Adventuring Apparel Suggestions

[jinx]

I’m new to the adventure bike scene, having spent most of my time on the track or weekend rides. But I’d like to get into longer asphalt and dirt adventure riding, and as such, am in need of the appropriate riding gear. Top priority is comfort/breathability because I expect the majority of my riding to be in hot summer weather. I’d also like something suitable for Bay Area winters. The third consideration would be something waterproof, although I understand that can add significant cost. Although I realize nobody plans to get caught in a rain storm, I dont plan to do any touring during times of inclement weather.

Anybody have suggestions? I stopped by the Dainese store in SF today and saw some of what they have, but I was hoping to hear firsthand what people like or dislike and what features they would consider important or not so important.

 

[1962siia]

I love my klim stuff. I use the same stuff for dirt riding and adv and its held up great. Add a waterproof shell for when it rains.

They have lots of options and choices but I've been wearing the dakar jacket and pants. Three trips to baja and three seasons of dirt biking. The pants are getting worn but the jacket is still in great shape.

 

[Tom G]

Mesh gear for the summer. Either gore text riding gear (expensive) or a cheap waterproof shell on top for the winter/rainy season. If you ride in winter make sure a sweater fits under your riding gear. Heated gear for extended rides in Jan, but I never use mine.

 

[Cabrito]

Not all gear fits the same on different people. I've been through a lot of different jackets from cheap to mildly expensive.

Look for reviews and body type fitments.

Get something with a lot of vents or go mesh like Tom G said.

I like KLIM pants myself. My KLIM Dakar have been great and have fantastic vents for the hot days. They come in Over the boot and Inside the boot versions.

Current jacket is a REV'IT! Sand 3 Jacket, and the vents are super awesome. The zipper is only one way though and I like a two way double zipper like my old Tourmaster had. On really hot days I could unzip it both ways and it would be connected in the middle allowing air flow bottom and top.

Budget is also a factor for some. Tourmaster makes some great gear with lots of features.

For me I shop the classifieds on ADV Rider and find some killer deals on lightly used gear.

 

[Quahog]

I'm a big fan of the Aerostich AD-1 light pants. They are very comfortable and they're waterproof and windproof. I wore them everyday on a long 3-week trip through the Pacific Northwest where we hit every kind of weather imaginable and temps ranging from 35 to 100 degrees and they performed flawlessly.

Ditto for the Olympia Sport AST jacket. It kept me dry and warm in cold, wet weather (with the vents closed) and cool in hot weather (with the vents open) and I never had to take out the liner

For boots, I like the Sidi Canyon Gore Tex. It's a great boot. Sturdy, comfortable to walk in, and completely waterproof. My feet were comfortable regardless of the weather/temperature.

 

[ScottRNelson]

I usually wear a Firstgear Kilimanjaro jacket and depending on temperature, some Firstgear riding pants. A bit less expensive than Klim, but decent protection and lots of pockets. It has a separate zip-out liner that I use for the colder half of the year.

I'm not sure what the correct gloves are for adventure riding. Lately I've been wearing an old pair of Held gloves that are about worn out. I should probably get something that breathes a bit better for off road riding - those get damp with perspiration when things get serious off road.

Depending on temperature, again, I have a couple of AFX FX-39 dual sport helmets, but will wear a Shoei RF-1100 helmet in colder weather. You want a helmet the lets you breathe better than a standard full coverage helmet when off road, but they let too much cold air in when the temperature drops.