Extra gear for warmth - mid layers

[Milts]

I'm considering getting some leather gear in the next few months for riding over summer, including for trackdays, when I get a new bike (assuming I pass my full, find a new bike... etc).

There is a wide range of vented and perforated leather jackets for riding in summer, but I'm unsure how these hold up in winter - are they so much of a pain that people use textile instead, or do you layer up and use them in the cold? Does anyone wear any of these underneath?

http://www.completeoutdoors.co.nz/doite-terrain-soft-shell-mens-jacket-black-xidp152484.html

http://www.backcountry.com/patagonia-guide-softshell-jacket-mens

I've just checked out a few outdoor/camping stores, and they have sales on this kind of gear about now. It's rudely expensive, but some of it looks like it would be excellent underneath a jacket - it's thin, light, and you can get all kinds of windproof/water resistant variations. Some of it is designed for skiing, mountain climbing etc, so presumably it's extremely warm as well...

Has anyone used jackets like this underneath their protective gear? Is it worth the price tag? Are they really that windproof and warm?

My father has something similar, with the brand 'the north face', but it's far too thin and not windproof at all. However some of the ones in store looked significantly better, so if the sales are on now...

[rie]

holy crap leather = cold. well, really cold when weather is cold; really hot when weather is hot. God forbid you start perforating the leather as well! Definitely going to need the warmth layers, especially if you are riding at nighttime.

[slofox]

I wear leather summer and winter and all stops between.

I use merino thermals underneath. Two layers in winter (one light one heavy) and one (light) in summer. A lightweight woollen jersey can also go under the jacket if it is tit-freezing cold.

I also have two jackets - one a size larger than t'other. The larger one is not perforated at all, the smaller is. So the smaller one goes over less under layers in summer. The larger one goes over more layers in winter.

Works for me. I have yet to freeze to death or expire from heat-stroke.

[EJK]

If you can't get more leather, grow more leather.

Eat more junk food etc... get my drift? It's effective and I can personally vouch for it.

[Milts]

If you can't get more leather, grow more leather.

Eat more junk food etc... get my drift? It's effective and I can personally vouch for it.

I'm trying my hardest, it just isn't happening :(

I do love merino clothing, but one of the appeals of a jacket like those in the links is that you leave your gear at work/uni/whatever and you can walk around in the jacket and not look like too much of a freak. Unlike if I were to, say, walk around in merino leggings and thermal top...

[Gremlin]

Yep, the thermal type gear for camping/trekking is a perfect match to motorcycling, namely the gear needing to pack small and be light but offer good performance.

I have two weights of thermals, thinking I might also get skinz (or such) for summer, as it means the gear doesn't get as dirty.

I wouldn't use leather in winter coz its bloomin' cold, but it depends what weather you will ride in? My textile and thermals will see me happy below freezing for hours on end.

[captain_andrey]

Layering up works for me, I've been riding a for a few months now in the Swedish autumn (+5C to 0) and i just wear a merino thermal, t-shirt, polar fleece, Qmoto leather jacket (yes i have Qmoto jacket in Sweden :) )
I just wear extra thick Draggins on the bottom, its warm enough, oh and very very warm merino socks. Also thin inner gloves under my perforated sports gloves.

Its great cos I look like I am wearing summer cloths and most ppl here give me that crazy look. But its warm enough for a couple of hours of riding, and then you have to stop for petrol anyways.

[2wheeldrifter]

I have a summer leather jacket, in winter wear a cheap thermal from the ware house at $14.99 and a cold killer top... Thats it in a nut shell, have cold killer pants as well under my leather pants.

Thermals can cost heaps... but still the air can go right thru them. You need a top no matter how thin, that is dense enough to stop air flow going thru it... problem solved and you stay warm even riding in the middle of winter here in the South Waikato.

See Quasimoto he can get them in.

http://www.coldkillers.co.uk/

[BMWST?]

i would always choose leather over a textile jacket but the textile wins out because its two jackets in one.I dont think the textile jacket is warmer than my leather jacket but because it has the thermal liner it can be.If the leather jacket had an equivalent liner i bet it be just as warm.My leather jacket has two zip positions so it can be worn with more or less underneath.In winter i just go for more layers.Some cycling gear had windstop fabrics in the fleecy/merino type products

[slofox]

Unlike if I were to, say, walk around in merino leggings and thermal top...

i walk around my house and section like that - so far nobody has called the constabulary...




I wouldn't use leather in winter coz its bloomin' cold,

Not if you use adequate under layers...see post above.

[Gremlin]

I've worn layers... it still wasn't enough. Leather is good against wind (unless its perforated) but doesn't really have any warmth in itself. It might feel warm because no air is getting through, but thats about it.

Textile plus thermals is ideal for me...

[BMWST?]

I've worn layers... it still wasn't enough. Leather is good against wind (unless its perforated) but doesn't really have any warmth in itself. It might feel warm because no air is getting through, but thats about it.

Textile plus thermals is ideal for me...

thats very interesting,i gonna really compare my textile and leather now.I woulda sworn there was no difference in my leather jacket vs textile WITHOUT liner.The textile jacket has a much higher fitted collar than the leather one.Mind you it is one serious leather jacket,it cost more than twice as much as my technic jacket,and that was 20 years ago

[Gremlin]

I'm probably not comparing apples with apples any more tho, as well.

March this year, going down to the TT2000, I figured summertime, leather, no problems. Both mornings around 0600-0630 its hovering around 3 degrees. The leather is perforated. Yeah, that was fucken cold. Rain jacket and pants stayed on the whole day just to block some wind.

Now I'm using expensive Rukka gear, and thermals, with liners in. If its over 5 degrees its a bit warm. If it actually manages to make it to freezing I might feel a tad cold, so I can hook the heated vest up, and I haven't found a night cold enough to beat that...

[Quasi]

leather all year round, merino layers under and end of this winter invested in an oxford chillstop top. Toasty warm on the coldest winter day, and we get plenty of those in the wairarapa