Foul Weather Duds

I got to try out some gear that I put together recently and thought I'd share the results. I've been trying to put together just the right collection of gear for the wintertime and I think I now have just the right combination of nostalgia and function to work with my T100. I bought an Aerostich Darien Falstaff Jacket in the brown color. As you may know, this is a waxed cotton version of their Cordura jacket with a similar name. Though it is made with the venerable waterproof "oil cloth", like the Belstaff and Barbour jackets of old, it incorporates armor, reflective panels, venting, and an ingenious system of pockets into it's design. It was comfortable as delivered and had just the right amount of room for me to put a 300 Polarfleece jacket underneath. The neck is large enough to accomodate both the upturned collar of the fleece and a wool scarf without making me choke or have difficulty turning my head. It was warm and comfortable throughout a 25 minute ride in 45 degree weather.

I also wore a pair of Belstaff Trial Master jeans on this ride. These too are made of waxed cotton and I have added Duluth Trading Company nail-on steel buttons for suspenders. These pants are large enough to wear over pants or just long underwear. There is a system of buttons and a strap-and-buckle arrangement to tuck the lower part of the pant's leg close to your calves/boots for a no-flap fit. Cool and practical. There is the generous use of double fabric in good places, as well as a liner to make slipping these pants on easier. With only a pair of thermal long handles underneath I was acceptably warm without losing freedom of movement. The only downside is that it is difficult to a fault to get these pants on over a pair of boots. Plan to put the boots on last...

The last item was a pair of Olympia Mid-Weight gloves. These gloves have a wind-proof liner and light insulation giving the rider decent warmth without bulk. They worked exactly as billed for me.

I tried a Firstgear Kilimanjaro Jacket and a Belstaff Trial Master and was not fully satisfied with the performance. Likewise I used nylon/GoreTex pants and was not really thrilled. However, this combo of the Aerostich Jacket and the Belstaff pants really worked for me. The Aerostich Falstaff is $327 at Rider Wearhouse and the pants are $139 from BelstaffUSA. (this site opens to a different pair of pants...be sure to select the Trial Masters). The best price I've found on the Olympia gloves is at NewEnough, though you can get them for just a couple of dollars more from Aerostich if you are going to order the jacket there.

Below is a photo of me in the jacket and pants (don't judge the gear by the model...I'm getting a little old and beat-up):