Darie light for hot weather and/or off road

[Blink74]

Ok, so after the incredibly hot BMW MOA rally last year, I need to get some cooler gear. I love my roadcrafter. It has kept me dry through many downpours, has been crash tested and still looks good. But, It's killing me when we get off road and/or the temps are above 80. last year I ordered a BMW Rally 3, but after several exchanges was unable to get a good fit. So, I'm about to pull the trigger on a Darien Light jacket and pants. Is it much cooler than the roadcrafter?

[BeachMoto]

Hell yeah. I was at the Bloomsburg rally last year and wore my Darien light. As long as I was moving, I was fine. I did get stuck in traffic on the interstate for about 20 minutes when it was 105 degrees, that was not pleasant.

I have a Roadcrafter jacket as well and can't wear that above 80-85. My Darien light is one of my versatile jackets (and I have a bunch).

[XB12R]

I have the Darien Light jacket and pants. I did a ton of research before I bought it. I really wish I could say I like it but I can't. The Darien does not breath, it's waterproof, it's like wearing a rain coat. The jacket does have vents but the pants do not. Riding in hot weather in a rain suit is not good. The armour is square and is not moulded to the shape of your body, it feels like putting on a straight jacket. I like my Kilimanjaro jacket way better. If you still insist on the Darien than buy mine and save a ton of money.

[DaveStockwell]

I picked up a BMG Zodiac at the motorcycle show this year and while I haven't had a lot of opportunity to test it I did ride in rush hour traffic at 80 degrees and found it to be the coolest (literally) armored riding gear I've ever had. I like that it's cool in the heat without resorting to mesh.

Another alternative is to try the Bohn Armor under your favorite motocross jersey.

[dlh62c]

Originally Posted by Blink74

.....It's killing me when we get off road and/or the temps are above 80.

What are you wearing under your Roadcrafter?

Is it the Roadcrafter one piece suit or two?

I wear the Darien Light jacket (tan) and pants (black). Once the warmer temperatures arrive, I remove the pads from the jacket and wear a Bohn Body Armor shirt under it. When it gets hot, I wear just the shirt. I hate to do it, the shirt doesn't give me the abrasion protection the Darien jacket does, but it does have pads.

I don't wear street clothes under my gear, In the summer, its just a synthetic t shirt and LD riding shorts.

daryl

http://www.bohnarmor.com/

[Blink74]

Thanks, for the replies. I pulled the trigger on the Darien Light jacket and pants today. I'm sure there is cooler stuff out there but, I like aerostich and as long as it's cooler and lighter than the roadcrafter it will be fine. Plus, most other options require a liner to be waterproof and I don't want to deal with that.

[Blink74]

BTW, xb12r. what size and color is your jacket?

[dlh62c]

Originally Posted by Blink74

I'm sure there is cooler stuff out there .........

It also depends what your wearing under it.

daryl

[Blink74]

I plan to get some underarmor or some light underwear to go underneath. I think a cambleback will help too.

[XB12R]

Originally Posted by Blink74

BTW, xb12r. what size and color is your jacket?

Gray, I'm 5'10", 180 lbs and the fit is great.

[squish]

My Darien was for years my go to hot weather jacket.

Off road I wear a pressure suit only if it's hot and will add a Darien with out pads if it's cooler or raining.

[douglasgraham]

Glad to hear the inmates here like and or love the Darien Light stuff. I have a roadcrafter and its well worn and needs a trip back to the factory to get a "pick-me-up" but I only have leather as back up and its old racing gear! Anyway I looked and looked and almost pulled the trigger on some high dollar made in china gore-tex but I kept thinking about the areostich and the “made in America” thing. Mostly I thought about how well the roadcrafter has worked and it dawned on me that I was crazy to turn my back on such a great company. So I just order the Darien Light jacket and pants. I know I wont be sorry. I’m glad I came to my senses before I bought something that was higher priced with “0” costumer service.

[douglasgraham]

Just a report for one weeks worth of riding in hot as hell weather and some huge ass rains..........Best suit Ive ever owned.

[Blink74]

I just got mine yesterday. Can't wait to get it dirty.