Top to toe
OUR REGULAR RIDING GEAR IN DETAIL
Helmet: Shark Explore R £370
www.nevis.uk.com I’m normally not a fan of peaks because they trap wind, generate noise and cause buffeting – and though I’m clearly fond of a buffet, I can do without trapped wind and its associated noises. But the Shark Explore R’s peak is lighter than most, doesn’t cause turbulence and comes off with just one screw (by hand, no tools needed). And doing that reveals the Explore R’s real trick… it’s a three-in-one: peak and goggles (off-road); just a visor (road); or just goggles (urban hipster). The Explore R is also all-day comfy, its Carl Zeiss goggles (included in the price) don’t leak wind, there’s room for internal speakers, it has a drop-down tinted inner visor and this most flexible of lids even has its own zip-out waterproof neck warmer.
Jacket: Richa Touareg £280
www.nevis.uk.com This jacket is loaded with features, including three zipped-in waterproof/mesh and thermal layers; back, shoulder and arm vents – plus pocket vents; a neck clip for a hydration pack; CE shoulder and elbow armour plus CE back protector; a back pocket and zipped side pockets. Most pricier adventure suits have all this – but for under £300 the Touareg is stellar value. The only downside I can see is after riding in sand or dust you’ll need to lube the fine-tooth sleeve zips: they seized up completely after riding in the desert and felt close to breaking. Bigger teeth would’ve been better.
Trousers: Richa Touareg £170
www.nevis.uk.com As the companion trousers to the Touareg jacket, these use the same system of polyester/polyamide/ ripstop outer layer, breathable waterproof mid-layer and quilted thermo inner layer. There are also plenty of pockets and vents. Downsides are no hard hip armour (just padding) and only a very short zip to connect to the jacket – I’d prefer them to zip right round the waist.
Boots: TCX Terrain 2 £300
www.nevis.uk.com I struggle with off-road boots. The armour and stiffness required to keep lower limbs from snapping on impact with tree stumps usually means the boots possess all the sensitivity of a plaster cast. But the TCX Terrain 2s are trials boots, so they’re less rigid than pure enduro or motocross boots. They’re properly comfy all day, with plenty of flexibility for road riding and light off-road riding, with easy-to-adjust clips and a waterproof membrane. Best of all, they’re white. And they don’t squeak.
Gloves: Alpinestars Octane S-moto
www.alpinestars.com I’ve had these Alpinestars supermoto gloves for so long they don’t make them any more (but the similar SMX-1 is £57). Their main virtues are that they’re lightweight and thin, with perforated leather for road/off-road combo use.
Backpack: Touratech Companero £79
shop.touratech.co.uk The chances of it ever being toasty enough to wear a hydration backpack on a road in the UK are slim – but if you’re hardcore off-roading on a 50-mile trail in Spain in the middle of summer (or in a Peruvian desert), hydration can be a issue. That’s where the Touratech Companero comes in. A simple backpack with foil-insulated lining to keep the two-litre removable, refillable ‘bottle’ cool, it also can be used as a mini-backpack with a small zipped front compartment. The water container opens completely for cleaning, is easy to fill, and has a one-way valve and stopper for drinking on the move via a long plastic tube.
“The helmet’s peak is light and causes no turbulence”