Gearing Up for Trail Riding

When I started trail riding, I just used the riding kit I already had. I had some newer kit, so the older kit got relegated to coming home covered in mud. Over time, I started buying kit for various different types of motorcycling. Don't ask Mrs. MotoFox if she thinks I have too much bike kit, because her answer is wrong!

There is some great kit on the market, but the stuff that actually works is often really expensive. Brands like Adventure Spec, Kriega, Rukka, etc., really do make good, tried and tested motorcycle kit. However, on the budget I live on, these brands are often unattainable to me. If you can afford to, I recommend you support these brands, as these brands are what push the apparel tech in the industry forward and keep getting better and better stuff on the market.

Okay! So where do you go if you're like me and can't afford the Gucci kit but still need to ride in all weather?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1no1rc2eQxA

Layering for Motorcycles

You do what all the other outdoor pursuits do: you layer, and you include a protective motorcycling layer with your base layer, thermal layer, and waterproof layer. A well-ventilated protective garment like the Modeka Shielder (available from Aegis Armour in the UK) gives you AA-rated protection and can be combined with an inexpensive layering system from any outdoors or surplus store. You can keep going in all conditions.

We like the Modeka Shielder because it's simple; it hasn't tried to reinvent motorcycle protection. It's similar in construction to most other ventilated jackets on the market, and that keeps the price down. However, by adding hard-wearing stretch panels in key areas, it gives a close fit like traditional soft off-road body armour with the added advantage that it is abrasion-resistant too. With a close fit, it means it all stays in place for summer riding with just a base layer, and you can layer up over the top for cold and wet conditions as the seasons change.

A quick note about the most important upgrade to your kit when you transition from tarmac to trails: your footwear! Soft and comfortable boots need replacing as soon as you can. Unfortunately, accidents happen on the trails, and we have had to evacuate a few clients home during the time we have been operating with lower leg injuries. There are two observations that connect all the lower leg injuries: all of the riders in question were in soft touring or adventure boots, and all were low-speed (walking pace) incidents. Please don't find out the hard way that comfort isn't more important than protection. Yes, enduro or motocross boots are restrictive, but once worn in, they are not uncomfortable. If you're planning a trip that mixes off-tarmac riding with some walking, have some lightweight walking shoes in your luggage and change between activities. If you can fold it or twist it, it's not suitable for trail riding.

I hope this helps when your getting kit for your next trail ride.