Summer Trousers Recommendations

[Dan130i]

So this is my first summer biking - only got a bike late September last year.

Been out a few times over the last week or 2 with the good weather and one problem I'm having is a very sweaty crotch (lovely I know ). I've got a decent perforated jacket, gloves are nice and light and boots are fine too.

I've got a pair of Oxford jeans at the moment which are nice but hot... I've been holding off on buying anything else as I wasn't sure what I'd want in the summer.

Anyone got any recommendations?? I'm after ideally light weight stuff that could be worn casually off the bike.

Cheers!

[anonymous-user]

This is the look you should go for

[cannedheat]

Are your jeans single layer or lined?

What style are you looking for? I just got some Klim Switchback trousers which have good venting (leg and thigh), removable knee armour (from outside) and are AA rated.

[StreetDragster]

If the casual off the bike is important, i think you'll need some single layer jeans or biking chinos, maybe with d3o ghost armour.

If not bothered, rst ventilator x gear is nice in summer and well priced

[bogie]

You want some single layer kevlar jeans, not the lined ones that are like chainsaw trousers. Single layer jeans have the kevlar stuff woven into the fabric so they are like normal jeans, wind comes straight through mine. They have d30 hip/knee armour just he same.

Downside is on anything other than a warm day you probably want a base layer under them....like when you go out at 10 deg in the morning.

I have some Rokkertech jeans which are expensive but certainly the best when they came out some years ago, however other brands make single layer jeans now like PMJ

https://www.motolegends.com/motorcycle-jeans/pmj-t...

[KTMsm]

Google Roadskin - they make single layer jeans and chinos

I have the jeans and they are perfect for this time of year they only sell direct and they are much cheaper than the alternatives

[CallorFold]

Just ordered myself some "Bull-it Onyx Slim Covec Jeans" - they've had to go back as the waist was a little big but a smaller size is on order. Should be ideal for summer riding; single layer denim, came with knee and hip armour and are supposedly a little water resistant too. My Knox Richmond Jeans are just a little heavy with their full cordura lining once we get into the 20+ degrees.

[sooty61]

bogie said:

You want some single layer kevlar jeans, not the lined ones that are like chainsaw trousers. Single layer jeans have the kevlar stuff woven into the fabric so they are like normal jeans, wind comes straight through mine. They have d30 hip/knee armour just he same.

Downside is on anything other than a warm day you probably want a base layer under them....like when you go out at 10 deg in the morning.

I have some Rokkertech jeans which are expensive but certainly the best when they came out some years ago, however other brands make single layer jeans now like PMJ

https://www.motolegends.com/motorcycle-jeans/pmj-t...

Agree with this. My Rokkertech are great in the summer and with a merino wool underneath in winter they can be used all year round

[Iminquarantine]

There is no bike pants which are particularly good off the bike. Although you can buy bike pants which are quite comfortable, either the armor is not comfortable or there is insufficient armor to be protective.

You want mesh bike pants which are easy to take off with shoes/boots on and normal pants underneath.

I just wear the same mesh pants all year, ranging from shorts to trousers with thermal underwear and waterproof underneath, depending on weather.

[Iminquarantine]

There is no bike pants which are particularly good off the bike. Although you can buy bike pants which are quite comfortable, either the armor is not comfortable or there is insufficient armor to be protective.

You want mesh bike pants which are easy to take off with shoes/boots on and normal pants underneath.

I just wear the same mesh pants all year, ranging from shorts to trousers with thermal underwear and waterproof underneath, depending on weather.

[gareth h]

I tried several pairs of single layer jeans, and ended up with Rokkertech too, they have a bit of stretch which means the armour stays in place (which it didn’t on some of the looser fits), and they were comfy on the bike, I was recommended the £200 ones by sportsbikeshop, the salesman said they were what they all wore (not the £325 ones)

[ThreadKiller]

I just got a pre-loved pair of rokker tech revolution off ebay. Quality and style seem very good. Not worn them yet- expect they will get bit hot but hopefully less so than my leathers.

[FlyingPanda]

I’ve just got some John Doe Ironhead jeans from Urban Rider and they are superb. Really comfortable, a bit stretchy (which helps getting a leg over) and off the bike you’d never know they weren’t just ordinary jeans.

So far I have ridden in 4 degrees (admittedly quite chilly, but the day warmed up quite quickly) and about 21 degrees and they were certainly far better than any textiles or leathers. I think once you get over 30 degrees then anything is going to seem hot, but these are comfortable for a pretty broad range.

[Iminquarantine]

In the jeans department, I have a pair of Road Skin single layer jeans. As jeans, they are quite comfortable. As I wrote above, due to the armor, they are still not as comfortable as normal clothes off the bike. IMHO they will also be much less protective than my kevlar mesh overpants which have over double the amount of armor. I never wear the jeans for high speed riding and only occasionally for city riding, as it is so easy to take the mesh pants on and off.

[KTMsm]

Iminquarantine said:

I have a pair of Road Skin single layer jeans. As jeans, they are quite comfortable. As I wrote above, due to the armor, they are still not as comfortable as normal clothes off the bike.

I find the knee armour never stays in place with any trousers, I wear Forcefield Graph Tubes which are very comfortable and stay in place - I have my doubts about how good they are, but they are level 2

[Dan130i]

Cheers everyone, I'll have a look at Rokkertech and Road Skin. I think I'll have a look at mesh textile stuff too and possibly wear something underneath.

My Oxford jeans are single layer so probably similar to the suggestions here but I need another pair anyway. Maybe mesh pants are the way to go

[RizzoTheRat]

KTMsm said:

I find the knee armour never stays in place with any trousers, I wear Forcefield Graph Tubes which are very comfortable and stay in place - I have my doubts about how good they are, but they are level 2

I definitely agree with this. I have Knox Crossguards and my wife has Forcefield Limb tubes. Both fit tightly on to your leg, whereas unless your trousers are very tight, armour fixed to he trousers will always move around. I find my Draggin' zipoffs very comfortable, and can convert to shorts when I stop, although I accept that the zip is going to be a weak point compared to my wife's standard Draggin's

[Iminquarantine]

Two days in London with mid 20s temperature.

Yesterday I went our with armored single layer Kevlar jeans and a Kevlar hoody. I was hot on the bike, hot off the bike even with the hoodie off and I could feel the armor in the jeans.

Today I went our in shorts and a short sleeve shirt, over which I put armored mesh Kevlar pants and mesh Kevlar jacket. I felt quite comfortable on th bike, not hot at all. I took it off in seconds, left it in the bike and enjoyed walking around in shorts. The mesh Kevlar is also much more protective than the Kevlar jeans and hoodie.

Edited by Iminquarantine on Saturday 12th June 17:56

[Zarco]

Road Skin makes me think gravel rash. Not a great name.