Summertime riding pants [Archive]

bones

04-03-2007, 12:40 PM

I need something that vents well...real well and protects of course.

My Fieldshear pants are great, but 4 seasons they are NOT.

I'd consider a new jacket as well. I don;t follow gear much, so I have no idea what's out there. All my junk is 2-5 years old. :giveup:

sherob

04-03-2007, 02:04 PM

I have both the JR Phoenix and the Firstgear HT 2.0 Air Overpants... I like the FG better. They come with a nice zipin waterproof liner and the waistband fits better. The JR has CE armour on the knees, FG doesn't. The weave of the JR is bigger, tends to snag on things. I can wear the FG year round with the liner in it for winter.

JMHO ;-)

Keith

04-03-2007, 02:51 PM

I have the FirstGear Mesh-Tex 2.0. They are the first pair of pants I ever bought and I see no reason to replace them. As sherob said, the mesh is much tighter than you would expect. With proper undergarments they make for a pretty good year round pant - I've gone as far as wearing both PJ's and thermals under mine when the weather turns cold.

SV650rider

04-03-2007, 04:30 PM

I have been looking into getting some riding pants myself, glad to see this thread. Oh, we have 4 seasons???

Squeaky

04-03-2007, 05:07 PM

We have 2 seasons here in Houston - Summer and "the other three months" that just ended.

I've got the Olympia Airglide 2 and have worn them without the liner twice in the last week. So far so good, but the real proof will be mid-August temps.

bigboy292000

04-03-2007, 05:17 PM

I've got the Olympia Airglide 2 and have worn them without the liner twice in the last week. So far so good, but the real proof will be mid-August temps.

I have exact same pants and they have been working great for me. What I do if it gets hot is - I just wear shorts under them. They let plenty of air though (as does the jacket - under which I wear the T-shirt only).

I kind of wish I bought silver colored ones now (I did buy a silver Airglide 2 jacket though) - rather than black but oh well...

I am determined not to ride without proper gear but we'll see what happens once we hit 90+... if I need to get something else too or what...

Squeaky

04-03-2007, 05:24 PM

I think the Airglide pants will actually be cooler in the summer than a pair of jeans. This past weekend I wore them over just a pair of bike shorts, and there was plenty of air getting through.

Beach

04-03-2007, 06:26 PM

I need to find some summer pants also. It offically went to too hot and muggy for my perforated leather as of yesterday!!
Dug out the JRocket mesh jacket to wear today and was still sweating like a p!& after just a few minutes.

bones

04-03-2007, 07:32 PM

I will look into the Olympia's. I commute to work and will just bring my work pants in my bags if need be to keep me from sweaty bits n' pieces

txbanditrydr

04-03-2007, 07:57 PM

Thumbs up to Fieldsheer Air Titanium pants for hot weather riding. Good padding and armor - lots of airflow and with a "wind suit" lower or overpant it can handle a wide range of temperature swings.

Boxercup Dave

04-03-2007, 08:08 PM

I have a pair of Olympia pants with the liner for cooler weather but haven't tried them without the liner. Folks we ride with have them and like them a lot.

I will say that the full mesh Vanson jacket and pants flow extremely well but hey tend to be a bit higher priced. No liner so I only use them in the hotter months.

grossrider

04-03-2007, 08:34 PM

I have the BMW summer riding pants with CE padding for knees and hips. Light color (beige) to reflect heat and seems to breathe well. Can also unzip the legs and wear as shorts.

Sleepy Weasel

04-05-2007, 04:30 PM

I've got the Firstgear HT Air's and was wearing them during my accident last July. I wasn't sure how much protection they would offer, but they really saved my knees a lot of wear & tear as I launched over/through the bars. Can't say how they hold up in a pavement slide, though.

d2mini

04-07-2007, 08:40 AM

I am waiting for some BMW Venting Machine pants to come in in my size. From the research that I've done these are supposed to be THE BEST compromise of protection, comfort, and airflow with an emphasis on airflow. I have not heard one bad remark about this suit. I have the jacket but have not had a chance to wear it yet. But the quality looks top notch and I have not seen a mesh that feels like this. The pants are not overpants, they are fitted. Might be worth a look at you local bmw shop.

Eulogite

04-07-2007, 09:19 AM

We wear Air Glides, also. Last summer I would wear cotton t-shirt, riding shorts, cool vest, and mesh suit. I was okay even in triple digits. I did have to wet the cool vest every 90 minutes or so.

Eltee

04-08-2007, 06:13 PM

http://lh3.google.com/image/NealsWebPics/Rhhz2VaZvMI/AAAAAAAAApc/LU4_2NWhCGw/Neal%20Ready%20to%20Ride.jpg

Been quite pleased with my Olympia Airglide that has jacket and pants liner. Side zippers in pants and pant liners make them easy to don and doff. These have held up quite well since June of 05 and 35k+ miles. I've survived temps of 105 wearing shorts underneath. I'm thinking the silver color maybe cooler than the dark colors, besides, I like that it goes with my mustach color. The best laugh ever wearing these when an attempted intimidation comment was "hey, you look like the Tin Man from the Wizard of OZ". Neal

JeffM

07-10-2007, 12:59 PM

Thanks for all the posts..I am looking for a good pair of mesh overpants as well.
I will check out the brands mentioned here, and if I buy a pair will work up a little review :)

Looking for something to wear over my work slacks..aka the goal is not to be drenched in sweat when I get to work :giveup:

cmcnamee

07-12-2007, 05:40 PM

I still put in a vote for the stuff from CyclePort that I've been using for about 8 years now. Anyone know if they are still around?

Carl

sherob

07-12-2007, 06:46 PM

I still put in a vote for the stuff from CyclePort that I've been using for about 8 years now. Anyone know if they are still around?

Carl

Yes they are ;-)

www.motoport.com

donroger1

07-12-2007, 08:25 PM

VFRinAustin

07-12-2007, 08:37 PM

FirstGear is the only pants that come in my waist size.
I currently wear the FirstGear HT II Textile Overpants and enjoy them a great deal.
I need some mesh pants and FirstGear has two choices.
"Mesh-Tex 2.0" Mesh Pants and HT Air 2.0 Mesh Overpants.
Does anyone have experience with both?
I am a firm believer in "you get what you pay for".
Any insights?

Unfortunately I cant tell you about both, but I do have a pair of the Mesh-Tex and love them. Did replace the knee armor but other than that the fit is good and the ventilation is great.

GregH

07-16-2007, 10:08 PM

Does anyone own the Motoport Kevlar gear?
I'm curious about it... (and I thought my Vanson Ventilator jacket was expensive!)

cmcnamee

07-18-2007, 08:49 PM

Yes they are ;-)

www.motoport.com

Thanks. I had tried that link but it wasn't working at the time. Guess they had a server problem or something.

Carl

roadwarrior

08-03-2007, 10:31 PM

I recommend the mesh kevlar from cycleport. Really protective and tough as nails. Flows a ton of air - much more than the tighter weave poly jackets with mesh panels only. They can custom make to your measurements. The stuff really lasts well also.

MC - they are still around and their build time is down to two weeks right now (used to be 12 at one point a year or two ago). Pretty decent folks to deal with