HEAD
The Klim TK1200 helmet.
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My New Favorite Helmet - I wear the Klim TK1200 Karbon Modular Helmet. It's got great ventilation, and it's super lightweight. I've also found it to be extremely comfortable.
This helmet uses a Transitions visor, which means the tint changes depending on the light environment. It becomes dark for full sun, and clear for night riding. And despite my initial doubts, it really works, and pretty quickly too. Marisa and I both decided early on to go with modular helmets. We'd heard from experienced motorcycle travelers that having a flip-up helmet can make you more approachable when asking people on the street for directions. And that has turned out to be exactly right. Plus, there's no need to take your helmet off for basic things. Neck Buff - As I ride, I normally wear a Neck Buff like a scarf to protect me from the dust and wind. They come in all sorts of colors and designs. And on super hot days, I douse mine in water before putting it on so it acts like a personal air-conditioner around my neck. For cold weather, I switch to a Nice Fuzzy Warm One. |
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Also a Good Helmet - Before I got my current one, I was inspired by Marisa's helmet to purchase the same - a Schuberth Modular Helmet (mine had KTM branding, which I liked). It fit well, though I had to make some padding adjustments. And I agreed with Marisa, it's a great helmet, but it could get hot.
Original Helmet - My old Fulmer Modular Helmet may have been seven sizes too big, which is my own fault for purchasing it. But by the time I got to Costa Rica, I realized that it probably wasn't protecting my head as well as a properly-fitting helmet would, so I ditched it. |
This is the Schuberth helmet.
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What's up with the numbers on the back of your helmet?
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On our old helmets, we had our license plate number on the back, and we did this for Colombia. The law there is that in order to prevent motorcycle robberies, all riders must have their license plate number clearly marked on their helmet. Though this does not apply to foreigners, we didn't want to have to try explaining that to the Colombian officer who just pulled us over and is looking for a bribe. So we just got it done anyway.
If you're headed to Colombia, this is something to consider. |
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SHOULDERS
My Klim Carlsbad jacket.
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Amazing Gore-Tex Jacket - Ever since heading up to the top of Alaska, I've been wearing a Klim Carlsbad Men's Off-Road Motorcycle Jacket. It's got the waterproof Gore-Tex I've come to love, good abrasion resistance for all the off-road riding that we do, but it also has a great ventilation system for those hot days.
When choosing this jacket, I knew it was going to hold up against the rain, and it did. Wonderfully. But I was concerned that it would also be heavy and hot. Thankfully, the people over at Klim designed it to have lots of vents, and it can open widely at the neckline to allow for maximum air flow. But most importantly, this jacket had to combat all the harsh weather of the Alaskan arctic. So I chose a size that was wide enough on me that I could layer up underneath, and that kept me warm even on the coldest days. |
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Light & Airy - My Spidi H2Out Motorcycle Jacket did its job taking the brunt of the dirt, dust, grime, and rain for over four years. But it wasn't waterproof, and so I needed to put on rain gear over it whenever it drizzled.
Extremely Waterproof Jacket - One summer, I was generously given a Rev'It! Poseidon 2 GTX Jacket, and it truly was as waterproof as it gets (it's called Poseidon for a reason). The jacket was my first taste of Gore-Tex, which I decided was well worth the investment. The problem was, the jacket was thick and heavy (not the best for hot weather), so I needed something a bit more versatile. |
My Spidi H2Out jacket.
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The Rev'it! Poseidon jacket.
KNEES
These are my Klim Carlsbad pants (and jacket).
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Waterproof and Durable - After many years of trying out different motorcycle pants, I have finally settled on the Klim Carlsbad Men's Off-Road Motorcycle Pants. They're the matching set that go with my Klim Carlsbad Jacket. They're Gore-Tex and entirely waterproof, but they also have great ventilation. Two long zippers on the sides of my thighs fully open up, along with two zippers on the back that create a passage for wind to come right through, giving me lots of air flow for the hottest days.
One of the best things about these pants is how exact the sizes come. There are tall leg lengths, short ones, and waist and inseam variability. This allowed me to find the perfect pair that fit me just right. Great Non-Waterproof Pants (Very Affordable) - Before I landed on my Klim Carlsbad pants, I went through a long motorcycle pants search and discovered the HWK Motorcycle Cargo Pants. They worked well as non-waterproof pants with good ventilation and abrasion-resistance. And they go for a very reasonable price. But for my trip to Alaska, I knew I'd need something waterproof. |
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Original Pants - My original Sedici Motorcycle Pants were great as just an abrasion-resisting outer layer. I had taken out the useless waterproof liner (there was a huge gap right at the crotch that would let the water pour in), and so I'd layer up for warmth and rain.
Without the liners, it was obviously not going to be waterproof anymore, nor warm. But they served me well throughout three continents. |
The original Sidici pants.
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Another Good Option - I also tested out a pair of Alpinestars Gore-Tex Hyper Drystar Touring-Tech Pants for a summer. But because they were used, they weren't waterproof anymore, so I wasn't able to test out their durability in the rain. Comfort-wise, they were nice pants though.
The Alpinestars Hyper Drystar pants.
TOES
Motorcycle Boots
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Rugged and Reliable - I have been wearing Alpinestars Toucan Motorcycle Boots for a long time, and I love these boots. I especially like the fact that they have great ankle protection, and they come up high on the leg so I can walk through streams without getting wet, Plus, I can still hike around in them for short periods of time. I climbed some Mayan ruins in them in Mexico, and I don't suggest that. They were way too hot. But for cold-weather hiking they can do the job for a short while. Great all-around boots!
Eventually though, the soles started wearing away. This is to be expected from the hell I put these boots through, and I was able to get new soles shipped to me in Colombia and had them sewn on. But that meant they were no longer waterproof. So I went through other boots, and after years of that, came back to these Alpinestars Toucans! |
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Totally Waterproof - When I was in Chile I got the Daytona M-Star Motorcycle Boots. They were not my first choice since they don't have very solid ankle support, but besides that one problem, I came to like these boots a lot. And they were seriously waterproof! If any water did get in (or I just sweat a lot in them), the front flap came completely unzipped which made it easy to dry out the insides of the boots in the sun.
These boots were also a bit lighter and not as rigid as my Alpinestars, though they were also not not as rugged and tough. But best of all, the bottom sole never wore off! I'd never heard of Daytona before, but after more than a year of use, it turned out to be a great brand. |
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Shoes
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My Go-To Every Day Shoes - For non-motorcycle shoes, I have a pair of Chaco Outcross Shoes. And despite the laces breaking immediately, I was able to fix that and wore the shoes every day for over two years. At last, the sole started cracking, so a bought a new pair, and immediately the laces snapped again. Again, I fixed it with some paracord, and they've been great ever since. So besides the laces snapping, they are amazing shoes.
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Socks
Sometimes our boots get wet on the inside, either because I waded into a water crossing that day to see how deep it was, or because I sweat a ton inside the boots. Either way, at the end of the day my feet and socks will STINK! But Marisa has convinced me that they stink much less with Smartwool Socks. So, I've got a couple pairs now.
HANDS
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I may have a problem with buying gloves, because I think I've bought them all and have yet to find the absolute perfect pair.
After years of trial, and lots of error, I've come to realize that nothing is going to be totally waterproof while also being light and breezy on hot days. It's just not possible. But some gloves are definitely better than others. The Best Out There - This is just my humble opinion, but I think the Klim Badlands GTX Long Gloves are some of the most versatile gloves out there. They are Gore-Tex, and so they're waterproof, and since they are long and wrap over my sleeves, very little water can get in. This also means that they keep my hands warm in harsh winds and rain, especially when I slip my FirstGear Heated Glove Liners inside. Only drawback is they are not light and airy for hot summer weather. |
FOR RAIN
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Gore-Tex is Great - Back in the dark ages, we used to have non-waterproof jackets, and therefore needed to put on separate rain gear over it. If you're on a strict budget, this is still a practical way to go.
But for our latest set of adventures, Marisa and I have finally reversed course on our no Gore-Tex decision, and got top-quality Klim jackets and pants that are Gore-Tex and completely waterproof. |
Now I wear the Klim Carlsbad Motorcycle Jacket and Pants, and it's great. I don't have to worry about pulling over and putting on rain gear every time I see a dark cloud (and then of course it never rains and I just ride around sweltering in a plastic rain suit). But now, I can just unzip the vents when I'm hot, and zip them back up for the rain. It's heavenly.
The Klim Carlsbad jacket.
Another Very Waterproof Jacket - Before I got into Klim, I tried out the insanely waterproof Rev'It! Poseidon 2 GTX Jacket, and it definitely kept me dry even in the craziest of downpours (Poseidon is a perfect name). It was a bit hot and heavy though for steamier weather, but if you're headed into the freezing rain, this is a great jacket.
The KTM OEM rain suit.
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Separate Rain Jacket - I'm not always on the motorcycle when it's raining, and sometimes I just want something light to protect me as I walking around town in a drizzle. So I got the Klim Stow Away Waterproof Jacket. It's also Gore-Tex, but packs up small and light, so it fits well in my backpack for an afternoon hike or stroll around town.
Before Gore-Tex - Before I'd upgraded to the waterproof world of Gore-Tex, I wore the KTM OEM Rain Jacket and Pants over my other gear. And after riding for hours in the pouring rain in Canada, and the tropical thunderstorms of Malawi, I can officially say it's pretty good. I'd still get bits of wetness coming through, but not much. |
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Warning: Not Waterproof - Marisa and I previously had Ascend rain jackets and pants, but these were terrible. Marisa actually got pneumonia in Colombia using this jacket. After that, in Ecuador we got into such a horrible storm, that I was cold and wet for hours afterwards and seriously worried about getting pneumonia myself.
We have both since ditched this rain gear, but please keep in mind, this was a long time ago. It's possible the company's products have improved. |
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FOR COLD
Heated GearHeated Jacket Liner - For the first four years of our journey, we were constantly crossing the equator, and didn't need to worry too much about cold weather. But on year five we decided to head to the Arctic Circle in Alaska, and realized that investing in heated gear might be a good idea. And we were right.
My Firstgear Heated Motorcycle Jacket Liner worked better than I had expected. It takes up a bit of precious room in our luggage, so I was skeptical at first if it would actually be worth it to bring. But now I'm a believer, and I'm not sure I would have survived our Alaska trip without it. This Firstgear Heated Liner has allowed me to push the riding season further and further into the fall in comfort. And I can reach cold places that I would have been hesitant to go to before. Now if I'm going somewhere where I know there's cold and mountains, I'm not leaving without it. Heated Glove Liners - I liked the jacket liner so much, that I also then purchased the Firstgear Warm and Safe Glove Liners which plug right into my jacket. They don't get extremely warm like the jacket does, but they definitely make a difference on cold, windy days. |
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Non-Motorcycle Jackets & Base Layers
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Down Jacket - Throughout my many years of travel, the Mountain Hardwear Down Jacket has worked wonderfully. It packs down small, is light, and most importantly, it's warm. It has been a staple of my travels, but it's getting to the point now where all the down feathers are becoming smushed and useless. Soon enough, I'll have to get a new one.
Long-Sleeved Shirt - It may look thin, but my Mosko Moto Strata Merino Quarter Zip Thermal Top is as warm as can be. Plus, it has a hood. I have no idea how they made something so soft, so warm, and so thin, but I think it may have something to do with the merino wool. |
The Mosko Moto Strata Merino top.
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CLOTHING
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You'd be surprised how many people have asked me how many pairs of underwear I bring. In fact, you might be wondering the same. Since we are 2up, on a single motorcycle, and we're packing everything we need to live and survive for years on end, that means we have very limited space. So if you're curious, here's the breakdown ~
We each get one small "canvas shopping bag" full of clothes. I pack the following in mine ~
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EARPLUGS
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When Marisa started using her earplugs, I got inspired to try out a pair myself. While she uses the Eargasms, I opted for the SureFire EP4 Sonic Defender Earplugs. What I like about these is that they have two different sound settings - with the hole in the middle open it blocks out wind but allows in my music a bit better, and with the cap closed over the hole it is at its maximum noise protection. They're also very soft and comfortable (and they're quite affordable as well).
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TOILETRIES
For Teeth
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The Perfect Toothbrush - For many years, Marisa and I resigned ourselves to the fact that we wouldn't be able to travel with an electric toothbrush because it's big and heavy and needs to be plugged in... Until we discovered the Quip.
It's very small (almost the same size as a regular toothbrush), it's pretty light (only takes one AAA battery), and it lasts for months on that single battery. It even comes with a slip-on travel sleeve. And to top it all off, it's very affordable. Quips are simply the best in our opinion. |
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For Hair
Space saving - shampoo on top, soap on bottom.
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Hard Shampoo - Needless to say, I am not fussy about my hair. I just wash it with whatever is available, but since Marisa wanted to conserve on weight and space, she started purchasing bars of shampoo (Marisa bought hers from Lush, but other brands on Amazon sell them.). They’re light-weight, small, will never explode, and will last for many more washes than a bottle. Plus, it fits in our soap dish right next to our bar of soap. Doesn't get more convenient than that. So that's what I've been using too, and I think it's great.
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Towel
There are tons of microfiber travel towels on the market. But we've chosen to go with a company owned by a friend of ours, DryFoxCo. We share a towel, and it's great. It dries fast, packs down tiny, and comes in very fun designs. We pack it next to our soap and the towel always smells wonderful.
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Other ExtrasI don't need too many things to get by, certainly less than Marisa does. When it comes to toiletries, I seriously only need some deodorant and a bar of soap, and I'm good (and a toothbrush and toothpaste).
But I will say, I also bring a tiny bottle of cologne with me just to smell good once in a while. Sometimes after days on end of camping, it makes me feel presentable again. |
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Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission whenever you purchase something using our links through Amazon, at no extra cost to you. So thank you! Every little bit gets us further down the road.
Also to keep in mind, we have been sponsored by Klim, Mosko Moto, Cardo, Ruby Moto, Atlas Throttle Locks, and have had help from Carl's Cycle Sales, and Dunlop Tires. Despite partnering with these companies, we try to be as honest about their products as we can be, and we would never promote anything that we did not genuinely like.
Also to keep in mind, we have been sponsored by Klim, Mosko Moto, Cardo, Ruby Moto, Atlas Throttle Locks, and have had help from Carl's Cycle Sales, and Dunlop Tires. Despite partnering with these companies, we try to be as honest about their products as we can be, and we would never promote anything that we did not genuinely like.
Questions? We'd love to chat!
