Chaps or ski pants?

[Torques]

I would like anyone's opinion who would like to comment. I own a set of chaps and have used them on top of cotton pants (Dockers) down to around upper 30's at highway speeds. After a 45 minute ride my legs were not freezing but not very warm either. I have purchased a ski jacket for cold weather riding and it will be warm. My question is: Wouldn't ski pants over jeans with long underwear keep your legs warm at highway speeds? I seem to believe ski pants should be warmer than chaps (somewhat thin leather). I want to be able to ride to lower 30's and stay warm. Thanks in advance.

[Jake '53]

I use ski pants below about 40F. Just have to make sure you don't get them against the pipes.

[OKC_Kent]

I have a pair of First Gear winter overpants. $120 bucks, with a liner, soft armor, velcro and zippers, etc. They are some waterproof material, maybe cordura?? They are very warm, I've worn them into the high teens and my legs just do not get cold. This is my second season of winter riding and they still look new.

[Bcrewcaptain]

Originally Posted by OKC_Kent

I have a pair of First Gear winter overpants. $120 bucks, with a liner, soft armor, velcro and zippers, etc. They are some waterproof material, maybe cordura?? They are very warm, I've worn them into the high teens and my legs just do not get cold. This is my second season of winter riding and they still look new.

x2

I have the same ones...been fine down to 15* with jeans underneath

[Hacker]

I have a pair of USA Biker's Dream chaps with a zip out quilted liner. If it's REALLY cold, I add a pair of Cabela's PolarTec long johns. No problems.

[pitchinguy]

In the low 30's my ski pants work great but I don't really like the bulkyness. I've heard under armor works much better than cotton longjohns & my kids gave me a set of the UA tops & bottoms for Christmas. I'm hoping the UA w/jeans & chaps will do the trick. We'll see if it ever stops friggin raining at 33-34 deg.

[bamavulcandave]

I wear cotton longjohns under pants/chaps.
Never tried the UA, thought that was the thin stuff for summer?

[Redbeard]

Originally Posted by OKC_Kent

This is my second season of winter riding and they still look new.

To cold in winter for bugs they will stay clean that way. lol

[NJdrifter1500]

I bought a First Gear suit call a Thermo. I rode in the upper 20's and did not feel the cold at all. Paid $159 for it and it was definitely worth it. I've seen riding suits as high as $700! This one works perfect!

[Rocket_88]

Originally Posted by Hacker

I have a pair of USA Biker's Dream chaps with a zip out quilted liner. If it's REALLY cold, I add a pair of Cabela's PolarTec long johns. No problems.

Chaps over longjohns. That's got the makings of a "niche" website!

I have been wearing Cross snowboarding salopettes, over Hood Motorcycle jeans and Nike thermal cycling leggings.

[vulcan_dude]

I used ski pants over jeans for a trip this last weekend down to low 30's and very windy, so it was probably even a little colder than that. They held up great, we were very comfortable. Would be even warmer with long johns I would imagine also. As someone else warned, don't get them near the pipes while refueling. They also worked great when we ran across some good rain later on, so they doubled as good "keep-warm-ers" and "rain gear."

We have chaps on order, should receive them in a couple of days, so can't comment on them yet.

[peregrine]

Originally Posted by Torques

I would like anyone's opinion who would like to comment. I own a set of chaps and have used them on top of cotton pants (Dockers) down to around upper 30's at highway speeds. After a 45 minute ride my legs were not freezing but not very warm either. I have purchased a ski jacket for cold weather riding and it will be warm. My question is: Wouldn't ski pants over jeans with long underwear keep your legs warm at highway speeds? I seem to believe ski pants should be warmer than chaps (somewhat thin leather). I want to be able to ride to lower 30's and stay warm. Thanks in advance.

Watch the pipes with those... I've used long Johns under jeans, sweats, and wind breaker/rain gear with hot panels for the pipes. Seems that they all work the same in the 30 degree riding weather.

[cnile]

I have ridden with ski pants over microfiber long johns at temps in the 20s and had no problem with the cold. They are no safer then jeans though if you ever went down.