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Alternatives to traditional protective gear?
Riding jeans have come a long way since the early days of Draggin Jeans. They didn't really fulfill the promise back in the day - ride in them and continue with your day after you get off the bike - without having to change, and look like you are wearing ordinary pants.
The knee protectors never seemed to stay in their place, were bulky and uncomfortable. I feel quite certain that there would be a very high probability that they would come out of place after the first impact. They were also cumbersome to take in and out - not only requiring you to drop your pants curb side, but also having to fidget a lot before finding the right placement. The hip protectors were not as cumbersome to take in and out, but added a lot of bulk, and were quite uncomfortable. Both the knee protectors and hip protectors made the pants uncomfortable for both riding and walking arround in. The pants were also very hot and overall quite uncomfortable - the thick kevlar liners feeling like the pant was lined with a bath towel. If they got wet, they also took ages to dry out, and oil and grit stuck to them like a sponge, and was difficult to clean out. The pants didn't look all that sleek either - the cut being wy too baggy. Still, with limited luggage space - they were my go-to for two of my trips to Africa - leaving my Cordura pant and kjacket at home, as well as my adventure mc boots or mx boots (in favor of hiking boots). As for protection, it didn't give me much piece of mind... but is was very convenient, and over all, I was happy with my choice at the time. Walking arround in full riding gear, or leaving it unattended with the bike, both has its obvious downsides - atleast compared to not having to change into other clothing and still be ok comfortable, and not look like you are wearingriding gear. I am older now, and more safety councious. On my later trips I have worn full riding gear - which also has its benefits, especially when it comes to dealing with ever changing climate conditions throughout a long day's ride. But there are new innovative solutions to choose from now. Rokker RokkerTech jeans for instance has an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) woven into the main fabric, a material with fibers twice the strength of steel. It makes for a single layered jean, and a promose of abrasive protection greater than leather (or so they say) - and a jean that looks and feels quite close to the classic jean (but not 100%). Rokker also offer a water proof variant (not for me - if I was to use them on and off the bike all the time, I would prefer to put on rain gear over it on rainy or very cool days). Altberg boots seems like a popular choice - although I personally think they look a bit too much like a police boot or hiking boot to cover all mye off-the-bike needs. What are your thoughts on the following: Wearing cafe racer style motorcycle boots - the type that you can walk arround in, wear at the office, wear at a dinner party, etc - complete with oil resitant soles with decent grip, protection (ankle, toe, heel, sole)? Combine the boots with a riding jean - without the knee protector in place, but rather instead wear a combined knee and shin protector on the outside of the pant (easy to take on and off and store in your panniers) - but still use pant hip protectors (easy enough to take in and out of the pant curbisde, and also stays well in place in the event of a crash). On the torso, I am considering using a protective vest with; chest, back, shoulder and elboe protectors - combined with a light weight riding jacket (protectors taken out) - one that can be used off the bike without looking like an austronaut. Or, an oils skin jacket or similar, maybe with a zip up kevlar shirt underneath? The vest can easily be taken off and wouldn't reqire as much space to store on the bike as if I also had to store the complete jacket. For those rides where I know I'll be riding a bit harder, faster and longer - I would put the knee/shin protectors underneath the pant, and replace the jean hip protector inserts with protective shorts underneath the jeans (the type that also protects the tail bone). As for wearing the knee protectors outside the jeans, there is ofcourse a greater risk of them being torn off or being rotated out of position affter impact - but it would probably still offer far better protection than the protectors that are typicall inserted inside the pant? What are your thoughts about waering the knee/shin protectors on the outside - do you for instance think the risk of them being torn off or rotating being great? Another benefit of having them on the outside would be to protect the pant if having to go down on my knees in the dirt - i.e. to work on the bike. The boots obviously won't offer the same protection as a tall MX boot - but in combination with a shin protector - could it be an ok compromize? |
I own and have crashed in the more modern riding jeans - RevIt Philly 2 - with aramids woven into the denim and very thin CeeSmart impact armor. The result is that yes, it works. In fact, I put a patch over the one place that tore, and am still riding in them and wearing them to work.
But riding jeans will not replace dedicated riding pants for me... Denim is not remotely waterproof. And they don't have the flexibility of ventilating zips and thermal/rainproof inserts. On a long trip, it's textiles all the way. I also finally found a pair of protective riding boots that are comfortable to walk in, and not too hot/sweaty (Dainese Fulcrum C2 with Goretex). But I will still keep a pair of canvas slip-ons in my pannier to change into when I get somewhere and want to walk around. The thing about boots is... do you really want to wear out your 300EUR protective cafe racer boots walking around every day? Or would you prefer your boots to last through two or three bikes, while you wear out a few pairs of 50EUR sneakers? Quote:
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If there's one thing I've learned over the years it's that there are no unicorns.
My choice is Rukka textiles for poor weather or long hauls. Round town or very hot weather I have Draggin/Hood kevlar jeans (no armour for sake of packing) and I vent the Rukka. Altberg Hoggs for riding, lightweight desert boots round town, slip-ons for wading or casual. 3 pairs of gloves, mostly waterproof. |
Over the years I have tried many different riding solutions as far as legwear goes: leather trousers, textile, both leather and synthetic chaps, etc. Years ago I was sceptical of armoured denim riding jeans, but once I tried riding in a pair I was immediately hooked. I just find them so much more comfortable for most street riding I will never go to wearing another solution. The ones I wear are CE-approved with both hip and knee armour, and Kevlar lining in the knees and seat. As for denim not being waterproof, I just keep a pair of heavy rain pants in my saddlebags or tankbag, and pull those on when I need them.
With footwear, I wear plain black cafe style street boats. Are they as sturdy and protective as the heavy touring boots I see some folks wearing? Heck, no - but they are so much more comfortable, and I think there's a certain level of safety in just being comfortable while riding. Will others disagree with my choice? Sure. As for upper body, I wear layers and always wear a CE-approved jacket with armour in the shoulders, spine, and elbows. In the warmer months it's a heavy mesh jacket with a removable liner; and in the cold the jacket is a heavy water-resistant cordura with a quilted liner. I used to wear a full-face but my most recent helmet is a Zox modular (clamshell) that I find very comfortable. The swing-up chin is great for when I'm stopped at the gas station, or looking for change/keys in my pockets. I find gloves are the hardest thing for me to settle on. I hate wearing them and would prefer to ride bare-handed, but for safety I don't do this of course. Lately I'm using a pair of AGVSport gloves that seem to be thick enough for protection and thin enough for good controls feel. None of this stuff needs to be expensive. I bought almost all of my gear on eBay. The two jackets were $60 each, the trousers about $80, the gloves a measly $20, and my latest boots were $50 with the price tags still on them. The helmet was new from the local store as I find fitting headgear needs to be done hands-on - but the helmet was on-sale half-price for $125. |
Sounds like your on the right path for the less is more but still protected - here's what I've tried - good luck on your quest for the right combination
Bohn Body Armor pants and top - I use the mesh versions - Bohn mesh pants stay on under my Carhartt double front jeans or Duluth Firehose jeans or Aerostich jeans - they don't look odd and I've hiked miles in them - although sweaty knees are a part of the reality when hiking in the protective underpant. Over jacket when riding at higher speeds for increased abrasion protection is an easy vent textile bike jacket with protectors removed and Bohn top underneath https://www.bohnarmor.com/ https://www.carhartt.com/category/ca...s-double-front https://www.duluthtrading.com/men/pa...e&viewall=true https://www.aerostich.com/clothing/c...eans-and-pants https://olympiamotosports.com/en-US/...ts/troy-s-army Add this for chest protection to the top - https://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-....html?___SID=U Boot choices that don't stink for walking - offer some protection and don't look like space boots - https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/...-drystar-boots https://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-....html?___SID=U , https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/...gore-tex-boots , https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/...oots?rrec=true I wear lightweight relatively inexpensive separate hiking style rain gear over top and bottom (full separating side zip pants for easy on off- and a tall length for better lower leg/ankle coverage when seated even though I'm only 5'9") and the jacket has a zip off hood and pit zippers for extra ventilation. https://www.rei.com/product/746581/r...in-jacket-mens , https://www.rei.com/product/127340/r...ants-mens-tall - |
FYI
Bohn Armor is on sale - 25% off everything this week if anyone is interested in trying - no - I'm not affiliated with them - just a happy customer. https://www.bohnarmor.com/product-ca...riding-shirts/ discount code is HOLIDAY25 |
Are you talking about a long trip or every day riding at home? - that includes holidays
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Tomkat hit the nail on the head......layering is the way to go . I sell bike kit and no manufacturer that we stock produces a use all year bit of kit.....there is always a compromise be it ultimate protection , venting , weight or waterproofing .
Alpine stars do a cracking ankle high gortex boot that is extremely comfy.....u could walk around the town no probs . Spidi do a cracking summer glove with a very clever zip and strap combo I wear this and they are worth every penny imho . Have a good look round for what u want and dont be drawn in by flashy colours. Oh and finally wash ur blooming kit......gortex wont work if its filthy despite the best efforts of our customers !! |
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