Leg options for keeping warm in cold weather?

[zeoran]

I'm a native born Southern Californian, so cold is relative to us. But the morning commute is dipping into the low 50's and my normal dress wear for my job is to wear black or blue slacks which are perfect and comfortable, but also very thin and don't protect against cold wind at all.

Any ideas for something I can put over my legs (like chaps) that will protect them from the wind? I need something I can put OVER my existing pants, not replacement pants themselves.

God bless,

Pray for Trump,

~Mark

[Andy Cote]

I am not a fan of chaps. Besides the limited protection. they are actually a PITA to put on and wear. But they look cool.

I prefer overpants with impact padding or an underlayer that could change out of once at work (or both). For serious conditions (apply your own definition), heated gear is easy to install.

I had a co-worker with an Ultra Glide and he and I would often talk about gear; appearance vs. protection. I pointed out to him that I liked:

jacket with sleeves
pants with a crotch
gloves with fingers
and headgear made or carbon fiber, not cotton fiber.

[tamathumper]

If it's your lower legs that get cold, maybe consider knee-high rain gaiters, they keep the wind off your ankles and shins, and don't mess up your slacks as much as overpants.

[Solo So Long]

There are two issues -- first, temperature, second, porous fabric.

Check your local thrift stores, Craigslist, etc for snowmobile pants. These solve both problems. The pair that I have go on and off over riding boots.

Oversized sweat pants help with temp, not so much the air going through fabric.

[zeoran]

The reason I mentioned chaps in the beginning is because I'm looking for something that will just block the wind from getting through and something that I can simply strap on over my existing pants. If I have to put it on under them, it's too much, if I have to put it on over them (and also my boots) it's too much.

God willing, in a month or so I'll be able to find a new apartment that's a lot closer to my job, which will eliminate this commute entirely and make the problem moot. But until then, I'd like to stop freezing my legs off in the morning.

~Mark

[aj1500]

just my 2 cents, I ride year round and even though it doesn't get that bad here we do get about a month when it will in the 30s or less in the mornings. my commute to work is about 30 miles all highway. I like chaps and have found them to be very good for blocking wind.
I find it not that important that they don't have the crotch area covered as your siting on the bike and get very little wind there while riding. I bought a pair of armored over pants this year and will be trying them to see how I like them. they are more work to get on and off but seem comfortable enough.

[zeoran]

What kind of chaps should I be looking for? rain?

[WingAdmin]

I've been riding with these for years:

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=24209

With the included windproof liner, they are very warm. If I'm riding when I know it's going to be close to freezing, I'll put a pair of lined jeans on underneath, or thermal long johns. I've never been cold with them!

[minimac]

The "Frugal Mans" solution is to get a pair of shin pads similar to what soccer players wear. They attach with a couple of velcro straps that wrap around the leg, offer some fall protection, and even have a protector for the the knee. They can be worn under the pants leg or over, and can usually be found for under $20. Quick, easy, and best of all, cheap.

[Andy Cote]

What kind of chaps should I be looking for? rain?

I still believe motorcycle overpants are superior to chaps. But, in answer to your question, I have seen nothing but praise for this company: https://www.coloradochaps.com/ I can not personally attest, only share what I have heard third hand. They also offer half chaps (shin guard style). Custom sized and made in America.

[C-dub]

I'll pile on to the rain pants solution.

They are far easier to get on and off than chaps and much easier on the wallet. They don't look as cool, but let's be honest here, do chaps really look cool when riding a Goldwing? Or do they say, "I used to ride a Harley, but finally wised up and bought a Goldwing, but still have these chaps I'm not willing to throw out yet."

[minimac]

They are far easier to get on and off than chaps and much easier on the wallet. They don't look as cool, but let's be honest here, do chaps really look cool when riding a Goldwing?

Chaps are still quite popular with the Village People crowd.

[tamathumper]

If you get overpants with knee armor that's held in with Velcro, just be careful that the hook side doesn't fold over at the corners and come in contact with your dress pants. That stuff will "pick" your slacks and you'll have fuzzy patches on the knees of your pants where the threads are pulled out.

[detdrbuzzard]

i have a pair of chaps that i bought back around '08 for cool / cold weather riding, they did little to keep my legs warm and did nothing to keep my butt warm. next up was a pair of tourmaster quest pants, they seemed warmer simply cause my butt was covered. spent good money on a pair of klim latitude pants, i like them but they are heavy and feel clamy in cool / cold weather. last year i picked up a pair of tourmaster venture pants, they have a removable liner and though my foot tends to pull the liner up in the pant leg when i remove them i'm happiest with them

[NVSB4]

Admittedly, I've been caught either without planning ahead or thinking that I'd be warm enough.
It's easy to stop and put on the Frog Toggs that I always have in the saddlebag.
They're easy to put on, (as they're made to go over everything) and they stop the wind enough to let your regular riding gear be sufficient.
For me, using something that I already have and don't have to remember to pack is a win-win.

[DarthJ]

They are far easier to get on and off than chaps and much easier on the wallet. They don't look as cool, but let's be honest here, do chaps really look cool when riding a Goldwing?

Chaps are still quite popular with the Village People crowd.

They're also popular with my gf, and she rides a Shadow, so.........

[AZgl1800]

+2 on Frogg Toggs.

they are always in the saddle bag, pack up very small and tight when not in use.
I chose the Huge Size which makes them easier to put on, and squirm around in while riding.

[Wingsconsin]

I purchased a set of Knee Neck Wrap Chaps at Americade years ago -
They look weird - but WORK - And I can put them on in a matter of minutes -

https://knee-necks-llc.square.site/

Facebook Link -->> https://www.facebook.com/WrapChapsandKneeNecks/

[Dirtrack650]

I ride down to 25 degrees up here in Washington State on my GL500 Adventure and GL1100. Anything below 45 degrees I slip on snow bibs from Big 5. They're one size too big so they pull over my street clothes and boots. Tip: slip a plastic shopping or garbage bag over your shoes or boots and the bibs slide right on without snagging.

If it's under 40 I'll wear thermal underwear and heated gloves.
https://www.big5sportinggoods.com/store ... 5125345499

[FM-USA]

I have suggestions.
_Snowski bibs.
_Snowmobile jumpsuit.
_Puffer coats, (2 different weights)
Reason for including a coat suggestion is if you're cold in one place, that cold cools your blood & carries it around making well protected parts chilly. At times this works in reverse also. Warm body, warm bare hands.

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[Lasalle]

@ Mark: I don't think we should bring politics into this forum! Thanks!

[FM-USA]

Forgot to add...
With those clothes I mentioned (2 posts B4), my feet are warm enough to wear summer shoes. If it's raining hard, black baggies over the shoes.
I don't use electric heat, these clothes work quite well.

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[Dirtrack650]

I don't use electric heat, these clothes work quite well.

After riding a few hours below 35 degrees, if I don't have my gloves on high, my fingers don't work well enough to get my helmet off

[FM-USA]

I don't use electric heat, these clothes work quite well.

After riding a few hours below 35 degrees, if I don't have my gloves on high, my fingers don't work well enough to get my helmet off

I should have mentioned I've built my tolerance to cold over the many-MANY decades of riding in the cold.
My spare tire? I tell'm, that's not fat, it's blubber.

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[Northwings]

Chaps, rain pants or snow pants? I have all three, the but there’s another, more convenient option. My GL1800/ Hannigan trike is equipped with wind wings and Leeman faired running boards. Your legs are completely protected from wind and rain. I never use the chaps and rarely the rain or snow pants and I ride down to about 40 deg. I plan to wear the chaps over shorts for crash protection on hot weather so I don’t have to wear jeans. For most other conditions, including light rain, jeans work fine.

I know you can’t put most faired running boards on two wheelers, but some version of wind wings might help.