I need to buy a motorbike jacket, and was wondering if I could get away with a leather jacket (for protection) combined with something thin, warm and furry underneath...
I suddenly thought about cashmere. I see that Johnston's at Elgin are charging £229 upwards for a cashmere sweater - presumably they're made from a better quality yarn than one from M&S.
Are they magically warm, or are they too thin to provide any real heat?
A quick web search suggests that jumpers made from alpaca or musk ox wool are warmer than cashmere ones, but perhaps that's not saying much.
So, just wondering if a cashmere jumper under a leather jacket would be warm enough on the bike in spring/autumn (above freezing) and off the bike in winter (below freezing).
I only ride a 50cc scooter occasionally and I'm always amazed at the amount of clothing that's required to keep warm. So my guess is no.
Merino.
Silk undies.
I don't understand what your question is really?
A wool jumper like that requires looking after or you'll shrink the hell out of it.
If you're after a bikers jacket then yes a leather jacket is fine... not so waterproof though kinda pointless in winter. You'd be better off with a textile jacket in winter and leather in spring/summer.
Base layers are always better for keeping comfortable and are neck tubes and good gloves...
If you're asking me if you've unlocked the secret to a perfect base layer with a wool jumper... no you haven't.
They are objectively better than M&S in terms of yarn quality, and made in Scotland too.
Just buy one anyway as they are beautiful. Then buy your wife/girlfriend/significant other a cashmere poncho. Then stock up on wonderful cashmere blankets for winter.
Having worked at Johnstons for many years in a past life, I can confirm that cashmere is lovely. But it's not any warmer than merino or whatever. Just very much lusher.
I find thicker fine wool warmer but very expensive.
I have several cashmere jumpers from Johnstons of Elgin and can confirm their lushness. Never bought at full RRP. The secret is to get an invitation to their Christmas marquee sale where you line up with aristocrats with a black bin liner and fight your way to the bargains. I doubt I'd wear one on a motorcycle though.
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There are leather bike jackets available with zip-in quilted 'body-warmers, or vest if you like, which gives added insulation to your core, and which can be removed in milder weather.
My Spyke leather has one, and it does give extra warmth in cold weather.
Not that I wear it on a motorbike, though.
A far better bet would be a thinnish mid-layer fleece.
I love cashmere, a real luxury and wonderful natural product and you can buy British / Scottish too 🙂
For a motorbike I'd just go Merino / fleeces. Cashmere is soft and doesn't take wear / abrasion well.
I was reading a story earlier today and this material was mentioned.
As relates to yourself -
https://armadillomerino.com/blogs/champions/15-gino-rea-world-supersport-racer
Very nice 😕
https://armadillomerino.com/products/monty-long-sleeve-mock-turtle-neck?variant=14005057475
Top kit
https://armadillomerino.com/collections/tops-1
I was given a cashmere jumper and it was just another jumper as far as keeping warm.
In the winters in the 70's I wore a thick T shirt, an army shirt a leather jacket a denim jacket and a combat jacket and still got cold.
In the 80's I bought a new lewis leather jacket and did a 30mile ride all year round, I wore a T shirt and jumper under the leather and didn't get cold!
I am just looking at my new[well new in the 80s] jacket and the lining is much better and the leather is longer, than the 60's Lewis.
I started buying US army polypro shirts in the 90's they are really warm.
