Ordinary Biker Oz: pants

Monday, December 12, 2016

The Best Jeans for Cold Weather

Cold Weather Needs Warm Clothes

For most of the winter months the temperatures in the South does not get too cold for too long. This allows for year-round riding for the most part. When is does cool off most rider still like to get out and ride, especially when there is a worth cause that will benefit from bikers generosity. When the temperatures do drop motorcycle riders break out the cold weather gear and layer up so the ride is enjoyable.

New riders need to be prepared for the cooler temperatures so they can join in the fun of these riders, especially prior to the Christmas season because that is when so many great benefit rides take place. If one does not have heated grips or a heated seat nor heated gear, for example, heated vest, or gloves. being prepared for the cold temperatures is vital.

Trying to warm up inside on a cold morning for a charity ride.

Knowing I would want to ride in many of the events around Christmas as well as ride with friends even when it would be colder I bought a pair of jeans in April, but did not get to wear them until December. I sure am happy I bought them.

Jeans for the ride

I purchased a pair of Cabela's Roughneck fleece lined jeans that were on sale in April. They are traditional 5 pocket jeans with a quality YKK zipper. The jeans are "relaxed cut" and 100% cotton fleece lined. The fleece was very comfortable on the skin. The denim is well made and durable.

The jeans feel great and are not excessively bulky, but I could definitely feel they were heavier than typical blue jeans. Mobility was not hindered. I was able to throw my leg over the bike with no problem, or at no more than usual for an old man. I was comfortable in the saddle of my Honda VFR 1200.

I rode the bike in the lower 40's for a lunch ride. We left McKinney and road out in the country where the temperatures drop a little. I did not get cold. I felt good and comfortable. On a different day it was mid 30's when I started off so I wore a pair of long-johns with the jeans. The combination was perfect. Once again I was comfortable and warm. Never did I feel like I needed more.

Video look at the jeans

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These fleece lined jeans are a great alternative to heated gear and it is much more economical. A new rider who wants to ride when it is cold, but not sure if he or she will like it enough to ride often when it is cold these jeans are a great option. Combine these jeans with good Black Diamond gloves and high quality Rocky boots a rider can stay comfortable. It is unsafe to get too cold so make sure you gear up for the colder weather. I highly recommend these Cabela's Fleece lined jeans!

Ride carefully and prayerfully!

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Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Quality Riding Gear - Four Season Riding Pants

I ran into a dilemma a few years ago when planning my summer trip to Colorado. I knew we would start some mornings in the mountains with temperatures in the 30's and by afternoon I could be at riding at lower elevations with temps pushing the high 80's. I also knew that rain was a certainty. It rains every afternoon somewhere in the Colorado Rockies and I would end up riding in the rain at some point.

The dilemma was how to pack for the varying weather and temperatures within the capacity of my luggage (I also had to pack for my son who was 8 at the time). On that particular trip I ended up pulling a trailer behind the VStar 1100.

Waiting on construction on US 24 south of Leadville

The next two summers our trips took us to South Dakota and Kentucky/North Carolina respectfully. I did not need to pack for colder temperatures on those two trips.

Sunny day at Mt. Rushmore, 2007

About to ride the Dragon - July 2008

The summer of '09 we rode to Colorado and Utah. I once again had to figure out how to be prepared for the temperatures and rain/sleet/snow. I decided to leave the chaps at home and take thermal underpants, thermal undershirts, and rain gear. I would layer as needed. That worked OK, but was still a little bulky and it required stopping in locations where I could either take the thermals off or put them on and this method added to my laundry.

40 degrees on top of the Grand Mesa in Colorado - June 2009

Last October, at the recommendation of a friend, I decided to put up the money and purchase a pair of Tourmaster Flex Pants. I found out during the winter months that the 4 layers will keep you very warm.

Four layers?! Yes, The Flex pants has a rainproof liner, a insulated liner, a mesh shell, and zip-on rainproof material. Reflexive piping on increases night time visibility, thigh high zippers on the outside of the pants makes dressing easy, and adjustable waist belts and elastic waistband makes fitting customizable.

The pants come with removable knee and hip armor. The knee pad pocket allows for three different heights for the armor so that a rider can adjust the pad to fit his/her knee. There is also stretch material in the knees, inseam, and calf that provides a comfortable fit. You can read more about the features on the Riders Discount page

Reflective piping works extremely well.

My favorite feature is the zip on/off rainproof material. The crotch area is made with the rainproof material so only the leg portion of the pants zip on/off, but when off there is sufficient airflow.

The rainproof zip on/off portion of the Flex pants

The rainproof shell is secured with three zippers. After removing the rainproof zip-on/off and putting it back on a couple of times it all makes sense and is easy to use. The pants with the rainproof shell provides a great deal of wind protection and is warm enough for late spring and early fall riding.

Insulated lining

Rainproof lining (note the different colored snap loops on the bottom on the pants.)

Adding the thermal liner made the pants plenty warm for 98% of the North Texas winter. It would need to be very cold (25 degrees or lower) to warrant adding the rain liner with the thermal liner. The first time I rode in the colder weather I had both liners in and the rainproof zip-on/off - I was quite toasty!

The rainproof liner and the insulated liner are easy to add to the shell. Both have a white snap loop on the bottom of the left pant leg and a gray snap loop on the bottom of the right leg. The snaps are used to secure the bottom of the pants and the color of the loop matches the loop on the inside of the shell - this is to help those of us that have difficulty putting things together.

I took the pants with the rainproof zip-ons on my 2010 trip to Yellowstone and had all the weather protection I needed. When crossing the Powder River Pass (9,666ft) in Wyoming, riding the Beartooth Pass 10,947 in Montana & Wyoming, or when sleet got us on Mt. Evans (14,264) the pants worked perfectly.

July 2010 and it is sleeting on Mt. Evans! (Tourmaster pants 2nd from the left)

The pants rolled up and packed easily. I used a small strap to keep the roll tight which made it packable and accessible. The pants are sturdy, well-made, versatile, and usable year round. I highly recommend the Tourmaster Flex Pants for riders that enjoy riding year-round.

Beartooth Highway - looking west.