Fleece/Cardigan/Whatever

Could someone please enlighten me to the logic of wearing a fleece, hoody, cardigan or whatever over the top of your leathers.

I've always been led to believe that if you come off a bike it is preferable to slide down the road as opposed to tumbling down the road, as you are less likely to break bones. That's why we wear leathers isn't it?, for their abrasion resistance when sliding.

Now surely wearing a garment over your leathers is a bad thing as it is likely to snag and induce a tumbling motion.

Just wondering what people's thoughts were on this.

[fizzwheel]

To keep warm / keep the draught out I would have thought.

I wear a windstopper underneath mine on a coldish day, does the same sort of job.

My leathers fit with a base layer + t-shirt underneath. Can't get a hoodie under there so the only way to stay warm is to wear one over the top.

[rictus01]

Think you're reaching a bit on the tumbling theory there, road surfaces aren't very forgiving, and will eat threw most things, which is why we have leather/strong textile materials.

For a while I to though it was for warmth or fashion, but in never really bothered me one way or the other, however a few years back I got an Alpinestar textile jacket, the top third of which is a bright yellow, virtually everytime I used it on a ride in the summer it would require cleaning as the yellow bit turned into a bug grave yard, it was pointed out to me that a fleece over it would be far easier to clean as it can be thrown in the washing machine, seemed sensible, so that's what I do when using that jacket, my other darker jackets I don't bother.

Cheers Mark.

[Spiderman]

I agree with Rictus that its easier to clean etc but i do still think its far more of a fashion thing for most.

A flease over the top of the leathers in the winter is a awesome, just hope it dunt rain! In weather like this its just for benders. Simples!

[Mr Speirs]

I wear a fleece over my leathers in winter as a windbreak. My leathers have a stretch part on the underside of the forearm, even when wearing my thermals underneath it isn't enough material to stop the wind making it cold so a fleece just adds enough to stop my arms going cold.
I don't think it's a fashion thing especially when its a fleece. I mean who wears a fleece for fashion???

I agree with rictus about the over estimation on the abrasiveness of a fleece. The tarmac won't even know it was there.

Originally Posted by suzsv650

A flease over the top of the leathers in the winter is a awesome, just hope it dunt rain! In weather like this its just for benders. Simples!

OMG yes that is awful. I was out for a ride a few weeks ago when this happened. The already cold air, filtered through the wet hoodie and was making me colder.

My leathers are snug so hoodie goes over top to keep me warm

[mister c]

I used to wear a fleece because I had no pockets in my leathers, so had nowhere to put my keys, phone etc.
Turned into a bit of a wooftah now & have got myself a bottom bag