Product Review: Jafrum 5-Pocket Leather Overpants

[green427]

Link to the product: http://www.jafrum.com/Motorcycle-Gear/Leather-Pants/LP1000

Price paid: $69.95 + $7.95 shipping

Time waited from online purchase to doorstep delivery: 2.5 days

Weight: 5lbs

I got tired of having to take my boots off in order to remove my current EXL brand winter overpants. This usually goes on about 5 times a day when commuting, so it gets old fast.

I wanted to get some textile overpants with full-length leg zippers, but saw this and the price was too good to be true for a set of leathers. I have been waiting about 8 months for motodirect.com to get the textile overpants in my size, but they have no idea when they will be getting them.

Opened up the box, that intoxicating aroma of freshly-dyed leather permeated my nostrils and made me feel warm & fuzzy all over.

Put the pants on over my jeans. I wear size 36 jeans, so I ordered size 38. I was able to zip and buckle without sucking in my gut.

First thing I noticed is how heavy these pants are. Nearly five pounds of bovine skin to carry around is noticeable. The leather was very soft, a lot softer than I expected, and is a lot more flexible than expected. There is stretchy material in the crotch and plumbers-butt-crack areas.

I wear a 32 inseam, and these are 34 inseam, and with the buttons, did not bother me too much.

I was surprised at how easy the zippers went up and down. Buttons are a little stiff since they are new. Pockets are shaped exactly like Levi's blue jeans.

I put my work boots on, and was able to get in and out of them easily. The sides can be opened up completely, but I don't see the need to do that unless you cannot lift your legs.

Rode to work this morning in 41 degrees. Unlike my winter overpants that have a mesh and quilted liner, these pants have one liner intended to keep the leather's dye from staining your pants, so they were not as toasty warm, but still a lot warmer than just a pair of jeans. If it is sunny outside, first thing you are going to notice every time you stop is how the sun's heat gets to your legs almost immediately. Since the leather is soft & supple, stiffness is not too bad. Climbing on the bike is definitely more work. Hopefully it will get easier as the leather is more broken-in.

After about 60 or so miles, I have to say these pants are definitely worth the money. I don't see the need to pay $200+ for name-brands if the quality is similar.

And, did I mention the smell is intoxicating? Don't leave them in your office while working; the smell will distract you from work and cause you to daydream about that upcoming trip to Alaska.

I can take up-close photos if anyone wants to see any details.

[happycommuter]

It's that ability of leather to be cold in the winter and hot in the summer that driver me nuts.  The lining makes sense, but I have a feeling that you really don't want to get caught in the rain with these.

Major questions I ask when confronted with "too good to be true" price leather is thickness and stitching.  Given the weight, I'm assuming this isn't thin fashion junk.  Does the stitching appear to be of decent heft and not creating a virtual tear line in the garment?  Roughly how pieced together is this?  I'm assuming it has a knee panel so that there is no continuous section more than ~18" long.

[isleofmanfan]

Are you riding to Alaska, green427?  Or taking an Alaskan cruise, and wearing your leather pants?   

[green427]

It's that ability of leather to be cold in the winter and hot in the summer that driver me nuts.  The lining makes sense, but I have a feeling that you really don't want to get caught in the rain with these.

Major questions I ask when confronted with "too good to be true" price leather is thickness and stitching.  Given the weight, I'm assuming this isn't thin fashion junk.  Does the stitching appear to be of decent heft and not creating a virtual tear line in the garment?  Roughly how pieced together is this?  I'm assuming it has a knee panel so that there is no continuous section more than ~18" long.

These pants fit like a regular pair of jeans. I've worn them to work about 10 times already, taking them on & off 3 times a day, and so far everything seems to be holding up well. The stitches appear to be well done. We will see how they hold up after one complete season.

Definitely will not want to wear them in the rain, just like any other leather garments I have.

I can take up close pics if you are interested.