandu pants! Great! $179 USD

[palace15]

Does anyone have any experience of 'Draggin Jeans'? ....good or bad!

[Mickey D]

Draggin jeans have been around for over 20 years. We tested them a decade ago. For round town, casual rides, they are great. Problem is, they offer only ONE type of protection. If you come off the bike nice and easy and just slide down the road ... then the Draggin Jeans will do a pretty good job of preventing road rash. But if you land HARD or hit something, they offer nothing to protect you beyond the basic fabric.

They have Kevlar somewhere in there and reinforced knees, butt and hips.
All good. But they provide no protection against impact. No armor, no padding.

In cool weather they should be fine, but I would wear hip and knee protection with them. In the UK they should be good as it rarely gets above
60F there. In the tropics or desert I'm thinking you would slowing roast then be par boiled in your own juices.

For extended travel what happens when they get soaked through? Jeans take a long time to dry unless you can find a Laundrette. These are perfect for quick errands or week end rides in good weather. (with additional protection). Very tough fabric, fit well, well made. About $100 usd.

[Jake]

I tried Hood jeans - in the UK similar to draggin jeans but have knee and hip armour if you want it. Being honest other than looking like your wearing jeans (and odd cut jeans at that) I found no good points at all and everything about them was unsuitable for bike riding.
1 They are very bulky and heavy compared to normal jeans.
2 If you want to look like your wearing normal jeans then these do not more so if you have armour in the hips and knees.
3 If its a hot day you sweat and boil up in them
4 If its cold and wet they get soaked and you freeze
(so they are no good for travelling or camping as you cant dry them)
5 Walking around in them is worse than wearing leathers (the Kevlar/aramid is like Nylon and is thick so you get very sweaty and hot so they are not practical off the bike.
6 For the price you could almost buy a decent comfortable basic motorbike trouser that works on and off the bike.
These are just my own opinion and finding - everyone to their own and you may love them but me I would rather just wear some Bike specific Lightweight summer trousers or cargo pants than these any day.

[kentbiker]

Originally Posted by Mickey D

Draggin jeans have been around for over 20 years. We tested them a decade ago. For round town, casual rides, they are great. Problem is, they offer only ONE type of protection. If you come off the bike nice and easy and just slide down the road ... then the Draggin Jeans will do a pretty good job of preventing road rash. But if you land HARD or hit something, they offer nothing to protect you beyond the basic fabric.

They have Kevlar somewhere in there and reinforced knees, butt and hips.
All good. But they provide no protection against impact. No armor, no padding.

In cool weather they should be fine, but I would wear hip and knee protection with them. In the UK they should be good as it rarely gets above
60F there. In the tropics or desert I'm thinking you would slowing roast then be par boiled in your own juices.

For extended travel what happens when they get soaked through? Jeans take a long time to dry unless you can find a Laundrette. These are perfect for quick errands or week end rides in good weather. (with additional protection). Very tough fabric, fit well, well made. About $100 usd.

I use Draggin jeans for short trips especially if I want to walk or socialise at my destination. I feel they're a good compromise between protection and comfort but I wouldn't take them on a tour, long or short. Nowhere near enough protection.
BTW, I don't know what parts of the UK you've been to but today was around 25/26 celsius in London. And it'll be over 35 this summer. I'll leave it to you to convert that into your american degrees farenheit, but it's way more than 60!

Geoff

[Stormboy]

Originally Posted by Mickey D

Draggin jeans have been around for over 20 years. We tested them a decade ago. For round town, casual rides, they are great. Problem is, they offer only ONE type of protection. If you come off the bike nice and easy and just slide down the road ... then the Draggin Jeans will do a pretty good job of preventing road rash. But if you land HARD or hit something, they offer nothing to protect you beyond the basic fabric.

They have Kevlar somewhere in there and reinforced knees, butt and hips.
All good. But they provide no protection against impact. No armor, no padding.

REALLY?

[url=http://www.dragginjeans.net/product/hip%20armour]Draggin Jeans is the world leader in casual motorcycle clothing with Kevlar