I just received the paper catalog version from Aerostitch, and it is great. Most of you probably have it already, but if not - its worth going to their website and requesting.
A lot of useful items in there.
I wanted to check out their suits - at first glance I don't see a lot or any padded armour in them - will have to look more closely.
The armor is dual density foam and in some spots it has a little shell on top of the armor. My favorite option on a stich is knee sliders. [image: user posted image] Who needs sliders when bags will do?
It is nice stuff! I picked up a Darien jacket and pants. Perfect as it is not insulated which is ideal for our humid summer days. Venting is fabulous. When it is cold, I throw on a fleece and close up the vents = toasty warm.
Its great stuff. I wear it over my business cloths to commute. When I arrive at a client's, I undress in the parking lot, throw the gear in the E21's and go to the meeting.
I tried on a buddy's Roadcrafter but felt the Darien would be better for our summers. He also felt his Roadcrafter was too warm in the summer.
If we hook up for a ride, you can try the stuff on.
Kanadian Ken, May 24 2006, 09:14 AMI just received the paper catalog version from Aerostitch, and it is great. Most of you probably have it already, but if not - its worth going to their website and requesting.
A lot of useful items in there.
I wanted to check out their suits - at first glance I don't see a lot or any padded armour in them - will have to look more closely.
Dealing with them right now. Ordered the AD1 pants (on sale!). If you are going to order the hip pads to go with the pants, get the pants one size bigger than suggested on thier fitment chart. And, you're on the hook for shipping back and forth if they don't fit. If I was to do it again I would have talked to someone at Aerostitch rather than use the fitment chart. Would have saved myself a few bucks on shipping.
Kanadian Ken, May 24 2006, 11:14 AMI just received the paper catalog version from Aerostitch, and it is great. Most of you probably have it already, but if not - its worth going to their website and requesting.
A lot of useful items in there.
I wanted to check out their suits - at first glance I don't see a lot or any padded armour in them - will have to look more closely.
Ken...I drove up there at the end of March for a walk-in fitting, and got fitted for their one piece Roadcrafter in Hi-Viz with silver ballistics. In addition to the top notch quality of the material and construction of the suit, there is indeed a significant level of armor protection (removable) in the shoulders, elbows and knees (removable hip pads and back protector are optional). They measure you sitting in the riding position with your riding clothes, and it turned out to be a perfect fit as I sat on the VFR after the suit arrived 2 weeks ago.
Since it was only a 12 hour drive from Detroit, I decided to drive to their Duluth factory so as to avoid the hassles of online/phone ordering and fitting (which they can do) and the subsequent mailing back and forth to get the alterations correct. The factory is not optimized for modern lean processes and manufacturing as one might think...it's basically a small labor intensive business of great people that build a custom crafted riding suit fitted to the rider.
I'm riding my 'Hardley' tomorrow headed to Washington DC with some of my HD buddies for the Rolling Thunder event over Memorial Day weekend, so this will be the first long trip with the Stich.. There's a 30-50% chance of showers so I expect the suit will hold up well...I rode in it during an hour long downpour last week and returned home completely dry. Ron
I think I'm going for the roadcrafter myself. I like that you can wear normal clothes underneath and change like superman before you go into work. I plan on riding up there to try them on in person. Everyone I know who has one has needed (or wanted) some custom modifications to move the location of padding or shorten legs/arms.
I got a one piece Roadcrafter 2 years ago - gray with orange ballistics (ugly I know but i have never seen anyone else with the combo. People around Minneapolis know its me!).
If you are interested I would recommend:
Calling first and talking to somebody there about what your needs are. They will go through teh dsiffences in roadcrafter v darien v other products and the one piece 2 piece debate.
If you are close - Definately go to the factory. As mentioned they have demo suits in stock sizes and will fit you there, on your bike, and go through the recommended options (I got the elipse patch in the back and rotated sleeves for sport riding). plus you can test fit teh suit with the optional pads (hip, back) in if you want.
You get 10 percent off by going to teh shop, which is significant considering teh cost of teh suit to begin with.
They will give you a tour, top to bottom of the 'factory'. Fabrics, the armor, how they make and cut everything, its pretty cool in an old school kind of way.
You also get to see all the sale stuff that is not listed on teh website.
Anyway, I love my suit. I use it for my weekend rides and commuting. It zips right over business casual with no problems. Its vented really well (as long as you are moving) and has a TON of pockets. I'll be wearing it on my trip to Laguna Seca this summer and I expect no problems. One thing to note though, they take a while to break in, but once there....Nice
Although quite a bit more expensive than the 'Stich, Spidi makes a similar suit. It is called the Admiral. There was a feature on it a while back in Sport Rider and just recently a report of it's crash worthiness. Seems to have gotten good reviews from Sport Rider at least.
Just thought I would throw another option out there...
DarrenC, May 24 2006, 03:51 PMI have the same suit! I love that thing. I haven't had a car drift into my lane since I got it this Spring. HiViz is the way to go!
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I have a Hi-Viz (at least it was 20,000 miles ago) stitch with silver ballistics as well!
Ordering tips
1.)definitely deal with a human (over the phone for most of us) getting the size right
2.)if in doubt, go slightly large. It allows for "rider expansion" over time, and more flexibility wearing warm layer underneath in the wintertime.
3.)absolutely get the hip pads...apparenlty this area is really vulnerable, and you need protection there...so go for it.
4.)I've noticed since I ordered mine a bunch of years ago that Aerostitch has come out with a larger back protector now (i love that catalog!!!) but I went with a Bohn CF/Kevlar unit from www.actionstation.com and it is great....whatever you do, get a back protector too.
5.)the suit is extremely well built, you really get what you pay for. If you are going to be riding in pouring rain, wear a rain-suit over it though. That's what I do when I know its going to be pouring. The suit does a good job keeping water out, but after a while it will come through the zippers, especially in the "look, I peed my pants" area.
Kanadian Ken, May 24 2006, 11:14 AM... I wanted to check out their suits - at first glance I don't see a lot or any padded armour in them - will have to look more closely.
KKen,
RidersWarehouse had at least two different types of padding. One was a non-linear beastie that firmed up under rapid strain while remaining pliable when not stressed. They are interchangeable in the suits.
Similarly, there were two separate liners available. When I got my Darien set, I chose the lighter one because in general I prefer to be cooler than warmer, finding that I can always layer up when chilled.
The possible permutations are truly awesome. I also found that a trip to their site - they stayed open to greet me - was worthwhile. CAUTION - it is virtually impossible to visit and leave empty handed...
5.)the suit is extremely well built, you really get what you pay for. If you are going to be riding in pouring rain, wear a rain-suit over it though. That's what I do when I know its going to be pouring. The suit does a good job keeping water out, but after a while it will come through the zippers, especially in the "look, I peed my pants" area.
I got the Darin jacket and pants and even though brand new I soaked my crotch during a thunderstorm. And a friend that was with me actually put rain pants over his older Darin pants. It really has to rain very hard for this to happen on new pants I think. But I like the pants and jacket so well I would order them again.
DarrenC, May 24 2006, 09:51 AMI have the same suit! I love that thing. I haven't had a car drift into my lane since I got it this Spring. HiViz is the way to go!
Yep, Hi-Viz w/ Black. Funny thing though, the first three times I wore the Roadcrafter jacket, it rained. Never got wet inside, but I was beginning to think that the Stich somehow caused the rain... DB
Kanadian Ken, May 24 2006, 11:14 AMI just received the paper catalog version from Aerostitch, and it is great. Most of you probably have it already, but if not - its worth going to their website and requesting.
A lot of useful items in there.
I wanted to check out their suits - at first glance I don't see a lot or any padded armour in them - will have to look more closely.
i have an aerostich suite i have armor for knees shoulder elbow forearm
I forgot to mention. Get on their e-mail sale list. You will get e-mailed about once a week with items on sale.
Usually there are several suits on the list. You will find training garments, customer returns, discontinued colors, etc. They still stand behind these garments so you are not buying "factory seconds."
This is how I bought my roadcrafter (discontinued color). Saved about $230 over buying new. You just have to be patient for your size and color scheme to show up on the sale list.
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