Do leather chaps really keep your legs warmer in the cooler weather when wearing over blue jeans? :?
flnative
Darn right they do.
Kinda screws with the cow, though.
I mean, really. Does a leather jacket keep you warmer?
Kinda screws with the cow, though.
I mean, really. Does a leather jacket keep you warmer?
They do indeed help, but only to a point. I have a 30 min daily ride, in temps between 40'ish and 60, they do fine. Keeping the wind out of the jeans helps. But for me, under 40 or so, they only help for so long before the cold creeps in. Adding another layer helps.
Chaps when appropriate..naked otherwise...ok now the answer
Chaps do a good job for fall riding
Chaps do a good job for fall riding
They help, but you will still get cold where there is no leather. If you are going to buy chaps, I would recommend the Deep Pocket chaps, as they have pockets.
I have found the chaps are really nice in the summer.
Have ridden several days this summer with temps in excess of 105°.
The days I wore the chaps were much better days. Who woulda thunked it ? They protect your legs from the intense heat coming from the motor and exhaust. I really would have thought the black leather would have been a real heat magnet and made the chaps almost unbearable to wear.
My legs are actually cooler with the chaps because the are shielded from heat.
They days I went without the chaps were just plain no fun. Inside of my legs just burned the whole time. They also stopped the direct sunlight heat from the top of my thighs.
I also find the chaps are good down to say 47° or so and up for cool weather riding ....
Have ridden several days this summer with temps in excess of 105°.
The days I wore the chaps were much better days. Who woulda thunked it ? They protect your legs from the intense heat coming from the motor and exhaust. I really would have thought the black leather would have been a real heat magnet and made the chaps almost unbearable to wear.
My legs are actually cooler with the chaps because the are shielded from heat.
They days I went without the chaps were just plain no fun. Inside of my legs just burned the whole time. They also stopped the direct sunlight heat from the top of my thighs.
I also find the chaps are good down to say 47° or so and up for cool weather riding ....
I just bought my first pair of chaps about a week ago. Wasn't sure if I would like them or not, but I must say so far I am pleased. I thought they would be way too hot in the 100+ heat, but they aren't. I plan to do long-johns under my jeans in the winter. If I am still cold then I'll figure something else out.
your plan is good. get yourself a pair of flannel lined jeans also and maybe some compression type long underwear and you should be comfortable. works for me down to about 30º F.
Haven't tried chaps yet because I chose to go with an insulated pair of overpants I bought blemished off Ebay for $50 instead.
They are Firstgear cold weather overpants. Zip out lining, waterproof outside layer etc.
Wore them from around 30 degrees and up. Worked absolutely great for my 30 minute commutes to and from work last year. When it gets a little warmer, say above 45 degrees, you can take out the inner liner and just wear the outside wind/rain proof layer. I like the flexibility.
I know you asked specifically about chaps, but these may be a viable option for you.
They are Firstgear cold weather overpants. Zip out lining, waterproof outside layer etc.
Wore them from around 30 degrees and up. Worked absolutely great for my 30 minute commutes to and from work last year. When it gets a little warmer, say above 45 degrees, you can take out the inner liner and just wear the outside wind/rain proof layer. I like the flexibility.
I know you asked specifically about chaps, but these may be a viable option for you.
I think chaps are well worth having, mine are the lined ones and that I recommend, as mentioned they definetly keep the heat off the legs in hot weather, cold weather I wear thermals under the jeans and that works just great, one thing I will say is that if you are riding and get a couple inches of hail between the legs chaps won't help and your jewels will be damn cold.............:shock::wink: Don't worry to much about the length when you buy as you can cut them down real easy, just make sure they cover down to your heels when sitting on the motorcycle or sitting down, keeps the cold air from going up your legs...............
I can see the benefits of warmth...but I worry about ending up in an accident and sliding across the pavement on my back side...there isn't anything there for protection.
When you need 'em, they're great
When I hit a sudden hailstorm 100 miles east of Denver, with NO overpasses, bridges or anything else for shelter, I was sure glad I had the chaps on! I wish they still fit me--they were custom-made bar chaps, great quality, with the zippers on the outside. Not cheap, but worth it to me.
I'm shopping for another pair now. Have an overnight trip coming up in late October, and would like not to freeze--especially since the Shadow doesn't have the amount of protection I had on the Gold Wing.
When I hit a sudden hailstorm 100 miles east of Denver, with NO overpasses, bridges or anything else for shelter, I was sure glad I had the chaps on! I wish they still fit me--they were custom-made bar chaps, great quality, with the zippers on the outside. Not cheap, but worth it to me.
I'm shopping for another pair now. Have an overnight trip coming up in late October, and would like not to freeze--especially since the Shadow doesn't have the amount of protection I had on the Gold Wing.
I found shin guards do the job well in the cooler weather. My lowers deflect the wind from the knees up. My shins always got the brunt of the wind chill.
http://www.xsportsprotective.com/sixsixone-veggie-shin.html
http://www.xsportsprotective.com/sixsixone-veggie-shin.html
You can always go with skin tight leather pants like Jim Morrison did. Little known fact is he wore those for riding, not for show. He said the Cochise belt also protected his drug-laden midsection, in case of a spill, also.
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Chaps do help stop the wind and moisture. They also provide some more protection from road debris being flung up at your legs. I agree, they do not look right on every rider or every style of bike.
For warmth, I use fleece-lined jeans that are available at Cabellas. I bought them when they were on sale (warmer months) for less than $20. I have had them for three years and they still look and feel great. Very warm.
For warmth, I use fleece-lined jeans that are available at Cabellas. I bought them when they were on sale (warmer months) for less than $20. I have had them for three years and they still look and feel great. Very warm.
I bought a set of chaps... i have not actually cut them or worn them yet. Now that i am moving to phoenix, az... im wondering how much use i would get out of them.
In my experience (riding all winter and in <20* temps regularly) chaps don't do much but keep the wind out. Over a pair of jeans, you go from instant hypothermia to just feeling like you're standing outside in <20*.
However, if you wear warm clothes under the chaps, they make a world of difference. My usual for extreme cold is thermals under sweatpants under jeans under the chaps. I shed layers as it gets warmer, but that getup will keep you warm in anything.
However, if you wear warm clothes under the chaps, they make a world of difference. My usual for extreme cold is thermals under sweatpants under jeans under the chaps. I shed layers as it gets warmer, but that getup will keep you warm in anything.
Here is another idea. For those running a crash bar, you can have bar chaps made. I had them on my Sabre as I rode quite a bit in lower temps. They keep a lot of wind off your legs. They are custom made to order, a bit pricey. I think mine were 150.00. Well worth it to me.
motorcycle saddlebags | motorcycle jackets | motorcycle windshields | motorcycle chaps
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motorcycle saddlebags | motorcycle jackets | motorcycle windshields | motorcycle chaps
I rode in to a local Triumph dealership a few weeks ago. The had Fieldsheer textile riding pants that cover everything. Best money I spent on riding in a long time. Nice and warm. I don't have to worry about wind or skidding to a stop on my rear end.
The BRC says "wear layers". Layers are good. Layers keep the wind down, the heat in, and in a crash you have lots of cloth between you and the road. But riding to work every day on a schedule? I don't have time for that and I don't have a place to keep that many layers while at work. A good pair of textile riding pants with removable liner is the best thing a rider like me can ask for.
The BRC says "wear layers". Layers are good. Layers keep the wind down, the heat in, and in a crash you have lots of cloth between you and the road. But riding to work every day on a schedule? I don't have time for that and I don't have a place to keep that many layers while at work. A good pair of textile riding pants with removable liner is the best thing a rider like me can ask for.
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