When it comes to adventure and dual-sport riding, you should borrow the motto of the Boy Scouts, and “Be Prepared.” That means outfitting yourself with riding gear that can handle anything Mother Nature might throw at you on a long or even short off-road adventure. Having grown up in the Pacific Northwest, I’m accustomed to packing layers before I leave the house.
I start with a T-shirt, then some kind of mid-layer (usually a hooded sweatshirt), a puffy jacket, a rain shell, hat, and often a set of thermal underwear (long johns) and thick socks for an unexpected cold front. That same theorem can be applied when packing for a motorcycle adventure. But it’s also a lot of stuff to carry in your saddlebags. Solution? Technology!
Alpinestars has been in the riding gear game for a long time now, offering colorful motocross “kits” and the best off-road boots on the market, in my humble opinion. A few years back they introduced an enduro-focused line of products they called “Pro-Dura.” It was no-nonsense stuff meant for long, technical rides in tough terrain, and came in a handful of not-so-busy colorways – black, blue, red and white, mostly. It’s great stuff, and perfect for someone who’s looking to stretch the legs of their plated dirt bike, like the KTM 350 EX-C F or Beta 500RR-S.
