Roadcrafter Light One Piece Suit #297

Customer Reviews

And it works in Oz too! Review by Peter

Had the crafter for only a few weeks, and have worn it maybe ten times.
Easy on, easyoff, is definitely true!
Nice and toasty when worn over other riding gear when the temp got down to 5 degrees (c), and is easy enough to consider wearing all the time.
Will be winter soon, and I can try out the waterproofing on my way to work.
Have tried almost every cheap version of riding gear, now its time to try out the stich.
Update will come after winter!
(Posted on 4/6/13)

First season Review by Deacon51

Aerostich Roadcrafter Light – I have used this suit for ~5,000 miles now. I picked it late in the spring and have used it from 40 degrees to 90+, in sun, rain and thunderstorms.

The Good… the new zippers are waterproof and have held up even in rain that had cars pulling to the side of the road with hazards on. The material is strong and well put together; I have no fear of busting the seams in a get off. Padding is held in place by large industrial strength Velcro patches and provides good coverage, though I recommend the optional hip and back pads. When worn the pads lay in to place and don’t move around at all. Upper body venting is great with a back vent that runs from shoulder to shoulder and large underarm vents. 90 degrees is no issue with the vents opened, sleeves un-cuffed and collar rolled down.

The Bad… The new waterproof zippers are stiff and can bind, Aerostich provides a small tub of lube with the suit that helps, but still, it can be a pain when you’re on a ride and can get your zipper down to take a leak. As good as the venting is for the upper body, the legs have no airflow at all, and they get HOT. I have found myself sticking my feet out in the wind to try and get a little relief. While riding in 85 degree heat, it’s best to leave the stich at home and wear mesh gear. Another issue is that when it’s cool outside the pads get stuff, if you are like me and leave your gear in a unheated garage, the stiff pads can add several seconds to the 10 second time.

The bottom line… I love my 'stich. I think I’m happier with the Light version than I would have been with the full version. Build quality appears just as good as the full version made in the USA. The lighter weight material and lack of a liner make the suit easier to use commuting. It packs smaller and, I suspect allows for better venting in warm weather. On the down side, the light version does not have as much abrasion protection and not as warm when it’s cool out, but it’s easy to add a fleece under the suit and you can use the cost savings to buy the back and hip pads. I give the Aerostich Roadcrafter Light 8 out of 10. Some venting on the legs would make a world of difference and turn Aerostich light into a true all weather riding suit. (Posted on 1/21/13)

Home Run Review by Michael

Over the years I have owned every design of Aerostich suit/jacket/pants made. I started with the one piece back in the 80's when I lived in Albuquerque, but when I moved to the midwest it was just too hot to wear in the summer. I then went to the two piece and just wore the jacket in the worst of the heat....still pretty hot but better than the one piece. Then I went to the Darien....I now own two Darien's, can't own to much Aerostich gear....I love the Darien, but have the same problem with heat in the summer now that I'm living in Arizona. I found myself ridng with the Darian jacket but with a pair of jeans because of the heat ....not the smartest thing to do. Finally, the One Piece Light, the best of all worlds. Being a one piece, you WILL wear it and have great protection year round. In the summer a pair of shorts and a T shirt under the Light and I'm good to go. I can be off the bike and out of the suit in 10 seconds or less. When it's 115 degrees in Lake Havasu City or Las Vegas, getting out of the suit in a hurry is important. In what we call winter here, a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt under the Light and I'm good as long as I stay out of the high country. I still have the two Dariens and my second new Two Piece hanging in the closet if I ever have the need, but the One Piece Light is pretty much the best of all worlds. I've lived and toured all over the country and I believe the Light to be the best riding gear I have ever used. Aerostich has hit a home run with this suit.....

Mike In Arizona, AKA
Long distance Rider (Posted on 12/4/12)

Happy Customer Review by Chris

After about 10k miles, (Daily commute and multi state tours) I'm liking this suit considerably more than my last suit (First Gear Expedition).
I've had it in weather up 110 (Nevada and Utah in August) and it was tolerable and no worse than any other gear I've had.

My only complaints are:
1. The collar is too big. I think they assume you'll have layers underneath. However, in a summer rain, I'm more concerned about keeping water out than keeping warm, so I found with a light shirt underneath, I can't seal my neck. I hope to have Aerostich customize mine once I can let go of it for a few days.
2. Their sizing is a bit large. I fit into a 46 Alpinestars leather jacket perfectly. However, even with Gerbings underneath, the 46 'Stich was far too large. I fit into a 44 much better and could probably squeeze into a 42 if I dropped the burritos.
3. It could really use some leg venting. My legs got quite stifled in August Utah/Nevada heat even with little on underneath.
4. The 'Stich Light will stick to your sweaty skin in the heat. I guess this is the compromise of not having a liner. I'm still happy I went with no liner though.

Now the parts I love:
1. Most waterproof suit I've ever worn. Can't wait for winter weather to really run it though.
2. Best armored textile suit I've ever worn. The TF3 Armor+Competition Backpad is seriously stout and much better than anything I've owned previously.
3. I've broken the zippers on every piece of gear I've ever owned, but 'Stich is the only company that I know who will repair it when it does. Considering how well built it is, I doubt that will happen for quite a while.
4. It's seriously reflective.
5. I laughed at the helmet hook when I first saw it, but I've used it quite a few times now while carrying my panniers into a Motel 6. (Posted on 9/26/12)

Great buy, but... Review by JB

I love this suit. It's just about perfect for the conditions I ride in, gear that I tend to wear, and layers I like for day to day riding and commuting. The ease of putting it on simplifies my life, overall. Combined with the water resistance, the Light will be in use all year round, in almost all conditions.

Then I used it during a longer ride that took me from the cool northern California coast to the much hotter central valley. I went from cool 55-65°F temps to 100°F+. The ventilation was the primary thing on my mind. All vents open, and I couldn't get cool enough to feel comfortable, and for the first time I envied my buddy's perforated jacket. Even with just a t-shirt and shorts under the Roadcrafter Light, I still felt too hot. The interior felt muggy, and almost like 1pc kept the sweat in.

Overall, though, the Roadcrafter Light is an ideal fit in my riding gear. It protects, it has enough pocket to make just about anything kind of vanish from my keys to parking tickets, and the space I have under it to layer up when it gets cold. (Posted on 8/24/12)

Perfect for British Summer! Review by Marc

This is the last thing I bought in the US before moving to the UK. A year on, many heavy showers later, day in, day out, in the midst of a record rain summer, I am definitely in love with that suit. Super easy to put on, great when it's dry, fantastic when it rains! (Posted on 8/2/12)

A great piece of gear Review by James

I bought another brand’s “onesie” around five years ago, but limited sizing options and a long-waisted build made for a less than optimal experience. When I tried to make a pass-through slot for an electric liner, I realized that $399 might not buy that much protection—the suit unravelled in my hands. Because it was always such a pain to get on and off, I was glad to have an excuse to toss it in the trash.

Over the past year or so, I’ve “made due” with a Falstaff jacket—which is brilliant. But like a naughty toddler bolting for freedom mid-diaper change, I usually left without my "bottoms," riding in a pair of blue jeans, boots, ‘Staff, gloves and helmet. Not bad, but not optimal for a guy with a family and a mortgage.

I perked-up when the Roadcrafter Light was announced. I had always wanted a Roadcrafter, but I knew the original would be too hot for most of my riding. I have no problem staying warm in the winter, but I’ll be damned if I don’t spend most of the summer damp in some intimate place or other.

The suit arrived three days ago when the high temp was 101°. How did it perform in that heat? I have no idea. But the following day, when the mercury topped-out in the low-90s, I was happy with my choice. The fit of a long is perfect. And like my Falstaff, everything makes sense. I basically moved the leg pads a bit and I was good to go. Easy on and off, just like the story we’ve all heard before. In a few short days and a few hundred miles, it’s become an integral piece of riding gear.

Gripes? None, really. I ordered gray and black, not to blend in, but in an effort to hide all of the bug guts and crap my old bike kicks up, and the gray was a bit of a surprise. It isn’t so much gray as a sort of faded, Soviet-submarine green. Not unappealing, just not what I was expecting. I’ve warmed up to the color—it adds to the suit’s form-follows-function attitude and becomes more pronounced with a smoke-tinted visor. I’m happy I picked one up. (Posted on 7/10/12)

This is the Roadcrafter to end all other riding gear for me! Review by Rasank

Received my roadcrafter light today. It's another quality garment from the folks in Minnesota. The size is 42S but the fit is slightly different from the traditional Roadcrafter. The legs and crotch area are definitely more loose. Inseam is 1/2" longer than my Roadcrafter (which is a stock 42S and fits me like a glove). In spite of the differences, still excellent and I will definitely be able to stay cooler on warm days with this one on. Great combination to have the traditional Roadcrafter for the bulk of the year and the light one for warm days. Awesome! (Posted on 6/2/12)

Awesome Suit! Review by ProfessorB

Just received my custom Roadcrafter Light. . . "I just got my new 'Stich". Now that the cliche is out of the way, I have to say this suit exceeds my expectations in every way. The custom fit options, required for my bizarre proportions, are perfect: the suit looks great, sits great, and rides great. (Don't tell Rider Wearhouse the Roadcrafter Light is underpriced when compared to the full Roadcrafter and the Ultralight. . . we'll just keep that little tidbit between us!). Hi-viz plus custom fit made the deal for me. . . I can not imagine any other suit being this functional or well made. Thanks, Duluth!! (Posted on 5/30/12)

Great Gear... Delivers Everything Promised Review by Jon

Only my 2nd day with my latest Roadcrafter (this is my 3rd or 4th - I've crashed in a couple of them :) and I can unequivocally say, I am truly impressed.

I've already tested it under the two conditions that I specifically got it for. Yesterday was in the high-80s. Today is raining cats and dogs.

Hot weather: In my "old" Roadcrafter, even with all vents open, I'd've been roasting, especially when not moving. I'd've taken the suit off and been very sweaty.

Not so with the Light... cool as a cucumber as the expression goes. It is much lighter, weight-wise, and it *wears* a lot lighter... it doesn't feel like you're wearing much of anything at all. The vents flow quite a bit of air, and something that really surprised me, the fold-down tabs and mag collar positioners make a *big* difference.

Rain: Soon after I got my first Roadcrafter, I got caught in a rainstorm and experienced the dreaded "'Stich crotch". I was very unhappy and sent a letter off to Rider Wearhouse expressing that. Andy Goldfine personally called me to talk about my concerns...

No such letter or call will be necessary with the Light. I was just in a similar rainstorm (100 ft visibility) and I am as dry as can be afterwards! Truly, truly impressed. I have to say, the Hi-Viz panels are amazingly bright - it's like they glow in a rainy overcast day. Of course, the suit is brand new, so I do wonder how well that'll hold up over time.

Another interesting thing, I'm not quite sure how to describe this... my "old" 'Stich was very... drafty I guess. In a serious rainstorm, not only would my crotch get wet; my armpits, sides, legs, back... everywhere there was a zipper would get some/a lot of water. The Light is completely tight (that's a nice advertising line there :) so no water gets in, but not only that, because it's far less air-leaky, it both manages to be warmer and cooler at the same time. Kinda works like a wet-suit, I think; the temp around your body remains more constant, unlike the old one where it was going up-and-down, feeling more uncomfortable.

And then there's all the little features. Like the phone pocket; I thought "BFD" when I saw it, but it's very handy. The way all the zippers are covered, the way the edge under the zippers is "turned in" so it doesn't bunch up like in the old suits... great attention to detail.

Anyway, now that I've managed to get bugs and rain on it, I don't think I can return it so I'm stuck with it. Oh darn :) (Posted on 3/24/12)