My Riding Kit
Over the years I'm sure we have all bought lots of gear, some good and some bad. I think at the moment I have mine pretty much how I want it.
For outer layers I have been using Klim, I'm on my second Traverse jacket (the first was cut off by the ambulance crew after the accident) The jackets are simple, no frills, with no liner but fully waterproofed by Goretex. It has never leaked, even in torrential conditions in the Alps and in all honesty I will probably replace it when it comes to it with another one.
I have three pairs of trousers (pants to you Americans reading this) for pure off road and hot weather I have Klim Dakar over boot, these have a water resistant coating that is fine for summer showers and off road water splashes, but are not fully waterproof.
For cold winter riding I have a pair of Scotts lined trousers, these are 99% waterproof (they leaked at the crotch a fraction in the alps but nothing major) I was given them by a work colleague so they owe me nothing and I will continue to wear them in the colder months until they fall apart.
For 3 seasons of the year I have Klim Overland trousers, 100% waterproof and enough venting for the summer. Typical Klim quality.
As for helmets, I'll make no bones about it I'm an Arai man, I have been for nearly 20 years. I was wearing one at the time of my accident and firmly believe it saved my life or at least limited my injuries. I have two at the moment, a Tour X3 and a Astro R. I haven't wore the astro for a few years and some would say I should retire it, maybe, we will see. I have a quick strap set up for Smith goggles that I sometimes wear if it gets really hot and dusty.
When it comes to gloves I find it really hard to find good fitting gloves. I have some Furygan textiles that are comfy summer gloves as well as some Gericke Toureg ones, I don't like long gauntlet type gloves. For those who think I'm a brand snob I also like the Lidl waterproof ones, these fit well and have never leaked. For really cold weather I have Gerbing heated gloves that run off my heated jacket.
The heated jacket is an essential piece of kit for me and I can't be without it. I have used Kies before but now use the now discontinued Powerlet rapid fire, this is thin and lightweight, packs up really small and easy for me to put on, don't know what I'll do when it finally packs up. I use a wireless remote mounted on the bike to control the temp in both the jacket and gloves.
On me feet I have a pair of TCX Desert gore boots for long distance all weather riding. They never leak and offer pretty good protection, only bettered by a full motocross boot, but a lot more comfy off the bike.
Just a quick update on the clothing front, the Dakar trousers have now been sold but the rest of my kit is proofing its worth all year round
For outer layers I have been using Klim, I'm on my second Traverse jacket (the first was cut off by the ambulance crew after the accident) The jackets are simple, no frills, with no liner but fully waterproofed by Goretex. It has never leaked, even in torrential conditions in the Alps and in all honesty I will probably replace it when it comes to it with another one.
I have three pairs of trousers (pants to you Americans reading this) for pure off road and hot weather I have Klim Dakar over boot, these have a water resistant coating that is fine for summer showers and off road water splashes, but are not fully waterproof.
For cold winter riding I have a pair of Scotts lined trousers, these are 99% waterproof (they leaked at the crotch a fraction in the alps but nothing major) I was given them by a work colleague so they owe me nothing and I will continue to wear them in the colder months until they fall apart.
For 3 seasons of the year I have Klim Overland trousers, 100% waterproof and enough venting for the summer. Typical Klim quality.
As for helmets, I'll make no bones about it I'm an Arai man, I have been for nearly 20 years. I was wearing one at the time of my accident and firmly believe it saved my life or at least limited my injuries. I have two at the moment, a Tour X3 and a Astro R. I haven't wore the astro for a few years and some would say I should retire it, maybe, we will see. I have a quick strap set up for Smith goggles that I sometimes wear if it gets really hot and dusty.
When it comes to gloves I find it really hard to find good fitting gloves. I have some Furygan textiles that are comfy summer gloves as well as some Gericke Toureg ones, I don't like long gauntlet type gloves. For those who think I'm a brand snob I also like the Lidl waterproof ones, these fit well and have never leaked. For really cold weather I have Gerbing heated gloves that run off my heated jacket.
The heated jacket is an essential piece of kit for me and I can't be without it. I have used Kies before but now use the now discontinued Powerlet rapid fire, this is thin and lightweight, packs up really small and easy for me to put on, don't know what I'll do when it finally packs up. I use a wireless remote mounted on the bike to control the temp in both the jacket and gloves.
On me feet I have a pair of TCX Desert gore boots for long distance all weather riding. They never leak and offer pretty good protection, only bettered by a full motocross boot, but a lot more comfy off the bike.
