Skin – First layer

(200g/m2 – Soft and very light – packs small)

Leggings with fly

The leggings alone will increase overall body warmth by a fair few degrees when nestled in your sleeping bag. When riding they stop the wind from biting into your skin. I wear them through most of the winter. A more comfortable ride – less energy wasted maintaining body warmth. If you plan to be riding though temperatures lower than -15 for more than a week carry a spare pair and layer them. This will stop your knees from freezing up and still fit inside your boots.

Undies

Boxers – I wore two pairs of underpants for over 90,000kms. They ripped only once when I was wedgied by an english girl in a french bar in Sucre, Bolivia after lots of absinth. After sewing them back together they lasted to Alaska.

Singlet

Packs down small. The best base layer. You never take it off. The shoulder seams are flat sewn and positioned toward the back to avoid pack rub. Bodyfit – First or second layer

(260g/m2 – Low bulk fully breathable mid-layer for cool to freezing temperatures.)

T-shirt (short sleeve)

Short Sleeve Crew – Versatile low bulk top. You would probably wear this most days.

T-shirt (long sleeve)

Techtop -Zip up, zip down or zip up & fold over neck with a lower tail so you don’t freeze your arsecheeks off – also has thumbloops.

Mid layer – Sports Layer

320g/m2 – Low bulk fully breathable mid-layer for cool to freezing temperatures.

T-shirt with hood – long sleeve

Nomad – Fitted hood with long sleeved thumb loops that secure your sleeve before you slide on your glove. Plus if you get real cold you can wear the hood under your helmet. This fast became my favourite top and was ultimately stolen in Hostal Virreyes – Mexico City by a shifty English crackhead.

T-shirt (long sleeve)

WingZip -Thumbloops that secure your sleeves before sliding on the gloves, high zip neck for easy temperature adjustment and really warm. The second most popular piece.

Lightweight Outer – Expedition Light

320g/m2 – Light weight fully breathable low bulk outer layer for cool to freezing temperatures.

Wind -resistant jacket

Raven Zip Thru -Wind -resistant jacket – Raven zip through 320g/m2. Ultra light four season layering piece with a reflective zip running centre court. The top is damn warm and able to offset freezing temperatures even whilst riding. This and/or the Seal is the final layer for freezing temperatures. Even with a skin layer, two mid layers and an outer layer your jacket still fits perfect over the top. Creating an impermeable layering system that

traps in your body heat like a vacuum. You ain’t gunna get cold.

Wind -resistant outer jacket

Seal – On the bike or around a keg of beer this final layering system is going to keep you snug. There is no limit to how many layers you can use. I have used up to seven before and still been able to slide into my jacket with ease. The terrain, temperature and season decide what clothes you should take. Make sure you always have enough to stay warm. Even if you are wet.

Extra’s

Mid-weight Balaclava -The balaclava slides under your helmet keeping your skull face and neck warm. Eliminating those spots that always catch the wind. If you get really cold flip up your nomad hood underneath the helmet and feel your brain thaw out as your ride through -20C. Just don’t try and lick your visor. It’ll probably stick.

Gloves

Glove Liner – Packs small and increases the temperature of your mits. Combine heated grips, underlayer gloves and good set of riding gloves and maybe you won’t ever have to piss on your hands to get the circulation going.

Socks

Any socks from Icebreaker are good.

Shoes

Merrell Chamelon II XCR – Breathable,waterproof, ultralight,superstrong and one of the toughest shoes for their size. Contoured heel and oversize toe bumper. Protect your feet. Good multipurpose shoe for hiking/dancing/romancing and occasional riding.

Flip Flops

The cheapest crappiest flip flops you got will do just fine.

Extras

A few other items needing consideration are a good set of boardies or budgie smugglers, and some pants to roll around the fire and pick up ladies with. Preferably pants that can convert to shorts. The more multifunctional your gear the less you need and the less weight you have. Clothing takes up more space that any other item. So pack with necessity in mind. Only take what you need. No-one really cares what you smell like anyway.

Helmet

Arai HD (Tour X-2)

Darth Vadar would be jealous of this helmet. Amazing all in one system. Extremely comfortable with the benefits/safety features of a full face and the shadow of a motorcross helmet. Great for a long ride into the sunshine on a freezing day. Improves control of bike as you can finally leave both hands on the bars instead of using one to protect your eyes from the sun. Removable peak and lining. Its bloody light, enabling you to snap your head like a peacock in time to catch a crazy Venezuelan truck driver from ramming you down a nearby cliff.

Jacket

Alpinestars Adventure -A superfunctional jacket with everything you need to feel like a real adventure rider with removable sleeves. I wear it every day.

Pants

Alpinestars TechStar – Great adjustability on the waist. Very breathable and extraordinarily durable (Sew in a fake pocket for important documents and spare cash.

Padded Pants

Alpinestars comp-pro shorts – Care for your core. With these little fellas you can fling yourself down a cliff face and still prance around the campfire to the delight of any lady in sight.

Armour

Bionic protection jacket -Every time I go for a ride I wear this thing. Or bullriding, or canyoning or downhill mountainbike riding, or in the bedroom. Makes me feel tough.

Boots – waterproof

Alpinestar Tech10 -The best protection you can get for your feet and ankles on the planet. Enough said.

Motorcross Gloves

Alpinestars Neomoto gloves – Nice lightweight gloves – almost feels like you are not wearing anything.

Midweight Gloves

Alpinestars Octane Hard Knuckle -Very good knuckle protection. Plus, if you wanted to punch someone in the face they would also work really well, and you wouldn’t feel a thing.

Goggles

Oakley crowbars -Very comfortable and breathable googles. Very easy to change the lensKnee braces.

Pod Racing

Pod Racing -Extraordinary protection for a remarkable price. Australian designed braces that are taking on the world.

Sunglasses

Oakley. I never liked Oakley as a kid. But these days, they have an unlimited range of quality specs. I highly recommend the Art Chantry. Smooooth.

Waterproof outfit

Alpinestars waterproof gear. Put them on just as the rain starts, not just as the rain stops and it’ll work much better. It took me years to learn that.

Bluetooth communication devices

Midland Bluetooth (BT). A wireless rider-pillion link that also supports the addition of other Bluetooth enabled devices. It allows you to enjoy full duplex (VOX) communications between rider and pillion & also lets you pair the headsets with other devices such as mobile phones & GPS products so that both rider and pillion can make use of these devices whilst riding. The best you can get in Australia come from EMSUSA.