Adventure gear - what are you wearing?

[flashg]

So I'm quite new to this and totally underestimated the amount of gear required, building my kit up slowly, but what's the main advantage of an adventure jacket over a road jacket? I assume better moment and ability to better controll temperature? Ie more vents? Probably different padding/protection too?

You're a fast learner, you can heat up fast, when exploring, good venting is very important, water proof, warm with removable lining, they usually have a big pocket in the lower back that the liner will fit in, don't rush it, have a good look at some, pick what suits you. Best of luck

[Night Falcon]

Have been using the Klim Traverse jacket and Leatt 3D Airfit pressure suit for a bit now so here's my thoughts.

The armour is very light weight and comfortable to wear. I usually have Tee shirt under it and it doesn't get hot at all. The elbow pads can get uncomfortable when you put first put the suit on but seem to soften up once you get moving.

Klim Traverse jacket is the best jacket I've owned. Super tuff, waterproof and heaps of ventilation; handy for riding over the HB summer. Plenty of pockets and the zips are easy to use. Being amerkin the main zip is on the girls side which had me wondering why I couldn't disconnect it on a few occasions but am used to it now. I bought the next size up in fit so I can shove extra layers under it for winter - worked well and its not noticeably baggy when I only have the pressure suit under it.

Wasn't sure if this setup would work for me, after using a full adventure jacket, but it is great and knowing the armour cant move around much in a crash is reassuring- especially if you crash as often as I do. Having said all that I do have an old adventure jacket that I used on some real cold days for short rides cos it was just easier. Great gear and worth the doe.

[Gremlin]

Not too familiar with road jackets, but aren't some pre-formed for shape while on the bike? Adv jackets are more neutral, usually 3/4 type length (so past your waist). Often quite technical 3-4 season and multi-layer (2 at a minimum, many are 3 layer now). Mix and match the layers to suit.

Add in 1 million zips (and almost as many pockets) you'll find some new ones after owning it for a few years. As said, usually a pouch on the lower rear for liners or rain jacket etc.

Idea being that for a 4 season jacket, you can have it fully venting for heat (and I've been in 50+ degrees) but also warm and dry in the depth of winter. This winter part I'm not so sure of, and just chuck a rain jacket over the top...

[Waipukbiker]

Can only comment on what I have. Technic Freeway, Big pocket on the lower back , Five big vents so plenty of air flowing through on a hot day. small pocket in the left sleeve for keys. Main front pockets are waterproof. Ive had it now for about 4 years and it is still totally waterproof. Been over the Desert rd in driving rain and sleet in mid Winter and was warm and dry.

[JayDNZ]

good venting is very important, water proof, warm with removable lining, they usually have a big pocket in the lower back that the liner will fit in, don't rush it, have a good look at some, pick what suits you. Best of luck

Thanks!... I bought a Dririder Apex 3 when I bought my bike, mostly because it was reasonably priced and I didn't have a clue

It's got a removable thermal and bunny pocket on back, It's fine for the road and warm in winter, but gets really hot fast on bumpy stuff, and not many vents.... to cool off I gotta zip halfway down and angle my body just right to get some decent airflow

On the plus side it didn't break the bank so no big loss and handy to throw on for commuting.

Have been using the Klim Traverse jacket and Leatt 3D Airfit pressure suit

Klim seem to be one of the most respected brands in this space, nice kit. By having the armor are you less concerned about armor in the jacket? do you still keep the armor in the jacket or no?

Not too familiar with road jackets, but aren't some pre-formed for shape while on the bike?

Yeah, my jacket prefers it if I'm hunched down like road-rash

Add in 1 million zips (and almost as many pockets) you'll find some new ones after owning it for a few years.

Can only comment on what I have. Technic Freeway

I just watched a review on Revzilla, looks good... but was 2012, maybe they don't do that jacket now? or renamed it maybe.


Next question - Whats the main difference between an adventure jacket and enduro jacket??.... Adventure more geared up for the bad weather / rain maybe?

[Night Falcon]

Klim seem to be one of the most respected brands in this space, nice kit. By having the armor are you less concerned about armor in the jacket? do you still keep the armor in the jacket or no?

No, I don't have any armour in the jacket although you can fit some.

I found out (the hard way) that the armour in adventure jackets can move about in a crash. So I went looking for a pressure suit that holds the armour in place better. The Leatt 3D airfit also has chest, waist and a better back protector than nearly all the adventure style jackets I looked at with the exception of other more expensive Klim gear like the Badlands range.

It is more time getting dressed for a ride but for me that's a small price to pay for better protection on longer rides. I still use an old adv jacket if I need to nip out for short errands but am now sold on the pressure suit and enduro jacket setup. When I started this thread I wanted to see what other guys using a pressure suit for adv riding thought about it......turned out there weren't many so its not everyone's cup of tea.

[flashg]

Next question - Whats the main difference between an adventure jacket and enduro jacket??.... Adventure more geared up for the bad weather / rain maybe?

I might be wrong but I bought an enduro jacket off torpedo 7, it has no armour or lining and has removable sleeves and i think it might be shower proof if I'm lucky, but I bought it for trail riding in winter (snow etc ) perfect over my leatt suit.
My adventure jacket is a dririder with armour and removable linings and even removable sleeves, extremely well vented, extra armour on outside on shoulders and elbows. There are mixed opinions on everything out there, but remember what its for and your budget, you'll find what suits you,heaps to choose from. Good luck
PS make sure you're wearing winter clothes when trying on for size, so it fits in winter OR if you've had to many pies.

[Tazz]

Next question - Whats the main difference between an adventure jacket and enduro jacket??.... Adventure more geared up for the bad weather / rain maybe?

Adventure is more layered and usually much warmer, which also means heavy and cumbersome by comparison.
Enduro is ideally light and mega breathable which means at speed the wind will cut right through. I think a lot of enduro dudes just wear MX gears. Being wet doesn't matter too much when you're slogging and have a change of clothes back at the car.

[clint640]

Thanks!... I bought a Dririder Apex 3 when I bought my bike, mostly because it was reasonably priced and I didn't have a clue

It's got a removable thermal and bunny pocket on back, It's fine for the road and warm in winter, but gets really hot fast on bumpy stuff, and not many vents.... to cool off I gotta zip halfway down and angle my body just right to get some decent airflow

On the plus side it didn't break the bank so no big loss and handy to throw on for commuting.

My strategy of a warmish jacket (RST Paragon 2) with the armour stripped out, worn over a pressure suit (Axo air cage) has now been thoroughly tested - it worked pretty well through 8500km, 5 weeks, 3800m of elevation change & 20 degrees of latitude in Patagonia earlier this year.

So you could just get a pressure suit & do this with your old jacket. Just take the jacket off when the going gets hot & you are still protected.

You can get some seriously techo $$$$ adv gear that tries to do everything in every season but I'm unconvinced it's the best answer. Even if a jacket can go from uber weatherproof winter mode to mega venting MX mode successfully you are left with the problem of either not being able to fit enough warm gear under it in winter, or as NF notes above, the armour flopping around in summer.

Cheers
Clint

[JayDNZ]

My strategy of a warmish jacket (RST Paragon 2) with the armour stripped out, worn over a pressure suit (Axo air cage) has now been thoroughly tested - it worked pretty well through 8500km, 5 weeks, 3800m of elevation change & 20 degrees of latitude in Patagonia earlier this year.

So you could just get a pressure suit & do this with your old jacket. Just take the jacket off when the going gets hot & you

Sounds like a dream trip!!

I like the idea of whipping the jacket off, will check out the Armour options, superior protection too most likely.

Cheers all for the tips!!

[JayDNZ]

it worked pretty well through 8500km, 5 weeks, 3800m of elevation change & 20 degrees of latitude in Patagonia earlier this year.

Any photos/stories from the trip on the forum?

[JayDNZ]

Axo Air Cage arrived today from Torpedo7... Impressed with the build quality, cant go wrong for $175. I'm 6'4" and around 105KG's, all the reviews said to order big so I went for XXXL, thinking I might order a XXL for comparison and return one, definitely happy with this one if the other is too small.

Would have been nice to have it yesterday for Lee's Valley as I was a bit of a sweat box in full jacket and pants in 20+ degrees... Oh well.

Don't feel the urge to go looking for a new jacket now, granted I haven't road tested it yet, but feeling quite happy with this set-up.

Cheers all for the advice.

[Scubbo]

air cage is great, though some of the hold in place straps are just glued and come loose, the shoulder straps that hold shoulder armour in place have pulled away on mine as was just a little glob of glue -- no biggy but yeah?

[JayDNZ]

air cage is great, though some of the hold in place straps are just glued and come loose, the shoulder straps that hold shoulder armour in place have pulled away on mine as was just a little glob of glue -- no biggy but yeah?

Good intel.. Thanks!

[puddytat]

I got my self a Leatt Pro jacket off trademe for 150 bucks.....down from 299 at the mo, but were listed @ 499.....
Happy with it overall, its waterproof & breathable with heaps of venting front, rear & on the arms, which can also zip off.....
has a pocket for a water bladder & a rear pocket for the waterproof liner. Oh, its also neck brace friendly....
I got the large size which is actually too big for me but within tolerances & which allows me to put umpteen layers on underneath.
One of which will be most likely the Leatt 3df Airfit, which is what I've decided to get as a lot of armour seems to have pronounced edges on plasticky bits & Im a tad worried that edges may damage inner linnings on jackets......

There's a medium on sale here...http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...1006471877.htm