Pants & liners "inside" the pants - clarification
 

So conceptually, I feel like if the waterproof liners would be on the inside of my pants the outers would absorb water... get heavy... & potentially not dry over-night!? or am I missing something?

I need a pair of adventurer pants, but they gotta be bearable for a summer in Turkey... and I am having a hell of a time balancing safety and not being too hot... that said the trip will for sure encounter COLD & wet weather

I have always had a pair of Draggin-Jeans Cargo pants which have been GREAT with pull over waterproof shells... and thermals under when cold... but I find myslef wondering how safe they really are... only kevlar, no armour???

Hey Popex,

Depends exactly where you going, but one potential solution is to get a standard riding pant that has some mesh which makes it cooler for summer riding, has armour in the right places, and has a waterproof inside liner to throw on for wet days.

I would also recommend to carry a true rainproof pant, it's a lot to ask of any waterproof garment to remain waterproof after days in the saddle, expecially at the seams.

In regards to wetness, if it's on and off rain, then I'l ride with the inner waterproof shell which actually dries pretty well while in the saddle due to all the wind swirling about. If it is really pouring, or cold, then I'll ride with outer shell to keep myself dry on the inside. It may seem like a lot of gear, but the inner liner replaces the thermals most people cart around.

As for gear, I would definitely get pants with appropriate armour. Happy riding.

If you can find Klim clothes in Austria, that is a good concept. The Traverse pant is made of cordura/nylon/Goretex. No needs to carry an extra liner... You have a few vents for hot weather and just need to close those if it is getting colder or start raining. It can be fitted with CE protection as well, and the price is not bad considering quality and performance (all Klim products with Goretex carry a lifetime warranty that it will keep you dry).

Traverse Pant - Klim USA

Fred

Armour
 

The Armour is for impact protection, the Kevlar is for sliding protection.
you can never predict what will happen but having one is better than have none.

You can get Draggin-Jeans with armour sewn (little pockets on your knees and hips) in from the factory or you buy the armour and put it in afterwards. I think the knee armour that is available has Velcro that grabs onto the Kevlar.

I rode around Europe with the pull over type waterproof pants, when it was nasty I just stopped and put them over the top of my Draggins.

No that's right they will eventually take on water. We use 1-piece waterproof overall. Hassle to get on but provides the best protection from the rain.

I personally wear Rev'it Dakar pants and they are good but even in the middle of summer in Turkey it will be hot especially if there is no air flow ie. when stationnary.

I was thinking about on my next trip using something similar to Draggins with over pants. Like GixxerRob says, one level of protection is better than none at all.

Unfortunatley you have asked the mystery question of the century!
I have fought this battle for 3 decades.Bellstaff, Barbour gear was my first. Aerostich Darien gear has worked very well (membrained Goretex) but does lose its total waterproofing. Gore, Aerostich and others similer all state LIFETIME, and have I issues with this concept. If you wash them often, its a loss, and yes special treatments work for a short time. But I have always felt that if you do a lot of dirt and mud it gets into the pores and blocks the Goretex proofing and breathing. Grease is especially a stopper.
SO I tried liner systems, Gore is protected from the dirt, but yes the outer gets wet, heavy and COLD. If the rain stops the outer dries quickly and even fairly quickly dries at days end. Where my Darien sometimes is damp in the mornings.
There is now Gore 3 or something like that and Klim is one that I think uses it. Is it better? Time will tell. I noticed Touratech has a new suit with an outer over suit. I think we called that a rainsuit?
For your issues, I agree an air product with outer rain gear might be the way to go. I wish you luck!
Allen.

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