With temperature climbing to the 100's here in Texas, what do you all suggest to replace your leathers? I simply stop riding by 10:00 but some of you must continue to ride so do you have a secret weapon or do you just ride without your leathers and hope for the best? Shorts and T shirt weather but for a bike?????
hogcowboy
Intake Air 2 Tour Master
The Intake Air textile jacket with CE approved padding is the most comfortable jacket I have had for hot weather. Short of riding buck naked (not recommended in Texas), it is among the more breathable jackets, while providing reasonable protection. It is also available in tall sizes, so most folks can get a good fit. Others may have alternatives, but this jacket in the high visibility color can save your bacon. Other, more subdued colors available. Price of the jacket should be around $165, and in my experience, well worth it. It is 97 today here where I live. I leave the winter heavy jacket and my leather jacket in the closet for days like this. With zip out linings, you can wear this jacket at least 3 seasons, and then your heavier stuff for winter.
The Intake Air textile jacket with CE approved padding is the most comfortable jacket I have had for hot weather. Short of riding buck naked (not recommended in Texas), it is among the more breathable jackets, while providing reasonable protection. It is also available in tall sizes, so most folks can get a good fit. Others may have alternatives, but this jacket in the high visibility color can save your bacon. Other, more subdued colors available. Price of the jacket should be around $165, and in my experience, well worth it. It is 97 today here where I live. I leave the winter heavy jacket and my leather jacket in the closet for days like this. With zip out linings, you can wear this jacket at least 3 seasons, and then your heavier stuff for winter.
It isn't often 100 here, but it was yesterday.
Above 90 degrees, I usually wear a mesh textile jacket with CE armor and sliders jeans with leg armor under the jeans.
Helmet, gloves, boots a given.
Hot? Somewhat, but when moving it isn't that bad for me. I happen to like hot weather so I don't mind sweating a little.
Actually, I only sweat if I get tied up in traffic and don't have any air movement at all.
Above 90 degrees, I usually wear a mesh textile jacket with CE armor and sliders jeans with leg armor under the jeans.
Helmet, gloves, boots a given.
Hot? Somewhat, but when moving it isn't that bad for me. I happen to like hot weather so I don't mind sweating a little.
Actually, I only sweat if I get tied up in traffic and don't have any air movement at all.
I have a Kevlar "type" jacket with air pockets but I've never heard of jeans like this. I've been wearing my leather chaps which do get hot. I'll have to keep my eyes open for these jeans though. BTW it got to 101 yesterday here with today predicted for 103. Honesty as far as I'm concerned once it gets past 90 it's just plain hot and doesn't make much difference how much over 90 it is. Riding keeps you cooler but stop and go traffic can be murder.
Sliders Jeans
Here's a link to the only place I know of that sells the Slider brand of Kevlar jeans.
Sliders Jeans
There's a lot of Kevlar jeans on the market, but of the three pairs I own, two of them are Sliders and I defintely like them.
Not as good as leather, but better than regular jeans. (Or shorts)
Here's a link to the only place I know of that sells the Slider brand of Kevlar jeans.
Sliders Jeans
There's a lot of Kevlar jeans on the market, but of the three pairs I own, two of them are Sliders and I defintely like them.
Not as good as leather, but better than regular jeans. (Or shorts)
Thanks Charles. One final thing. Do you have to order one size larger to allow for shrinkage or are they pre-shrunk and run true to size? Maybe that's two questions.[URL=http://picpaste.novarata.net/#a31bc8d7201168fb5a8e451e2a0a0d20.gif]
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[/URL]The Sliders seem to run a little large.
I am wearing my usual jean size and they are a little loose. Not enough that I would order a size smaller, though.
They are also cut long, but when seated on the bike, the extra length works great. They don't quite drag with my riding boots, but might if I was wearing sneakers.
I did not experience any noticeable shrinkage using a cold water wash.
If you can get your size in the closeout 3.0 series, you can wear knee/leg armor under them, (WhichI do), and I personally think that works better than the jeans with the pockets for the armor.
I have a pair of Icon overpants with armor and I removed it and use armor that I wear on my legs. I'm not sure how well the armor would stay in place in the event of a get-off.
I am wearing my usual jean size and they are a little loose. Not enough that I would order a size smaller, though.
They are also cut long, but when seated on the bike, the extra length works great. They don't quite drag with my riding boots, but might if I was wearing sneakers.
I did not experience any noticeable shrinkage using a cold water wash.
If you can get your size in the closeout 3.0 series, you can wear knee/leg armor under them, (WhichI do), and I personally think that works better than the jeans with the pockets for the armor.
I have a pair of Icon overpants with armor and I removed it and use armor that I wear on my legs. I'm not sure how well the armor would stay in place in the event of a get-off.
Evaporative vest under mesh jacket. Works down here, but not as well as in drier places. I'm guessing you are in the drier part of Tejas. $30-$40 will do wonders for your summer riding.
Pants-wise, I wear Cortech DX Jeans. They are leather lined but only in the seat and knees and have knee armor and heavier denim than regualr jeans. Better than Levis, but cooler than leather.
Cheers,
Mike
Pants-wise, I wear Cortech DX Jeans. They are leather lined but only in the seat and knees and have knee armor and heavier denim than regualr jeans. Better than Levis, but cooler than leather.
Cheers,
Mike
Avoiding heat stroke
I've had many years of hot weather riding experience. Last year I crossed Death Valley for the 4th time. Arrived Stovepipe Wells at 7:30 am-air temp 119 degrees on the way to 127 degrees at end of day. Wore my Fieldsheer Cool Vest under a mesh jacket and Fieldsheer mesh pants as I crossed East to West and returned. That made the crossing very comfortable and required only a couple of stops to douse down with water. I have several mesh jackets which I wear exclusively instead of leather or textile. In cool weather I layer underneath with a hoodie and if necessary over with a rain jacket which seals in body heat. Any time the temp get's in the 90's I break out the Cool Vest which works great. High fluid intake during travel is a necessity.
Ride Safe All
I've had many years of hot weather riding experience. Last year I crossed Death Valley for the 4th time. Arrived Stovepipe Wells at 7:30 am-air temp 119 degrees on the way to 127 degrees at end of day. Wore my Fieldsheer Cool Vest under a mesh jacket and Fieldsheer mesh pants as I crossed East to West and returned. That made the crossing very comfortable and required only a couple of stops to douse down with water. I have several mesh jackets which I wear exclusively instead of leather or textile. In cool weather I layer underneath with a hoodie and if necessary over with a rain jacket which seals in body heat. Any time the temp get's in the 90's I break out the Cool Vest which works great. High fluid intake during travel is a necessity.
Ride Safe All
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