full leathers for winter riding...does it work?

[Bheezy27403_imp]

Looks like it's now out of stock so the point is moot. That was a ridiculous price for a full suit.

[Nortoon_imp]

Leather without some form of insulation is cold. I find lined deerskin suede gloves are warmer than lined leather gloves in cold weather. When it is really cold I wear fleece lined deerskin suede gloves. The more air you can trap in gloves, the warmer your fingers are going stay.

I wear Cabelas flannel lined jeans in cool weather. I buy them 2 inches longer than normal so they don't pull tight on my knees or let cold air up my shins. If the weather warms in the afternoon they are still comfortable. In cold weather I wear long underwear under them. Tall boots are a must to keep the wind from chilling your shins.

I wear a tight fitting down filled jacket under my leather jacket, and a long sleeve T-shirt under a flannel shirt. The down filled jacket stops the cold wind from passing through the leather jacket zippers and keeps the small of my back warm. Layers can be removed if the weather warms in the afternoon.

If the weather changes for the worst, adding a rain suit will cut the wind chill considerably.

[Houtman_imp]

Leather without some form of insulation is cold. I find lined deerskin suede gloves are warmer than lined leather gloves in cold weather. When it is really cold I wear fleece lined deerskin suede gloves. The more air you can trap in gloves, the warmer your fingers are going stay.

I wear Cabelas flannel lined jeans in cool weather. I buy them 2 inches longer than normal so they don't pull tight on my knees or let cold air up my shins. If the weather warms in the afternoon they are still comfortable. In cold weather I wear long underwear under them. Tall boots are a must to keep the wind from chilling your shins.

I wear a tight fitting down filled jacket under my leather jacket, and a long sleeve T-shirt under a flannel shirt. The down filled jacket stops the cold wind from passing through the leather jacket zippers and keeps the small of my back warm. Layers can be removed if the weather warms in the afternoon.

If the weather changes for the worst, adding a rain suit will cut the wind chill considerably.

Or you could move south ! (just kidding )

[TINK_imp]

One word; AEROSTICH

[Bazbro_imp]

Electrically heated clothing.

A medical problem almost stopped my motorcycling. I initially made my own heated clothing (easy with Constantan resistance wire) but now buy the commercial ones.

No more bulky "winter" clothing - normal gear, a one-piece rainsuit and heated underjacket/gloves/whatever is all you need. Also good for mountain rides when you start off, baking on a desert floor, then climb to a snow-line and back. Just turn the heat up as necessary!

[misterprofessionality]

Electrically heated clothing.

A medical problem almost stopped my motorcycling. I initially made my own heated clothing (easy with Constantan resistance wire) but now buy the commercial ones.

No more bulky "winter" clothing - normal gear, a one-piece rainsuit and heated underjacket/gloves/whatever is all you need. Also good for mountain rides when you start off, baking on a desert floor, then climb to a snow-line and back. Just turn the heat up as necessary!

that was the original plan. here's the thing though: the best i could do for a complete set of that was around $600. that's fine and all. i'm sure it's worth it. however, when i found this leather suit, it turned out i was able to get it for less than 200 (with boots). it's worth considering using it instead of the heated gear, considering the degree of crash protection in the one piece is actually higher.

i'm not trying to determine if the leather one piece is *best.* i know it's not. that's very clear to me. i'm just trying to determine whether or not it's *adequate*

[the Ferret]

One word; AEROSTICH

You drive for Nascar too?

j/k Tink, but Aerostitch clothing by itself is not winter gear back east, without heated gear under it. Maybe in So Cal it's good for winter

[rboe]

Brazbro nailed it. Electrics really reduce the bulk and truly keep you warm.

I bought the cyclegear brand jacket liner (with sleeves) and glove liners. Added a different brands wireless controller as the button thing on the cyclegear brand was a pain.

A couple years ago I picked up the Aerostich Darian light pants. Last year I added their fleece pants liner (more like pajamas) and that solved my cold legs. They were not cold enough to warrant the electric liner and oddly enough seem to add little bulk. Maybe because I'm skinny.

A buddy with tons more experience than I has switched to Klim jackets from Aerostich (he still prefers their pants) saying they are superior. I still have a Road Gear jacket that works great for heavy duty use. A First Gear adventure jacket I really like, and a couple others that are cut shorter I use for warmer rides near town. I'm kinda jacket rich.

I did pick up a Sedici jacket and matching pants (leather). For the most part they work well but are not warm enough (they are vented) in the cooler temps and certainly too hot when spring hits in Phoenix (high summer for the rest of you, summer is more like He*l than an actual season ) and my left knee gets very irritated in the leathers after about 40 minutes (thigh bone is too long for their cut) so I'm kinda looking for a better alternative in leather. For those times I'd like to wear leather (riding times........).

I need to add, Cyclegear improved their freeze out neck thing (https://www.cyclegear.com/gear/freeze-ou...ck-warmer) and it is very effective. When it is really cold I wear a fleece turtle neck under it, otherwise just the neck protector. If you pull it up so that it covers your chin with the helmet on you simply do not get cold air drafts around your neck. Superb piece of kit. Seems to cut down on road noise too so you get a two-fer.

[Bazbro_imp]

This is a really great English site for motorcycle clothing, with some great articles. This just happens to be very pertinent with your query about "leathers".

https://tinyurl.com/yyhrbd5f

Back in the '60s/'70s, British motorcycle police wore nylon jackets (styled similar to Belstaff trials waxed cotton gear) while German motorcycle police had beautiful leather suits. British motorcycle police now ride in beautiful leather suits BUT... German police now have textile suits (as this article explains)!!

I hope it helps you come to a good decision.
I still highly recommend heated clothing, along with a lighter weight waterproof jacket/trousers/gloves (or a lightweight nylon waterproof oversuit for rain).

[Charlie Bravo_imp]

Here in SoCal, it doesn't get too cold, and since I ride for fun, not for transportation, I can pick and choose my weather, but several years ago my wife found a pair of lined black leather jeans at a local yard sale. They're a bit too large, but they allow room to move and a pair of sweat pants underneath as insulation, and with a black leather jacket are very nice in 50 degrees or so that we get in the local mountains and high desert.