Moral quandry: 1 piece or 2

[Buckethead]

Got my "Thanks for putting up with the last 8 years" money today, and I find myself faced with a dilemma. Do I buy pants that zip to the jacket that I already have, or should I just get a 1 piece? I currently wear a pair of Cortech Rider Jeans that have leather panels in the hips and knees and knee pockets for armor, but they don't work well with my Oxtar boots so I usually end up just wearing some combat boots under them. They're also jeans, so I don't really have confidence that they'd keep the knee pads where they need to be in the event of a crash.

My current jacket is a Tour Master Coaster 2. It has the full-circumference zipper that will mate to the Tour Master Apex pants I've been looking at, and is available from a bevy of online retailers for about $200. The flat black will match the jacket and I'll be better protected than I am currently.

For about twice the money I could get myself a one piece that matches my bike and could be easily enhanced to meet the Navy's requirement for reflective gear at night, meaning I could stop carrying around a backpack with a Mil Spec vest in it. I could then sell the TM jacket and recoup at least some of my investment, bringing the overall price down.

Thoughts? Experience? Admonitions? Boobies?

[mxwinky]

Two-piece always gives you more versatility for changing weather conditions than one-piece.  As for whether they zip together or not, mine do but I've never bothered with it.  I heartily recommend the First Gear pants with the removable liner.  Even greater versatility plus good protection and they zip over whichever boots I happen to put on.

[Dallas 1098]

My thoughts... zippers will become the weak link should you get off. I went one piece. Not as convenient but it works for me.

[Spider]

My 2 piece fits better when using the zipper - it moves as one - I guess it all depends on the interface design. The zipper also looks more than strong enough to withstand a slide - has anyone reported 2 pieces 'seperating' in slides (either leather or textile), the whole idea of leather is it's low abrasion resistance.

As you've discovered though - the zips usually mean that you have to stay within the brand to get that 'flexibilty of 'mix and match'. Or as Michael Moore recommended - you can get the zippers changed!

I'd go the 2 piece and keep the vest!

[The Architect]

I have the Apex pants and a Cortech jacket.  The combo is great for convenience.  And yes, you have to stick with the same manufacturer so the zippers match.  Trust me.  I like the Apex pants.  Excelent knee and hip protection.  And for $200 I thought it was a good deal.  It's tough to go around town with a one piece.  I did buy a one piece for the track. 

[Count Desmo]

How often do you go pee?  Stop for lunch?  Do you mind having the top of a 1-piece hanging around your waist?  Do you ever get hot when you stop for a break or to fill up?

[Buckethead]

How often do you go pee?  Stop for lunch?  Do you mind having the top of a 1-piece hanging around your waist?  Do you ever get hot when you stop for a break or to fill up?

1) I'm pretty much constantly dehydrated, so rarely. Maybe 3 times on a long day (5+ hours).

2) As is I take off my jacket and eat wearing my chest/back protector and whatever shirt I'm wearing. I can easily picture myself sitting in a diner in full leathers. Actually, that's a nice image. +1 for the 1 piece.

3) No.

4) I live in Maine. I get hot for approximately 1 1/2 weeks per year. Eventually I will be moving elsewhere, likely someplace warmer, so you do raise a valid point.

Honestly, I'm leaning pretty heavily toward the 2 piece at this point for 2 reasons, pockets and vents.

I have the Apex pants and a Cortech jacket.  The combo is great for convenience.  And yes, you have to stick with the same manufacturer so the zippers match.  Trust me.  I like the Apex pants.  Excelent knee and hip protection.  And for $200 I thought it was a good deal.  It's tough to go around town with a one piece.  I did buy a one piece for the track. 

If I may ask, what sort of build are you and what size did you get? How do you like the fit? I'd have asked these in a PM, but I think others might appreciate the input as well.

Also, did you have any issues with size differences between the jacket and pant zippers? I don't want to be foiled by my muffin top.

[mstevens]

I get $185. I don't have to worry about how many pieces I buy with that!

[The Architect]

I have a small coaster jacket (size 40) and I have the Apex size 30 (extra small).  I'm 5'-8" 155 lbs. 31" waist and 30" inseam.  The pants fit just right as far as waist and thighs.  The only problem I have with the pants is they are just a little too long.  This is only noticable when i zip the jacket to the pants. 

The pants are one size smaller than the jacket.  This means that the zipper on the jacket is about 1" to 1 1/2" too long.  No real problem there.

Check out newenough.com they usually have good prices and a good right up on the fit.

Hope this helps. 

[NAKID]

If you buy a jacket with a zipper, typically it will come with the other part already zipped to it. That way you can sew it into whatever you want.


BTW, where are you stationed and what rate are you?
I'm in Phoenix, but I have orders to Sub IDC school in Groton in July...

[Buckethead]

The pants are one size smaller than the jacket.  This means that the zipper on the jacket is about 1" to 1 1/2" too long.  No real problem there.

Hope this helps. 

Quite a bit, thank you!  I got my XL Coaster jacket from New Enough and that's where I was looking at the pants, too. Did you go with the regular or flat, and how does the finish compare to the jacket? Oh, and how long did your zipper tab last? Mine broke after a month.

If you buy a jacket with a zipper, typically it will come with the other part already zipped to it. That way you can sew it into whatever you want.


BTW, where are you stationed and what rate are you?
I'm in Phoenix, but I have orders to Sub IDC school in Groton in July...

The jacket didn't come with the mating zipper half, but the pants claim to.

I'm stationed at NAS Brunswick, ME. I'm an AT3 at the AIMD, I work on IFF systems for P-3s, C-130s and whatever else lands on our doorstep. Anxiously awaiting the results of the ratings exams.

You're a Corpsman, right? Thus the IDC school? Congrats! Should be a blast, and we'll have to talk DP into having another shinding later in the summer.

[The Architect]

Quite a bit, thank you!  I got my XL Coaster jacket from New Enough and that's where I was looking at the pants, too. Did you go with the regular or flat, and how does the finish compare to the jacket? Oh, and how long did your zipper tab last? Mine broke after a month.

As for the finish, I recommend the flat.  The regular is to shinny.  The flat was the closest match to the jacket.

I've had no problems with the zippers.  Except one of my children got to a thread on one of the arm vents and pulled it.  I had to have it repaired.

[tommys67]

If I may ask, what sort of build are you and what size did you get? How do you like the fit? I'd have asked these in a PM, but I think others might appreciate the input as well.

Also, did you have any issues with size differences between the jacket and pant zippers? I don't want to be foiled by my muffin top.

I ended up ordering a Helimot 2-piece because a) I'm built like a linebacker, b) because of that, I coudn't find pants to fit with any jacket.  c) a 2-piece is more "flattering" to those of us who are NOT perfect human specimens.

I always ride with the connecting zipper zipped.  If I didn't the pants would be sagging something awful.

I had a pretty wicked get-off a few weeks ago and the suit was perfect.

HOWEVER - if I were doing trackdays on a frequent basis, I would likely have gotten a 1 piece for the track.

[Buckethead]

No trackdays as of yet.

If (when) they are on the horizon I will likely be going with a onesie as well.

[ryandalling]

+ 1 on tracking your bike... most places require one piece for the faster bikes. Some places require it for all riders.