So I commute 15 miles each way to work and back. Normally id have my a* jacket on, with a set of jeans and my sidi boots. I just acquired a nice set of rstaichi leather pants from a member here, and was wondering should i full leather up on the way to work? ill be honest i know none of it involves looks but i dont want to look like some pro ass road racer when i can only get my knee 2 inches away from the ground lol

Unfortunately you may only be convinced of the need for full armor after collecting some road rash. It's "Murphy's Law". I'd never think of hopping on either of my bikes without at least mesh with full CE armor. Your choice.

How about armored overpants over your work clothes when commuting to work?

To me the deciding factor would be whether you have some place to change and store the full leathers at work.

If yes, then I say dooooo eeeeeet. Screw what anyone else thinks. If you bin it, you'll be glad you were wearing full gear.

If you DON'T have a good place to change, then like Curmudgeon says, I'd look for some armored overpants.

The best gear in the world is useless if you're not wearing it, and you're much more likely to be wearing it if it's convenient.

I used to commute 15 miles each way in SoCal traffic...

Full armored Dainese two-piece leathers w/smiley face knee pucks. 

Even on the 112 degree summer days. 

I had a small ( 1' x 1.5' x 1.5' ) locker to stuff everything into at work. I changed in the Teacher's restroom. The only concession I really made was wearing an old pair of Gaerne leather boots instead of my A* smx plus boots.  They were just plain leather with a rubber sole.  I could wear them with jeans at work and not have to walk around in bigger clunkier boots.  I kept my helmet in the classroom with me.

I've seen too many "Riderz" with their ICON vests over t-shirts and baggy jeans hit the pavement in traffic.  It ain't pretty... 

Just my $0.02...  Hope it helps. 

Well I do have a locker the size of two bodies at my work, that I can keep my uniform in and change into it when I get into work, and store all my gear nicely. So I figure safety is number one at all times so I'm doing it. Thanks for the input.

I've hit concrete at 75mph with jeans on, my leather padded jacket got destroyed, but my upper body was fine. The jeans shredded to little bits and I picked up a good amount of roadrash. I wear Draggin jeans now when commuting, I hope they'll work as well as they're claimed to. However, kevlar reinforced jeans might be an option if you don't want to wear leathers, I can't really tell you how well they work though.

The easiest thing to commute in is something like an Aerostitch suit. It protects extremely well, isn't hot, and can be worn over your work clothes.

I wear the Darien pants and jacket, and have for years. Pricey, but good stuff.  I prefer this over the Roadcrafter suit because I always wear the pants, but prefer a leather jacket in nice weather.

As noted some of the kevlar jeans + might be an option. I've got a set of the Shift jeans (don't recall which model) that Webbikeworld thought well of. They don't look too out of place to be worn all day if dress code allows. I supplement them with a set of the Forcefield limb-tubes over the knees. Of course jacket, gloves, boots and bucket are part of the mix. Guess it depends on how much you want to change in or out of stuff.

If you don't mind a change of kit and have the ability to carry it - why not leather up though? If you don't want to change, but what more than jeans+ then a Roadcrafter or similar over gear set is a great option.

i wear forcefield (knee & back) armor all the time.  Boots, helmet, gloves all the time.  Need to work on the pants all the time as well.

I am thinking of re-buying forcefield underpants next.

If I were you, I would wear the Taichi leather pants you got all the time.  Cant have enough protective gear.  It is not about fashion, it's about protecting your arse.  I cringe when I watch riders without protective gear.  Most of us have been down and know gear is a must.

I have everything on (boots, knee, shorts, elbow, back, leather upper with shoulder pads, gloves, lid) except the pants. Can't get them in my size downside of of not being of the stereo typical male size.

I used to carry work clothes in a backpack and change in the restroom.

Quote from: SupraGuy74 on February 26, 2012, 03:41:36 PM
Well I do have a locker the size of two bodies at my work, that I can keep my uniform in and change into it when I get into work, and store all my gear nicely.

So what are you going to do with the bodies?

I wear Sartso kevlar pants while commuting.  Not as hot as the leathers and look good enough to wear if I opt out of changing.

i used to commute in full leathers

i figured i am more likely to get taken out on a commute than a weekend ride so it was a no brainer

I dont agree with wearing your bike boots during the day though , easy enough to keep spare shoes at work

bike boots are damn expensive so i only wear em for riding

also if your boots fill with rain then you arent in wet boots all day