Cold temperatures and unexpected weather changes are the reality in the northern latitudes where many of us ride. Even though I’ve lived in Minnesota for decades, I’ve never used heated apparel before. As I prepared for a multi‑day tour of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula last October, I decided to remedy that situation by ordering an Aerostich Kanetsu Wind Blocker heated motorcycle vest to add some comfort to my late‑season ride. This electric vest gave me the feeling of the warm sun beating down on my back, especially on cold 35‑degree mornings on and off the road.
The Aerostich Kanetsu heated vest, which is made at the company’s factory in Duluth, Minnesota, and uses top‑quality stitching and zippers, proved to be hassle‑free. When ordering the vest, you specify size and the type of connection you need to hook it up to your motorcycle: BMW, SAE, or QuiConnect 2 (coaxial, which has a male‑and‑female connection). The vest’s power draw is 45 watts / 3.3 amps.
A size Large suits my 6‑foot‑2, 175‑lb frame perfectly (a detailed size chart is available on the Aerostich website), and the vest fits well underneath a jacket. It has a longer tail in the back to provide lower‑back coverage when seated in a crouched position. The vest has two pockets: one for storing the power cord and a larger one that the entire vest folds into for convenient stowage or a handy pillow for a roadside nap. Also available are optional zip-off sleeves ($97), which I added to the vest for additional insulation and to transform the vest into a jacket that can be worn off the bike.
With the vest on and powered up, I found the heat to be distributed evenly around my core as well as my neck thanks to the high collar. The power is switched on/off with a large, glove‑friendly lighted pushbutton that can be clipped onto the outside of your riding jacket. The vest provided plenty of warmth, and as the ambient temperature approached 50 degrees, I simply turned off the vest’s heat. Given the ongoing comfort, I found myself experiencing momentary guilt as my riding buddies went through the hassle of layering up and down throughout the changing riding conditions. They got tired of hearing me brag about how warm I was.
The Aerostich Kanetsu heated motorcycle vest with optional zip-off sleeves.
There are three versions of the Aerostich Kanetsu heated motorcycle vest: Airvantage ($247), which has an air‑adjustable fit and an outer shell made of Windstopper fabric; Windstopper ($197), also with a Windstopper outer shell; and Wind Blocker ($187), the version I tested, which has an outer shell made of windblocking TLTec fleece. Sizes range from S‑2XL. With this heated vest as a permanent addition to my saddlebag, I now look forward to rides on cold, blustery days.
Testing the Alpinestars Bogota Pro Drystar motorcycle jacket and pants on the Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition in South Africa. (Action photos by Sebas Romero & Marco Campelli)
After breaking in the Alpinestars Bogota Pro Drystar Jacket and Pants at the Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition press launch in South Africa, I’ve continued wearing it for the past year in Southern California. This two-piece suit is unique in that the rain liner can be worn over the top of the jacket and pants, preventing the need to strip off riding gear to insert inner rain liners whenever I run into a patch of rain, and I no longer have to pack a separate rain suit in my tailbag.
Alpinestars Bogota Pro Drystar Motorcycle Jacket
Alpinestars Bogota Pro Drystar Motorcycle Jacket in Ventiver Military Olive
The Bogota Pro Drystar Motorcycle Jacket has a lightweight 600-denier main shell construction with a reinforced two-layer 450-denier hard outer shell for enhanced durability with 600-denier woven reinforcements in key areas of the jacket, making it flexible in the right areas and strongest where you most need it.
I am 5-foot-11 and 180 lb, and the size large fits me well. The jacket comes with adjustment points to provide the best fit. Arm and waist straps can be tightened or loosened, and the sliding neck clasp is a great new feature for what I’d have to say is one of the nicest fitting collars out there. The collar can instantly adjust depending on your movement or if you’re wearing a neck gaiter or balaclava, preventing any neck chaffing. The jacket also has stretch inserts around the armpits for enhanced fit and better range of movement. Pre-curved sleeves that follow the shape of the arm deliver superior range of movement whilst in the riding position.
The ventilation on the Bogota Pro Drystar jacket is superb with two large panels on the chest chest, two waterproof zips each side of each vent, and Velcro holding the top firmly in place for when you need to keep warm.
Alpinestars Bogota Pro Drystar Jacket in Ice Gray/Dark Gray/Yellow Fluro
The back of the jacket also opens up in the same way and allows the rider to tuck away about 70% of the back of the jacket for maximum air flow. You’ll still get the usual sweaty back as there is a CE Level 2 back protector in there, but air flows through this jacket beautifully. The jacket also comes with Level 2 Nucleon Flex Pro shoulder and elbow armor. There’s also an air vent running from the cuff to above the elbows that can be opened and closed via the waterproof zippers. I’ve ridden across the desert with all vents fully open and there is loads of air flow.
As for storage on the jacket, a large rear pocket will hold the inner liner rolled up and has a Velcro seal. On the front are four accessible pockets. The outer pocket is clasped with press stands, and there are two pockets accessed via zips directly behind them. There are two internal chest pockets, an internal waterproof document pocket, and two more inner pockets on the liner for your most valuable items.
Alpinestars Bogota Pro Drystar Motorcycle Pants
The Bogota Pro Drystar Pant has a ripstop and 450-denier coated hard shell with 600-denier reinforcements for additional durability in key areas. CE Level 2 knee armor and bio flex hip armor are standard.
The internal rain liner again can be worn both in or over the pants themselves. The liner is attached by a simple press stud loop system around the waist and at the ankles. The pants, like the jacket, have been treated with durable water repellent for additional weather protection. They have two hand pockets that zip closed for security and two wide ventilation panels similar to those on the jacket on the thigh area of the pants. Zips on each side and Velcro across the top secure these in place, and when needed, the panels can be rolled down into the pocket to expose most of the thigh. Opening these panels lets in a nice amount of air while standing but weren’t as effective while sitting.
The Bogota Pro Drystar Pants have built in suspenders to help keep them up. However, they are a European fit. I have a 34-inch waist, and I needed an XL adjusted in at the waist since the Large was just too tight. The pants and jacket can be zipped together to ensure you get the best wind and rain protection. There is plenty of space for your boots with some calf adjustment and the zipper gussets, and a Velcro cuff at the base of the leg allow for ADV or MX style boots.
Overall, the Alpinestars Bogota Pro Drystar Motorcycle Jacket and Pants is a comfortable set of three-season gear that’s not at all heavy and offers plenty of movement and protection. You could almost get away with the jacket as a four-season jacket but not the pants. Pricing is $419.95 for the jacket and $299.95 for the pants. The jacket is available in four color options (Ice Gray/Dark Gray/Yellow Fluro, Ventiver Military Olive, Dark Blue/Black/Bright Red, and Black/Black), and the pants are available in two color options (Black/Black and Ice Gray/Dark Gray/Yellow Fluro).
Kemimoto offers heated motorcycle gear for riders to extend their riding season. Seen here are Kemimoto pants liner, jacket liner, and gloves.
I’m lucky enough to live in a part of Tennessee that only gets snowfall once or twice a year and where the roads are ridable practically all year round. However, the temperatures still drop below freezing, making for chilly winter rides. To continue riding throughout the winter, I ordered up a full suite of heated gear from Kemimoto, a company that makes accessories, parts, and gear for motorcycles, UTVs, snowmobiles, marine sports, and other outdoor activities.
An included cable attached to the motorcycle’s battery connects the heated jacket liner and pants liner to power.
I ordered a vest, jacket liner, pants liner, gloves, and socks, all with heating capability. The gloves and socks come with rechargeable batteries, while the jacket and pants liners connect to the motorcycle’s battery with the included cable. The vest does not come with a battery included and doesn’t connect to the motorcycle’s battery, so I used a rechargeable battery with USB ports that I already had.
The heated vest doesn’t include a battery, so you’ll need your own battery that will accept the vest’s USB cable located in the left pocket.
The white circle on the back of the gloves is a button. Hold for three seconds to turn power on or off, and press once to cycle through the three heat settings.
Hooking up the included cable to my motorcycle’s battery for the jacket and pants liners was easy. The cable comes with four fuses to work with different battery power ratings, as well as an adapter to split power between the jacket and pants. Most often, wearing the vest with a rechargeable battery under my riding jacket was enough to keep me warm, but it’s nice to have the heated jacket liner if it gets really cold. However, since the jacket is a bit big on me, it’s cumbersome to stuff under my protective riding jacket. The vest is also big for me but not as difficult to slide a jacket over. I recommend looking at the sizing guidelines on Kemimoto’s website and perhaps buying a size smaller than usual.
The Kemimoto jacket liner is a little bulky, so fitting it under a protective riding jacket takes some effort. A smaller size would’ve made this an easier task.
It takes some time to plug everything in and turn on each piece of heated gear to my desired temperature (each piece has three heat levels). Having heated gear is a game-changer and transforms my rides from barely tolerable to perfectly cozy. The jacket liner, vest, and pants liner also allow independent adjustment of different heating zones. The socks also come with a handy keychain remote fob that allows me to adjust the heat level without having to dig through my gear to get to the socks.
The batteries for Kemimoto’s heated socks slide into pockets and can be turned on or off from a remote key fob.
From full charge on the highest heat setting, the rechargeable batteries in the socks and gloves lasted about 3-4 hours, so if you plan to ride for longer than that before charging, backup batteries are a must. With the heat level on the lowest setting, the batteries lasted about 6.5 hours. The battery life for the heated vest will depend on the capacity of the battery you use. The jacket and pants liners get warm almost immediately, and the rest of the gear only takes about five minutes to fully heat up.
The jacket liner has three heat zones that can be adjusted independently. The vest and pants liner also allow independent adjustment of different zones.
My only gripe with this heated motorcycle gear is that the colors indicating the heat level on each garment are not consistent. Each one uses a red light to indicate that the heat is at the highest level. For the two lower levels, the color of light is either blue, green, or white. On the gloves, jacket liner, and pants liner, blue is medium, and green is low. The socks are the opposite, with green being medium and blue being low. And on the vest, white is medium, and blue is low. The inconsistent light color does not affect the gear’s performance, but it does create some confusion when trying to determine what level of heat the gear is set to.
The power buttons have lights to indicate the heat level each part of the gear is set to, but the colors are inconsistent across the range of gear. For the jacket liner, gradient red/white means that the jacket is preheating. Red means full heat, blue means medium heat, and green is low heat.
This heated motorcycle gear has allowed me to have a comfortable riding experience during times when I either wouldn’t have ridden at all or would’ve been very cold. Now I can ride year-round while my friends and neighbors grumble about having to park their bikes for the winter.
The pants liner buttons are difficult to reach once I have my protective riding pants on, but having the ability to adjust three different heat zones allows for a more comfortable ride.
Kemimoto heated gear has kept me warm and cozy on chilly winter rides.
The Kemimoto heated jacket liner is available for $129.99, the pants liner is $109.99, the vest is $69.99, the gloves are $119.99, and the socks are $49.99. Kemimoto also offers other heated gear suitable for motorcyclists, including a new voice-controlled heated vest. All of this gear is available for purchase on the Kemimoto website.
Our associate editor sports the Joe Rocket Turbulent motorcycle jacket at the launch for the 2023 Suzuki GSX-8S.
As motorcycle gear technology evolves and improves, a lot of riding gear has become hyper-specific for a certain type of riding or certain weather conditions. We can’t all have a different motorcycle jacket for every day of the month, and the Joe Rocket Turbulent Jacket provides good adjustability, fit, and protection for most everyday riding.
The Turbulent has a water-resistant Rock Tex outer shell, which feels tough and rugged. I’ve been wearing this jacket for a few months now, and the outer shell still holds its shape. Included is CE-approved armor in the shoulders and elbows, plus removable spine armor. The shoulder and elbow armor is easy to access from exterior zippered pockets, meaning you don’t have to burrow up inside of the sleeves if you want to remove the armor to wash the jacket.
The Turbulent’s full-sleeved insulated liner provides good warmth for cooler rides, is less bulky than layering a sweatshirt under my riding jacket, and is easily removable via interior zippers and snaps inside the sleeves. For those days when it’s cool in the morning but warm by the afternoon, I’ll start out with the liner and later remove it and stow it in the jacket’s large lower-back pocket.
When the temperatures continue to rise, the Variable Flow ventilation system allows for nice airflow. There are zippered vents on the sleeves and on both sides of the back that can be opened to let streams of cooling air flow through the jacket.
The Turbulent jacket comes in men’s and women’s versions, and there are some differences in the fit and adjustment between the two. I’ve been wearing the women’s version, and I enjoy its adjustment capability. The Full Flex back expansion panels make the jacket easy to put on or take off. There are also adjustment points at the hips and forearms that allow me to loosen or tighten the jacket as needed.
In addition to the large storage pocket on the back, there are two handwarmer pockets with the zippers tucked from view, an internal chest pocket, and a pocket inside the insulated liner. The Turbulent also comes with an 8-inch zipper for attachment to pants, reflective piping in the front and rear, and a reflective Joe Rocket logo on the shoulder.
I’ve found this jacket to be a great everyday jacket that suits a wide range of needs. The water-resistant outer shell prevents light rain from getting through, the adjustment options allow for a custom fit, and the liner lets me adjust the jacket for temperature changes throughout my ride.
The women’s Turbulent comes in black, blue, gray, hi-viz, and pink in sizes XS-2XL starting at $169.99, while the men’s version comes in black, red, blue, gray, hi-viz, or orange in sizes S-3XL starting at $179.99. The men’s jacket also comes in black up to 5XL and M-3XL Tall.
Since the first issue of Rider’s 50th anniversary year, which includes this Tourmaster Ridgecrest Mesh Adventure jacket and pants review in Gear Lab, is making its way to reader mailboxes, I decided to look up the issue in which we published our first Tourmaster product review. In the January 1993 issue – 31 years ago! – former editorial director Bill Stermer reviewed a pair of Tourmaster Grand Tour Elite Gloves.
Tourmaster is one of the in-house apparel brands sold by Helmet House, a distributor founded in 1969 by Bob Miller and Phil Bellomy, who started out selling helmets on weekends at swap meets in Southern California. As our long-time readers know from our many Tourmaster reviews over the years, the brand has a full line of jackets, pants, boots, gloves, heated gear, raingear, luggage, and motorcycle covers designed for touring riders.
Tourmaster Ridgecrest Mesh Adventure jacket in Sand
The Tourmaster Ridgecrest Mesh Adventure jacket and pants combo is part of the apparel brand’s Horizon Line aimed at ADV riders, but it’s suitable for anyone looking for a versatile set of three-season gear at a reasonable price – MSRP is $239.95 for the jacket and $189.99 for the pants. The outer shell of both garments is made of abrasion-resistant 600-denier polyester and high-flow mesh with 1000-denier honeycomb nylon ripstop reinforcements in high-impact areas. Additional protection comes from removable CE Level 2 armor at the shoulders, elbows, and knees and EVA foam padding at the back and hips, while stretch panels in key locations enhance freedom of movement.
To keep out wind and rain, both garments have lightweight, removable, breathable Reissa liners, and the jacket also has a removable thermal vest liner. Fit adjusters and reflective accents abound, and an 8-inch zipper at the lower back connects the jacket to the pants. ADV and touring riders love pockets, and the Ridgecrest set doesn’t disappoint. On the jacket, there are six on the front, two inside, and two on the back, one of which is a huge cargo pocket that’s a great place to store liners when not in use. The pants have four pockets, and the two jacket liners have a total of three pockets.
Tourmaster Ridgecrest Mesh Adventure pants in Sand/Grey
Tourmaster Ridgecrest Mesh Adventure pants in Black
The Tourmaster Ridgecrest performed well during the two-day press launch for the new BMW R 1300 GS. On cold mornings and high-elevation mountain rides, the liners blocked the wind and kept me warm. During the exertion of off-road riding, the mesh gear allowed plenty of airflow to shed excess body heat. The jacket and pants were comfortable (the stretch panels were much appreciated) and fit was quite good, though the jacket sleeves were a tad short for my long monkey arms. Check the sizing chart to ensure you order the correct size – the best fit for me was a large jacket and medium pants.
Tourmaster Ridgecrest Mesh Adventure jacket in Hi-Viz
Tourmaster Ridgecrest Mesh Adventure jacket in Black
The Tourmaster Ridgecrest Mesh Adventure jacket is available in Black, Hi-Viz, Navy, or Sand, and the pants are available in Black or Sand/Grey. Both items come in a wide variety of sizes, including Short, Tall, and Plus options.
The Gunner proved to be a versatile leather motorcycle jacket that’s suitable for most weather conditions. Also seen here are Highway 21 Blockhouse jeans and Journeyman boots. (Photo by James Martinec)
Engineering a motorcycle jacket seems easy, but it gets complicated to strike the optimal balance of protection, versatility, and style. It’s almost impossible to beat the abrasion resistance and visual appeal of a leather motorcycle jacket, although it’s often compromised by unsuitability for hot or wet weather.
The Gunner is Highway 21’s top-line jacket and is designed to eliminate the compromises inherent in leather apparel. It’s built from sturdy leather but is endowed with a 12-point ventilation system to keep you cool and a removable Hydraguard liner to keep you warm and dry.
Naturally, the Gunner is available in black (seen above), but I opted for the Vintage Gunmetal version that isn’t so typical. It’s constructed of 1.0-1.1mm cowhide and features removable CE Level 1 armor for shoulders and elbows, with the latter reinforced by leather patches. A foam back pad is included and can be upgraded to CE levels of protection by swapping in optional Fly Racing Barricade armor.
The Gunner’s styling is a cross between cafe-racer panache and a biker aesthetic. It has a low-cut band collar topping a two-way YKK main zipper with a handy leather zip pull. Four snaps on each side help adjust for a non-baggy fit, augmented by a pair of accordion stretch panels at the waist. Shoulder gussets provide arms additional freedom of movement, and reflective piping across the shoulder-blade area aids nightime conspicuity.
Inclement weather is countered by the removable liner, which is quilted on the inner side and backed by a Hydraguard layer claimed to be windproof and waterproof but also breathable.
Hot temperatures are moderated by a healthy array of zippered venting, including intake vents on the chest and biceps, as well as massive armpit vents that stretch from the upper waist area all the way along the arms to the elbows. Zippered exhaust vents stretch 10 inches down the sides to encourage pass-through airflow. Additionally, it features two-way cuff zippers to reveal forearm vents. With all the vents open, the Gunner flows much more air than typical leather jackets.
(Photo by James Martinec)
The Gunner is blessed with pockets for almost everything. The exterior has zippered hand-warmer pockets, and the chest zippers for ventilation double as another pair of stash zones. Internal storage is provided by deep “Napoleon” pockets on each side of the main zipper, and an interior device pocket doubles as a concealed-carry receptacle.
Miles on the road with the Gunner were almost completely satisfying. Cold temps were abated by closing up the vents and zipping in the liner, although the low collar required wearing a neck gaiter to keep that area protected. The jacket kept me dry in a mild rain, but I haven’t yet tested it in a downpour.
Overall, the Gunner offers appealing versatility and cool style for a modest price. If I had a complaint, it’s that the material doesn’t have the suppleness of “top-grain” leather found in some pricier jackets. Its MSRP starts at $399.95 for sizes S-2XL and goes up to $439.95 for sizes 3XL and 4XL.
The Joe Rocket Sinister leather motorcycle jacket offers a good blend of protection and comfort.
When it comes to leather motorcycle jackets, Joe Rocket doesn’t make the motorcycle-apparel equivalent of Chef Gordon Ramsey’s often cited cardinal sin of too many offerings. The company keeps it simple – just five choices. Of these, the Sinister is the most geared toward sport riders.
From a protection standpoint, the Sinister doesn’t fool around. It’s made of 1.2-1.4mm embossed cowhide and has injection-molded reinforced shoulder caps with removable CE Level 2 shoulder and elbow armor and a spine pad. Reflective trim and a jacket-to-pants fastening system are additional safety elements.
When I put on the jacket, it feels substantial. And it’s not just my imagination; it weighs about 6 lb, which is on par with my leather cruiser jacket. However, for all that substance, the Sinister is more comfortable than I expected. It has precurved sleeves, which can feel somewhat constricting, but it balances this with Full Flex ribbed elbows for added mobility. It also has stretch panels in both the underarms and sleeve undersides, plus an adjustable waist.
There are zippered vents on the biceps and the back that provide sufficient, if somewhat underwhelming, airflow. I would welcome chest vents in the form of a couple pockets in addition to the three existing ones (two external and one internal), but I can see why the company didn’t want to disturb the aesthetic, which is definitely an asset worth noting.
The Sinister is clearly going for a particular style, and if that is your thing, this jacket pulls it off. When I put it on, between the six-pack “abs” on the front (which seem more form than function), injected shoulders, and general sturdiness, I feel like Batman. I feel like a badass. Problem is, that’s not necessarily who I am. I enjoy riding sportbikes and pushing myself, but I don’t pretend to be a racer. And I’m not crazy about the giant “Rocket” logo across the front and back. I don’t mind supporting the brand, but it feels like overkill. But who knows? With all that protection on me, when I’m hustling down a backroad, instead of Batman maybe I’m Rocket Man.
The Joe Rocket Sinister jacket comes in sizes S-3XL for $399.99.
When I’m riding, no one has to tell me that the journey is the destination, because I’m usually not thinking about where I’ll end up. I’m thinking about how much fun I’m having in the moment. However, motorcycles are also a way to get from Point A to Point B. Eventually, the joy of the journey ends, and I have to park and dismount. After that, I must use my feet to get to where I’m going. I start walking, and before I know it, the motorcycle boots that were so comfy minutes before suddenly remind me that the boots were made for riding, not walking, and that’s just what they do. That’s not the case with Highway 21’s Axle Waterproof Motorcycle Shoes.
Whether I’m riding or walking, zipping or skipping, the Axles feel like they belong. They also look like they belong, with an appearance that resembles high-top sneakers. The black leather upper provides a discreet look, while the suede cuff and trim around the metal eyelets add character.
While riding, the Axle shoes feel comfortable and protective. They are not as bulky as some riding boots, making it easier to feel where my foot is and get my toe under the shifter. The composite shank helps isolate vibrations, although my feet and legs get a little tingly after long hours in the saddle. I’ll take some vibration to be able to feel where my foot is, but others might prefer more damping.
Photo by Killboy
Part of the walkable comfort of the Axle shoes is due to their flexibility and light weight. They are easy to move around in, and the mesh inner liner adds comfort. However, that flexibility comes at the price of some protection. The shoes do have dual-density ankle protectors and reinforced toe and heel boxes for support and impact protection.
Highway 21 also offers a version of the Axle shoes with a textile upper, which have an appearance that appeals to me more than the leather upper. However, the leather version has a great advantage: Hydraguard waterproofing. If there is one bit of riding gear I want to be waterproof, it’s my footwear. Squishing around on soggy feet can turn a good day into an unpleasant one. While riding in the rain wearing the Axle shoes, my feet stay completely dry, and the leather keeps my feet warmer than the textile version, making these shoes preferable for cool weather riding.
Highway 21 Axle Leather Waterproof Motorcycle Shoes are a great option for commuters or riders who spend a lot of time walking in their riding footwear. They are available in men’s and women’s sizes for $139.95, and the textile version without waterproofing is available for $109.95.
When it comes to adventure riding, I’ve learned to expect the unexpected. Weather conditions, terrain, challenging situations – it’s all up for grabs. That’s why both ADV bikes and adventure-touring apparel like these TCX Infinity 3 Gore-Tex motorcycle boots are designed to be versatile. They should perform well, come what may.
Motorcycle boots are critical pieces of riding gear. They need to protect all the bones, connective tissue, and muscles in the lower legs, ankles, and feet, yet they must also be comfortable and provide enough dexterity for using the shifter and brake pedal and to communicate feedback from the footpegs. And if you enjoy splashing through puddles or riding in the rain, they must be waterproof.
On the bottom of the Infinity 3s is TCX’s proprietary Groundtrax sole, which is rigid enough to withstand long stints of standing on the pegs but isn’t so hard that it renders the sole a numb block of wood. Rather than the big, chunky sole of a motocross boot, the Infinity 3 sole has a sportier shape, making it easier to manipulate the controls and contributing to comfort when walking around off the bike. Likewise, the OrthoLite insole is nicely cushioned and provides some breathability.
The Infinity 3 upper is constructed of various durable materials, including microfiber, split leather, and abrasion-resistant engineered fabric, with an injected polyurethane shin protector and reinforcements on the ankle, heel, and toe. The boot has a slender shape that fits under touring pants and provides a comfortable, secure fit. Two large Velcro flaps adjust the fit at the top and mid-calf, while a clever, one-handed rotary knob cinches the boot tighter with a slender steel cable to dial in a precise amount of snugness around your foot. The knob is much easier to use than the motocross-style buckles found on many adventure boots.
I’ve been testing these motorcycle boots for the past six months, and they strike a good balance between the lightness and flexibility of sport-touring boots and the ruggedness and protection of motocross boots. The Gore-Tex membrane keeps my feet dry, yet the boots aren’t so thick and heavy that the inside feels like a sauna.
If you’re looking for a light, durable, comfortable adventure boot that can also be used for general-purpose riding and touring, then TCX Infinity 3 Gore-Tex Boots are worth checking out. They’re available in Black in European sizes 38-48 (U.S. men’s sizes 5-13) for $419.99.
With specialized motorcycles comes specialized gear, especially ADV motorcycle gear. Adventure-bike helmets blend features of full-face helmets (such as a chinbar and a faceshield) and dirtbike helmets (such as a peak visor and lots of ventilation). ADV apparel is typically made of durable textile materials and offers protection from wind, rain, cold, and hard objects.
Over the past year, I’ve tested some Sedici ADV gear: the Viaggio helmet and Garda WP jacket and pants. “Sedici” sounds Italian, and the products have Italian names (viaggio means “voyage”; Garda is the name of the largest lake in Italy), but Sedici is an in-house brand sold exclusively by Cycle Gear and RevZilla (both are owned by Comoto). The gear is designed in the U.S. and made overseas in China and Pakistan.
The Viaggio helmet has an injection-molded ABS plastic shell, an internal EPS liner, and a removable, washable comfort liner. It has a removable peak visor as well as a drop-down sunshield. The faceshield protrudes out just above the bottom edge, providing a wide lip on both sides to easily raise the shield. The faceshield has an anti-scratch coating, but it does not lock when closed, there are no detents for partially open positions, and it does not accommodate a Pinlock anti-fog insert. For those who prefer to ride with goggles, the faceshield can be removed.
The Viaggio, which meets both DOT and ECE safety standards, is a comfortable, reasonably light helmet (the size Medium tested weighs 3 lb, 10 ounces). The interior padding seals well enough around my cheeks and neck to reduce the worst of wind noise (though I usually wear earplugs), the large eyeport offers good visibility, and a tried-and-true D-ring secures the chinstrap. Thanks to the clear faceshield paired with the drop-down sunshield, I don’t have to swap out a tinted faceshield when the sun goes down.
My biggest challenge with the Viaggio is ventilation. There are only three intake vents – one in the pointy chinbar (which is backed by metal mesh) and two small ones at the top, both of which are closable – and two exhaust vents in the back. With the vents open, the helmet moves an adequate amount of air for street riding on mildly warm days, but I wanted more airflow on hot days and during the exertion of off-road riding. Riding with the faceshield up and the sunshield down or with the faceshield removed and goggles on brings in significantly more air, but neither of these tactics is advisable at highway speeds.
Despite a few shortcomings, the Viaggio is a solid adventure helmet for a reasonable price. It retails for $179.99 in the Mappa (Italian for “map”) graphic with topographical lines, which is available in sizes XS-2XL in three colorways: Grey/Black/Hi-Viz (shown), Black/Grey, and Sand/Black. It’s also available in solid colors – Matte Black, Pearl White, and Hi-Viz Yellow – in sizes XS-3XL for $149.99. The Viaggio Parlare (Italian for “speak”) comes with an integrated Sena DWO-5 Bluetooth v3.0 communication system, and it comes in Matte Black or White in sizes XS-2XL for $289.99.
Sedici ADV Motorcycle Gear: Garda WP Jacket and Pants
If you’re like me, you’ve discovered the wonders of stretch fabrics. Jeans, pants, shorts, shirts, and even jackets made from fabrics blended with elastane or other stretchy fibers are more comfortable than plain cotton or polyester and more forgiving of wide waistlines, lumpy love handles, and prominent paunches. While stretch fabrics are now common in casual clothing, you don’t see them as much in motorcycle apparel.
That’s why I was happy to discover that the Sedici Garda WP Jacket and Pants are made of 600D stretch fabric that’s 92% polyester and 8% spandex (fun fact: “spandex” is an anagram for “expands”). The spandex allows the garments to move easily with the body, so there’s no binding or restricted movement. There’s a waterproof membrane laminated inside the outer layer, and the garments are lined with stretchy athletic mesh.
While I found the jacket and pants to be very comfortable both on and off the bike, the pants, which have elastic panels along the waistband, tended to slide down. They close securely at the waist with a metal clasp, a metal button, and an adjustable hook-and-loop strap, but the strap provides only a small range of adjustment. To avoid having to hitch up my pants throughout the day, I wanted to be able to tighten them more. Because I have a 34-inch waist, I ordered a size Large, which covers waist sizes 34-35 inches. I probably would have been better off with Medium pants (32-33 waist). If the pants had belt loops, I could have worn a belt, but they don’t.
The Garda jacket and pants have 1200D reinforcement areas, textured rubber panels, and CE Level 2 armor at the elbows, shoulders, and knees. The jacket has a foam back pad, which can be replaced with an optional Axial CE Level 2 back protector ($34.99), and the pants have pockets for optional Axial CE Level 2 hip armor ($19.99). The jacket also has an outer back pocket for an optional hydration bladder.
Ventilation, adjustability, and pockets abound. The jacket has six adjustable vents, and the pants have two, all of which seal with waterproof zippers. While the vents allow some cooling relief, the full-coverage waterproof membrane traps in heat. The jacket has adjustment at the collar, cuff, forearm, upper arm, hip, and waist, and the pants have adjustment at the waist and lower leg. The pant legs have zippered gussets covered by a flap secured with hook-and-loop tabs, and there’s sufficient room to zip the gussets closed over heavy ADV boots.
The jacket has a total of six pockets, including two waterproof cargo pockets in front and a large cargo pocket across the lower back. The pants have two waist pockets, which are fine for keys, earplugs, and other small items, but they force bulky items like a phone or wallet into the crease of the hips when seated. Side cargo pockets would be a welcome addition.
Other than a few nitpicks, the Sedici Garda WP Jacket and Pants provide the comfort and versatility needed for adventure touring in cool to warm conditions. They don’t provide adequate ventilation for hot weather, and with no thermal lining, you’ll need to add your own baselayers or heated liners in cold weather. Pricing is $249.99 for the jacket and $219.99 for the pants. Both are available in sizes S-5XL in Silver/Black (shown), Sand/Black, or Black.
