But for those of you still with me, let's talk about this compromise between comfort and safety. As I mentioned earlier, I ride year-round in the same jacket, jeans, and boots. The only things that change are what I wear underneath. There are better, more high-tech approaches to this, but my budget doesn't support them. With few exceptions, you get what you pay for.
Gloves are another item that can be tailored to suit the weather.
In the winter, I go with a good pair of snowmobile gloves, sacrificing some of the heavy leather road-rash protection for insulation from the cold. For summer, you can choose any of several types of padded, studded, and kevlar armored gloves specifically designed to save your hands from direct exposure to the pavement. Most of the better ones will be a bit warm in the heat of July and August, but with gloves especially, there is an inverse relationship between safety and comfort. If you choose the lightweight leather with holes intentionally punched in them, or if you want to be real silly and buy gloves without any fingers at all, you may be comfortable, but don't put your hands out to try and save yourself. Next, let's talk about pants versus chaps.