Summer Biking Clothing

Having commuted all winter in chunky Hein Gericke gear I was wondering whether I should invest in some lighter gear for the summer. Do any orgers have different gear for summer and winter?

[maviczap]

Textiles for winter, leathers for summer, plus summer & winter golves

But you live North of the Border, so textiles all year round for you

[pookie]

yes I seem to pretty much double up on everything..helps when its hosing down and I need to get out the next day. I found that a summer jacket useful even though my current winter one has removable liner. For the trousers I use the not so water proof ones

I've just come into possession of a prototype jacket from GoreTex which was used when they were testing the funky sliding Lockout zip - it even says "GoreTex Test Team" on it - and it's quite light, and without all the neck stuff that the winter coat has. I was maybe thinking of selling it and using the funds to buy leathers, but was also considering retaining it and investing in some lighter trousers. I'm not sure which was to go as I only passed my test in July and got the SV in September after pootling around on a 125, so I haven't had a full summer season yet.

[garynortheast]

Nope, same leathers all year round. I just add/remove base layers/windproof thermal layers/waterproof oversuit as needed.
May buy some lighter gloves though as the Spada Enforcers I've been wearing through the winter are seriously warm and will almost certainly be too hot for summer riding.

[dizzyblonde]

I use the same textiles all year round, but then they are all year round gear. The Halvarssons jacket is three layers, and I just take one out for the summer. I wear draggin jeans instead of the textile trousers when its mega hot.

I got my hands on a set of Hein Gericke two piece leathers last year, and are currently being altered, slightly too big in the bum dept, but I doubt I'll use them often because I've never looked back since purchasing my textiles four years ago.

Have leathers and textiles but try to get away with my leathers as much as possible with thermals and waterproofs, otherwise leathers for summer is the way ( although my textile jacket with all the vents open is actually cooler than the leathers)

[keith_d]

Summer - leathers, lightweight gloves, lid & boots

Winter - big yellow jacket over my leathers, thermals under the leathers, thick socks, windproof neck warmer and insulated gloves.

And that's just going round the corner to Sainsburys.


P.S. I've found an infallible weather forecasting tool - it only rains when I leave my over-trousers at home.

I have both leathers and textiles but perhaps it is just me but I prefer to wear textiles as they are more comfortable,better zipped ventilation,removable winter linings,washable when dirty and have built in reflective material plus being waterproof
in downpours due to the membrane.
Leathers stick in the heat of summer and become smelly with the sweat,not waterproof so require you to carry a outer waterproof layer and mine are not very well ventilated.
It is a matter of personal choice and I would buy a summer set of textiles if I could afford it.

Originally Posted by keith_d

Summer - leathers, lightweight gloves, lid & boots

Winter - big yellow jacket over my leathers, thermals under the leathers, thick socks, windproof neck warmer and insulated gloves.

And that's just going round the corner to Sainsburys.


P.S. I've found an infallible weather forecasting tool - it only rains when I leave my over-trousers at home.

Funny that, I've discovered the sun goes away and the rain comes on when I put my tinted visor on...then when I take it off the sun comes back out and the rains stops....

As for clothing I started with a good set of Hein Gericke textiles that I can use in both winter and summer. I do own leathers now and will wear them as and when I can be bothered putting them on but I do agree that textiles are warmer!