Clothing for europe.

[DaveK671]

I am in need of peoples recommendations as to what clothing to use for a trip around europe (Alps, Italy and South France) in July this year.

I was going to use my leathers but i rode last year when it was around 23 degrees or so and the leather was uber warm, too warm for europe i think. Ive bought a textile jacket which should be alot better as it has vents and removable liners etc.

The main query is...do i use textile trousers, draggin jeans or mesh type trousers? I bought the gf mesh trousers (http://www.motobrio.com/ShowProductDetails.cfm?Cat=8&Product=658) which should keep her cool in the heat of south of france.

However would it be better with normal textile trousers which are waterproof? Main drawbacks of the mesh are that they could be too cool for use all the time and so would need thermals underneath and if it rains we need to stop to put waterproofs on.

Or, do i use draggins jeans, same as above, however, safer but warmer.

Basically. what have you lot used on your travels?

Cheers chaps, Dave

 

[mike wright]

I use textiles (Rukka) although expensive have never let me down plus you can remove the linners if you need to but still be waterproof. If you already have the jacket you can get trousers for about £350ish but doubt your need another pair.

Yes there alot more than other brands but Im pleased with mine. Saying that there are others that have had good results without having to pay high prices.

 

[Fanum]

Use the same as you would in the UK

 

[Deleted Member I]

Use the same as you would in the UK

No you won't!!


I have thinking about the same thing. Last year in Italy I was bloody boiling under my stich.

I am thinking probably hood jeans and this type of jacket, packed in the pannier. So for the long trek, it's the stich then this once you get there you switch to this combo.

The whole of the black panel bit is vented in a mesh thing.

Alpinestar does a similar type of jacket with the benefit of a liner that in effect "closes" the vents.

 

[High-Tower]

For me & my beloved we travel down and cover any distance in 'proper' leathers / textiles, then change to denims & jackets with the liners removed whenever we get to nice weather. For example, we stayed at Verdon and had day trips to the Riviera (Monaco, Cannes) on our honeymoon this year. Beloved wore jeans on the bike, then changed into her miniskirt while I changed from jeans to shorts. We could leave jackets and lids and unwanted clothes in the panniers while we went off and did the tourist thing, before changing again for the ride home. Travelling on the bike saw us properly protected, but it depends on your personal confidence levels.

 

[Steve E]

I really do not believe that people need to ask this sort of question. Make your own decisions without leaning on a virtual crutch.

I'm pissed

Gets coat and leaves

 

[Deleted Member I]

Another way ... is to get to the local town and find a bike clothing shop. They will have what's appropriate for the local weather. The Dainese shops in Italy had lots more summer stuf than the UK for obvious reasons.

 

[(RIP) Shenzi]

SWMBO and I wear Draggin jeans all summer down here.

 

[Paul Rochdale]

The same as I wear in the UK from Spring until Autumn - Arai Sx open face helmet, Olympia gel gloves, FirstGear mesh jacket, HG textile trousers. Good enough for Death Valley and New Mexico in 2006, good enough for Europe too. Froggs Toggs waterproofs over the top if necessary.

 

[Steptoe]

i wear shorts and a T shirt under my stitch when it's warm.

In the uk in hot/warm weather i just wear shorts and a polo shirt.

 

[Deleted Member I]

i wear shorts and a T shirt under my stitch when it's warm.

In the uk in hot/warm weather i just wear shorts and a polo shirt.

Was doing that .. but not enough airflow. Sweat right through .. pretty gross when I took off my stich. Looked like I wet myself

 

[STUBBS]

Was doing that .. but not enough airflow. Sweat right through .. pretty gross when I took off my stich. Looked like I wet myself

open the vents then

 

[Steptoe]

Was doing that .. but not enough airflow. Sweat right through .. pretty gross when I took off my stich. Looked like I wet myself

Try exceding 25 mph.

 

[Deleted Member I]

Try exceding 25 mph.

 

[Dahoum]

Try exceding 25 mph.

Ahhh - thats how he got left behind

 

[Deleted account W]

Accept that at times you won't be comfortable, no pain no gain

 

[Hong Kong Nick]

From a warmer climate point of view (Hong Kong summers are about 34+ degrees C and 90+% humidity), I wear Draggin or Hood Jeans, an 'outdoor' top (think Polyester and Spandex type - cotton takes ages to dry out when wet from sweat and thicker!) and a BMW Air Flow jacket - Arai Tour X helmet, Heine Gericke boots and Alpinestars rally-type gloves. It can get a bit warm ( ) when stopped in traffic but once you get going it's breezy and comfortable.

Normal set of waterproofs in the pannier / bag for rain and you'll be fine.

Nick

 

[DaveK671]

cheers for the responses chaps, think we will wear textiles down there then swap to the mesh ones when it gets hotter

cheers, dave