We're a dirty bunch

[nzspokes]

I wear my bike gear for work, so it's maybe 35 hours a week.

What stops me washing it more often is the pain in the arse getting the knee armour in and out.

Great gear, but a pita to wash.

Is that why learner's back way off when you do demonstration leads? Phewww

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[Daffyd]

My lovely wife washed my riding jacket the other day, (first wash). We had a shit of a job getting the armour out. She commented that next time we should leave the armour in. I said no, we can't do that and she asked why. I couldn't tell her for sure...
So, why do you have to to? It's an Alpinestar.

[R650R]

Did my shoei helmet liner foams about a month ago, 3 year old helmet now feels like new helmet and yuck at the water too....

As for textile pants and knee armour, its only really the arse and crouch area that prob needs good washing, rinse will do rest which should be no worse than it getting bit wet in heavy rain anyway....
My old set is prob due, I use it when bike goes to work and sports training so gets dose of sweat..... TMI lol....

The new gear gets light hose zipped up on close line to take most of bugs off outside....

[rastuscat]

Did my shoei helmet liner foams about a month ago, 3 year old helmet now feels like new helmet and yuck at the water too....

Amen cuz. I washed the liners in my work and private helmets a couple of weeks back, damn, they are so much nicer to wear now.

The new gear gets light hose zipped up on close line to take most of bugs off outside....

Close line? You mean clothes line?

[Oakie]

We had a shit of a job getting the armour out. She commented that next time we should leave the armour in. I said no, we can't do that and she asked why. I couldn't tell her for sure...
So, why do you have to to? It's an Alpinestar.

Dunno. I checked a couple of gear websites and they both say to remove the armour but didn't say why. I'd imagine it's something to do with possible degradation of the armour because of the detergent?

http://www.motogearadvisor.com/wash-riding-jacket/

https://www.revitsport.com/en/revit-...wash-and-care/

[R650R]

BTW I wear merino base layer under textiles even in summer. It breathes better and its easier to wash that than your gear.

[Big Dog]

My lovely wife washed my riding jacket the other day, (first wash). We had a shit of a job getting the armour out. She commented that next time we should leave the armour in. I said no, we can't do that and she asked why. I couldn't tell her for sure...
So, why do you have to to? It's an Alpinestar.

Washing with armour in puts a lot of stress on the wee pockets that are not usually double stitched.
Plus if you have armour containing foam or eva they take forever to dry and come out the other end looking manky and misshapen because it soaks up a lot of your now dissolved grot and re shapes in warm water.
Source: selling replacement gear to people who tried to save a little time.

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[Daffyd]

Makes sense. It's odd that we're alway told to remove it but never why...

[willytheekid]

were meant to WASH our gear?


...thought riding in wet weather took care of that

No wonder my old jacket & pants look & smell so......yeah!




Meh...think it might be safer if I just buy some new gear

[rastuscat]

BTW I wear merino base layer under textiles even in summer. It breathes better and its easier to wash that than your gear.

That always used to be my strategy too. But it's only practical when you are constantly on the move.

In my job I spend at least half of my day standing delivering lessons/advice etc. The airflow gear is the coldest I have and even that is warm on a 33 degree Christchurch day.

It's hard to see me wearing merino underneath.

The key is to keep moving. As much as you can. It reduces sweat.

[rastuscat]

were meant to WASH our gear?


...thought riding in wet weather took care of that

No wonder my old jacket & pants look & smell so......yeah!




Meh...think it might be safer if I just buy some new gear

Good luck getting that past Mrs The Kid.

[Oakie]

The benefit of washing is actually practical, not just cosmetic. When our 'waterproof' textiles are dirty the dirt gets right into the fabric and acts as a pathway for moisture to get in when it's raining. The less grime that is stuck in the weave, the dryer we stay. A re-application of waterproof spray of some sort wouldn't hurt when the jacket is all clean either.

[oldiebutagoody]

Well the "Laundry Thread" got me looking at my gear. Phew........

synth gear, helmet liners, all cleaned up and smelling sweetly of some exotic tropical bloom........as opposed to chain grease, sweat and general road kak.

After 2 years it was due.

Many thanks to the OP for bringing this to the front of my mind while I had the time to do it.

[Old Steve]

I squirt a spray or two of Fabreeze onto my helmet liner after washing it, then ride on surrounded by a cloud of vanilla essence :-)

[Moise]

BTW I wear merino base layer under textiles even in summer. It breathes better and its easier to wash that than your gear.

I find merino is just too warm in summer and can get damp when you're not moving. I bought a cheap active wear base layer, which seems to wick moisture better than merino. It's made of something called Cool Dry fabric.

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