Riding pants comfort?

7kings

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Jul 13, 2018
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55
Location
North Port, FL
Looking for some feedback.

I've been thinking of dropping some dollars on some riding pants, but I'm wondering how they compare in comfort versus jeans, specifically for hot weather (i.e., SW Florida summer)? Before I spend the money, I want to make sure I'm not going to wear them once and then stuff them in the dresser because they're too uncomfortable or miserable hot. Down here, the summer heat is a very real threat, especially if you're moving slowly in traffic or sitting at red lights.

And please refrain from the ATGATT posts. I understand the risks involved in wearing jeans.

Thanks!
 

richarddacat

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Jan 27, 2015
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574
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Tennessee
I've had three pairs of riding pants over the years and they were all to hot for summer in TN wear. Probably some new stuff out there that might change my mind, Klim Voyager Air Pants may be worth a look.
I use an Aerostitch in cooler weather and Wrangler cowboy cut jeans which seen to be heavier denim than Levis, a size or two longer in summer only because they are comfortable.

A while back I was considering a pair from Motoport, they will take a pair of jeans you like and make a pair with numerous options as far as padding goes. Aerostitch also has a lightweight padded pair kinda like kakis.
 

7kings

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North Port, FL
Thanks - that's my concern. I don't want to spend money to just have them sit in my dresser. I'm wondering if anyone has any feedback based on new models and materials.
 

Dogdaze

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Solothurn, Switzerland
I've ridden with Draggin Jeans and regular Goretex stuff, , I do find if I take the liners out of my Halvarssons leave the zippers wide open I stay cool, the main thing is the venting really works, whereas the Dragging Jeans would just hold heat and sweat to my skin and not breath. Yes, I too lived in FL for nearly a decade, so I do know heat, damp sticky heat! Keep skin covered and allowing to vent is key.
 

bnschroder

2014 Super Tenere ES
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Nov 17, 2014
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Atlanta
I used to ride in Jeans or Leather but after buying the Ténéré I thought I could move to something more functional.
Bought a pair of Klim (my only Klim!) Mojave pants that have mesh panels, mostly because Klim was the only place with real long sizes off the shelf.
I love those pants and just wore them on a 4500 mile trip to CO and back. Very comfortable, ok ventilated, only slightly sticky when really hot.
Only downside is when it really pours at low speed, the rain goes into the mesh and down into your boots.


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Kevhunts

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Looking for some feedback.

I've been thinking of dropping some dollars on some riding pants, but I'm wondering how they compare in comfort versus jeans, specifically for hot weather (i.e., SW Florida summer)? Before I spend the money, I want to make sure I'm not going to wear them once and then stuff them in the dresser because they're too uncomfortable or miserable hot. Down here, the summer heat is a very real threat, especially if you're moving slowly in traffic or sitting at red lights.

And please refrain from the ATGATT posts. I understand the risks involved in wearing jeans.

Thanks!
Check out these jeans...
https://www.gusset.com/defender/mens
 

Xclimation

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Ft. Worth, Texas
I ride with heavy duty work type jeans. Like Dickeys or Carhartt. They saved my skin when I went down and slid on the road. Having said this.....I spend some time in traffic in temps. over 95F. I've though about this and looked at the riding jeans and they seems to have the protection around the knee area. I would think knee pads or other type of pads might be more effective less hot and even more comfortable.
 

DamMechanic

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Lewis County, WA.
I have been wearing the diamond gusset jeans for the last two weeks on vacation and can say they work very well and are great jeans but I also have the light weight Aerostitch AD1 pants combined with a pair of shorts underneath have been great. When stopped, open the leg zippers up cool off has been nice.
 

hobdayd

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twinrider

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Sep 28, 2011
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Yokohama
Looking for some feedback.

I've been thinking of dropping some dollars on some riding pants, but I'm wondering how they compare in comfort versus jeans, specifically for hot weather (i.e., SW Florida summer)? Before I spend the money, I want to make sure I'm not going to wear them once and then stuff them in the dresser because they're too uncomfortable or miserable hot. Down here, the summer heat is a very real threat, especially if you're moving slowly in traffic or sitting at red lights.

And please refrain from the ATGATT posts. I understand the risks involved in wearing jeans.

Thanks!
Perforated leather pants with armor are the way to go. Very cool when moving, more than jeans yet they offer good protection. Mesh pants will shred like confetti, don't ask me how I know...
 

rid34fun

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Jun 1, 2012
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Location
Chicago IL
I have mesh pants and they are not terrible to ride with on warm days. They vent pretty well while moving and offer more protection than jeans. I will sometimes wear shorts under the mesh pants and that works pretty well too, depending on how far and fast I may be going. But, I would rather just wear jeans. Anything over 90 just feels hot to me no matter what except shorts and a T. Won't do that though, so I get good deodorant:)
 

maverick2076

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Texas
I have two pairs of riding pants. One is a set of Tourmaster mesh pants. I can’t remember the model, but they zip off into shorts. The second pair is the Scorpion Yosemite pants. They have a couple mesh panels in them. I ride in Texas, so I understand heat. Both are more comfortable to ride in than jeans. For pure comfort in extreme heat, I’d have to give the Edge to the Tourmaster pants. I think the Scorpions are better protection, but you do sacrifice some airflow for that.
 

Checkswrecks

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I've gone through many pair and to me, the thing to watch with the riding pants is how the knee pocket holds the armor. My current go-to are the original version of the Klim Badlands, which I bought used. The work great and vent well.

I have a pair of AlpineStar Drystar pants and the armor will push past the velcro which closes the pockets. They are really light pants and vent pretty well, but I just don't trust them.

I'm sitting in a pair of Draggin Jeans right now and they are comfortable but don't breath really well.

If going to a meeting in office pants, I'll strap a pair of knee protectors under or over them and leave the pads on the bike.
 

7kings

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North Port, FL
All good information! I'm still torn, but you have given me some different brands and options to investigate further. Thanks!
 

towboatcrisco

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Apr 5, 2013
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White Rock, British Columbia , Canada
I really like an older pair of Klim Dakar. Had them for about 4yrs now I use them as a 3 season pant . Best feature for me is how the velcro bottom can close around your boots . I also find the waist very adjustable. I put some armor in them ( they came sans armor )
 

HeliMark

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Dec 18, 2013
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Tennessee
I love my Motoport mesh with shorts underneath for summer. Jeans under in fall and spring. Base layer jeans and liners for winter and rain.

Same here. Love my Motoport pants. Hard to find pants that fits right, so custom with Motoport was the fix. For rain, I use Nelson-Rigg rain pants. If cold, pair of long johns works under my jeans.
 

ausbass

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Sep 18, 2013
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Australia
I have a pair of Tourmaster Tracker Air Pants some 8yrs old. Excellent venting and knee armour placement. Excellent for those runs across the Outback in 105*C temps
 
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I’ve worn Draggin’ jeans before. As long as it was under 90, in the low humid Mountain West areas these were fine. For long trips I wore a Cortech jacket and pants combo. They offered great protection, but like most motorcycle accessories they were not inexpensive.

I just recently found a set of used Olympia Cascade pants to go with my hi-vis Olympia jacket. I’ll update further when I ride with them.

I have some Bull-It SR6, and they are a bit bulky. I wish I went with the denim over the black, but both have high crotches, and fit loose above the bum.

I have a pair of Reax619 with D30 knee and the optional hip armor en route.

Any time I’ve gone down with good gear, it’s saved much. I went down with Kevlar boots that saved a foot, but my thick normal jeans just shredded like ribbons as it slid on pavement and over a street curb.

So I don’t like rode rash and now good pants or jeans with reinforcement are a must. I was lucky my knee wasn’t screwed up in that lay down.

The Reax are made by Rokker and because they are pretty mich a store brand, sell for less than half the price. Of course you pay for the armor on top of the $180 jeans.

I will update as I wear these pants throughout the next year.


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