Any garment with "waterproof zippers" that also claims to be windproof is just simply not going to offer sufficient venting. And if they do, it won't be waterproof. Don't kid yourself, there is no holy grail here.
Does Aerostich Finally have a competitor? Spidi Admiral
First! I love my aerostich roadcrafter one piece. I am in N. California and can wear it year round. Trips to Tahoe can see a large temp swing during the trip down the hill. I wear "Hot Chilli"(fancy thermals) long sleave and pants under for anything below 40ish. I do think the venting could be better. however, I really don't start to soak myself until the mercury hits 95+.
If you have the storage capacity on your bike, you can layer under the roadcrafter for just about any condition. Good luck. By the way, I bought a perforated leather 2 piece suit from Roadgear and it has been great down to 45 degrees with the liners in.
If you have the storage capacity on your bike, you can layer under the roadcrafter for just about any condition. Good luck. By the way, I bought a perforated leather 2 piece suit from Roadgear and it has been great down to 45 degrees with the liners in.
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I am very happy with my roadcrafter one piece. You should read the recent review by Gabe and all of the posts to it regarding the Aerostitch. In the San Joaquin Valley it is regularly 100+ degrees for most of the summer and I prefer mesh or perf leather for that, but from Oct to May I wear the stitch. I use a Gerbing Jacket liner and am comfotable down into the 20s with the suit and some polyproplyene underwear. I always keep my wallet in the outer front leg pocket and have ridden for miles in the rain and fog without it getting wet, so I am not sure why you think the pockets on the stitch are not waterproof. My main gripe is the venting sucks, but at the heat levels I have to deal with, mesh is the only thing with any reasonable comfort. Also, do not buy Red...it turns pink after a few years and you will have to deal with countless girly jokes.
I'm sure the stich is a great suit. I am just trying to make an informed decision and I've heard good things about spidi the brand. It would appear that if what they claim is true then this suit addresses all of the problems that roadcrafter owners have. I'm just trying to make an informed decision.
Has anyone ridden the spidi?
Has anyone ridden the spidi?
For me personally I like SPIDI leathers the best, excellent finish and protection with amazing fit (Dainese is a close second but more expansive). As for textile, no personal experience, but the brand is fantastic.
As for the Aerostitch, it was the first and best in the market with no real competition when it started, it is SO popular by now, that its really gonna be hard not to get a biased opinion about them.
I think SPIDI (and I also hear Alpinestars have a new cordora suit) will be at least as warm, reliable, comfortable, protective and vented (?) as the Aerostitch plus having the Italian flair for fashion (just kidding).
I use a Frank Thomas Aquaguard jacket for winter riding which I highly recommend, and a basic nylon over-pants over leather pants when it rains, but I realy try to not ride below freezing.
As for the Aerostitch, it was the first and best in the market with no real competition when it started, it is SO popular by now, that its really gonna be hard not to get a biased opinion about them.
I think SPIDI (and I also hear Alpinestars have a new cordora suit) will be at least as warm, reliable, comfortable, protective and vented (?) as the Aerostitch plus having the Italian flair for fashion (just kidding).
I use a Frank Thomas Aquaguard jacket for winter riding which I highly recommend, and a basic nylon over-pants over leather pants when it rains, but I realy try to not ride below freezing.
I've had 13 years experience with Aerostitch products. The first 6 with a Roadcrafter 1 pc. and the last 7 with a Darien. While I never tried the front leg pocket for my billfold, I can verify that the chest pockets leak water in the rain and that was behind the fairing of a BMW R100RS. The zipper did leak in the crotch area also but I think this was due to "puddling" of water on the seat. This same problem aflicts the Darien pants.
For me the Darien has worked better. It's easier to layer underneath it for cold weather riding (below freezing) and I have the electified full liner which doubles as an off bike jacket when on the road. As for really hot weather riding (100+), I've found the Darien jacket combined with soaking your shirt or wet vest underneath works better than fully vented/perforated jackets, especially for longer rides. Depending on your bike, you can flow quite a bit of air through a Darien or Roadcrafter by opening the sleeves and vents. For short rides, a perforated jacket works better.
One of the complaints of Aerostitch gear is it's relative lack of style compared to the Euro's. So, if you are looking for some style, the Spidi might have it over the Aerostitch. However, you'll be hard pressed to beat the Aerostitch's quality and features.
For me the Darien has worked better. It's easier to layer underneath it for cold weather riding (below freezing) and I have the electified full liner which doubles as an off bike jacket when on the road. As for really hot weather riding (100+), I've found the Darien jacket combined with soaking your shirt or wet vest underneath works better than fully vented/perforated jackets, especially for longer rides. Depending on your bike, you can flow quite a bit of air through a Darien or Roadcrafter by opening the sleeves and vents. For short rides, a perforated jacket works better.
One of the complaints of Aerostitch gear is it's relative lack of style compared to the Euro's. So, if you are looking for some style, the Spidi might have it over the Aerostitch. However, you'll be hard pressed to beat the Aerostitch's quality and features.
I second the above comment that Spidi leathers are some of the best I've found, right on par with Dainese but not quite as expensive. I have a Spidi Tourex jacket that is a great cool/cold weather textile touring jacket. The armor is very good and the large flaps over the zippers make it quite water proof. I have used it for a few years and couldn't be happier. While it has venting, I wouldn't want to wear it in really hot weather.
One warning about Spidi though: make sure you can try it on before you buy, or at least buy from somewhere with a good return policy. The sizes tend to run small. Also, when you do get the right size it really does "fit" very closely. Because of this some people I've known can't find Spidi stuff that fits them properly. Other people feel like Spidi gear was custom tailored just for them. So, make sure you can try it on before buying.
One warning about Spidi though: make sure you can try it on before you buy, or at least buy from somewhere with a good return policy. The sizes tend to run small. Also, when you do get the right size it really does "fit" very closely. Because of this some people I've known can't find Spidi stuff that fits them properly. Other people feel like Spidi gear was custom tailored just for them. So, make sure you can try it on before buying.
I'll second that comment about Spidi quality, and also your warning about size. I've found that Italian stuff (Spidi, Dainese, AlpineStars) is made for the shorter-legged Mediterranean rider, while those of us of a more North European loftiness (read 35-inch inseam) find a better fit with Dutch, German and US manufacturers. A one-piece suit that leaves a gap at your ankle when you're tucked up on a sportbike is no use at all.
Another Competitor: Alpinestars Drystar 360?
Another potential competitor: Alpinestars DryStar 360 oversuit. I've only seen it in one magazine, with a quick, not-terribly-helpful 'review.' It's padded, it's waterproof, and it's $200 cheaper than a 'Stich. But does it work?
If only MO, with its reputation for in-depth analysis, would conduct a side-by-side comparison of the three competing one piece suits. (Maybe a two-piece Kilimanjaro as a wild card, too.) Help out those of us with the need for good gear - those of us who ride all the time, no matter the weather - but can only afford to buy the right gear.
Which one works best for the everyday rider?
Another potential competitor: Alpinestars DryStar 360 oversuit. I've only seen it in one magazine, with a quick, not-terribly-helpful 'review.' It's padded, it's waterproof, and it's $200 cheaper than a 'Stich. But does it work?
If only MO, with its reputation for in-depth analysis, would conduct a side-by-side comparison of the three competing one piece suits. (Maybe a two-piece Kilimanjaro as a wild card, too.) Help out those of us with the need for good gear - those of us who ride all the time, no matter the weather - but can only afford to buy the right gear.
Which one works best for the everyday rider?
The Spidi, like my Cycleport Ultra II Kevlar, has a detachable waterproof liner worn INSIDE the protective shell. This is a great concept. My Aerostich, while a great piece of gear in every other way, was too hot for humid Tennessee summers. Notice Aerostich is built in Minnesota. With the separate liner concept, the non-waterproof outer shell can be much more breathable than Aerostich type gear. It's as if the entire suit surface is one big vent. My Cycleport is as protective as Aerostich (or better) and almost as cool as mesh. Waterproofing with this separate garment is superior, since the outer zippers & vents do not have to be waterproof.
The liners are also great waterproof rain gear worn off the bike.
I wear the waterproof liners up to about 85deg., then it is nice to have the option to remove them. These types of gaments can be a bit more fiddly with the extra liner, but to me, the payoff in hot weather is worth it.
The nice thing about the Aerostich is that, if you can stand the heat, you are always wearing (almost) waterproof gear.
The Spidi also has waterproof outer pockets, which the Cycleport lacks. This could be a great suit.
Check out www.motoport.com. They offer several very breathable fabrics at different price levels. I have been happy with my gear, and it is made in U.S.A.
K-Dog
The liners are also great waterproof rain gear worn off the bike.
I wear the waterproof liners up to about 85deg., then it is nice to have the option to remove them. These types of gaments can be a bit more fiddly with the extra liner, but to me, the payoff in hot weather is worth it.
The nice thing about the Aerostich is that, if you can stand the heat, you are always wearing (almost) waterproof gear.
The Spidi also has waterproof outer pockets, which the Cycleport lacks. This could be a great suit.
Check out www.motoport.com. They offer several very breathable fabrics at different price levels. I have been happy with my gear, and it is made in U.S.A.
K-Dog
Anybody know how the sizing works?
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