What do you wear on your legs?

**Matt Cartney** · #1 15 Apr 2008

My beloved Draggin cargo pants are finally on their way out. I may yet just buy another pair but am curious as to what other options are out there. I'd like something tough and comfortable which wouldn't look totally out of place while wandering around off the bike.

I have waterproof overtrousers for when it gets wet, and don't want anything too nylony if you see what I mean. However, a little bit of showerproofing would be nice, but not vital. Oh, and as much as possible under a hundred quid is my price range!

Thanks for any leads you can give me!

Matt

**spooky** · #2 15 Apr 2008

just up front... ;o)
I'm not from the south of Germany.... so stop grinning... ;o)

Now seriously... leather jeans are cheap to fetch and in practice every day usable... stop to sneer at me... ;o)

I know you Brits think either leather jeans are for gays or Bavarian Germans.... ;o)
well is there a difference I ask you guys back ... ;o)
(if some Bavarian are reading this.... sorry folks, but that what the rest of the world think about you.... get on with it... ;o)

any way... coming to the point and back to your question.......... I had my "raw surface Nubuk leather Jeans" from HeinGerecke for 50-Euros that is about £35 quit.......... ;o)
This trousers last for ever, can cope with wet weather if it's drizzling or the spray of the road. Additionally for heavy rain a pair of MOD-Goretex dose the rest.... ;o)
If you scrape the tarmac they are not burning in to your skin as the cotton ones do, are made with safe seams, have small hip pockets to slot in some protector pads, but leak out the knee protectors.... what a pity... other than that they are proper bike trousers.
This leather Jeans are not as heavy compare to the classic biker leathers, can be worn in 3-season have a lining and are very good wind breaker to keep the chill out too.

**Threewheelbonnie** · #3 15 Apr 2008

I never tried Lederhosen, but could be fun

After years of wearing goretex lined Gericke type stuff I'm also going back to jeans/leather. I usually ride a sidecar so don't really need proper crash protection, but the ability to walk/function as a normal member of society in the gear is a real factor for me. So, on three wheels it's normal jeans, DM boots, a waxed full length horseriding coat with lined knee muffs and ex-MOD over trousers for the wet stuff. On two wheels I swap the ordinary jeans for armoured ones and go back to the Touareg jacket.

My leather trousers don't fit me anymore

I'd add that age/experience is maybe a factor here. I no longer ride at 100 mph and respond to rain by opening the throttle. I'm happy enough to do my days's ride interspaced with stops to eat, look at places, take photo's, put the over trousers on etc. If you are going to be disapointed by getting wet and/or not doing 1000 miles the Goretex might work better (but you still need a rain suit for the really heavy stuff unless you know you can dry the outer).

Andy

**spooky** · #4 15 Apr 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie

I never tried Lederhosen, but could be fun

well, may a bit like wearing a Kilt ?
never tried this...

but I can confirm... (don't grin again...)... well as I was a 6-year old I had to ware this.... horrible short "Lederhosen" right, the one with that two-button flap on the front in summer... not the one where the legs rich down to the knees, they are even worse... well this short ones are a bit drafty up the legs ... regarding the stiffens of that thick leather..... wonder how a Kilt perform that way.... girls seem to like it (well wearing skirts)..... wonder why..... :smile:

**trophymick** · #5 15 Apr 2008

I wear leather jeans (5 pocket western style) and they are a lot more versatile than armoured leathers, more comfy too

When it's cool a pair of long Johns help, when it's hot they aren't too bad.
Now leather chaps, they.....................................

Trophymick

**Redboots** · #6 15 Apr 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by trophymick

Now leather chaps, they.....................................

Trophymick

Nooooooooooooooooooooo. They should be reserved for wimin! All the guys you see wearing them have saggy arsed jeans on and its not pretty!

Got to get a firm, round butt in them for them to look any good.

Me, I'm with Spooky. HG nubuk leather jeans with knee rubbers. Very comfy. Mine are the lace up side version, (no comments pleeeeeeaase). Good cheap kit and look good with all types of boots.

John

**Crusty** · #7 16 Apr 2008

Hi Matt,

Forth Gear, down in Queensferry, are going to be doing a range of kevlar-type jeans called Red Route (I think). There are several styles, I think the most expensive is about a hundred quid.

I was there last weekend and they were due in any time now.
I also considered the Richa Airvent trousers as a multi season option as you can take the waterproof lining out and have, well.. vented trousers for the hot days. £99.99 to you sir. Might be a bit "plasticy" though.

Alternatively, I have a lovely pair of BMW Summer trousers, bought last summer (so hardly worn!) that I just had to have, despite them not fitting me properly. Since I've put on half a stone over the winter they don't fit at all now! Open to all reasonable offers!

Cheers.

**craig76** · #8 16 Apr 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie

I never tried Lederhosen, but could be fun

Lederhosen with knee sliders? Might catch on that.

**MikeS** · #9 16 Apr 2008

I'm kind of in the same boat. I have a pair of Hein Gericke trousers which had been great if a little too hot in the warmer places. The other day while 'seeing what my DR can do' when playing on some quite steep trails, I somehow managed to come off and ended up with my leg on top of the rather warm exhaust downpipe and now I have a rather large melted hole on the front of them. @rse!!!

Before I wrecked them, I was thinking of getting some military boots so I just carry one pair instead of my bike boots and a pair of walking boots but the trouble with the HG trousers is that once I'm sitting on the bike, the bottom of the trousers rode up quite high so there's no way I could use shorter boots until I came up with the genius idea of using gators!

Anyway, now I've melted my 'pants', I'm on the lookout for something cheap that will do me the ride up the east coast of Oz and then across Asia to the UK, so lots of heat and humidity- any suggestions for stuff that I can buy here (no HG here unfortunately)?

**klaus** · #10 16 Apr 2008

I got me a pair of leather jeans from "Adams Leather" in the States a couple of years ago. Cheap, good quality and all I needed. In addition I bought a pair of kevlar-lined Draggin jeans last year, nothing to complain about.

**JMo (& piglet)** · #11 17 Apr 2008

I bought a pair of Alpinestar 'Street Cargo' pants in the USA last year (you can get them/order them in the UK from any A'stars dealer too)...

They are basically similar to the Alpinestars Highland enduro pants, but with knee armour - relaxed fit, plain black trouser, cargo pockets, shower (if not total downpour) proof, and have removable knee armour, plus wide enough ankles to go over motocross boots, with long zips to the knee to aid getting them on/off. Although not vented in the same way as the Highland, they are not too hot in summer temperatures either.

A great do-it-all trouser for touring and off-road...

xxx

**Lagan** · #12 9 May 2008

Hello all, my first post on these forums. *waves*

I must say the idea of armoured / reinforced trousers never even occurred to me, mainly through lack of knowledge. I've only used normal jeans or leathers - the latter partially because I biked around London quite a bit and it seemed pretty sensible back then to get the protection.

However, with summer coming, some lightweight but good quality jeans seems like a good idea.

What should I be looking for when buying a pair of these heavy duty jeans? Like most of you I'd like to be able to walk around in them as well, so that'd be useful. Price wise I've got no idea, but all my insurance / MOT / tax is coming up, so cheap(ish) but good quality would be useful atm.

Thanks,

Lagan.

**XRM** · #13 9 May 2008

Hood Jeans do a range of jeans / Cargo / Chinos all lined with Aramid - been wearing them for 5 years and my wife has a pair with the knitted lining - much softer - and under £100

Welcome to Hood Jeans

**Matt Cartney** · #14 9 May 2008

Hi Lagan,

If you are looking for jeans with proper protection there are a few on the market. The best known are probably the 'Draggin' jeans, but they are not cheap: between £85 and £100. However, they are lined with kevlar at the crucial points, which will protect you far more effectively than ordinary jeans, I can testify to this personally! However, there are other brands on the market which may be cheaper.

I'm still trying to decide what to get for my legs but it's starting to look like another pair of Draggins. They are very well made and pretty much as comfy as an ordinary pair of jeans: you could wear them into the pub and no-one would notice they were bike trousers. I was considering the sort of catch-all waterproof, breathable, protective pants you can get but couldn't find any that were any where near as comfy as a pair of jeans. Will let you know if I find anything better!

Matt

**Sime66** · #15 9 May 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Cartney

Hi Lagan,

If you are looking for jeans with proper protection there are a few on the market. The best known are probably the 'Draggin' jeans, but they are not cheap: between £85 and £100. However, they are lined with kevlar at the crucial points, which will protect you far more effectively than ordinary jeans, I can testify to this personally! However, there are other brands on the market which may be cheaper.

I'm still trying to decide what to get for my legs but it's starting to look like another pair of Draggins. They are very well made and pretty much as comfy as an ordinary pair of jeans: you could wear them into the pub and no-one would notice they were bike trousers. I was considering the sort of catch-all waterproof, breathable, protective pants you can get but couldn't find any that were any where near as comfy as a pair of jeans. Will let you know if I find anything better!

Matt

Matt
I'm tempted by these Draggin' cargo numbers.(I have some HG textile troosers which are too sweaty and anyway I'm too fat for 'em).
Have you done any proper falling off in them? How was it for you?

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