Alpine Tour - What clothing?

[Guest]

Hi

I am planning a week long tour around the parts of Europe / the Alps this summer (August), so i'm expecting some fairly hot climates, coupled with slightly chillier at altitude.

What would be the best option for touring 2 piece leathers or 2 piece textiles.

I am willing to spend a reasonable amount on either.

I think leathers will be hot and sticky, plus a nightmare to get on and off speedily, but good protection, whereas the textiles have vents etc and can be removed at every available opportunity.

just wondering what people opinions were or past experiences.

countries I will be visiting are Germany, switzerland, Italy and France, averaging 200 - 300 miles / day

many thanks

In advance

Mark

[Korben]

It's a tough one mate.....

Personally I would go for leathers with some thermal underclothing (Have a look at Cold Killers - I swear by them.... Plenty to choose from though and I am sure others will give their opinion)

If you get 2 piece leathers, jacket and trousers that zip together they are easy to get off and on.

I would recommend Goretex gloves with heated grips and / or thermal gloves underneath your gloves.

Goretex boots are a must with some good thermal socks, then after that go for a waterproof oversuit for the rain.

Gives you the best of all worlds mate.... When the weather is warm, leathers are not too bad.... As long as you keep moving!!

Oh, drop into Newbies and introduce yourself!!

[Guest]

I would avoid leather at all costs. If you were going on a fast trip through France then leathers are great but the Alpine weather is very cangeable.

I have spent a few weeks around Chamonix in summer and it is red hot during the day(most of the time). The town centre is higher than the top of Ben Nevis!! So once the sun goes down it can get very very cold!

There are a few passes that are higher but you would be far better with a good base layer that can wick away sweat and keep you comfortable.

Textiles are far better and much more flexible, look for a jacket that has a lightweight zip out thermal layer so you can vary the warmth depending on the weather....plus they are waterproof which is a real bonus on long trips of this type....get leatehrs wet and they will take forever to dry out.

[cruz]

Leather and a decent lightweight two piece waterproof.

[Guest akey]

I'm with Cruz on this one - leathers, cold killers and waterproofs.

I have both and find that textiles, even with vents can be over hot in the summer in UK (to get ones that work you generally pay lots and lots - over £300 for a jacket). I am usually in leathers from spring onwards in the UK, you can always add a light waterproof suit over the top wich will cut out the wind and is waterproof (obviously!). I would also add a good base layer to the list as it will keep you cool in the sun and warm when added to a windproof layer (I have a couple of technical base layers but EDZ, Helly hanson, tog24 and Danger rocks all do good ones).

Leathers + thin windproof underlayer (cold killers. windstopper or EDZ windproof) + good base layer (helly hanson or EDZ) + cheap waterproof suit and you are ready for pretty much anything.

[Guest]

thanks for the great info, some good food for thought there from both camps!!

hmmmm... what to do!

[Guest]

everyone other than me seems to think you are going into a cold climate,,,,,

average temp in Chamonix is 16 deg c in july and august.

You wont be spending much time higher than that - higher = colder.

The Alps are beautiful and you would be happy walking around in a tshirt during the day. So i would forget the goretex underpants if i was you lol

[rennie]

just wear whatever you're most comfortable in!

with lots of spares if it does get too hot/too cold.

when i toured spain i wore textile trousers and leather jacket.

was fine on the bike but damn hot when we stopped

always try to stop in shade and drink lots of water.

[Hoody]

I do this trip every year May-June time.

Even this time of year it can be very wet!

My preference is leather pants and vented textile jacket (I use Hein Gericke - have found them to breathe better than cheaper stuff like Akito etc.-which I have also tried!)

A pair of waterproof over trousers folded in a tank bag will suffice to keeps legs dry.

Get waterproof gloves, something like Alpinestar 365's as an all rounder or takes a pair of light weight and a pair of waterproofs.

Get waterproof boots, forget fashion!

[nigelwood1]

I would go for textile clothing as you are covered for if it rains and I find them not to hot when its warm..

Rode through germany in 2007 in 42 degrees with my textile jacket and leather jeans and was quite comfortable...

[Bandit]

we ve been touring around Europe including the Alps for the last 4 years (September time) and have tried different combinations.

full 1 pc leathers = feel safer but when the weather got hot became unbearable,still needed waterproofs when raining and made them even worse.

2 pices fabric:- even these were uncomfy and the added bulk did n't help, no need for waterproofs though

what we finally arrived at and have used them for the last two years is :- leather trousers (under leggings to stop them sticking to you) and an air tex jacket from Hein Gericke and a cheap waterproof overjacket & trousers

first thing in a morning when the air is cool and damp just slip the overjacket on, when it gets warmer remove. last year we rode in temps down as low as 38 degrees (mountains) and as high as the 90s nr Milan and i found this the ideal bike wear.

do n't forget spare gloves as yuor main pair are certain to get soaked at one point