Leather Trousers For Commuting?

[johnsmith222]

Hi.

I was wondering if anyone here wears leather trousers for commuting? I have a set of IXS textile trousers that cost around 100 quid with some knox hip armour I added. I can't help but think that I'd rather be wearing some decent fitting leather bike trousers instead. Obviously they wouldn't be waterproof so I can always use the IXS textiles when it's raining or the waterproof over trousers I have.

I understand that motorcycle textiles are made for going down the road, but I cant help but think I'd much rather be in a full 2 piece. I'm sure they've got to be quite beneficial in terms of protection if the police riders all wear leather trousers. I presume they wear the leather trousers because their legs won't get as wet as their torso and their textile jacket is probably better quality than my ixs trousers.

How are leather trousers in terms of going over very thin suit type trousers?

I'd be mainly looking at the sort that are all black, no knee sliders but with decent armour pockets on hips and knees.

I am just wondering if any of you use leather trousers to commute?

Thanks for your opinions and advice!

[colin1]

I prefer the convenience of wearing textiles over office trousers, but my commutes have never involved speeds that would justify leather.
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[Ariel Badger]

Cops wear leather pants cus they like the S&M power trip. stick with armored textiles for everyday riding.
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Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[Aka Matt]

Would get rather sweaty I would imagine and your suit trousers would be more wrinkled than a scrotum once you take the leathers off. Also leather trousers generally aren't the full length of your legs either so you will have your trousers hanging out the bottoms of them into your boots. Also because the leathers wont go over your boots, they will more than likely get rather damp inside in the rain.
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[doggone]

You might be able to do it, I got some in plain jeans style from ebay that aren't all that thick and a fairly relaxed fit, can be worn over normal trousers even denim jeans comfortably enough.

[johnsmith222]

Thanks a lot for your input. I didn't think about the whole scrotum trousers issue and thinking about it a bit more, I would possibly end up going back to the textiles.

I know my next question isn't a straight forward answer, but what sort of speeds would be when I would really need a set of leather trousers?

I ride between 60 and 80mph on the motorway commuting. What do you think of textiles at those sort of speeds?

[Ingah]

I'd suggest that leather trousers can come in handy at anything 20mph or more. If you hit something. As that's what'll damage you, more than the sliding.

Leathers (proper fitting) provide slightly better abrasion resistance, but that imo is not the reason to be wearing them. I suggest it's the capability for the (proper fitting) leathers to act as a splint, holding blood and broken bones in place, keeping you alive long enough for the ambulance to arrive and sort you out. This is something your textiles won't do. Have also heard damage to the body increases as you go down the body - suggesting to me that leathers would be more beneficial lower down the body (which is the real reason i suspect police use them).

However, what's better - crashing and having more chance of survival, or not crashing? Obvious answer, but if you start feeling rain/cold, your concentration will suffer, making the crash more likely to occur. Textiles, i suggest are usually better at protecting vs this respect.

I wear textiles for the most-part.
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-- Ingah

[johnsmith222]

[JP7]

I tend to stick with textiles, especially when I'm commuting. They can go on over your work clothes, and it only takes seconds to take all the kit off again once you get there. I think leather trousers would be more of a hassle, as others have said, if you can actually wear other trousers under them, they'll be wrinkled as hell by the time you're at work.

[iooi]

[Mord]

[Ichy]

I wear leathers for commuting while the weather is warm enough. I just get changed at work. Textiles, especially with other clothes under them, get too warm.

[Serendipity]

I prefer comfort and practicality over other options that could arguably be safer. Hence I wear armoured textile trousers over suit trousers on my normal daily commute rather than leathers. Recently I spent a couple of weeks commuting into the City of London where speeds were lower and temperatures higher so I left my suit at the office and rode in Hood Kevlar\denims. Much more comfortable.

I also don’t recommend wearing trousers under leathers. At the very least you’ll crease your trousers, at worst you’ll end up with nasty friction burns or fabric tattoos after a slide down the road.
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2016 CBF1000F - Commuter heaven | 1994 CBR600FR - Awaiting defibrillation

[angryjonny]

I used to do 300 miles a week - 50% motorway 50% London in Draggin jeans, waterproofs on top if required. With hindsight pretty stupid, but I was lucky. I tend to commute in leathers these days as I'll only take the bike if it's "leather weather". Someone will presumably tell me to "man up" shortly. It's this forum's catch-phrase at the moment.

[G]

[Whosthedaddy]

I wear leather trousers all year bar really rainy days when the textiles come out. I have to get changed at work anyways so why not?

I did get a set of Draggin jeans but not worn them in a while? I find that leathers are the most comfortable and reassuring.
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