With the weather getting colder, I have really noticed the cold wind creeping between my pant leg opening and the top of my boots. I have a nice pair of insulated bib pants to use when it's really cold, but would like to use something to seal the bottom of my pants and boots. A coworker has a pair of horse riding 1/2 chaps that uses velcro to close them that look pretty good, but are a little pricy ($40). I saw these gaters ($20) and was wondering if anyone uses anything similar:

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The destination is not important, only the ride there...

Current bike: 2009 VStrom 650

Previous bikes: Hondas - '65 305 Scrambler; '81 900F; '98 1100 Shadow ACE; '03 VTX 1800C; Kawasakis - '05 Concours; '08 KLR650; '01 Vulcan 1500 Classic

I used to use gaiters for my first few yrs of riding. They were very similar to these ones in black. I liked them when I used them, because they were very well made and also kept my shins dry when riding on wet roads... then I just ended up buying a proper pair of riding pants which, when worn with my mid-calf high riding boots (Alpinestars Web Gortex) that issue totally stopped happening any more.

Are you riding with low-cut boots? The gaiters worked well and were a cheap solution for the time being.

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My Bike!
www.shanekingsley.com - House (and jungle) Music All Night Long
The Big Map of Ontario's Best Roads.

To keep warm pants (or rain pants) from riding up and exposing my ankles,
I sew nylon straps to the cuffs, so that the straps go under my boots,
in front of the heels. These help a lot.

These can make boots a tad difficult to put on, but if I have some privacy,
or don't need privacy, I can tie my boots before pulling up my pants.
Just don't laugh at my knobby knees.

Keith

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Nashbar Velcro Leg Band - Set of 2 for $4 on Amazon.

Of course the shipping is probably $10.

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Austin

2002 DL1000 - New to me...
1978 GS1000 - One owner, still putt'n

Hit the camping stores, pick up a set of gaiters/puttee's (depending on the part of the world).
Pick the waterproof ones, some are designed for wildlife resistance (ticks etc).

Work well.

Pete

Most riding trousers also have the benefit of armor, tear-resistant fabric and no taint seam.

Robert:

You can also wear long socks and pull them up over your cuffs. You won't look like one of the cool kids, but based on the photo you posted, that shouldn't be an issue.

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Stromin'Nroman NC28729, USA

DL650A K7 (Greywolf Moto Lab's R&D test mule) June 1, 2012 - present
DL650A K7 April 23, 2007 - January 6, 2012, RIP

"Look here brother, who you jivin' with that cosmik debris?" Frank Zappa, 1975

They are a little pricey, but I have an old set of gaiters left over from by backpacking days. They do a great job in terms of weather protection. If you get the kind used in mountaineering, they are built to withstand crampon abrasion. Good stuff. REI probably still carries them. (Mine are at least 20 years old - I think made by Outdoor Research)


I used to use them a lot - when I first started riding and didn't own proper riding boots yet.

I had my wife sew me up a pair and they do make a difference. Mine are not as nice as that, but they work, especially if you put your feet out on some highway pegs. For $20, you can't go wrong to see if they work for you.

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"The first five days after the weekend are always the hardest."

-- My wife

Your pic indicates you wear the gaiters INSIDE your pantlegs. Doesn't that kind of defeat the stop-the-wind-up-the-leg purpose?

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2007 DL650
"Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?" -- Harry M. Warner, Warner Brothers, 1927

Ditto.

Gaiters will work but blousing bands/straps will too and are quicker and easier to use. Check Army/Navy surplus stores.

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2006 Suzuki V-Strom DL650K
1986 Honda Shadow VT700C
1974 Suzuki TM-250
1966 Triumph Bonneville T-120R
1965 Suzuki 80