"Practical" Riding Gear

[Str8 Jacket]

Hey guy's, I need some advice . . . I've been given the harsh word by my b/f to find some proper riding pants. I am currently riding with a Codura jacket and gloves but have no bottoms so have been riding in my jeans or work pants. I know I need some "proper" pants but it's (apparently) hard to find them in my size! (m a size 6-8) Basically I don't care too much what I look like (sorry 'Nomes) but I don't know whether to go for leather pants or just stick to codura, my b/f being a typical male wants me to get leather!
Anyway what I want to know is what's the best brand to go for, are there any brands that specialise in smaller/larger sizes?! I want to buy brand new, can anyone suggest where I would be able to get a good (cheapish) pair from? I want to get some asap just to shut him up! Thanks in advance.

[placidfemme]

Hey there are plenty of pants in those sizes and different types too.

The choice between leather and cordura/kevlar is totally up to you, they both have thier pro's and cons...

Leather is a good option because it's tight, and looks good and is generally good quality

Cordura/kevlar is a good idea too... because if you get the right size you can wear your work pants/jeans under them (which is what I do) and they are waterproof and light...

The best option is to go into a local bike shop and try on a bunch of different types of pants with and without gear underneath. Make your choice based on what you feel most comfotable in. Once you know what you like them you can look around for the best price

[Slim]

Leather is a good option because it's tight, and looks good and is generally good quality

That's not one of the reason's I've heard for leather over cordura! Most people go for the safety reasons.


RJays make a nice cordura pant in womens sizes - shorter in the leg & shaped differently for hips & such like. Small through to X-Large. Sounds like you might be one of the rare candidates for it. They're called Tempest & retail at just over $200.

[placidfemme]

That's not one of the reason's I've heard for leather over cordura! Most people go for the safety reasons.

the safety reason are obvious

I was doing a comparison between the two in general

[enigma51]

the tight one sounds good... Only kidding if you get leather its pretty much only for dry weather but if you get cordura you can get weather proof pants which safes you from having to buy wet weather gear for winter. Cordura tends to be a bit cheaper than leather and usauly have good armer. cordura you can also pull over you work pants at least thats what I do when I wear the cordura suit

[sels1]

And then there is the Dragin Jeans option.....look like normal jeans but with kevlar liners, and you can get armour for them too. Will need waterproof overpants for wet weather tho

[Jantar]

the tight one sounds good... Only kidding if you get leather its pretty much only for dry weather

Leather is more waterproof than many people give it credit for. Well maintained leather will keep you dry for up to 3 hours in heavy rain.

But aside from the looks, the protection etc. Get you bf to buy you the gear for your birthday.

[Ixion]

Leather is more waterproof than many people give it credit for. Well maintained leather will keep you dry for up to 3 hours in heavy rain.

But aside from the looks, the protection etc. Get you bf to buy you the gear for your birthday.

Takes quite a while for water to work through leather. Problem I have with leather in the wet, though, is not often mentioned. Which is, that it takes a very long to dry it out. Textile, I can get it really wet riding to work, hang it up in a warm place, and it's dry by evening to come home. Can't do that with leather, it can take a couple of days to dry.(Don't like to put it in front of a heater, cos it makes it go very manky)

[Jantar]

Takes quite a while for water to work through leather. Problem I have with leather in the wet, though, is not often mentioned. Which is, that it takes a very long to dry it out....

Too true. Leather must be dried slowly or it will lose its suppleness and be less waterproof.

[FROSTY:Me]

Id suggest cudura for everyday riding.If ya get into the fast and furious stuff then I'll change my tune.
from a practical everyday point of view cudura has it hands down over leathers.
I would strongly suggest going for bib and brace type trou rather than simple trousers.
reasons being -a if ya bin your bike the jackey may ride up--bib and brace offers back protection. and B -the kidney area stays warm

[Pixie]

Id suggest cudura for everyday riding.If ya get into the fast and furious stuff then I'll change my tune.
from a practical everyday point of view cudura has it hands down over leathers.
I would strongly suggest going for bib and brace type trou rather than simple trousers.
reasons being -a if ya bin your bike the jackey may ride up--bib and brace offers back protection. and B -the kidney area stays warm

Cudura is no good.It's stinky and the cow might come back and try to chew it again

[Str8 Jacket]

Ok, so it seems that I wont have any problems with size etc, and it doesn't seem to matter if there leather or codura - as long as they do the job!!! Thanks for all the replies!

But aside from the looks, the protection etc. Get you bf to buy you the gear for your birthday.

That's a good idea, seeing as my birthday is only a coupla months away! Saves me time and hassle, and that way he can decide how much he spends etc.

[Eurygnomes]

Yep, I'd go for Cordura again Str8...despite the additional bulk! Yesterday I was riding in the rain and I was dry as a dry thing. No problems whatsoever. And I pull them on over my work pants, tuck my work pants into my boots and I'm warm too. So much so that when I go to someone else's car for a ride to lunch...I complain that I'm not as comfy as I am in my hideous bike gears!!! How's that for a turnup?

[Coyote]

I'm with your boyfriend on this one. Go for leather

[Str8 Jacket]

Yep, I'd go for Cordura again Str8...despite the additional bulk! Yesterday I was riding in the rain and I was dry as a dry thing. No problems whatsoever. And I pull them on over my work pants, tuck my work pants into my boots and I'm warm too. So much so that when I go to someone else's car for a ride to lunch...I complain that I'm not as comfy as I am in my hideous bike gears!!! How's that for a turnup?

Thanks, that sounds like what I need . . . Now I have to convince the b/f to buy codura instead of leather - Sorry Alarumba! lol. Feel kinda bad though cause it's his $$ and it's not like proper riding pants are cheap or anything!