Topic: What do you wear in the heat?

[Dunk]

Suffering a bit wearing a good leather riding jacket in this 90*-100* heat. I wear that and full leather gloves with holes top side for ventilation. Isn't bad in the AM, but sometimes I have to jump around between sites for work and I'm soaked with sweat after even a short ride. Jacket has vents front and rear on each side but my backpack mostly covers the front vents, so I leave the zipper down a bit to get some air flow. It's fine when I'm moving, but gets hot fast when stopped.

Cruiser guys at work wear nothing but a skid lid unless it's cold out, believe they'll never go down or you only live once so be comfortable. I've been down before and not a fan of skin grafts, so that's not for me. Minimum is a jacket, full face and gloves. What are you guys wearing to stay safe and cool in the heat?

[Stev-o]

May not be the smartest choice, but no leather for me in the heat.
But I always wear gloves and a helmet.

[goldarrow]

I don't ride above 90 degrees or at night.  Bike has been sitting for 2 weeks

[jonda500]

If I am going out on the road - boots, jeans, leather jacket, gloves, helmet- always, no matter how hot it is. As already noted, as long as you keep moving it isn't too bad, red lights suck!
   When I get the chance, I love to putt around slowly on private property with bare feet & shorts!
John

[madmtnmotors]

I got one of these in silver (brighter color reflects more heat) before they sold out (at the closeout price):

http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/cruiser/mens+jackets+&+vests/power+trip_zzz+honda+vtx+jacket+-+mesh

I carefully cut the stitches out of the "VTX" patches on the chest and back, leaving the Honda, Power Trip, and Flame patches in place. It is a full mesh jacket with elbow armor, shoulder armor, and back armor. The waist has Velcro straps for snugging up the waist, and the waist has straps to loop around your belt to prevent it from riding up. The elbows have rubber straps to snug up the elbow armor after donning the jacket. By far the most comfortable upper body gear I have been able to find. I had to give up the black leather for summer riding about five years ago, just couldn't take it in the summer. The mesh jacket has a zip in windbreaker/rain jacket for cooler/wetter days.

It's still freaking hot, but less miserable while underway. I think it was selling for $60 when I got mine.

Arai Profile helmet with vents all over, white vented leather gloves, jeans (looking for vented armored pants though), and 6" leather boots round out the gear.

[Retro Rocket]

If I am going out on the road - boots, jeans, leather jacket, gloves, helmet- always, no matter how hot it is. As already noted, as long as you keep moving it isn't too bad, red lights suck!
   When I get the chance, I love to putt around slowly on private property with bare feet & shorts!
John

Yep, I'm in Queensland and it gets bloody hot and humid here, leather jacket, gloves, jeans { kevlar inserts} and boots always, I've been down the road in a T shirt once and thats enough for me.

[seanbarney41]

am thinking mesh/Kevlar might be slightly cooler than leather when it's hot out and just as safe or safer...just about anything is ok out on the open road but city traffic is just brutal with safe gear and heat

[Restoration Fan]

Black and hi-visibility yellow mesh Joe Rocket jacket with armor in shoulder, elbows and back (optional).  The mesh gives air the ability to flow through the jacket but the armor gives me protection.

White and gray HJC helmet with 5 air flow vents and white and gray gloves.  Even in the upper 90's, it isn't that bad (except for the helmet; that gets hot).

[Retro Rocket]

am thinking mesh/Kevlar might be slightly cooler than leather when it's hot out and just as safe or safer...just about anything is ok out on the open road but city traffic is just brutal with safe gear and heat

I'm actually thinking of getting a Kangaroo leather jacket made with removable liner, Kangaroo is far superior to cow hide due to its more uniformed grain as well as being thinner and lighter, all the MotoGP guys use roo leather leathers.. Thats a bit of a tongue twister...

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

am thinking mesh/Kevlar might be slightly cooler than leather when it's hot out and just as safe or safer...just about anything is ok out on the open road but city traffic is just brutal with safe gear and heat

I'm actually thinking of getting a Kangaroo leather jacket made with removable liner, Kangaroo is far superior to cow hide due to its more uniformed grain as well as being thinner and lighter, all the MotoGP guys use roo leather leathers.. Thats a bit of a tongue twister...

I've never seen Kangaroo jackets here in the States.  Only the pros get the high-end Roo race leathers.  Light and strong!

We are having a heat and humidity wave in California right now.  I've been wearing my Vanson textile jacket, gloves, full-face helmet, kevlar jeans and Sidi boots.

[Retro Rocket]

am thinking mesh/Kevlar might be slightly cooler than leather when it's hot out and just as safe or safer...just about anything is ok out on the open road but city traffic is just brutal with safe gear and heat

I'm actually thinking of getting a Kangaroo leather jacket made with removable liner, Kangaroo is far superior to cow hide due to its more uniformed grain as well as being thinner and lighter, all the MotoGP guys use roo leather leathers.. Thats a bit of a tongue twister...

I've never seen Kangaroo jackets here in the States.  Only the pros get the high-end Roo race leathers.  Light and strong!

We are having a heat and humidity wave in California right now.  I've been wearing my Vanson textile jacket, gloves, full-face helmet, kevlar jeans and Sidi boots.

A little bit of info on Roo leather from a jacket maker..

http://www.jacksonracing.com.au/Rooskin.htm

This is the kind of jacket I wear, I'll be getting one of these in Roo leather...

http://www.jacksonracing.com.au/

[RRRToolSolutions]

Hi Guys, here is the best article I've ever read on managing heat and riding. It's based on medical studies and the science. I've shared this with friends and club members since I first read it in my Ironbutt Magazine.

http://www.ironbutt.com/ibmagazine/IronButt_1002_62-66_Hot.pdf

The Quick answer is Mesh is good up to 93" degrees. Above 93 degrees and you need a "full jacket" that you can control the ventilation and airflow with. Those folks that think they can safely ride in T-Shirts or Mesh in 100 degree temps are risking dehydration, exhaustion, and death - simply put, the outside air "adds heat" to the body at anything over 93". What I found shocking is that at 103 degrees in a T-shirt or Mesh - you would have to consume 72 ounces of water per hour to avoid overheating. This means you'd have to stop and drink a 16 ounce bottle of water every 12 minutes to keep up. There are safe ways to ride in the heat, but you may be shocked to learn that it is with a full, non-mesh jacket. I wear the AST (all-season-touring) jacket on long trips.

Read the article and pass it on!

Best Regards, Gordon/RTS

This is the jacket I rode through Hurricane Issac at 104 degrees through Louisiana and Texas with horrific rains on my way from South Carolina to the Grand Canyon in 2012. On the same trip, this same jacket let me discover the top of Pike's Peak in 23 degrees and 8~12" of snow. It's all about the vents and versatility of the jacket's design.

[Gene]

Living at the beach I tend to go with leather year round, but - right now it's so bloody hot, I do have a back-up jacket.  My opinion is that I'd rather sweat a little than need a skin-graft. 

I do have a lighter jacket I wear in the ridiculous heat (like lately) - denim-ish material, always gloves, always long pants for the commute.  Not always boots - often dress shoes, which is why I thought I was a genius with a great new idea until I saw these . . . http://www.amazon.com/Shifter-Skinz-Motorcycle-Protectors-Accessories/dp/B001036KGO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439875622&sr=8-1&keywords=shift+boot+protector

Dammit - there goes my retirement idea.

Around town tho?  5 miles or less?  Shorts, t-shirt, helmet and Vans.

[mrbreeze]

May not be the smartest choice, but no leather for me in the heat.
But I always wear gloves and a helmet.

Same here. If you feel more comfortable to protect your skin with leather but still want to stay somewhat cool in the heat......narrow the jacket down to just a leather vest with a hoodie. Much cooler and easier to get on & off quicker. Like SteveO......always gloves and helmet. I don't always have a full face on though but I prefer gauntlet gloves and boots at all times when riding.

[70CB750]

I wear mash jacket and try to ride roads that will not keep me stopped or crawling for long.  Works for me, but the summer ain't that bad thsi year.

[70CB750]

From what I understand, roo leather is superior material for whips,  I got one years ago.  Whip cracking is one of my hobbies - and no, no females are involved 

am thinking mesh/Kevlar might be slightly cooler than leather when it's hot out and just as safe or safer...just about anything is ok out on the open road but city traffic is just brutal with safe gear and heat

I'm actually thinking of getting a Kangaroo leather jacket made with removable liner, Kangaroo is far superior to cow hide due to its more uniformed grain as well as being thinner and lighter, all the MotoGP guys use roo leather leathers.. Thats a bit of a tongue twister...

[flatlander]

it's been around 30C (90F) here for a few weeks.
i wear my usual riding jacket which is a belstaff with elbow, shoulder and back protectors. when i leave the belt and neck strap a bit loose it has some air flowing through. fine during riding but of course still hot when standing still.
for pants i use kevlar jeans with knee and hip protectors. they let some air through and offer a bit more protection than regular jeans.
then it's riding boots, light leather gloves and helmet. i have a shark evoline which i can use open at lower speeds or when standing but generally close it to full-faced when going faster.

even just in town i would always wear the jacket, helmet and gloves and outside town it's never less than the above. if you know how tarmac feels... a bit of sweating is not so bad.

[DaveBarbier]

narrow the jacket down to just a leather vest with a hoodie.

Never understood the leather vest thing as protection. The chest doesn't seem like a serious road rash spot. The back yeah I guess. To me the vest eliminates the much needed arm protection.

I'm a new-ish rider (just over 3 years) and I always ride with thick jeans, leather shoes, leather gloves and full face helmet. Leather jacket is on always except for the hottest of days. Then it's white t-shirt.

I did ride up the street once while testing my friend's CL200 with just shorts. No shirt, helmet, shoes. It was glorious.

[PeWe]

I do not understand people driving a bike without complete protection.
Good helmet, jacket, gloves,trousers and boots.
The later models of kevlar jeans might be an alternative. The jackets in protective fabric too.

Leather for me. But I have less problem with heat here in Sweden. It was rather hot 2 weeks ago. My leather jacket have sticky plastic fabric liner and jacket is heavy. The jacket was heavy to carry around over my arm when visiting a car and bike meeting. Bought a new one, leather too, about 1.5kg less and less sticky liner when really hot.
I like the old black style: http://www.handelsboden.com/pub_images/large/2001-F_41.jpg
I had a fish scale with me to the shops to find a lighter one.

It would be nice with thin leather clothes with no liner at all. I have cotton clothes under anyway.

[turkey4me]

Not often do I ride in heat but when I do, nothing beats a Joe rocket mesh jacket and pants.  Before I leave home, I will hose my gear down with water or dip them in a river along the way.  Best swamp cooler I ever had.

[Wobbly]

I always wear full leathers. That's no problem with the Honda, but it gets challenging with the BMW because the bike reaches temperatures of 108 degrees Celsius and the frame burns--which is why you cannot ride it in Jeans. It gets really bad in the endless "Staus" on the Autobahn. Whenever possible,  I travel at night in the summertime. I prefer cold weather riding anyhow, and I don't mind a few flakes. Anyway, I always pack lots of extra t-shirts in the summer time as I end up being totally soaked. I only do long trips with my bikes, never drive locally.

[flatlander]

I do not understand people driving a bike without complete protection.
Good helmet, jacket, gloves,trousers and boots.
The later models of kevlar jeans might be an alternative. The jackets in protective fabric too.

neither do i but it's their own life.
the kevlar jeans offer less protection than proper riding pants but i see them as an acceptable alternative, but only if combined with protectors.

i have a history in so-called "dangerous" sports next to motorcycling: mountaineering, rock climbing, competitive mountain biking, canoeing on big open water... all these require a certain minimum of safety gear and safety conscious behaviour to stay alive and healthy over the years.
everyone has to make their own decisions, of course but what i've learned (and sometimes rather painfully learned!!) is that stacking the odds in your favour does pay off.

[70CB750]

I found these double front jeans from a logging industry.  My go to pants for commuting now.  I mean Levis are flimsy compared to this Will Ass brand.

[Lostboy Steve]

A helmet, underwear, and chuck taylors. That is all. 

[flybox1]

Its been bloody hot here in the PNW more than a few days this summer. 
Regardless I wear ATGATT. . and I avoid riding in traffic when it gets that hot.
Scorpion EXO Stinger Perforated Leather jacket
TourMaster Textile pants A-Stars boots
HJC FS15, ICON Pursuit Leather gloves