Gear

[Stovepipes]

I've been wearing cheap, heavy, warm winter gear over my uniform for the last few months, however the weather has changed rather suddenly and I need to get something new.

It's not the right time for me to invest in expensive quality stuff so it'll be more cheap gear but what should I go for? I was thinking another textile jacket but shorter and remove the thermal lining but what about trousers?

Are there lightweight armoured over-trousers? I was also thinking about getting something like that or a pair of Kevlar/Aramid cargo jeans that I could get away with just wearing instead of changing at work but are they any good?

 

[tom_e]

I picked up both of these for the warmer weather
http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/207436
http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/190964

Although I have now got some Hood combats which I prefer as they're fully aramid lined but also £60 more expensive if you want the knee and hip armor as well.
The jacket is great gives plenty of air flow, I've not tried it with the waterproof liner though.

 

[TallPaul_S]

I wear kevlar jeans (Furygan ones) to work when it's dry and warm, you're looking around £100 for a decent pair. I work in IT so don't have to be suited and booted, so in this weather it's kevlar jeans, trainers in my bag, t-shirt under my leather jacket.

When I get a 2nd pair of kevlar jeans it'll be a pair of Hood jeans, already got an array of D30 armor so don't need the armor.

 

[Stovepipes]

What are Hood combats?

 

[tom_e]

I'm really impressed with the Hood kit, expected it to be a fair bit warmer due to the waist to boot lining but I can't say I've really noticed a difference and the D30 armor is much more comfortable than the usual stiffer rubber armor.
Also the fact they alter the length to pretty much anything you want is great for a child length legs

What are Hood combats?

http://www.hoodjeans.co.uk/

It's just a pity they don't do some different washes on the jeans.

 

[TallPaul_S]

I'm the opposite, my Furygan jeans are long but not long enough, I need to order either the 36" or unaltered inside leg in Hood jeans, athough I'm not sure if unaltered means they're not hemmed.

Oh and I love D30 armor, one of the reasons I own so much Furygan stuff!! Crash tested too, both my knees were well scuffed in my textiles in my slide a few months back, not a mark or knock on my knees - didn't even realise I'd hit them until looked at my textiles.

 

[tom_e]

I'm the opposite, my Furygan jeans are long but not long enough, I need to order either the 36" or unaltered inside leg in Hood jeans, athough I'm not sure if unaltered means they're not hemmed.

Drop them an email from what I've read they're customer service is brilliant and they happily answer any questions and try to accommodate anything you need that's not offered on the site.

 

[Wucked]

I wear kevlar jeans (Furygan ones) to work when it's dry and warm, you're looking around £100 for a decent pair. I work in IT so don't have to be suited and booted, so in this weather it's kevlar jeans, trainers in my bag, t-shirt under my leather jacket.

I'm exactly the same, except that I went with the Route One jeans. They look good and are a comfortable fit. For normal commuting or just riding around town they're perfect.

 

[ttaskmaster]

It's not the right time for me to invest in expensive quality stuff

Just the opposite, actually... well, sort of:

The Summer biking season kicks in around the 1st of May, at least as far as retailers go. This means many retailers often put last season's kit on sale!

The May Day Run to Hastings is my favourite, as all the local retailers are out with shedloads of cheap, quality kit. I've picked up loads, but the best deals so far have been two brand new £180 Frank Thomas leather jackets for £30 each, and a lined textile jacket for FREE!

To top it off, this year's run is on Star Wars day (May the Fourth)!

 

[ElliorR]

As I always say in threads like this if you want to save money and get good stuff realtivly cheap, buy last years gear when this years comes out.

 

[Stovepipes]

D30 armour seems to come with high end kit, I'm assuming if I buy some I can just swap it out for the armour that comes with the cheap stuff I'll be looking at?

Just the opposite, actually... well, sort of:

The Summer biking season kicks in around the 1st of May, at least as far as retailers go. This means many retailers often put last season's kit on sale!

The May Day Run to Hastings is my favourite, as all the local retailers are out with shedloads of cheap, quality kit. I've picked up loads, but the best deals so far have been two brand new £180 Frank Thomas leather jackets for £30 each, and a lined textile jacket for FREE!

To top it off, this year's run is on Star Wars day (May the Fourth)!

The sounds great but with me losing a bike I'm completely broke at the moment plus I have the problem of weight loss and this makes it a bad idea to spend a lot of money on gear right now.

I'm also having a look at used stuff on ebay, looks like a few other fatties are dropping weight too.

 

[ttaskmaster]

D30 armour seems to come with high end kit, I'm assuming if I buy some I can just swap it out for the armour that comes with the cheap stuff I'll be looking at?

Not always.
The two FT jackets I mentioned are from the same season, same Mfr, yet still take vastly different sizes. My cheap textile also cannot accomodate either of the FT armour sets...

The sounds great but with me losing a bike I'm completely broke at the moment

Well you don't have to go all the way down to Hastings - Check your local shops, too!

plus I have the problem of weight loss and this makes it a bad idea to spend a lot of money on gear right now.

Depending on how much you're planning to lose, you can always use the extra bagginess to accommodate Winter underlayers...