Who wears chaps?

[dfpk]

Doing research on buying chaps for riding in colder weather. I have read a number of negative posting about the look and even one that said "men over 50 should not be seen wearing chaps." Seriously! Any thoughts.

 

[RcSuD]

I wear mine only in the cold and rain, and yah, we do look kinda silly in them at our age, but who cares. We're old enough to not worry about what anybody thinks about us.

 

[Grandpa1]

I bought a couple of pair of high dollar leather chaps over the years but I never did like to wear them.They just didn't seem to keep me warm or dry.
I wear what I want. I don't care what anyone thinks about the correct age to wear stuff.

 

[rmrc51]

I wear mine only in the cold and rain, and yah, we do look kinda silly in them at our age, but who cares. We're old enough to not worry about what anybody thinks about us.

I agree 100%. I could give a rat's ass what other people think I look like. As long as I'm comfortable, that's all that counts!

 

[JimmyDee]

They are great for offering wind protection, but standard leather chaps have very little insulation qualities. On 35 - 40 degree rides, a good pair of insulated bottoms, blue jeans and chaps and I am good for about 2 hours of dry riding.

Never felt like I was making any fashion statement wearing chaps regardless of my age. They are just a utility garment that does a pretty good job of deflecting the wind.

 

[jmk865]

When riding in cold, wet weather; I wear a battery powered hoodie under a leather jacket, lined jeans under leather chaps, and a fleece lined skull cap with ear flaps. I don't even give a rat's patoot what I look like or what anyone thinks......besides that no one could recognize me with all that stuff on anyway...lol. If they recognize the trike; they probably are thinking "there goes our nutty neighbor". Lots of times I'll ride a little in cold weather just to give them something to talk about ......

 

[werewolf]

Obviously, some chaps look better that others.
So you need to find a place that stocks several brands
and try them on.

The wife picked up a pair (tags seemed to be missing when purchased)
at a bike rally. They are heavy duty and have a zip out insulated liner.
Most of the time the liner, is at home or in the bag on the trike
She says that they get hot quick. They arnt that pretty, but they keep
her WARM.

YEARS AGO, one of the bike magazines, did a test of different fabrics
for rider safety. Leather won the catagory of stopping road rash.
The man made fiber ones tended to be more comfortable and fit better
So leather maybe less comfortable but if you go down, it may save a
lot more of your skin if you slide.

As others have said, layering is your best option. It is a lot better
to take stuff off to cool off than to be cold and NOT have it.
Long underwear, jeans and chaps over boots
Long underwear shrit, long sleeve t shirt, hoodie, leather jacket and gloves.
Throw on the helmet and you can ride in a lot colder weather
than you think.
(I would love some good heated gear, but it is not really needed at
this point, Maybe one dayThumbUp)(yes, Im a wuss during cold weather:laugh

As for what people think, screw em.
If we wanted to all be alike, we would all
be driving a shoebox with four tires.

 

[pcombe]

I wear my chaps when haying, branding or its cold outside and even when its raining lightly.

Mine are designed for the horseman and are made out of heavy oil tanned bullhide (stomach region)
I use them for both bikes and horses, ranch work etc. I keep them well oiled, have had them for thirty yrs., and wear them snake hunting.
Everything i see made for the motorcycle rider seems just to light of a leather to be of much use to me.

 

[Firea100]

I bought my wife a set. Asked her to go "commando" with them. To my amasement she did. As I tried to get my camera phone out she slammed the bedroom door on my hand!! What a view!!!

 

[cavie]

I live in Florida. Bought a cheep pair. Love 'em every Wednesday night Dec-Feb. At 62 I could care less about "how I look". It's how about how I feel. I'm comfortable, I'm happy, I'm ride'n.

 

[pcombe]

i bought my wife a set. Asked her to go "commando" with them. To my amasement she did. As i tried to get my camera phone out she slammed the bedroom door on my hand!! What a view!!!

too much info. Not enough content.

 

[Veritas44]

I'd say as long as a 50 yr old (or ANY Man for that matter) wears some pants underneath them, it'll be just fine

 

[dfpk]

Doing research on buying chaps for riding in colder weather. I have read a number of negative posting about the look and even one that said "men over 50 should not be seen wearing chaps." Seriously! Any thoughts.

Thanks for the replies and information. Guess I am not the only senior citizen around who is convinced that my way is the right way.

 

[07BlueCSC]

I am glad I had chaps traveling thru Wyoming & South Dakota in June. Rain & Snow & 32 degrees.

 

[Shimpy]

I resisted buying them for years, but found they do work if lined. Make sure you get them with some pockets. Mine has one worthless pocket and it's almost impossible to get to my wallet, cell and keys in my jeans.

 

[Chumbly]

Yep, I wear them as well... too many rocks, grasshoppers, junebugs, etc. that will leave a welt on your leg otherwise. They also keep the bugs off of your pant legs. I have a buddy who claims only the "Village People" should wear chaps, but I tell 'em that riders have been wearing chaps long before the "Village People" came about. And like others said, I'm not wearing them to make a fashion statement, and could care less if others think it's appropriate or not.

 

[07BlueCSC]

I resisted buying them for years, but found they do work if lined. Make sure you get them with some pockets. Mine has one worthless pocket and it's almost impossible to get to my wallet, cell and keys in my jeans.

That is the one BAD thing about chaps.:xzqxz:

If you can not get your wallet out, maybe somebody else will pay.:laugh:

 

[pcombe]

I am glad I had chaps traveling thru Wyoming & South Dakota in June. Rain & Snow & 32 degrees.

Yep, thats my home alright!

Typical every year.

 

[Shimpy]

That is the one BAD thing about chaps.:xzqxz:

If you can not get your wallet out, maybe somebody else will pay.:laugh:

It may be the one good thing....You don't have to worry about pick-pockets.

 

[Livin2Ride]

Go here http://www.coloradochaps.com/ read, call, order and enjoy. We are way over 50 heck 60 for that matter and we wear these. We have 2 sets of them, 1 with the fleece lining and 1 without. They go on with one strap on each leg to your belt, no 2nd belt to fool with. They go up and down with your pants so the ladies like them. You can get to all your pockets and they absolutely do not pull your pants down all the time. They weight about 2 pounds per set and pack down to nothing. I highly recommend the "pipe patches" for the rider, mine are double layered Kevlar and have worked great. I use the lined ones in weather down to 30, but have to get out of them and into the unlined ones when it's over 50. So far I haven't found anything to not like about them.

BTW, after we got them all our riding friends got them too.

 

[Ozarkryder]

Used to wear the traditional leather chaps, they cut the wind but weren't really warm and soaked through after time in the rain. Gloria found a set of textile chaps at the Davis Rally, got each of us a set and we really like them. They are made by Choko Design, made of textile and lined. Strangely they are both warmer in the cold and cooler the the hot. We waterproofed them so they are a good substitute for full on rain pants when the road is wet but not raining. They have loops that strap to your belt so all pockets are accessible they are a lot lighter than leather and roll up smaller.
http://www.goldwinggear.com/en/chaps.htm

 

[RdKnB]

I am 60 and wear them, I really would not care less on what anyone thought I looked like

 

[Texas Rider]

I'm sorry, I'm so old I thought this thread was going to be about chap stick. :laugh:

 

[bustedwing]

My first ensemble was leather just like everyone else. But the U.P. has so many cold riding days and like was stated leather does nothing to insulate, so the second ensemble I got First Gear Jacket and pants. Both are armored, insulated, waterproof, zipper closure and vents, reflecting piping, more pockets than any body needs. Completely washable, I love this set. I believe it will be my last set.

 

[Virg49]

Used to wear the traditional leather chaps, they cut the wind but weren't really warm and soaked through after time in the rain. Gloria found a set of textile chaps at the Davis Rally, got each of us a set and we really like them. They are made by Choko Design, made of textile and lined. Strangely they are both warmer in the cold and cooler the the hot. We waterproofed them so they are a good substitute for full on rain pants when the road is wet but not raining. They have loops that strap to your belt so all pockets are accessible they are a lot lighter than leather and roll up smaller.
http://www.goldwinggear.com/en/chaps.htm

I have the ones that are fabric as well and I like them alot....don't own anything leather anymore..........Virg49

 

[Trent]

Ha ha Wheels!! I love your sense of humor!! Makes me smile everytime I see your photo...!

 

[Blueribbon]

I wear them all seasons. They are good quality and fairly heavy (though not as heavy as cowboy chaps), but I do not think they cause my legs to overheat in the summer. I always do all equipment all the time, so since I wear a coat, my upper riding temperture cuts-off at 90.

 

[Urlawyer]

My wife and i wore chaps many times in the northern States during the 17 months of our trip to see the the U.S.

My wife has a set that was made to her specs using a light leather.

My set is made with horse hide leather.

we both used them over silk long johns and silk uppers followed by jeans.

Note that I said "silk". Silk is more expensive than cotton long johns but silk is lighter and adjusts to temperature conditions.

but back to the chaps. I had the misfortune of going down in Estes Park in Colorado when an A.H. Passed me then hit the brakes in front of me. I went down on my back and left side. However, I was wearing my horse leather chaps, Harley leather jacket, leather gloves, and a 3/4 helmet. Other than bruise on my left arm I was ok. The chaps and jacket got a little wear.

My FLSTC suffered a bent set of handle bars which the fire department fixed well enough for me to get to Sturgis where I had them replaced.

the guy who caused the accident just kept on going.

 

[2Trikez]

Never liked the leather chaps. Used some thinsulate ski-type pants (cheap) in very cold weather (high teens to low 30's) do OK with longies and heavyweight jeans (13oz.). But when riding in temps in the low 40's to 70's in the late spring/summer/early fall we have been using the chap from "Zone-Tailed" Chaps (www.zone-tailed.com). They are made from 12 oz.denium, Kelvar in the knee area (pipe patch can be added) with a full zipper on the shotgun style legs, and have a front & rear belt that is adjustable via Velcro so one can re-adjust easily. We've had our for about 15 yrs and the wife loves them because she can wear her "shorts" in really hot weather rides. They keep the "shorts leg" inside the chap leg while riding. These are just great for our type riding (trike & 2 wheeler). Don't pack down quite as tight...but I'll live with that.


Have also looked at Colorado Chaps...these were my next choice as they can be insulated and relatively as cheap a Zone-Tailed. Still might them later this year as we ride deep in the season here in PA.

TZ2