Aerostich Roadcrafter Review...hmmm....

[Morgan]

So I recently spent several weeks of moderate frustration trying to get a 1 piece roadcrafter to fit me properly.  I found the service staff to be exceptionally polite, but not nearly as "expert at fitting" as has been reported.  Maybe I'm just a really weird size but at 5'9" 145lbs and as muscular as you can envision a man of 145lbs at 5'9 I'm not particularly out of the ordinary.  Anyway, the 38L I got was too short in the legs to allow the knee armor to sit properly and it was too tight in the shoulders.  After 20 minutes of describing fit and bikes, I was confident that I settled on a 40R.  What shows up 4 days later? A 40L.  But the 40L fits and I doubt a 40R would have.  

Mistake or not,  I love the fit of the suit on the bike.  I was surprised at how the nylon feels very thin at speed.  The cold of the air penetrates immediately, unlike my lined leather jacket.  A barrier, if not outright layering, is a must for the cold (upper 20's).  Despite this, the suit is seemingly impenetrable to the wind with the collar adjusted tightly around the "buff" surrounding my neck.  

So cold and wind are no issue.  Rain, however, is a terrible problem.  I was really disappointed that after buying a new suit with the new version of the zippers (supposedly more waterproof) my crotch is wet after 40 minutes in a decent rain.  WTF!  Worse still is that the chest zipper that appears for all the world to be waterproof (based on the rubber looking zipper surround), let my cell phone bathe in a pool of water collected at the bottom of the pocket (ironic, that the pocket holds water as the material itself appears to be quite waterproof).  

My other bone to pick is with the main zippers.  They advertise 10 seconds to don/doff this suit. If I get the main zipper started on the first try, that may be possible.  But I think in the weeks of nearly daily use that I've attempted the zippers, I've gotten it started on the first try three times.  

At this point, I'm liking the suit, but disappointed.  $847 is a lot of money for a suit that won't keep you dry in a moderate rain.  Another obvious issue that I had considered before purchase was what to do with the suit when you step off the bike.  It does crush into my Givi 46 top box, barely.  Hi Viz draws way more odd looks than black leather in Target.  I don't really care though, because at least with the suit on, nobody thinks I've peed my pants.

[ConPilot1]

my crotch is wet after 40 minutes in a decent rain.  WTF!

so not to be a smartass but tell us something we didn't know mudderfodder.

Been a notorious problem with the 1 pc. Stich for years from what I understand.
Get a Darien. No wet stuff anywhere. 2 pc 'Stich suits reports no problems with that either.

[Mastros2]

 Hi Viz draws way more odd looks than black leather in Target.  I don't really care though, because at least with the suit on, nobody thinks I've peed my pants.

 

Haha.  All kidding aside, I have heard the 2pc version is much better at stopping rain.  Not wet crotches but not as convenient as a 1pc suit.

Try a search, maybe a nikwax treatment is the only thing that your suit will need.  I know not what you want to hear after dropping close to $1k on a suit but may be a simple fix.

[Cablebandit]

If I have to go with a two piece there are plenty of other options.  

I thought the whole draw to the one piece was easy on and off over your street clothes so you can actually move around like a normal human once you get somewhere.

[ConPilot1]

If I have to go with a two piece there are plenty of other options.  

I thought the whole draw to the one piece was easy on and off over your street clothes so you can actually move around like a normal human once you get somewhere.

I like a 2 pc because many time, when stopping to eat or whatever, my pants are comfy enough to keep on and I just take my jacket off. Easier if you ask me than getting out of and back into a monkey suit coming and going.

[DrD]

I thought the whole draw to the one piece was easy on and off over your street clothes so you can actually move around like a normal human once you get somewhere.

That is the main one.  I am on my second 1 piece; the first one got so decrepit looking my then GF forced me to replace it (and then she married me).  I find it easy on/off, no issues.  When I get to where I am going, I wear it in, then take it off and hang it up like a big coat.  Luckily, the places I usually visit for work the parking is in secure areas; no issues and all the riders leave gear on the bikes.

The 'stich crotch is a nuisance when it happens, but I can't recall the last time it did happen.  Some treatment on the zipper seams helps.

[Cablebandit]

I local guy just bought a 1 piece stitch to replace his, i believe Joe Rocket, one piece.  I'll be sure to pick him brain after he's had it a while.  The stitch makes sense for a suit to wear commuting to work.

[coho]

If I have to go with a two piece there are plenty of other options.  

I thought the whole draw to the one piece was easy on and off over your street clothes so you can actually move around like a normal human once you get somewhere.

The two piece is just as easy-on easy off as the one piece. Just leave the pieces zipped together. I don't think I've separated the pants from the jacket in at least 3 or 4 years. It's just nice to know I can.

As to the crotchal wetness, just take the time to arrange the inner and outer storm flaps carefully (so they lay flat) until the suit breaks in and forms to your body. Then your boys'll stay dry in all but the frog-stranglingest downpour.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

The two piece is just as easy-on easy off as the one piece. Just leave the pieces zipped together. I don't think I've separated the pants from the jacket in at least 3 or 4 years. It's just nice to know I can.

As to the crotchal wetness, just take the time to arrange the inner and outer storm flaps carefully (so they lay flat) until the suit breaks in and forms to your body.

^^^ this.
 
Next month I'll be buying another 2pc Roadcrafter. I can't imagine anything else working as well.  

As for the 10 second zippers, it must be you    I never had any trouble with them after the first few times.  

[brianhe]

^^^ this.
 
Next month I'll be buying another 2pc Roadcrafter. I can't imagine anything else working as well.  

As for the 10 second zippers, it must be you    I never had any trouble with them after the first few times.  

  Never had a problem with the zippers on my two-piece either.  It probably takes an extra 15-20 seconds to zip up two zippers vs the one piece.  One zipper goes from the waist down to the ankle.  Another from waist up to neck like a regular coat.

According to Aerostich, the zippers were redesigned in 2011 to be more waterproof. linky  Maybe the new ones are tighter fitting?

[Cablebandit]

So is the 2 piece roadcrafter also designed to be warm over street clothes?

[Mrs. DantesDame]

So is the 2 piece roadcrafter also designed to be warm over street clothes?

Yes.

[ConPilot1]

I think the 2 pc is much more versatile than being locked into a 1 function suit.

Plus I don't want to trundle across a hotel parking lot at a meet in my boxers and motorcycle boots on a hot day carrying a 14 pound Roadcrafter suit. I did witness that once.  

Hot days anyway i'm rocking the Motoport AMK anyway. That suit is the freaking schizznit in the summertime.
totally convinced that for a high-protection summer suit there isn't anything better on the market.

[brianhe]

Yes.

Yes and no for me.  I've taken to riding with a Army issue neck gaiter and generic soft shell jacket under my 2-piece Roadcradter when it's cool, gives me a lot more wind protection since the suit's fabric isn't really windproof.  Tonight in mid 30s temperatures, and 90-plus percent humidity, I was still fairly comfortable for a 20 minute ride.

[Orson]

I read on ST.N that rain pooling in your lap seeps thru the zippers, and that standing up every 10 minutes or so "drains the pool"  

works for me  

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Yes and no for me.  I've taken to riding with a Army issue neck gaiter and generic soft shell jacket under my 2-piece Roadcradter

And that's all? Rarrrr!!!    

Yes and no for me.

I think the question referred more to "do you wear jeans under it", asking moreso if that type of clothing will fit. Some gear is tight-fitting and won't allow for much fabric underneath.

[motomem]

My 1 piece kept me dry depending on the bike I was riding - a good air pocket - no leaks. Turbulence - I often got wet in the crotch and other places. The older it got the less it leaked. New suits bunch up more - push up around the neck, crotch, underarms. In the crotch it forms a small bowl right at crotch level over the zipper. You have to get in the habit of smoothing the bowl out.

I can get cold pretty quick without some layering. Usually jeans and long sleeve t-shirt works but if the least bit nippy the fleece comes out. I've wondered about how easy the new zippers work - if they are more cumbersome. On a newer suit I have always had problems with the zipper catching on fabric - again until they are broke in. A good coat of spray silicone helps on this.