Roadcrafter, or Darien?

[basketcase]

For riding nearly anyplace outside my neighborhood, I'm presently wearing a Roadcrafter that I have owned for several years. But I have a hankering (I think) for the 3/4 length benefits of the Darien jacket.

From those of you who have owned both, what are the advantages and diadvantages of each?

Thanks in advance,
Rick

[MrsKbasa]

Rick, since you live in AL I am sure you found the weaknesses of the Roadcrafter (you didn't say if you had a one-piece or two-piece). I had a one piece and the crotch leaked in the rain.

Others will have to comment about Darien's and Two pieces. But, I hear the Darien is more waterproof. Two pieces are easier for fit if you are not built like a GQ model. :)

[Rob Nye]

Rick,

I have a roadcrafter and a darien. Both are hi-viz (Darien pants are black). For the around town stuff the roadcrafter can't be beat. I like the fact that it is so easy on and off and that I have complete protection. If I only had the Darien I am sure there would be times when I would only use the jacket because I am "just going down the street" which is where many accidents from BDC's (brain dead cagers) happen.

For my longer rides I like the two piece because it is dryer and I can remove the jacket off the bike. I like to wear polypro underwear and this makes it less than socially acceptable to remove the roadcrafter in a resturant.

Here is a little list of where I see advantages of one vs the other. This is subjective and the differences are very small so YMMV. I am sure we could find a few hundred riders who would disagree with my list.

Ease of use: Roadcrafter
Dryness: Darien
Ventilation: Equal
Comfort: Equal
Sportriding: Roadcrafter
Touring: Dairen

No matter which you choose you can't go wrong with Aerostich gear. I have one of the original hi-viz roadcrafters and sent it back to Aerostich for new velcro a few months ago along with my darien pants which had some slight abrasions (don't ask don't tell). Both came back looking like new, with replaced velcro, zipper pulls and in the case of the RC it was washed. The Darien was tuned up with a few new panels, I can not tell that there was ever any damage or repair to the gear. The complete service for both items was around $250 and I also got a nifty set of stickers. I know of no other riding gear that provides this much value or a company so committed to the rider.

Good luck with your quest.

[MarkF]

I have a 2-piece Roadcrafter. I bought the Darien first then returned it. The jacket was too bulky in my opinion. Also the armor in both the jacket and pants is in a little fabric pocket held on with six velcro tabs. In the roadcrafter it is inside the lining, which the Darien doesn't have. I wear just the jacket for around town and put on the pants with the bib converter for trips and cold or rain. I would rather have a 1 piece for ease of wear but then I would need a second jacket for those days I chose to go pantless. Also, it's nice to shed just the jacket at fuel, nature and rehydration stops. I love the looks of that new BMW Motorad jacket that matches the Boxer Cup Replica but I saw no advantages over my 'stich!

[basketcase]

Thanks for the feedback.

I have a two-piece Roadcrafter, and have not had a problem with leaking.

Occasionally, I will wear just the jacket.

I had forgotten about the "unlined" aspect of the Darien. That is something to consider, as the lining and armor configuration is a real comfort issue.

Rick (working ... back later for more) in AL

[BMWGypsy]

I have both a two-piece Roadcrafter (RC) and a Darien and I agree with Rob Nye's commentary.

I first purchased the RC. The ease of use and the amount of protection are what attracted me to the suit. I commuted to work and wore skirts or suits underneath (got a lot of hairy-eyeball looks as well; nothing like stripping off *pants* and revealing a skirt and nylons.;)). I chose the two-piece to fit my non-male form. I'm also short-waisted, so I got a short jacket with long pants. I have *rarely* unzipped the two pieces.

I *upgraded* to the Darien a couple of years ago for the waterproofness. I use it for all my trips where a) the weather is questionable or b) it's gonna be cold. I find my Darien to be easier to layer stuff under. By stuff I mean: windbloc fleece, Gerbing's liners and polypro underwear. With these, I am never cold and I am dry. I do find the pants to be a bit warm in hotter temps.

Course, I also own two sets of custom Vanson leathers that I use for most rides at this point. One perf'd; one not. Carry a rainsuit.

How do I use them all:

1) Roadcrafter for work commuting and around town errands
2) Darien for questionable or cold weather
3) Leathers for all other rides - temps determining which suit.

As always, YMMV. :thumb

[gararnett]

I have a 1pc roadcrafter and love it. I have not had the wet crotch problem many complain of (though I feel if I did have an oilhead, it would surge:p ). I have not had a Darien, but have owned a 3/4 length jacket before - the old Hein-Gericke Paris-Dakar leather jacket. I liked it but have not wanted a 3/4 jacket since I sold it. 3/4 jackets just don't do it for me - but I didn't know it until I tried out what else there was. I think the Darien looks good and the quality should be unquestionable, but I wouldn't get one. Maybe I'll get a 2pc roadcrafter - in many years when my current wears out.

[oldtime]

I have had the Darien jacket for over a year now and love the thing great for about any condition, great protection from the elements and very well made :idea

[fish]

I've got a 1-pc Roadcrafter and a Darien suit. Roadcrafter is great for spring and fall, but it leaks (crotch) in the rain and fits too tightly to layer much under it, so it hangs in the closet in the winter. In the summer it's a veritable sauna...too hot! So it goes back in the closet in the heat too. Darien is waterproof with plenty of room for fleece and Gerbings, so I wear it throughout the winter. Doesn't vent well ,so it too goes into the closet in the summer. For summer riding, I've been using a BMW Commuter jacket (I believe they've changed the name this year) with the Darien pants, and it's been great well into the 100F range. I'm afraid there is no perfect gear...yet.

[AceRph]

I bought a two-piece Roadcrafter in February. The 1st one was too small to put any layers underneath. After talking to the sales person at Aerostitch, I sent the 1st one back & received a bigger size. I really like it. The butt sags some when you're walking around but the suit is comfortable in the saddle (and I'm already married :lol).

I rode my GSA about 90 minutes in a pouring rain a few weeks ago and got a small leak in the crotch. The rest of me was dry.

There have been a few warm days already this year. Even with the vents open, I was a little hot. I'm pretty sure that summer will be miserable in it. Maybe I'll just use my well worn JR Ballistic jacket then.

My brother and his wife have riden in Dariens for a couple of years, in all kinds of weather. They swear by them.:)

It would be nice to be able to get both.

[Toadmanor]

So here we are in 2010 and I believe this is the year I will actually scratch my Aerostitch itch. For many years I have wanted one and have vacillated between the Roadcrafter and the Darien. So now I come upon this statement.

I commuted to work (got a lot of hairy-eyeball looks as well; nothing like stripping off *pants* and revealing a skirt and nylons.;)). b

I hope that will not apply to me if i go the Roadcrafter path.

These posts were written back in 2003 and I find two troublesome things with the Roadcrafter 1 Piece. First it leaks in the crotch (Brewers' Drip?). Secondly, it is too hot above certain temps. Have any of these problems been solved? Is the Darien truly more waterproof than the Roadcrafter?

Oh my, I need help deciding! I just do not want another year to go by without me making up my mind and purchasing one of these things.

The Toad

[Beemer01]

I have the one piece Roadcrafter and agree with most of the comments. Crotch leaking only occurs in heavy, sustained downpours where I probably shouldn't be riding anyhow.

Since I usually keep riding I'll don the BMW Goretex 3/4 length overjacket - solves the leaking problem since the jacket covers the crotch.

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g96/Beemer10/P5270153.jpg

The Roadcrafter is perfect for cool/cold weather - once it goes over 80F I switch to mesh.

[marchyman]

Wow... old thread....

First it leaks in the crotch (Brewers' Drip?).


It may leak in the crotch. Depends upon fairing and how you sit on the bike. My one-piece never leaked when I had an RT. It will leak on my GS. The difference is that when on my GS I sit such that there is a fold that creates a pocket that holds water directly above the zipper. Eventually the water gets through the zipper into my lap.

If I remove my tank bag, though, there is sometimes enough air flow into my lap to blow the water out of the pocket before it has a chance to leak through the zipper.


Secondly, it is too hot above certain temps.


It's still hot. I found the Darien to be cooler, but it was heat issues that resulted in me switching to something with a removable waterproof liner. My R2P is much nicer than either Roadcrafter or Darien in warmer weather. That said, my Roadcrafter is still used quite often as nothing beats it for on/off when running errands.

[GlobalRider]

What I have noticed about the few Darien's that I have seen is the taped seams on the inside fraying and even coming off.

This is most likely due to a lack of a liner. The Darien does not have any lining period, unless Andy Goldfine decided to put one in recently.

I'd buy one, but cripes it looks unfinished on the inside.

[Toadmanor]

What I have noticed about the few Darien's that I have seen is the taped seams on the inside fraying and even coming off.

This is most likely due to a lack of a liner. The Darien does not have any lining period, unless Andy Goldfine decided to put one in recently.

I'd buy one, but cripes it looks unfinished on the inside.

Now I am needing another bit of clarity.

Is the Roadcrafter equipped with a liner? How is it more finished than the Darien?

The Toad

[GlobalRider]

Now I am needing another bit of clarity.

Is the Roadcrafter equipped with a liner? How is it more finished than the Darien


The Roadcrafter has a polyester lining, just as you'd find in any riding suit.

The Darien does not have a lining at all.

The polyester lining in the Roadcrafter does not make it any warmer to wear when it is hot outside, as one would think. Cooling is done via the zippered vents, not the Gore-Tex.

Maybe someone can post a pic of the insides of a Darien turned inside out. Its a disappointment. Other than that, I'd buy one.

[marchyman]

Maybe someone can post a pic of the insides of a Darien turned inside out. Its a disappointment. Other than that, I'd buy one.

Pic of the inside of the cuff of a pair of darien pants. The rest of the pants and the inside of the jacket look much the same, save spots with velcro where pads are supposed to mount.

<img src="http://www.snafu.org/pics/darien/p-20070414-1629-2614.jpg" title="Darien Pants Cuff, inside">

In the crotch area of the pants the seam can lift. If that happens it can be sent in for repair. Shipping costs more than the repair.

[GlobalRider]

Pic of the inside of the cuff of a pair of darien pants.

That looks good (condition-wise) compared to the one I saw.

How old is it and how many miles are on it?

[marchyman]

That looks good (condition-wise) compared to the one I saw.

How old is it and how many miles are on it?

That is part of the for sale pics of a pair of pants I sold in '07. They were only about 15K miles old. Also, they looked different when new than my first pair. More white than my original pair. The pants do wear much worse than the jacket, though. I had to send my first pair back for seam tape repair after 4 or 5 years.

A friend is now using the Darien jacket I first bought in March of 99. He bought it from me in '05. He wore it today. It is still waterproof.

[bandman]

I had a Roadcrafter suit but sold it after about a year. Since then I bought a Darien suit and a Darien Light Suit. I love both. It does take a little time to break them in because they are stiff but extremely well made. To break them in, I washed them in just water and then dried them. Washed them about three times and that softened them up a bit. Four years later and they fit like they are part of me. Would never get rid of them. The Darien has a sip out liner which will keep you warm down to about 30 degrees. Very, very well made.

[FatBaxter]

I've had a two-piece Roadcrafter for 10 years. It's never leaked, but then I ride a 99 RT and the fairing takes the brunt of bad weather. Which raises a point: behind a fully faired bike, either of the Aerostich suits will be uncomfortably hot in the summer, especially in the deep South (where I live). On a bare bike, you might get enough air flow over your body to wear either one. But not on an RT.

As a result, in the summer the Aerostich gets put away. The only armored stuff I can abide during the summer behind an RT fairing are Diamond Gusset kevlar-lined jeans, and a kevlar mesh shirt from Draggin' Jeans. When it gets close to 100, even the mesh shirt can be too much behind the fairing.

In this regard, the RT's fairing works TOO well.

[58058D]

I have a two piece RC, only leaked in the crotch once in a very heavy downpour and only when I stopped and put my left leg down. I used nik-wax on the zipper when I got home and every time I wash and renew the waterproofing, and all is well. I have something near 100k miles on it, got it when I commuted daily from Fiddletown to Sacramento, 50 mi one way. Now I ride weekly from the coast to the central valley (Mendo @50 degrees to Sac @100+, 190 mi one way) in most weather until the passes get too icy in winter. With proper hydration and venting control, I have only once had an issue with the heat. 110 and I left my vents closed too long and ended up parboiling myself - bad situation. But, then we do not have the humidity you have in many parts of the country and that really makes a difference with the Stitch in my view. I did get it large enough to wear thermals, elect vest, sweatshirt all layered under (helped when I lost 25 pounds). I have the elipse at the waist as I ride both the K12 with a tall shield and the K13s in a more aggressive position. Got the two piece thinking I would then be able to wear just the jacket at rallies, but rarely separate them and with our roads, never ride without the whole suit.

[MildBill]

I've been debating buying a Roadcrafter for quite some time. My question is, are they worth the money? I guess I'm a bit of a tightwad, but I can't help but wonder are they that much better than say a Tourmaster?

[GlobalRider]

I can't help but wonder are they that much better than say a Tourmaster?

I never had a Tourmaster, but I have two Roadcrafter 2-piece suits; one that I bought in 1992 that is still serviceable and another just like it, that I bought in 2005.

Product evaluations and comparisons found in magazine are next to useless unless they've tested them on a day to day basis for a couple of years in a row. I never found a magazine that does that.

[Toadmanor]

I've been debating buying a Roadcrafter for quite some time. My question is, are they worth the money? I guess I'm a bit of a tightwad, but I can't help but wonder are they that much better than say a Tourmaster?

you and I both! I have been lusting after one for too many years. I just cant seem to decide between Roadcrafter one or two piece and Darien.

[tommcgee]

Yes, they're better than a Tourmaster, but you can buy a half dozen Tourmasters at this time of the year as compared to one Roadcrafter.

I own one Roadcrafter and at least a dozen Tourmaster, First Gear, and other jackets.

[stkmkt1]

I have Darian jacket and pants. I wear them both anytime I ride in any weather. I have gone across Texas when it was over 100 degrees and I did not think they were too uncomfortable.

The big advantage of the Darian over the roadcrafter is they fit differently. The Darian fits more loosely and lends itself to more flexibility when traveling. At least, that is what I was told when I went to Aerostich and had them fit my suit. The Roadcrafter is worn pretty much as it comes out of the box. So if you tend to ride in more rough weather, choose the Darian. If you ride a sport bike, or crotch-rocket style bike, the Raodcrafter is more up your alley.

The Darian is made to have different liners in it. Or you can use it liner-less, such as in the summer. I just throw a t-shirt on under the jacket. I wear blue jeans under the pants. When it starts getting cooler, I close up the zips that provide pretty good flow-through ventilation in the summer. Once it really starts getting cool, I can throw a sweatshirt on. If it gets cold enough that I need more than the sweatshirt, I can put on a heated liner, be it jacket or pants. And if it really starts getting cold, I have long-johns to put on under the heated liners. When using the heated liners, I ditch the blue jeans and just wear the underwear, liner, and the Darian pants.

It takes a while to break them in. But Aeorstich definitely makes a great product. I have been in some major rain storms and have ridden even while getting pelted with hail. No problems so far. I do wash the jacket and pants in Nik-Wash and waterproof them as well with same company's product.

I have all the pads, including the back pad. I strongly recommend you all check out Aeorstich jackets. I have no affiliation with Aerostich or Rider's Warehouse, but I really like my Darian suit.

[JohnRyan]

Yes, the Roadcrafter is lined. The smooth, thin nylon liner makes it slide on and off easier.

Overall construction and weight is heavier than the Darien, about a two pound difference for the jacket.

I have found the one-piece Roadcrafter to be the most versatile for extreme conditions, having ridden in one for more than 300k miles, from temperatures below 0 to 130 above, in snow, ice, rain, hurricanes, and sometimes, even nice weather. :)

I cannot recommend a piece of gear more highly than the Roadcrafter.

John Ryan