Whether riding on or off pavement, wearing proper safety gear is crucial while on two wheels. Two pieces of gear that have become mainstays of my adventure riding travels include the tried and true, American-made Darien jacket from Aerostich and the latest in helmet technology, the Krios Pro ECE, from Klim.
Aerostich has been designing and manufacturing some of the highest quality motorcycle gear in the world for nearly 35 years and the Darien jacket has become a benchmark for adventure riders. The shell is made from a tough, abrasion-resistant Mil-spec 500 Denier Cordura® GORE-TEX® waterproof fabric with removable elbow and shoulder armor, reflective materials placed strategically on the arms and back, and many other details that make it an exceptionally functional and comfortable piece of gear. The underarm vent zippers work nicely, though I’d like to see venting incorporated into the back of jacket, for riding during the summer. A magnetic collar clasp keeps the neck area covered on cool days and is removable to allow air to channel through the neck area for ventilation in warm conditions. Overall, it’s a wonderfully built jacket and can be custom tailored to fit your exact dimensions.
Pricing starts at $597. www.aerostich.com
Klim’s Krios Pro ECE helmet is my go-to helmet for adventure riding, with its lightweight yet strong carbon fiber construction. The Krios Pro ECE is also the first adv-specific helmet in North America to incorporate what’s called Koroyd® technology, which is a state-of-the-art, aerospace-engineered material on the helmet's interior with high compressive strength yet very low density designed to provide unparalleled protection to the skull. This technology is also available as body armor within motorcycle jackets. The helmet itself is comfortable regardless of the season, with an aerodynamic fitment and strategically placed venting system incorporated into its well thought-out design. As an aside, I know a local motorcyclist who had a serious accident on the interstate earlier this spring. He was wearing this same helmet when he crashed, and the" after" photos of his helmet demonstrated it undoubtedly played a key role in saving his life.
Pricing starts at $699. www.klim.com
