Moto - Choosing Your Gear -

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Whether you are riding motocross, trails or an adventure bike, having the right gear and setting up your bike properly is critical. If you are just getting into this with a new bike then I’m sure you’ll have plenty of questions. In the future I will break down the specifics of each bike but in the meantime I have put together several items that will benefit whatever type of riding you want to do.

Backpacks – Hydration

This is one that people can easily forget about so we are going to cover that first. Whether you live in the desert or the mountains you’ve got to stay hydrated. The more you ride, the longer or the harder, the more you will sweat. With your helmet on and all of the gear it’s easy to not realize how much water you are losing so you’ve got to stay on top of it from the beginning. These items will help you do that.

This pack from USWE is available in a variety of colors and sizes, from 3-12 liters. I love these packs because of the versatility and design. You can use these with all types of riding. I do some enduro racing and use a 3L pack and it’s just enough for me. The “No Dancing Monkey” strap system keeps the pack in place without it bouncing around no matter what type of terrain you are on. If you are doing adventure riding and want more space in your pack or more water for longer rides then you can go for the bigger size. Check out all of the options HERE

For long rides or if you need to bring a lot of gear then this may be the pack for you. USWE has created this 16L pack for those extended rides while keeping it all nice and tight so that you barely feel it’s there. Again, the “No Dancing Monkey” system can’t be beat when you hit the technical sections of your ride. You can get this pack right HERE

Another pack that I have used for a long time is the Nac Pak from KLIM. This is a versatile pack that includes a 3L water bladder as well as a removable tool pouch. Depending on the riding I’m doing, I leave the tool pouch in the truck because it’s very easy to remove from the pack. Otherwise the tool pouch attached easily and stays put with any other gear you synch down in the pack. If you’re doing a longer ride it has plenty of room to throw snacks in it and even a rain shell if it’s looking cloudy out there. Look HERE for several color options and more detail.

If you are going racing, or even just doing a long ride on a hot day, then you know that using a hydration mix can be a huge help in restoring all of the electrolytes you’ll lose. Nowadays we have so many options and most people have a favorite, this is mine. Skratch Labs is awesome. They make this hydration mix as well as recovery mixes, bars and chews. What I like about this mix is that it doesn’t have a syrupy flavor like a lot do. It has just enough flavor, without the heavy after-taste but with all healthy ingredients. I always keep some of this in my pack. You can see all of the flavors and other options HERE

Riding Gear

Goggles – I recently switched to the Armega goggle from 100% and am loving them. They fit my face really well so my eyes don’t get dry or dirt in them. The lens is super sharp with just the right tint. The band holds them in place tight and secure all day long. I’ve used other goggles and still have several pairs of Oakley’s, which I still really like, but after the first time using these I have a hard time using anything else. You can choose from all sorts of colors and lens options right HERE

Gloves – Gloves are a personal preference. Some people like thinner gloves, some like thinner. Some like more protection across the knuckles and some people don’t like any. This glove, for me, is right in the sweet spot for what I like, thin in the palm with a little bit of protection on top. If you haven’t tried anything else yet then this is a good place to start. You can find all of the sizes and tons of colors right HERE

For the adventure bike crowd, you’ll want something a little beefier on your hands like the Dakar Pro glove from Klim. Klim gear is top notch and this glove is a great warmer weather option. Color and size options are HERE