Good quality adventure gear is awesome: it protects you from weather and falls and allows you to experiment with your riding skills as much as you need to or want to. But it is pretty expensive, and for some, looking like you’re ready for space travel just isn’t all that appealing, especially when commuting to work.
I wholeheartedly agree with the ATGATT sentiment – all the gear, all the time – but I did catch myself riding in my jeans and T-Shirt from a Dakar bivouac and back simply because it was so impossibly hot in the desert. I did have my boots, helmet and gloves on, but rolling along the Pacific Ocean somewhere near San Juan de Marcona, I cringed thinking what would happen should I have an unexpected off on pavement at 60 miles per hour.
So what’s the solution? Wear your full ADV suit for all your longer rides, no question. But when you’re commuting, grocery shopping, or going for a coffee with friends, especially in the city, especially during the hot days, you can use these ADV gear hacks to stay safe but feel more comfortable.
Kevlar Jeans
I would love to have a pair of those things handy: I’ve seen so many riders traveling withKevlar jeans, even on long overland trips, and I’ve heard so much praise for them. Kevlar jeans are perfect for commuting, city riding, and short rides where you want the protection, but not the hassle of putting your full riding suit on.
Spare shoes
It might be tempting to hop on your bike in just your walking shoes, but don’t – instead, pack them in your topbox, panniers, or just strap them on the back of the bike using a bungee cord net. Wear your ADV or motocross boots even if you’re just going to your favorite coffee shop twenty minutes away.
Gel inserts
If you don’t have any space or patience to carry a pair of tennis shoes on your bike, consider gettinggel insertsfor your bike boots. Those things make life so much easier: they distribute pressure, reducing rubbing and preventing blisters and fatigue, your feet feel much more comfortable, and you can walk around in your bike boots without feeling like your feet are encased in a cast.
Cable locks
There’s nothing more off-putting than lugging your heavy ADV jacket around gas stations and coffee shops when all you want is to simply relax. Consider carrying acable lockso you can lock your gear down on your bike when you’re off.
What ADV gear hacks do you use? Let me know in the comments below!
