Anyone here commute in a textile suit?

Just looking for the pros and cons, my soon-to-be full time job only requires that I wear khakis and a polo and I'm assuming that I wouldn't look too disheveled after a 30-45 minute ride.

Here's something like what I'm considering at the moment: http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/product.php?productid=315&cat=66

I've got a decent collection of hand-me-down riding gear, which is great for occasionally riding. However, SWMBO wouldn't be thrilled about me regularly commuting with anything less than ATTGATT and I'm of the same mindset.

So, the suit. I figure it'll be good enough for nearly anytime I would actually want to ride, and keep me from assembling a closet full of new gear.

Thoughts?

No experience with the full suit there, but I do commute with a pair of TourMaster Venture overpants on top of my regular work clothes and just wear my normal riding jacket on top. They flow pretty well with the insulation and rain liners removed, but when stopped in traffic (which I am a lot during my commute) things heat up fast in the VA summer. If you already have a top you like, that would be a bit of a cheaper option.

http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/product.php?productid=227&cat=4

Never done a full, one-piece suit either. I do use textile pants and my normal jacket and would have no qualms about sliding them on over a pair of khakis.

I know a few people who've used Aerostich suits over their office clothes (suits, as we're talking banking here) on long commutes. I'm still using a textile two-piece suit I bought in the UK. In hot weather the khakis tend to end up a little crumpled but TBH I don't care much right now and nobody else does.

A lot of it depends on the weather. If it's hot, you're better off wearing proper protective clothing and change at work if you don't want to look like you slept in your clothes.

Given that my suit is getting a bit long in tooth I'll probably upgrade to an Aerostich at some point, even though I really like the Halvarsons suit I currently have - they're the only textile suit classified as "personal protective clothing" in the UK, which is a level or three above most of the other motorcycle clothing. Unfortunately they're not available in the US, it needs a new outer jacket and shipping it from Sweden is most likely cost prohibitive.

Zippers that run up to your knee make it a lot easier to get in and out without taking your shoes off. I like the overpants I have now for the most part but the leg-side zippers aren't as long as I would like and it gets annoying. Next time I'm going to be more careful in my shopping.

In the summer I wear jeans and a mesh jacket and just change at work. In spring, fall, and winter I wear tour master over pants with a leather jacket but have thought about giving the textiles suites a shot, so watching this thread closely.

Makes me glad I can wear jeans to work.....lol

I did this morning! I have a short commute, a reasonably relaxed workplace, and a two piece Olympia textile with side zippers on the legs. For me it is ATGATT and the bottom of my pants gets a little crinkled, shirt seems fine. My grin when I arrive is big enough I figure no one is staring at my pant cuffs! The ease of parking and 50mpg doesn't hurt, either.

Unless your dress code is super strict, don't forget to carry a comb, and enjoy!

Mesh Textile pants are much cooler to wear than jeans. I found myself baking pretty badly in denim.

I researched pretty heavily before doing the mesh thing, but it it's got solid/armor stuff in the right places the level of safety is still pretty high. I can tell you mesh material holds up on a 'off' far better than denim, which tore away almost instantly in a little 5mph off I had on gravel.

For cooler weather I have textile overpants and jacket, both with liners that are shockingly warm. The only heated gear I've relied on were gloves.

Mesh suits move a lot of air around you. In hot steamy weather it's as close to wearing nothing at all as I'll go. I'd recommend that esp in my area where summer riding has more in common with recreational diving due to extreme humidity.

I used to commute daily in a textile suit. I didn't wear suits to work but did have to wear dress shoes and nice slacks. It worked out alright.

When I used to commute long distances on the VFR I put my carefully folded shirt/pants and a toiletries bag in the tank bag and changed/primped when I got there. I'd roll in 15 minutes early and hit the handicapped stall. There was no other way to keep me from sweating thru anything that was under the gear no matter how many holes it had or where the zippered openings were and there was no getting rid of helmet head without sticking my head in the sink anyway - even with very short hair.

Get a one-piece Aerostich Roadcrafter. Order the custom mods you think you'll need (I got velco for knee sliders, forward-roated shoulders, a lean-over back extension and I think an extra inch in the upper legs, since I'm long-legged) and maybe spring for extra armor in the back especially. Never look back. Seriously, it's the most functional piece of kit out there. You'll quickly spend as much or more on multiple sets of sub-par gear while you try to patch together a cheaper alternative. Spend your money once on the right piece of gear.

alex wrote: Get a one-piece Aerostich Roadcrafter. Order the custom mods you think you'll need (I got velco for knee sliders, forward-roated shoulders, a lean-over back extension and I think an extra inch in the upper legs, since I'm long-legged) and maybe spring for extra armor in the back especially. Never look back. Seriously, it's the most functional piece of kit out there. You'll quickly spend as much or more on multiple sets of sub-par gear while you try to patch together a cheaper alternative. Spend your money once on the right piece of gear.

Ironbutt riders swear by the 'Stitch. I think the Aerostitch has quite a few guys who sing their praises on the ADVrider forum too. Sounds like a great piece of kit.