What do you wear on your legs?
 

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 :)

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.

I never tried Lederhosen, but could be fun :confused1:

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 :blushing:

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

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:

I wear leather jeans (5 pocket western style) and they are a lot more versatile than armoured leathers, more comfy too:thumbup1: When it's cool a pair of long Johns help, when it's hot they aren't too bad.
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

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.

Lederhosen with knee sliders? Might catch on that.:rofl:

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)?

Motorcyle stuff
 

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.

Alpinestars 'Street Cargo' pants
 

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

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.

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

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?

Forget those "foreign" Draggin jeans and get yourself some British Hood jeans
Here Welcome

The quality and service is second to non. Plus you can have the plain weave Kevlar (Aramid fibre) lining and not that wooly finish, much cooler. The area of kevlar lining is larger too. Basicly a full pair of shorts with an extension down the front of the leg to below the knee. I have a pair of their jeans and a pair of their Army greens. Great kit and British.

Hhmmm, useful advice - thanks; I don't really mind spending a bit more for good quality and durability, I'll have a look at both. Thanks. :)

Hi Lagan,

It's the cargo pants I've got just now. They're excellent. Very comfy, even in quite hot weather. Wore mine in Morocco, Turkey and Iran and while the obviously get hot in really high temps, they are very breathable so don't get too bad.

Matt :)

Well, I've gone for the Hood Concept 6 jeans, they look good'an'all though why they're named after some experimental album from the 60's is beyond me. :)

Lagan, just so you know, the concept 6 has the same "wooly" kevlar fabric as the Draggin jeans. If you're used to the draggin kit though it'll be familiar.

Lindstrands
 

Matt, Check out Lindstrands Fokker pants available from Grand prix Legends. i too have draggin cargoes but since buying Lindstrands wont wear anything else now, very comfy .

I'll second the Hood Jeans Welcome, rode round the US wearing a pair last summer. Also excellent for Rally's, less clothes to carry :-)

Haven't crash tested them, but if caught in the rain they dry off pretty quickly (at 80mph).

When I looked at Draggin Jeans , I was disapointed that the price was so high and I would have to cut the leg lenght to fit myself. This may have changed now.

Although I admit it's slightly off topic, do people actually wear leathers these days? And if so, when?

Yes, I really like leathers. As soon as it cools down again they will be out.

Black of course. :-)

2006 was the 1st time I didn't wear leather pants on tour, and last year the 1st time I didn't wear a leather jacket in the summer. I ride all year round and usually wear leathers from Sept to May now.

Sure....
 

...I wear leather jeans (bufallo leather) and sometimes my leather jacket (same material). According to many sources leather gives you the best protection compared with textile stuff. And I don't doubt it - if it is quality made! Of course it can get pretty hot in summer (at which time I DO switch to textile outfit) - but then again, besides the safety factor leather is easy to clean, looks good - what more can one expect!?!?!

Im another one for the Hood jeans, ive got a pair (cant remeber the style, just plain blue) and they are great, ive tried on draggin jeans and never like the wooly feeling so i went for th aramid hoods. Had them for just over a year and a bit now and they are just like newly worn in pair. You can also buy knee and hip armor to place in them if you want but i didnt like this option.

My dad and brother also have hood jeans and even though we dont get that great weather (although now is great) they are cool enough to walk around in hot climates but yet still semi thick enough to be riding all day in cooler type weather.

Price is excellent as well.

Are you trying to find something to ride in ....or walk around in?

With proper padding installed, fashion Italian leather jeans. I mean riding leathers. Leathers feel good.

Hi Patrick,

I'm looking (as always!) for something that does everything! Maybe that's the problem. Not planning on going out of the UK this year so maybe I should just buy with that in mind. I tend to spend quite a lot of time off the bike, and don't want to have to change out of my riding trousers, so I want something that is comfy in the pub/campsite/sitting having a picnic. That's why I liked the Draggins so much, they felt pretty much like ordinary trousers. All the nylon, waterproof type ones I've tried on were no where near as comfy.
Definately going to have a look at the Hood Jeans, and reconsider the Draggins. I'm a little concerned that leather ones might be too hot on summer days?

Matt :)

Pants
 

Gialli Cargo Pants - Trek Cargo Pants | Hardas Jeanswear | Giali UK

Wore the same pair across Africa then across the Americas, and 8 years later they're still in one piece, if a little tattered and stained. Comfortable enough to wear when you're just popping out, strong enough to survive dozens of dirty spills, baggy enough to cover motocross boots, and useful - removable hip and knee armour, velcro anti-pick pockets, turn into shorts with the whizz of a zip, machine washable. Downsides? They're not waterproof, but they do dry quickly when the sun comes back out.

Thoroughly road tested and recommended.

Suerte, Dan

Must look into them, the idea of switching into shorts is really neat. :-)

Anyone have a link to the Nubuck leather pants?
Had a look opn Hein Gericke and searched and cant seem to find them

They sound like the compromise I'm after

thanks

I like the look of the Gialli Cargo Pants, anybody know how extensive the kevlar lining is?

The description on the website says there is a double lining in the rear of all their other pants but they make no claims for cargos and I don't want to assume.

Do they have stockists? I much prefer to try before I buy.

Hood Jeans...
 

Hiya All..

I've owned a pair of Hood Jeans - Boring blue style with Aramid lining.... - for quite a few years and love them...

I'm stuck though... Heading off for 7/8 weeks this summer I'm not sure what to wear... I only want 1 pair of biking trousers... so do I take them... at the moment I'm inclined to say YES...

Which leaves a question.... I need a pair of waterproof SMALL TO PACK trousers for the days when it is raining ALL day... any suggestions.... ????

I also have some HG trousers that I used to commute in... for about 4 years... still going strong and if I was still doing it i would still wear - I just think that with OR without the lining they are TOO heavy and TOO warm.... I couldn't get off and walk around places hapilly.. but I could in the Hood jeans....

So.. Suggestion on over trousers.....

Tony.

Bed Sheets
 

We can recommend the bed sheets from a cheap hotel. And duct tape.

We had to improvise some trousers for a pillion in an emergency whilst travelling in Namibia... they worked quite well.

A bit hard to explain - so maybe better to see the video.

These are great, all my gear have full side zips and thus come on and off easy . You can get these for $60US on ebay. They weigh 12oz and they don't leak, they're Marmot's version of GoreTex. Get a larger size as they run small.
PreCip Full Zip Pant Overview | marmot.com

I have a midweight pair of GoreTex outers with full side zips that I wear when on the road, they're not hot because I leave both zippers at the knee so I get lots of air. Underneath I wear some colorful yet distinguished boxers.

Leathers too damn hot!!!

I tried to order from Giali. A fellow named Jock Jamieson answered my question re shipping to Germany. But after I placed the actual order, I never heard from them again, even after emailing them three more times. Sad.

So I ordered a pair of Draggin Cargos. Received them this morning. They fit well and feel really comfy. Will see how they are on the bike.

(Although I would have liked the Giali Pants better because of the armour. The Draggin Pants have no pockets for protectors. Maybe with a bit of sewing you could fit some between the fabric and the kevlar, but I know I'll never get around to that.)

Forcefield Armour
 

Hi Daniel,

I use Forcefield "Limb Tubes". The armour is fitted into a sort of lycra tube you pull on over your leg before you put your jeans on.

Excellent quality, they stay in position and are so comfortable you forget you're wearing them, even walking around.

Available in Germany here: Forcefield Schutzkleidung für Motorrad, Motorradfahrer, Biker, Skater, Snowboarder, Skifahrer, Reiter

Cheers.

Have neither Hood nor Draggin. Nor Giali. But have some zip-off Axo MX jeans and some zip-off cotton-poly walking trousers(!) And I'm completely sold on the zip-off at the knee thing. It would be even better if manufacturers put a side-zip that finished where the knee-zip finishes. This would make it extremely easy to get trousers on over boots. Without the trousers having to be so baggy as to risk twisting in an accident. Baggy twisting trousers mean armour in the wrong place. BTW, the knee zip should be above the knee not below. Otherwise you're still lugging your knee armour around when you're walking round Istanbul or wherever.

Hood, if you're listening, make some zip-offs!
And don't be too worried about horizontal seams across the leg of the jean. I for one am not desperate to look as if I am wearing fashion jeans.

Edit: Just noticed this on the Draggin website
Coin pocket is cut larger so gloved hands can get coins and it is on the left hand side so you can keep the throttle open.
I like that. Someone is thinking about what motorcyclists need. Then again, when would I ever need to access the coin pocket with the throttle open?

Bought some of these in 2008, and they were comfortable and fine in minor gravelly spills. All the good points Dan makes, basically. Wore them from Buenos Aires to TDF, and up as far as San Francisco (approx 23,000 miles, 18 months) and then they fell to pieces - the seam above one of the knee-zips split and I held it together with duct tape for a while; quite a bold fashion statement.

I'd buy them again, but I'm surprised Dan's lasted 8 years - maybe the quality's dropped since he bought his? I can't believe he washed his more often than I did (i.e. twice).

Pics of the duct-taped trews in question here:

Met a World Traveller from Britain Today - San Diego Adventure Riders

Thanks to Randy of San Diego Adventure Riders...