DSG ADV RIDING JACKET & ADV RIDING PANT5

MY FAVOURITE FEATURE OF THIS JACKET IS ITS SEPARATE ARMOUR

`9,499/- (jacket) & `7,999/- (pant) as tested www.plantedsg.com

ON A LONG RIDE, THE LAST THING you want is heavy riding gear. But you just can’t help it; touring gear is usually on the heavier side because it employs extra armour and has to have a multitude of features. The DSG Adv riding jacket plus pant combo though, is among the lightest touring gear that I’ve ever used. Both the jacket and the trouser feature separate wearable armour and that makes them lighter than a traditional setup with in-built protection.

The jacket is made of lightweight 900D polyester fabric and gets large air mesh vents. As a result, it feels light on the body and well ventilated even at slow speeds. It has two large pockets in the front, and a Napoleon chest pocket, which can easily accommodate a phone or a large wallet. There’s also an internal hydration pocket which fits a 2-litre bladder, making it ideal for staying hydrated on long rides. It also has an array of reflective strips all around to ensure you are spotted by nearby motorists, even in low visibility.

But arguably, my favourite feature of this jacket is its separate bionic armour that’s equipped with flexion protection which is CE Level 2 certified. Sure, wearing it is a bit of a hassle but it fits perfectly from the get-go, unlike the integrated protection pads in other jackets which require break-in. Moreover, while riding on trails, you can use this bionic armour as a base layer over an off-road jersey for added protection. The jacket itself also gets removable sleeves which might come in handy when you’re venturing into the wild.

Just like the jacket, the DSG Adv riding pant is super light. It has a one way buckle strap on the waist that is very convenient and easy to use. It features anti-slip leather patches at the knee which offer good grip levels when you’re gripping the bike at the tank. The slim leather patches also make it easy to insert these pants into off-road boots, which can otherwise be a task. You get bionic knee protectors with these pants and hip protectors are available at an additional cost.

One thing nagged me though. The quality of the zippers are just not up to the mark. After only some usage, the zipper on the jacket started to get stuck mid-way and one of the zippers on the pant came off completely.

The DSG Adv riding jacket is priced at `9,499, whereas the Adv riding pant demands `7,999 of your hard earned money. But considering their practicality and ease of use, they should definitely be high on your consideration list if you’re looking for lightweight touring plus adventure gear. ⌧

Mandar Sawant (@mandar__sawant)