Leg Protection

[Bill]

I didn't want to highjack another post so I thought I would start this here.

It's easy to find riding gear protection for the upper body, hands, and feet but the reasonable cost choices seem more limited for the lower body without resorting to leather chaps or leather pants. These can be purchased for under $75 and offer the best protection in a slide. They do, however, project a certain image or in some cases are worn for a fashion statement.

I never was one for having any fashion concerns. I don't wear labels on the outside of my clothes either. Why should I pay for something and then give free advertising? Just doesn't set right with me.

I view chaps as something more for cold weather wind protection. I am thinking chaps for the winter rides to work when I am wearing slacks. They would be easy to remove, would keep the slacks clean, and the bits not covered during the ride will have the tank to block wind. Now, I could keep a change of clothes at work so the alternative could be leather pants (which can also be considered a fashion statement). They provide a little better protection (wouldnt' want to burn the biscuits if I go down!) but require schlepping extra clothes back an forth to work. Of course, that would probably be the least of my worries with the traffic rolling over top of me.

Any suggestions on lower body protection at a reasonable cost? What do others do?

Cheers!