The Ultimate Test for My Motorcycle Gear | 12,000 Miles in 51 Days

[@hrmacdonald4471]

Really enjoyed these past few video's on your latest trip...Thanks for posting!

[@reinmansmith]

After 50yrs of riding I think I’ve finally reached a stage where I’ve perfected my riding gear but new stuff does keep coming along! It’s not until you do a trip like this though that you really find out about the effectiveness or flaws of your gear… For me a merino base layer with my heated jacket for temps below 15degs centigrade then my Klim Marrakesh jacket and then a Scott waterproof jacket over the top if it rains. With this layering system I can adjust according to the weather as in hot weather the Marrakesh jacket flows air through every panel and in clod weather the heated jacket keeps me warm down into sub zero temps. My lower half is taken care of by Stadler Allpro pants and although they have goretex in real heaven prolonged rain I also wear Scott waterproof trousers over them as they have a much higher waist that protects from ‘seepage’ around the midriff 👍

[@gregduncan1001]

The airostich R3 light one piece is like getting in the cab of my truck!

[@oscartamez5209]

Thanks for the review Craig. I was looking forward to it. I bought a Darien jacket and pants from Aerostich after your initial video of the jacket and I simply LOVE Aerostich products. I ride in the Houston area with high temperatures and high humidity and have been able to use them w/o a problem. I am looking for gloves and an inner layer in prep for the colder months and you just confirmed my research so I know what I need to do next. Thanks!

[@staudio]

Always find post ride gear/bike debriefs informative.

[@christophepoteaux3932]

Got the three-fingers gloves and the waterproof shirt several years ago. Absolutely full proof. Some of the best gears I've purchased, beside my Darien Light suit. Great debrief

[@smudgemo]

HippoHands will give you a lot of temperature/glove flexibility and bug protection. I never start trips w/o at least packing them. Before spending, I made a set from mylar bubble-wrap and Gorilla tape just to see if they work, and by golly, they do. I like that they don't require batteries and can't stop working like heated gloves.

[@smudgemo]

I should have also noted rain protection for the HHs is a big deal. I ordered a pair of AD-1 pants that should be here in a week or so. I'm interested in comparing them to Klim riding jeans that I normally wear.

[@chrisjackson3144]

I have the Givi version of hippo hands and as you say they are a game changer. With heated grips too they are amazing. I can wear thinner summer gloves all year round and still be toasty warm. They slip straight on over the hand guards too.

[@That_Paul_Guy]

I have some gauntlet deer skin gloves from my HD riding days and they are hands down the most comfortable gloves I own. Enjoyed your review of the gear!

[@robertclark9]

That “road grit” I have found to be the most stubborn thing to remove. It’s like a mix of rubber, brake asbestos, pulverized asphalt, and a few other ingredients that’s just too much information 😂 It sticks like cement! You did a better job than I did getting it off. I use a North Face jacket very similar to your Patagonia. They’re light as a feather, but super warm. Great in those mountain passes.

[@gregga6140]

That was quite the Aerostich commercial

[@craigschroeder1733]

Thanks for the review Craig. I just bought the Lobster Claw couple weeks ago at their store. Plus waiting for my AD pants to be made yet. I ride with the Klim Carlsbad jacket now plus like I said waiting for the Aerostich pants. Safe riding.

[@jesusacovarrubias1390]

Nice presentation of your equipment, thank you. I’m always looking to make sure that I have the latest and greatest at a decent price point.

[@MrGus4440]

They really need to add a mesh lining in the jacket because you will wear holes in the gortex membrane. I have sent my Darien light back in for repair and it needs to be repaired again. I have a Darien regular jacket too. It has the same wear problem too but I have never sent it in for repair. I visited the factory about 15 years ago and suggested adding a mesh liner to protect the gortex. I have a lot of miles on my Darien’s but I use a mesh jacket more living in the south. I wear a leather jacket in our short winters. I have also used their elk skin Ropers for about 20 years.

[@chrisholton6309]

Aerostich “lobster claw”rain mits, have served me well for years. I have several pieces of kit from them and all are quality goods!

[@toddv9210]

I've been very happy with my Held gloves. They have kept my hands dry and the make gauntlet gloves that actually will go over your sleeves. They are also the most comfortable gloves I've ever owned

[@NedRochford]

Thank you Craig! I have all my gear for all situations except gloves! I too, regardless of what I wore, ended up with wet and soggy .... failure. I will look into the 3 digit 'lobster claw,' but maybe in black! Excellent review. Ned in SC

[@billstapleton8833]

Just recently started watching your videos,just wondering why u don't use a mesh jacket on the hot days.Maybe I'm missing out on something,I have been wearing mesh jackets for years touring America,having the shoulder and elbow pads ,and the thin foam n the back of jacket.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

On this trip I rode in temps from the upper 30s to over 100. I need something the works in all those conditions plus in the rain. For me mesh is only good on dry days between 75 and 90 degrees. Over that and the hot air just makes you hotter. I prefer to keep the heat off me and just let in enough air to promote evaporation of sweat. I have done videos on the topic if you want to check them out.

[@JimmyHamAnp]

as always, great job!

[@pg214]

Could the klim gloves be getting water infiltrating in from the top of the cuff ?

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

I don't think so. The cuff is closed pretty tight and my arms are not getting wet. This is just soaking through the fabric. I can try treating them with Nikewax, but these are new gloves, the repellent should not need to be redone so soon.

[@pg214]

Submerge them in water propped to keep cuffs high and dry to confirm if the glove’s themselves are leaking.

[@cyclenut9992]

Great review, much appreciated! Did you have grip heaters?

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Yes I did

[@narwhal7642]

What pants are you wearing? I want a sale Aerostitch R3 but willing to get jacket and pants if that’s what’s available.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

On my last trip ii was wearing Klim Bandlands Pro, but I have a pair of Aerostich AD1 on order.

[@DJPTEXAS]

I don"t know if your bike will fit them but " Hippo Hands " are incredible in cold or wet weather and allows you to wear a lighter glove ....

[@mikeb3536]

Best wearable gear review I've ever seen! I'm amazed that you didn't use any electric heated gear. Does your bike have a heated seat or grips?

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

I used the gear a few times, but it was raining so much I was not comfortable being plugged in, and the layers I talked about did great. I do have heated grips and seat.

[@useasy001]

What boots did you wear?

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

An older pair of TCC X-Desert adventure boots. They don't make them anymore.

[@georgenauss2670]

Liking the AeroStich gear. Wish it was available in Canada. But better to buy American. Just wish shipping, duty and are exchanged rate was better, but that’s the way it is. Great video and information! Thanks!😊

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Duluth would be a nice trip?

[@4940markhutchins]

You have a way of explaining your experiences with things you review that is just second to none. Thanks! How is the Dairen's abrasion and impact resistance? They don't use the Euro CE rating system. My tolerance for heat went way down since I got heat exhaustion riding in Harley stuff all day in 109F. Now I cant tolerate laminated or textile jackets above 80, so I ride in a Klim Marrakesh or Klim Induction Pro, depending on the temp, and layer up as needed. Both are packable (no bulky back pads because I wear an airbag vest) and supremely nice to wear on long tips, but neither are waterproof, so I squinted my eyes, mortgaged my house and bought a bright yellow Klim Forecast overshell. It works great and doubles as a windbreaker, but if I knew about the Aerostich version you showed, I would have gone with that, or a Scott. You sold me on the deerskin gloves! How low of a temp can you wear them comfortably? Ken Phenix in Colorado stiches heating elements inside your gloves with connectors to your Gerbing. I also bought the lobster claws last month, but I haven't used them yet.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thanks! It is true that the TF armor does not meet CE standards. According to Aerostich this is because of shape requirements not impact ratings. For me, I have become less convinced that armor does anything above minor impacts. I know from personal experience that should pads do not prevent breaks or muscular damage. Airbags may be a different story. I tried one on the other day and was surprised at the weight. It was an Alpine Stars. I was able to wear the Deerskin gloves into the 50s with the heated grips on.

[@4940markhutchins]

@@LivingOffTheSlab I tried the A stars vest on too at a Cycle Gear and it didn’t feel good to wear at all, and it seemed that it would get pretty hot under the jacket. I went with a Klim Rally vest. Once I zip it up, I don’t feel the weight, and the material is breathable and stretchy. On the heat, I do the same thing you do- wet the sleeves, or even soak my LD Comfort. I then go back to the Marrakesh because of its more restrictive air flow.

[@painsrides]

I'm all for keeping covered when riding, but the only way I can tolerate riding in high heat conditions is in mesh gear. Currently I'm using a Beyond Riders mesh shirt, its one of the best prices of protective gear I've used.

[@osimnod]

Excellent debrief on your riding gear. I agree with the layering approach - with a merino wool base layer (including boxer briefs or long johns) for warmth when cool and wicking persperation when warm/hot, then a thermal layer (if cool/cold) then whatever the climate demands (wind proof liner, jacket w/ protection, etc). Aerostich set the standard with hi-viz before it became popular. The company is renowned for it's customer service -- did you intend the "seamless fixing of your unraveling seams"? LOL On the ropers, would you wear a glove liner to add warmth along with the 3 digit waterproof overgloves? Thanks, again, for the review.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

No, the pun was unintended, but I thought I would just leave it in. I am not sure I could get a glove liner in the ropers, but I could wear a heavier glove or even a heated one since the covers would keep them dry.

[@osimnod]

@@LivingOffTheSlab I was lucky to pick up a pair of unused 3-digit overgloves a couple years ago but haven't had to use them yet (California, you know). Also, I think you meant the Gore-tex "patent" expired, not "patient"?

[@simonlewis9927]

Very useful review. Really appreciated. As an older rider too, in short, safety perhaps even a bit extra concern than when younger? I noticed that you almost got wacked by a car on the v early part of your trip at an intersection? If paying a large part of a $1000 for a jacket, what safety features does jacket have as a first concern? Any comments?

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

I almost had someone try to take a turn in front of me, luckily he saw me and I was ready to take evasive action. The jack has standard elbow and shoulder pads, with a back pad that can be purchased separately. We do need to be honest though that these kind of pads do little in the event of a major impact, like with a car. All jackets are designed more for limiting road rash and protection from the elements. For crash protection you are better off with an air bag, but we really don't have the data to know for sure how much good they do either.

[@simonlewis9927]

I heard your frustration at that driver. You were kind of kind! I am not sure that I recall (or I missed) any other bit fuller incident on your trip, but maybe you not share all? My miles done compared to you very much smaller. But my sense also is that if a major collision, body armor not going to help you too much. However, a couple of the dents in my legs, even when I drove defensively, from relatively lower speed prangs (true often in more urban driving) where I could brake, but not fully enough. I think now if I had abrasion resistant gear would have really helped. Sooner or later, as defensively as one might try to drive, someone opens a car door or not fully awake at an intersection ... Thanks for being you!

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

@@simonlewis9927 Thanks! There was one other incident that shook me a bit, you will see that in part 8. Other than those, there was nothing close. Pretty good for more than 12,000 miles.

[@MotoPavilion]

I went to Alaska this summer. I had Aerostich jacket, pant and over gloves. Jacket and pants were ok and kept me dry the whole time but over gloves are not good at all. They were ok on drizzle but on real rain were really bad. After two hours on the rain, my gloves werer soaked wet. The real bad thing happened last week when I went for a ride. I rode 3 hours on heavy rain. This time I got really wet. My t-shirt was absolutly wet, pockets got a lot of moisture. Pants started leaking on out site and inside stitches and my crouch wes really wet. I sent them pictures and detailed info and waiting what they are going to say.

[@WJRobbins125]

I have yet to find anything that will withstand a downpour or extended rainfall for several hours. Also one thing I've read about the insert-tex is that while they do "breathe" they can't keep water out and release it at the same time.

[@pinkiewerewolf]

The Klim Badlands Pro jacket and pants have kept me completely dry through five years of Coastal Northern California riding. While I love my AreoStitch one-piece Roadcrafter for convenience, my crotch and abdomen are always soaked when I ride in the rain. If you want dry hands the lobster covers do a pretty good job but Hippo Hands are the best thing I’ve found to keep my hands dry.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Yep, as I mentioned in the video, if it rains hard enough and long enough, water will find a way to get in somewhere. These membranes do breathe and keep water out, but like every they have their limits. It is also essential to maintain that repellent coating.

[@erivanjr]

Awesome videos. What about your boots?

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

My boots are the same ones I went with in 2017 and they don't make them anymore. TCX X-Desert with GoreTex.

[@ByronRutland-g4n]

I really enjoy your content and your easy going way of delivery. One question I have concerning the difference between your jackets is the lack of an interior lining in the Aerostich. My two previous jackets have a lining. I would think the lack of a lining would be uncomfortable due to rubbing on the rougher surface inside. It is the one reason I am hesitant to purchase the Aerostich. What insight can you give me on the comparison of the two?

[@ByronRutland-g4n]

I asked this question just before you explained about the lack of a lining and your feelings. Guess I should watch the whole video before asking questions. My bad. Thanks for this, and all you do for our sport.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

No problem. So far the lack of lining has not been an issue as far as comfort goes. I actually feel the pads and edges of the Velcro more in my Klim jacket and pants.

[@46MOOKS]

Which model Shoei have you got sir?

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

In the video it is an RF1200, but it has done its last tour. I dropped it on this trip and crack the foam. It is five years old. I have upgraded to an RF1400. I don't have any miles on it at this point, so can't give any real wold feedback.

[@dimitriskamitsos9594]

I would rather use a rainsuit that keeps my jacket dry and light and on the same time keeps cold out and allows to wear lighter ,more comfortable thermal layer inside .

[@markjacobs3956]

I have been using Arrow Stitch products since the late 80s. There is no such thing as a completely waterproof glove. Buy a box of Lunch Lady Gloves. Just a few bucks for 250 pair. Put them INSIDE your gloves. They keep you warm and dry. Toss away when done. A dozen pair take up zero room. Your welcome.

[@samlsecond8200]

Love your channel, but after watching this video with so much praise for Aerostich I think you “owe” your viewers more transparency on your relationship with Aerostich. You stated Andy Goldfine gave you some of those items for free. Are you getting paid for that video? (If we have to ask, then maybe you should just tell us the arrangements up front, rather than leave us wondering). Keep up the good work

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thank you for following the channel and of course I am glad you enjoy my content. I have never been anything but honest with my viewers and I have never been paid to do a video. Manufactures send me product to review and I give my honest, but fair (at least I try) feedback. On occasion, I get a small commission on sales, but that is it. For Aerostich, I purchased the Darien Jacket myself as I said. Andy gave me the gear when I visited the showroom in Duluth. I actually told him that he did not have to do that, but he insisted. Andy is a really nice guy. This is the gear I wore on the trip, and it worked great. I can't talk about stuff I didn't use. I did reach out to Aerostich and ask if they wanted to offer a discount to my viewers. What you see in the video is what they decided upon. I get no kick back from the sales. Sorry to disappoint, but what I said in the video is all there is as far as my association with Aerostich goes.

[@paullee6663]

@@LivingOffTheSlab I for one thought you were 100% clear and transparent throughout the video (as always) That thought never even crossed my mind. You highlighted the problems you had with the stitching on the sleeve and the pocket, and the issues with the front 'chest' zip. I bought some 100% Weitz Hipora gloves that were soaked through for 2 days 🤣 The velcro on the chest zip of the Klim jacket is completely inadequate, especially at that price point in my opinion.

[@northerniltree]

Really good gear would have got you 51,000 miles in 12 days.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Go for it...

[@markg7834]

Drop the beard, bro

[@cfrias99]

$800 for a rain jacket is outrageous

[@gregduncan1001]

Ya get what you pay for when we are on the bike it's got to work.

[@KeithRowell-l7j]

Bass pro has rain suits for fishing. Its good for a 100 mile an hour winds