Motorcycle Explorer November 2016 Issue 14 | Page 30

In Focus: paul pitchfork
Other Clothing
Insulating Jacket - Outdoor Research
Transcendent Down Sweater .
If space is a premium, down is the way to go. It
packs very small and has the best warmth to weight
ratio. A lightweight down jacket is incredibly
versatile, both on or off the bike. OR’s Transcendent
Sweater (it has full-length zip so don’t be confused
by the name) is ideal for biking with its slim fit, low
bulk and importantly, no hood to flap behind your
head. Down is vulnerable in the wet, but the outer
ripstop shell is water resistant and past the splash
test several times during the trip. Micro fleece
linings in the pockets and collar are a nice touch, and
the large ‘stash pockets’ inside the jacket are ideal
storing things as you go about business around
camp, or warming up your moto gloves in the
morning. Multiple colours are available. Overall, a
quality piece of clothing, which is very affordable
compared to alternatives from some of the specialist
down brands. Highly recommended.
Trousers. Craghoppers Kiwi Pro Stretch
Trousers (Men) and Traverse Trousers
(Women).
If you want to go lightweight, you need one pair of
trousers that do it all - trekking, kicking around a
hostel, hanging out in town or even going to dinner
with new friends… a tall order. Carrying even one
extra pair of jeans steals valuable space. I took a
pair of Craghopper Traverse trousers around South
America, so that’s what we opted for again; well, Pau
did, and I tried a pair of stretch trousers for the first
time. The thing I like about Craghoppers trousers
are they are fairly technical but you don’t look like a
mountain goat wearing them; zips and thigh pockets
are discrete, colour are neutral and the cut is smart.
The Kiwi Pros are quite slim in the leg, so the stretch
material makes a big difference. They are an
excellent price for what you get - I can’t see why you
would need to pay more for a do-it-all pair of
trousers.
EDZ Innershell Jacket .
Everyone should have one of these Pertex wind
shirts in the pocket of their riding jacket. They pack
down tiny and make a big difference when the
temperatures drop. Even a decent jacket can leak a
little air when riding at high speeds, and when the air
is cold this can create a chill. The EDZ Innershell
notably helps under such circumstances.
Furthermore, even if its wind-stopping properties are
not required it provides another layer, trapping more
warm air between it and adjacent garments, but at
virtually no extra cost in weight or bulk. Highly
recommended.