Denim jeans (aka “blue jeans”) have been worn by men (and women) for ages. Jeans are durable, easy to care for, and fairly inexpensive compared with dressier clothing. According to a great source, “Best Stuff for Men: The Denim Guide,” there are over 100 brands of jeans with over 450,000 pairs sold each year in the U.S. Wow… that’s a lot of jeans!

Jeans and boots go well together. A natural combination of casual, comfortable jeans with a pair of boots looks good — whether you choose cowboy boots, work boots, or motorcycle boots. Guys wear denim jeans more than any other type of pants. You can see that for yourself everywhere you look.

I have often been asked what kind of jeans I wear and recommend. Well, I’ve learned a thing or two….
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Someone from Vermont, USA, searched, “What to wear when riding a Harley” and landed on this blog, but in a post that did not answer that question. This post will.

I ride a Harley, and I ride with other Harley riders and observe what they wear, too. So let me give you some suggestions from the point of view of a regular Harley rider who appreciates clothing that gives him freedom of movement as well as provides comfort and protection when he rides.

First-off, let me state that what Harley-Davidson motorcycle riders wear is no different from what any other motorcycle rider wears. Contrary to popular belief and internet-driven ubiquitous images, there is no single “Harley Rider Style.” It’s all about functional clothing and boots–no more, no less.

You may think that Harley riders choose Harley-branded “motorclothes” and boots. But the seasoned Harley owner knows that “HD” really means “hundred dollars” — the minimum additional mark-up for Harley-branded gear. While Harley-branded gear looks good, you can get equal or better quality vests, jackets, chaps, and boots from alternate sources at significantly less cost. One of my current favorites for excellent quality affordable biker gear is Fox Creek Leather of Roanoke, Virginia, USA.

Now, let me approach this question from a perspective of what the rider requires to enjoy his ride, not to “look good” or impress others. My perspective, therefore, is “function and comfort.”

Above all, whatever a rider of any make or model of motorcycle requires is clothing that allows him to move easily while operating the bike. Two major joints require unrestricted movement: the hips and shoulders. Non-riders would be amazed how much a motorcycle rider moves his hips, and it is not a kabuki dance. A rider frequently extends his legs straight down to maneuver the bike into a parking spot or at a stoplight. He swings his leg up and over the saddle while mounting or dismounting. He swings his body at the shoulders while mounting/dismounting, too, as well as uses his body through shoulder movement while countersteering, which is a primary method to control the bike while in motion.

Riders require jackets that allow freedom of movement in the shoulders. Descriptions such as “bi-action” are frequently used. Most good quality traditional motorcycle jackets are cut with ample room in the shoulders to allow free movement.

Ease-of-movement applies to a rider’s pants, too. While most riders wear regular denim jeans, it should be recognized that not all jeans are cut the same.

Designer and slim-fit jeans fit tightly in the crotch, which restricts hip movement. I saw a young dude who bought a Harley and was wearing designer jeans try to swing his leg over the saddle of his new ride and end up on his ass. He was not able to raise his leg high enough, kicked the bike, lost his balance, fell down, and became the butt of a lot of laughter. Designer jeans? Fuggetaboutit.

Best jeans: natural-rise, relaxed-fit Wranglers. Why Wranglers and not Levis? Wranglers have the rolled leg seam on the outside, while Levis have that thick seam on the inside. When the seam is on the inside, it can rub against the bike’s tank and eventually damage the paint, and cause some pain for the rider.

Some riders are secure and confident enough to wear leather jeans while riding. I do. However, I know from experience that some leather jeans have more room for hip movement than others. What do I choose? Those that allow hip movement, rather than fit tightly in the crotch. Yeah, you may see images on the ‘net of guys in tight leather jeans — but they are showing something else for other reasons. They are not true motorcyclists. Believe me, I know of what I am speaking!

Other riders have the knowledge (and perhaps courage) to wear motorcycle breeches like cops wear. Breeches are great, because they are specifically designed for motorcycle riding. They are made of material that stretches in the right places, has extra padding in the seat and thighs, and is durable. Breeches are designed to fit inside tall boots. Some guys fear wearing tall boots like that because they are too conscious about the opinion of other men and do not own the proper boots. Okay, fine… then wear jeans.

One other thing — what else do serious riders wear when riding a Harley (or any other motorcycle)? A helmet that has a DOT label on it. Seriously, riding without a helmet is stupid. Even in states where helmets are not required by law, the rider who knows that he is invisible to cage-drivers always, always wears a helmet.

There is much more to share about what to wear when riding a Harley or any other motorcycle. Click here for the next installment about — what else from ‘Booted Harleydude’ — Boots!

Life is short: choose comfort, form, and fit over style.

Name: [Pakistani Peddler]
Location: Sialkot, Pakistan

Dear Sir/Madam,

We would like to introduce you to our company. We are one great company with very good reputation in Pakistan and in the international market. This is due to our excellent quality products and economical rates. Our main object is to provide excellent quality products at reasonable prices every time when we deal our customers.

We are presently manufacturing all kinds of leather Jackets, Motorbike suits, Cordura jackets, Trousers, Gloves, Saddle bags and Vests. The Company has highly qualified staff at its back having vast experience in the manufacturing process and is maintaining quality tools to the International standards and specifications. Our main objectives are customer confidence, satisfaction, and to provide….
[cutoff as the message hit my max 1000 character limit]

Oh my goodness, this barrage from desperate Pakistani leather vendors continues.

At least once a week, sometimes more often, I receive a message much like this one which is an actual message that I received (except I deleted the name of the vendor and the link to its website). All of the messages that I receive originate from different people (based on IP addresses of the sender), but all are sent from the same location — Sialkot, Pakistan.

I imagine that this town must be bustling with people tearing the skin off cows and making garments from them. Obviously, internet access is widely available there. These guys find my website and quickly find my “write to me” page, and … there you have it. Another offer from a leather vendor anxious to find a U.S. bulk buyer for his goods.

… ain’t gonna happen with me. Pakistani leather is poorly made, often blemished, and is one of those things to which the American expression, “you get what you pay for” applies.

I have tried writing in Urdu on my “write to me” page saying, “if you are from Pakistan, do not write to me.” But that has not worked. I still have that statement on my “write to me” page, in English. That statement has stopped a few of them from writing to me, but not many. I figure most of them cannot read English, and are using an on-line translator to try to communicate with me (thus the reason for correct spelling but occasional inaccurate choice of words. On-line translators are known for that). I would love to see how they “deal customers”! LOL!

I have to give these Pakistani leather peddlers credit for their chutzpah (which is kinda funny, using a Hebrew word to describe a characteristic of people who are primarily Muslim, but this word is the most apropos. If they cannot understand English anyway, they will not read it here.)

But I do not want, will not buy, and am not interested in any leather goods from Pakistan.

If you have any ideas about how I can politely but firmly turn these guys away from my website before they write to me, I would love to hear from you.

Life is short: accept the consequences of owning a public website with leather gear on it.

A while back, someone wrote to me to ask my advice on how to remove a strong smell of fragrance from a pair of boots she bought via eBay. Another guy wrote recently with a similar question — how to remove smoke odor from a leather jacket previously worn by a heavy smoker.

There are a lot of home remedies and folklore out there. In my opinion and based on experience, most of the home remedies do not work. Here is what works, and why….

Odors from fragrances or smoke are actually molecules that are released into the air. A concentration of these molecules is picked up by the human nose and detected as a particular smell. There are smells of all kinds, from pleasant to unpleasant. Some people find some odors pleasing or arousing while others find the same odor obnoxious (for example, some guys like to wear aftershave or cologne while other guys can’t stand the smell, myself being one of them).

Anyway, back to the topic … how to remove strong odors, be they from an applied fragrance such as fabric spray, a spilled fragrance such as perfume (cologne is perfume), or an acquired fragrance such as tobacco smoke:

First, if the odor is very strong, it means that many of the molecules that compose the offending smell are being released from the material to which they were applied. Leather, in particular, is known to hold on to these molecules for a long time and release them slowly — so it seems to the person owning the leather item (boots, jacket, vest, etc.) that the odor persists for days, weeks, or months.

If you are dealing with that situation — a saturated garment or pair of boots — then the best way to remove the odor (or at least reduce it significantly) is to get a small can of gel odor remover (picture, left) from any building supplies retailer or large variety store like KMart (or Wal-sucks).

Remove the top of the lid of the gel odor remover and place it into the bottom of a plastic trash bag. Then place the garment or boots in the bag, too. If you are placing a leather garment into it, make sure that all of the garment’s openings are open — that is, zippers unzipped, buttons unbuttoned, snaps unsnapped, lining removed if removable, and pockets turned inside out. Make sure the leather does not touch any part of the gel in the can of odor remover.

Close the bag tightly. A twist-tie will work well to seal it. Leave the bag in an area out of direct sunlight and out of the way for two or three days.

What is happening is that there is a chemical in the gel odor remover that attracts the molecules of the offending odor, and absorbs them. By placing the garment or boots in a bag with the gel odor remover, you are providing an environment where the offending smell molecules will be released from the leather and have only one place to go — into the absorbent gel.

You may find this gel odor remover sold with various smell blends as a replacement — orange, lemon, or linen. Most people do not consider these alternate smell blends to be as offensive. And after treatment, those odors will not be as strong. However, if you really want to get rid of all odors — offensive, citrus, or otherwise, then perform one last step.

After the garment or boots have been in the bag with the gel odor remover for two or three days, then open the bag and remove and dispose of the gel odor remover. Put an open box of regular household baking soda in the bag, and close the bag again. Let it sit for another three days. When you remove the garment or boot, it should be fragrance- and odor-free. It also helps to hang the garment in an open area after treatment and let it air out — preferably outdoors if possible.

I mentioned above that there are a lot of recommendations based on folklore to remove odors from garments. Baking soda works if the odors are not pervasive, very strong, or have had time to penetrate the fibers of leather. That’s why it works to remove the light citrus odor from the gel odor remover, because the exposure was minimal. But baking soda will not remove strong smells of a fragrance, such as overspray of perfume, a spill of cologne, or heavy tobacco smoke. The treatment of confinement to a bag with a gel odor remover for several days works much better.

What does not work? Spray-on chemicals, such as “Febreeze,” actually introduces fragrances which you smell more than the offending odor. These treatments do not remove odor, but cover it up or provide a substitute odor — which to some people is equally as offensive. Also, rubbing a leather garment with a cloth soaked in chlorine bleach is unwise. The bleach may stain or damage the leather — and all that does is add another offensive odor — chlorine.

I hope this helps.

Life is short: leather should smell like leather, not something else.

I was sent an email a while back stating, “I would like to find a good leather jacket. DO NOT want some every day model like you see every other middle-aged corn-fed golf dolt wearing. You know the type I mean. YAWN. I want something a bit more badass than that, but don’t want something way out there. You know, too much. Too buckly, zippery. Something in the middle. Any suggestions of what to look for?”

My reply?

From your description of the type of leather jacket you want — not too flashy, but not one of the old-fart style, yet will keep you warm — I would recommend a police motorcycle jacket. These types of jackets are designed to keep cops warm in cold weather, yet have a lot of function with deep inside pockets, a lining, and cuffs at the wrists. These jackets offer lots of style but less “bling” than a typical “biker jacket”.

There are some superb jackets out there. Vanson is a good choice for a moderate budget. So are jackets made by Taylor’s Leather Wear. I would not recommend a jacket with the X-element label — a Chinese-made knock-off. I also do not recommend a jacket with the Harley-Davidson label. While the quality is good, the cost is often outrageous, due to paying a hefty mark-up for the label. While I ride a Harley, my gear is from other sources for a reason. I don’t pay for merely a label. It is not a status symbol to wear a Harley-branded jacket, anyway.

If you want the best that money can buy, consider a jacket made custom for you by Langlitz. Man, they have terrific jackets. I have long admired Langlitz jackets. However, the price has kept me from buying one. I have been more than satisfied with jackets that are made commercially by Taylor’s and custom by Mr. S. and Johnson Leather of San Francisco.

As you consider any leather jacket, look for:

• Top Grain leather — not splits or unstated.
• Made from leather that originates in the USA, Canada, Argentina, or Australia — not China, Pakistan or India. If the retailer will not identify the source of the leather, then run, don’t walk, to another vendor.
• A good fit. If possible, try it on. Leather jackets are notorious for sizing issues. While you may have a chest size of 40, you may find that a jacket of size 44 actually fits. Also check for how it fits on your shoulders — no puckering or funky-looking drape. If you buy over the internet, make sure the vendor has a return policy, and one that does not involve a restocking fee. A good vendor will allow for a free exchange (except, perhaps, the cost of shipping) of an off-the-rack jacket. Custom gear shouldn’t have that problem because the jacket is made to your specific measurements.

Leather jackets are usually worn in cold weather, meaning that you may be wearing layers of bulky clothing with it — t-shirt, long-sleeved regular shirt. As you try on leather jackets (or get measured for one), put on the clothing that you will likely wear with the jacket so you can accommodate for the bulk of what will be under the jacket.

Finally, we have to remember that a good quality leather jacket will last a long time if cared for well. Thus, to make sure you can wear the jacket for years (and decades) to come, consider that most men are not as slender in the hips, waist, chest, and overall girth in their 40s and 50s as they were in their 20s and 30s. Yeah, yeah, yeah, you can talk all you want about working out and going to the gym to retain a slim physique, but that doesn’t happen for most guys in real life. So what I am saying is that if you are considering buying a good leather jacket and you are a younger dude, consider getting one a little bit bigger. Believe me, you will grow into it, even if you have stopped growing in height. (knowing smile…)

You may also find my Guide to Leather Gear helpful in learning about the types, styles, and various qualities of leather garments.

Life is short: know your gear and wear it well!

Here’s another internet search that landed a visitor on my website.  “What do gay guys wear under jeans?”

Answer: underwear. Yep, us gay guys wear underwear like anyone else.

Boxers or briefs? Answer: yes.

Life is short: ubi sub sub ubi. (An expression in Latin for “always wear underwear” LOL!)