If you’ve ever uttered the words, “I think I’ll take the car today…it might rain,” this article could be for you. If you own two or more jackets for different weather, than this article could be for you. If you are not willing to sacrifice a bit more money up front, to more than likely save money in the long run…then read no further.

Still there?? Then let’s begin our discussion of the AeroStich Darien Light two piece suit. Investigate the starting field for any Iron Butt event, or the closets of any serious distance rider and most likely you’ll notice a slew of AeroStich products. While the one piece Road Crafter offered by AeroStich is functional, and very popular for its convenience and protection, it leaves something to be desired for riders that don’t want to look like a reject from the Apollo 13 movie casting.

Compared to the well known one piece, the Darien two piece suit reviewed here makes you look a bit more natural if you don’t begin or end your ride at the Kennedy Space Center.

A brief study of AeroStich reveals a small American owned and operated company located in Duluth, Minnesota. AeroStich makes their own riding suits right in the USA which, for me, is reason enough to consider it over other brands.

However, a closer look at their entire catalog and web site reveals plenty of other items that are useful to riders while they are on and off of the bike as well. Interesting, and in some cases ingenious items have been compiled there; but exercise restraint with your VISA card when browsing the website or risk marital conflict. You’ve been warned.

The company is proud of their products, and follows them up with exceptional customer service. All suits come in off the rack sizes to fit most bodies but they can alter any piece they sell to make sure it fits better than any piece of riding gear you have worn to date. Send in your measurements if you’re unsure, and they’ll look at your options and fit you with the best possible combination of stock sizes and/or alterations from their shelves.

AeroStich has effectively stopped making riders look at sizing charts, guess at which one will fit and then hope for the best.

AeroStich took my measurements I sent via email, and decided an unaltered size 44 jacket would work best up top, but they would remove 2 inches from the inseam of the pants before they shipped them. The fit of both were spot on, and this is the first pair of pants I have worn that I do not hear the sound of dragging nylon as I make my way around the local bike night.

The Darien Light jacket is the close cousin to the regular Darien jacket, but is made of a lighter weight HT200 Denier nylon Gore-Tex fabric. Within the jacket, the soft’ish TF3 pads Velcro into the shoulders and fore arm area and are easily removed or adjusted. The pants offer the same type of padding in the knees, with optional hip pads that can be purchased from AeroStich.

TF3 pads are more rigid than regular foam some companies use, but softer than that found on race style jackets; however, the increased flexibility of the armor is said not to compromise protection since, due to their design, they stiffen upon impact to enhance protection. The forearm pads offer good coverage, seem naturally integrated and are not noticeable while riding. As with most jackets I have tested however, the shoulder pads seemed awkward and uncomfortable. I prefer the fit of the jacket with them removed.

One of the common complaints about AeroStich gear is that the styling seems dated, and even a bit homely when compared to some competitors. It is constructed from larger panels of material, which require less complicated stitching patterns and less overall holes punched in the gear. Less stitching creates less opportunity for unwanted wind and water intrusion. In this case, it seems the focus has been on function, not necessarily the motorcycle gear catwalk.

While there are certainly no guarantees, the Hi-viz color combined with the large amount of reflective material on the back, sides, and breast of the jacket make you about as visible as possible out there on the mean streets. There is no substitute for smart riding, but the Hi-viz and reflective additions of the Darien Light help draw attention so cagers can see you coming. If Hi-viz isn’t your thing, the jacket is also offered in black, grey or tan in sizes ranging from 36-54.

Out of the box this is not the most wearable jacket, and riders have complained that it takes too long to break in. Initially, the jacket feels stiff and bulky to wear, and is noisy when walking around. However, the first weekend I owned it we spent the entire weekend wet (and it was wet several times early on) which seemed to speed up the break in process.

Laundering it as per AeroStich’s instructions is also said to assist with break in. After about 3,500 miles and several wet rides with the Darien, I’d say it feels about right, and despite the atmosphere’s best efforts it has remained water tight.

To help with insulation for cooler temps AeroStich offers several different weights of TLTec fleece or electric liners that zip in and out of the jacket easily. The jacket reviewed here is equipped with their standard weight grey fleece liner, which leaves room to further layer depending on weather.

Electric vests and long sleeve shirts can be worn underneath, and extend the jacket’s utility into the 30 degree range. A nice feature when off of the bike is that the fleece is easily removed, and can be worn by itself without the jacket.

Since I am a believer in baptism by fire, I decided that in the interest of editorial integrity I had better test out AeroStich’s claims right away. So, my maiden voyage in the Darien light was a 2.5 hour trek from my home into Greenville, SC. The temp was hovering in the low 40’s, and it was gloomy and raining steadily the entire trip.

What I found out was that the Darien light set up works well. Construction of the outer shell is a three layer laminate with Cordura nylon on the outside, a Gore Tex membrane in the middle and a polyester tricot knit on the backside (to protect the Gore Tex membrane from wear and contamination). After this material is manufactured, it is given a water repellent finish to prevent water from soaking into the Cordura’s fibers.

To further strengthen and weatherproof the jacket after it is sewn together, the stitching is finished with heat sealed tape so that water can not penetrate the needle holes. An added benefit of this construction, as opposed to say a waterproof midliner, is that the jacket itself does not soak in any water; rain all you want, it remains light and dries quickly. This is rider wear that holds up to its promise of being waterproof, and will save you from having to pull under a bridge and dig out your rain gear when water starts falling from the sky.

Even thought the pants offer the same quality weather-proof shell and TF3 armor in the knees, they are not equipped with an insulating liner. Cooler rides under 60 degrees or so require a base layer to keep you legs warm. Wearing jeans underneath I have used them into the 30’s, but got a bit of a chill to remind me it was nippy outside. The pants are adjustable in the waist to accommodate the addition of layers, and cut large enough to fit jeans or thermal underwear underneath.

There are also large, reflective Velcro adjustable flaps around the ankles to keep the elements out, and keep them snug to your boots. One of the draw backs of the 2 piece design is that the pants are not as simple to get into as the 1 piece suit. There are full length zippers on the sides on the pants to make getting into them easier while wearing boots or street clothes, it just takes a bit more time than AeroStich’s one piece.

For commuters, the overall design of the Darien incorporates a few features not found on competitor’s jackets. The chest pockets have large, vertical zippered openings to ease access, as well as long zipper pulls that are easy to use when you are wearing gloves. The chest pocket’s opening easily allows the wearer to dig into them and remove stowed items.

There is a smartly placed zippered pocket on the right wrist that comes in handy for toll money, garage door openers, keys, or anything else that needs to be easily accessed quickly while riding about. All pockets are protected by quality nylon zippers and a waterproof flap, and have remained dry when the roads were not. The fleece liner also sports a few larger pockets that are well hidden from the elements and easy to use once the jacket is unzipped.

Wrist enclosures not only have a Velcro strap to snug the cuff to your wrists, but also a 6 inch zipper that runs up the inside of your wrist. This in a really clever touch as once you get the size right, getting in and out is a quick zip affair without the need to readjust the Velcro on your sleeves every ride in order to get the cuffs to hide under the gauntlets of your gloves.

The main front zipper also has two heads to assist riders in setting the fit of their gear. One zips up to your chin to close the coat, and the other can unzip it from the bottom up. This allows you to open the ¾ length coat from the bottom to keep it from pushing up while seated, and allows a more comfortable placement of the jacket while riding. These details seem small, but when you live with a jacket daily they add up to make it much more livable.

The pants have only blue jean style pockets that do not close out the elements but will readily hold your wallet and keys when you arrive at your destination. In fact, there are enough different places to stow things in the two piece Darien set up that you may find yourself doing some hasty version of The Macarena as you pat your self down trying to find where you put your keys and wallet.

As well thought out as most of the details are on the Darien gear, there are a few things that seem curiously absent. The jacket is waist adjustable, but there is no adjustment on the bicep area to snug up the sleeve and prevent it from flapping in the wind. With the liner in this is not an issue, but when the liner is removed the bicep area of the sleeve does begin to flap against the wind, and this can be annoying on extended highway runs.

Also, the collar is fleece lined and comfortable, but when it is folded down the Velcro closure is no longer accessible and the collar can not be secured tightly; this can make the jacket drafty in cold weather unless a balaclava or neck gaiter are worn. AeroStich also offers an optional back pad to increase protection, but it would seem like a more complete package if it was given as standard equipment.

The Darien vents well in warmer weather (the liner is fully removable) as it has zippered vents under the armpits, and a zippered vent that runs across the width of the rider’s back. For intermediate temperatures, the liner also has zippered vents that align with those in the armpit area of the outer shell, allowing air to reach the rider directly even with the liner in.

The gear is cut generously enough to be used as dual sport gear and does not bind up while standing and moving around the bike. Varied venting combinations, as well as the layering options and flexibility make the temperature riding range of the Darien broader than a lot of jackets offered to riders.

At $507 for the jacket and standard weight liner, and another $287 for the pants, this is not inexpensive gear, but it is built from quality materials and designed to last. Check Ebay and you’ll see AeroStich has a strong following. Second-hand AeroStich gear holds its value well so if you lose your gym membership and the gear ‘shrinks in your closet you can always sell it for good money to put towards the next set of gear.

The fit and versatility make the Darien Light jacket ideal for commuters and dual sport riders. Like most things in life, it isn’t perfect, but the Darien Light jacket earns its keep for riders that want flexibility from their gear. The price of admission is higher than some, but it will allow you to take the rain gear out of your saddle bag, and replaces it with a jacket that can be used year round.

More than likely you’ll forget all about the extra money you spent the first time the sky opens up and you remain dry while riding. Save your pennies up; the Darien light jacket is a proven winner.

I evaluated the grey pants, but they are also made in black and tan in even waist sizes from 30-46 in both regular and tall lengths. If you’re between waist sizes, order up to the next size so the fit will be relaxed a bit more for layering. They are advertised as “perfect for summer street or dual sport riding,” and that seems to be their strength. Wet and warm weather riders have a lot to like here, but the pants are much more limited than the jacket in their temperature range due to the absence of a liner.

Also, it is curious that as dual sport pants they do not include hip pads (which can be purchased separately). The Darien light pants work as advertised and will not disappoint riders, but within that price range there are many other options that may include more features and still get the job done.

AeroStich is an American company that has stood by riders by offering them quality gear made right here in the USA for 25 years now, as well as an extensive catalog of goodies.