What is Thermal Underwear?

Thermal underwear provides comfort, is the first layer of clothing, and is designed to be our “second skin”. It helps maintain a constant body temperature during sports and other physical activities, and thanks to the use of innovative material technologies, it provides adequate ventilation and moisture wicking, as well as thermal insulation. Therefore, it is especially recommended for winter sports, hiking, running, or motorcycle riders.

Why should you wear thermal underwear?

You may not immediately think about the right clothing when you start doing sports. At first, you want to see if you’ll get into it at all. Over time, however, you start to consider whether it would be worth investing in the right outfit. So here are the main advantages of thermal underwear:

• Comfort: This type of underwear is usually made of stretchy and soft materials, allowing you to move freely. In addition, thanks to moisture-wicking properties, you won’t sweat or feel uncomfortable while doing activities.
• Moisture wicking: Unlike other materials, such as cotton, which absorbs moisture, thermal clothing transports it outward.
• Adequate thermal insulation: When it’s cold outside, the temperature your body feels can be several degrees cooler than the ambient temperature. Thermoactive clothing keeps your body temperature at an optimal level.

Thermo-active clothes also work well as sleeping clothes in a tent. Unlike cotton, they do not absorb heat just to lose it.

Types of thermal clothing

It is important to choose products according to the conditions and activities we intend to practice. This will allow us to enjoy thermal comfort and freedom of movement. Thermal underwear comes in several variants. So let’s see what we can choose from.

Shirts and pants

T-shirts, shirts, sweatshirts, and pants are usually made of stretchy materials that adhere perfectly to the body. As a result, these garments provide adequate insulation and wick moisture outward from the skin.

Depending on the model, the clothes may have various additional features, such as reflective elements, pockets or a raised collar, ventilation systems, or elastic straps. It is worth noting that the seams should be in places that are not exposed to abrasion.

The same is true of thermoactive pants – another item of clothing worth having in your closet.

Accessories

Accessories such as gloves, balaclavas, chimneys, bras, briefs, or socks are another item to look at when buying. These accessories may have special reinforcements in areas prone to abrasion and irritation.

Jackets

Jackets are ideal for wearing in colder weather. They are designed to protect you from the cold and from the wind at the same time. They are often made of windproof and breathable material, with additional insulation. They can also have hoods, adjustable cuffs, or numerous pockets.

How to choose the right thermo clothing?

Choosing the right clothes and accessories can be difficult, especially for people who are new to sports, hiking, or motorcycling. Here are some tips to help you decide what underwear is right for you:

Size

It is extremely important to choose the right size. A size that is too small can restrict movement and affect comfort, while a size that is too large will not be able to provide adequate insulation. Garments that are too loose by not adhering to the skin will not work properly. Thermoactive underwear must fit tightly against the skin.

Before buying, it is worth measuring yourself carefully and comparing the measurements with the manufacturer’s size chart. It is also worth remembering that, like any other garment, thermo underwear has different cuts – for women and men. Choosing the right cut makes the garment better suited to the figure.

Material

The material from which a garment is made is very important for its functionality. The best materials are those that effectively insulate heat and provide moisture wicking. The most commonly used materials are merino wool, polyester, nylon, and elastane. Outlast® material, due to the high level of complexity of production and also a number of quality requirements, is used only by top brands that have managed to establish partnerships. Importantly, the right material should dry quickly. This not only affects our comfort but also comes in handy when we need to quickly wash clothes while on the road. Here, again, Outlast® technology wins.

Price

The price of the products can vary quite a bit and depends on a number of factors, such as the material, the quality of construction, or the manufacturer’s brand. Before buying, it is advisable to think carefully about your needs and choose a product that will best meet our requirements, while at a reasonable price.

Most often, in this case, price goes hand in hand with quality. Cheap productions from Asia do not pass quality control, materials get ripped, and do not perform their functions. Personally, whenever we have the opportunity, we choose native products. The company Redline®, which produces thermoactive clothing, has proven itself to us particularly well in various conditions. This has led to the establishment of a partnership so that now you can buy thermoactive clothing straight from the Polish sewing plant Redline® on the AdvAnywhere website.

Short or long sleeve? Leggings in the summer?

Often people new to sports or motorcycling are surprised how one can go in the summer in long sleeves, or even how one can wear additional pants under motorcycle clothes?!

It is best to see for yourself that thermal clothing works. In a nutshell: thermal clothing is designed to promote the regulation of heat and moisture transfer.

The difference between thermoactive and thermal clothing

You may notice that many people use the terms “thermoactive” and “thermal” interchangeably. However, they are not synonymous.

So what is the difference between thermoactive underwear and thermal underwear?

Thermoactive clothing is a more technologically advanced and more efficient option compared to thermal clothing. It not only regulates temperature but also helps keep the skin dry. So it is perfect for sports in all conditions, especially in warmer weather. Thermal underwear, on the other hand, acts like wrapping yourself in a wool blanket. This means that it effectively protects against heat loss on cold days and is ideal for cold temperatures.

For a broader description of thermal clothing, see Thermoactive Clothing Revolution.

Motorcycle thermoactive underwear

Maintaining the right body temperature while riding a motorcycle is quite a challenge. Sometimes you can be raging off-road one minute and speeding upwind on the highway the next. Motorcycle thermal clothing helps to improve the comfort of motorcycle riding regardless of the prevailing weather and road conditions.

Thermoactive underwear for motorcyclists, including pants and short and long-sleeve shirts, have thermoregulatory properties and wick sweat away from the fabric. Thus, they help maintain proper body temperature during hot weather.

At AdvAnywhere, we ride motorcycles and play a variety of sports, so we know the importance of proper attire. For this reason, we decided to introduce products that we use ourselves to our online store. In our assortment, we have thermo clothing made of Outlast®, created in cooperation with Redline®. You’ll find here long-sleeve shirts, leggings, and balaclavas. We believe that this quality will be appreciated by every riding enthusiast.

For more technical information about thermal clothing and technologies, visit this page:

Check out the range of motorcycle underwear at the AdvAnywhere store:

Post Thermoactive clothing – Why Is It Worth the Money? pojawił się na AdvAnywhere.

First of All, Safety

With lower boots, I happened to run my tibia over the footrest, which was not the most pleasant experience. The Eleveit X-Legend are hard and high, protecting a large part of the leg. For full protection, all you still need is a knee brace. Personally, I use a Leatt C-frame, the lower part of which goes into the boot, becoming a sort of its extension.

The Controlled Forward Flexion and Controlled Lateral Flexion systems protect the ankle from twisting and limit the boot bending. X-Legend boots block excessive forward and backward flexion of the ankle even when high forces are applied, for example during jumps.

Ultra-Low Weight

The X-Legend is one of the lightest enduro boots. Each weighs about 1,700g, which is on average 500g lighter than other choices from top-of-the-range brands.

For me, this is a huge advantage, because long trails and all-day off-road fun can be tiring as hell, and every gram makes a difference.

Low weight also means greater mobility. When riding a heavy motorcycle off-road (not on the track), you often use the boots off the motorcycle. Here, too, the low weight is important.

Comfort

These are not walking boots, and you can feel that from the first moment, but that’s not what they were designed for either. The comfort of these boots has to be judged when sitting on a motorcycle and riding off-road. And in such conditions, you may forget that you have Eleveit X-Legend boots on your feet.

Riding standing or sitting, I didn’t experience any discomfort, pressure, or excessive fatigue of the foot. Shifting gears or feeling the brake pedal is no trouble. Of course, riding every day in softer boots, it takes a while to get used to harder ones and be able to feel the gear lever well. The enduro boot is hard and higher than the touring boots.

The lining, which is made from breathable 3D mesh, is very nice and comfortable. Breathability means the feet don’t get hot and sweaty. Of course, until you over-exert yourself while riding.

Waterproof

The X-Legend enduro boots are made of artificial leather and plastics on the outside. The front panel, which unzips so you can put the shoe on, is connected by a thin and lightweight material with a water-repellent coating. Comfortable and breathable multilayer lining that includes a membrane that acts as a durable barrier to water.

The whole shoe effectively protects the foot from rain, mud, and short walks through puddles to check their depth. Note, however, that not the entire shoe is waterproof. Entering water the depth of the shoe height may end up in a wet foot.

Smart Closure System

The aluminum buckles are created in such a way that even if one of the zippers unzips unintentionally, it will be locked with an additional closure and stay in place, allowing the shoe to be quickly buckled up again. In other words, the buckle strap does not fly unhooked from the shoe. Personally, I haven’t had a situation where the buckle detached itself by snagging on something, but I guess that some riders may have experienced such situations with other boots.

The boots are equipped with micrometric adjustable straps which hook ends are placed into the lever and firmly connected to the steel crossbar. This secures the boot and ensures a safer fastening.

Summary

I definitely take Eleveit X-Legend boots with me for off-road riding, even for several days. Mainly for safety reasons. In addition, high boots like these work well with a knee brace and, together, provide solid protection. When riding a heavy motorcycle off-road, it’s even more important that the boot be as light as possible.

For long-distance trips focused on on- and light off-road riding, sightseeing, photography, and camping, I choose ADV-type boots, such as REV’IT! Discovery GTX.

Post Eleveit X-Legend – Review pojawił się na AdvAnywhere.

In this review, I’ll focus on a few details that you appreciate while traveling, improvements over the previous version, and I’ll give an overall personal opinion. For all technical information, visit the REV’IT! website.

Motorcycle Travel Jacket for All Conditions

The Sand 4 is meant to be a versatile solution for long-distance travel, but it’s also a great choice for shorter trips. Designing a jacket and pants that can handle multiple days of riding is quite a challenge. For me, the Sand 3 was the perfect jacket, but let’s take a look at what exactly has been changed and improved in the Sand 4 H2O.

Comfort Not Only on a Motorcycle

The cut and workmanship of the Sand 4 H2O jacket and pants are excellent. Both when riding and sightseeing, the set fits perfectly and does not pinch. It does not hang like a sack, which is often the case with other manufacturers. You can see that the design has been well-developed.

The Sand 4 H2O motorcycle set provides thermal comfort in a variety of conditions. Numerous vents, drawstrings, and straps allow you to adjust the jacket to any climate. In my case, it worked well in the heat of Turkey as well as at the cold Alpine mountain tops.

Sewn-in straps on the front, shoulders, and on back give you plenty of options for attaching additional items to the jacket. Personally, I always have a pouch with me. It serves as a pocket for my camera, filters, or other small photographic accessories that I always need to have on hand. The accessories can be clipped so that they do not interfere with the backpack at all. I use the Kriega Trail 9 which goes super well with the REV’IT! Sand 4 jacket.

The Sand 4 H2O pants are comfortable and breathable when you open the two large ventilation panels. An additional clip bends the panels to create support and prevent them from closing.

It’s also worth mentioning that the front of the pants at the waist does not bend inward. I experienced it in various other pants and it caused great discomfort. Here, the cut is really good.

Well-Ventilated Motorcycle Jacket

When is it too warm when riding a motorcycle? Well, there are two reasons. The first is simply the hot temperature outside; for example, the series of hot days in Turkey that I experienced. The second reason is overheating due to exertion while riding off-road. In both cases, it’s extremely important that we have good thermal regulation. Otherwise, we’ll experience fatigue, and this will affect our comfort and safety.

We can only get good thermo performance by combining thermo underwear with a well-ventilated jacket. Some people look surprised when they see I ride in a long-sleeve shirt on hot days, but this thermo jersey ensures that sweat is evenly released and quickly cooled by the air coming in through the openings in the jacket and pants.

Like its predecessor, the Sand 4 H2O jacket has panels at the front on the chest, through which cool air enters, and two at the back, through which excess heat escapes freely.

The sleeves have large, solid zippers and can be unzipped all the way down. There’s a drawstring in the middle and the upper part is lined with mesh so that when fully unzipped, the sleeves still look good.

New in the REV’IT! Sand 4 H2O is an additional micro mesh zipper that sits just below the main zipper. It’s one of my favorite improvements to this jacket – no more unbuttoned neckline. The mesh zipper can be zipped all the way up to the neck while keeping an extra, relatively large, space for airflow. The jacket then perfectly fits the body. Kudos to the designers for this solution. When the main zipper is fastened by at least a few centimeters, if necessary, we can easily fasten it all the way to the neck while riding and we don’t need both hands for this. All zippers in this jacket can easily be fastened and unfastened very conveniently with only one hand.

The ventilation panels in the jacket are quite large, and when unzipped, you can easily hook it to a clip. Simple and reliable.

Also, a very cool addition to the Sand 4 pants is a clip inside the ventilation pocket, which keeps the pocket closed and allows cooling air to flow in through the large opening.

Fits You Perfectly – Adjustable with Straps

The protectors’ pockets are adjustable in both the pants and jacket. This allows you to adjust the protector to fit perfectly. A small but important feature that not all manufacturers keep in mind. Poorly fitted protectors or no possibility to adjust them, can make the protectors pinch and cause discomfort during long rides.

At the bottom, inside, there’s an additional drawstring to limit airflow on cold days. The adjustable straps on the forearm and shoulder will also allow you to adjust the jacket to your body and reduce or increase the flow of air coming in through the sleeves. There are also adjustable straps on the sides to adjust the waist.

The pants at the waist are adjustable with drawstrings, which do not loosen even after prolonged time and various gymnastics moves.

Pockets in Motorcycle Jacket and Pants

The Sand 4 H2O jacket has re-designed pockets, and it’s a change that I’ve been waiting for. The pockets are now zipped, not fastened with hook-and-loop on the top. No need to check if something was lost while going crazy off-road.

Gone, unfortunately, are the extra side pockets that were great in the Sand 3 version. These pockets were very convenient for keeping your hands inside and protecting them from cold. I don’t know why they were abandoned in Sand 4, but I hope REV’IT! will bring them back in the next version.

The inside pockets, although seemingly shallow, can be “enlarged”. They are equipped with hook-and-loop fastening, so just unfasten them and enjoy more capacity. The pockets hold items well; one pocket is zippered.

The large pocket on the back of the jacket is my favorite storage compartment for cables, adapters, gloves, and helmet wiping cloth. I put everything in there that I often reach for. The pocket is waterproof and fastened with a large hook-and-loop and two clips.

Pants pockets can also fit a lot. In addition, they’re equipped with a zipper. I’ve never lost anything that I had in them, but anyway being able to fasten them gives me peace of mind.

Liners: Waterproof and Insulating

The waterproof liner in the REV’IT! Sand 4 jacket utilizes hydratex®|Lite technology. It’s very comfortable, pleasant to the touch, and it looks very cool, so you can roam around the city in it. The waterproof liner is not fastened to the jacket with a zipper, and this is a great change because fastening it, in my opinion, is not necessary. Of course, the sleeves and collar can be clipped to the jacket when needed.

I use waterproof and insulating pants liners in late autumn and early spring. They keep me comfortable in low temperatures, and unexpected rainfall does not surprise me at all.

Summary: 4-Season Motorcycle Set for Travelers

With its numerous adjustability options, ventilation panels, and liners, the Sand 4 H2O jacket and pants make a reliable and multi-season motorcycle set.

If you’re looking for a simple solution for any trip, I strongly recommend Sand 4 H2O. With this set, you really don’t have to worry about what you will find along the way, you don’t have to check the weather. Just get dressed and go. For me, it’s perfect.

The Sand 4 H2O has a lot of minor improvements over the highly regarded Sand 3, especially in terms of ventilation and comfort. It’ll be really hard to beat the versatility of the Sand 4, so I think that for a few years this set will be by far the best option for motorcycle travelers.

Camo Brown

Finally, a sentence about Camo Brown, which is an unusual color that Sand 4 got. You don’t often see motorcycle clothing with patterns, but I must admit that the camo version looks even better in person than in the photos. It certainly stands out from other, often very similar, patterns. Let me know in the comments what you think of this color. For me, the Camo Brown jacket – together with black pants and brown REV’IT! Discovery GTX boots – looks insane.

Post REV’IT! Sand 4 H2O – Review pojawił się na AdvAnywhere.

If you haven’t read my review of the X.WED2 helmet yet, I encourage you to start with the first post and then the second one about the carbon version:

Even Lighter

The indentations in the shell, lack of a sun visor, and use of carbon allowed to slim down the X.WRL model by another gram. All-day off-road expeditions over many days can be demanding on muscles and tendons, a lightweight helmet really makes a huge difference.

The X-PRO CARBON shell is created from 3k Carbon. This way, the weight of the helmet has decreased by 10% compared to other solutions while maintaining high rigidity and durability. The “new” weight is only 1250g.

Two Visors: Red and Clear

The lack of a sun visor is compensated for by the additional Iridium Red visor you get in the box. I love it because it has an advantage over goggles in one important respect – the range of vision. In my X.WED2 review, I wrote that the advantage of that helmet is the large visor that doesn’t obstruct the view. In X.WRL we don’t even see the edge of the shell. As a result, we can see better what is around us. This is crucial in off-road, but also in urban riding. Not to mention that while traveling we can admire the panorama without taking the helmet off.

How Does a Color Visor Work?

Photographers probably know something about it. Like photographic filters, color visors absorb light in different parts of the spectrum while letting other colors pass through better. The part of the spectrum in a color visor is brighter because more light in that band will pass through the visor.

In a case of a red motorcycle visor, the red light will be let through the glass more easily. The light on the opposite side of the color wheel – blue – will be blocked the most. All shades of blue and green will be darker because less of such light will reach our eye. Therefore, there’s noticeably less fog effect in the distance, contrast is increased and details are enhanced.

An amazing difference in color contrasts can be seen while admiring vegetation. When looking at lush flora through the red visor, compared to looking at it with the naked eye, you can see many more shades of green.

Red visor is ideal for riding on sunny days. It also works well on slightly overcast days. But if you aim for night riding, it’s best to change to a clear glass.

New Peak and Visor Mounting

What could be improved on the X.WED2 are the plastic visor buttons, which reportedly could break or get lost. Personally, I have experienced neither. Anyway, the new mounting method is more comfortable and sturdy.

Simple solutions are the best solutions. Buttons can be placed and removed without a problem. Just use a motorcycle key or a coin.

Replacing the visor or removing the peak (e.g. if you plan to commute all day on the highway) is a matter of seconds.

Even Better Airflow

Riding off-road can be tiring. During the exertion it’s good to take care of airflow. Here, the extra vents, placed just above the eyebrows, will come in handy.

The helmet underside has been stripped of any covers, so a lot of air gets from under the front of the helmet, exactly where it is needed.

The X.WRL motorcycle helmet has a notched shell at the jaw level. The smaller profile of the helmet works better when using a neck stabilizer. Additionally, the helmet lining has been designed with mesh that lets air through well. These minor changes work great for more demanding riding.

If we use goggles then we have a completely airy and light helmet. And speaking of goggles, there’s an additional integrated goggle strap holder on the back of the helmet.

X-Lock System

A nice improvement is a magnetic button on the chin strap. Of course, the fastening here is the only right double D-ring.

Summary

The X.WRL is the X.WED2 redesigned. It’s focused more on off-road riding than touring. It works great on TET or ACT routes and during rallies. That doesn’t mean it won’t perform well for touring though. I myself have so far ridden in this helmet half of Turkey, half of Italy, TET routes in both these countries, and a lot of jaunts.

The lack of a sun visor can be a nuisance at first when you plan to ride both day and night. However, it takes seconds to change the visor, and in return you get something really cool – better vision thanks to the Iridium Red visor.

I will definitely choose the NEXX X.WRL for my next adventures.

Gallery

Post NEXX X.WRL Motorcycle Helmet – Review pojawił się na AdvAnywhere.

Motorcycle adventure is not only about riding in the saddle and REV’IT! knows this very well. The motorcycle boots they designed are also very comfortable once you get off the motorcycle. For me, as a travel photographer, this is very important. I often get off the motorcycle to walk around to photograph the area, climb rocks and trees, and cross streams. Such walks in uncomfortable, constricting boots would be daunting and impossible after a short time. The Discovery GTX boots provide the comfort and flexibility that the adv traveler needs.

Safety – a Well-Felt Balance of Reinforced Parts Combined with Flexibility

Discovery GTX boots are super sturdy – the most vulnerable areas are reinforced. I had no mercy for them while running and jumping over rocks, looking for frames for travel photos.

There’s a thermoformed panel on the shin to absorb impact.

A SEESOFT™ impact energy-reducing layer, which you may find also in the protectors used in the manufacturer’s pants and jackets, has been woven into the boot’s tongue.

The ankle, toe cap, and heel cup have also been padded with a thermoformed protector.

In addition, the side panel has been stiffened and reinforced. The whole structure is solid, but the boot remains relatively flexible in the natural ranges of motion of the foot.

Ventilation

Discovery GTX boots use OrthoLite® insoles that are breathable and distribute moisture well, which, combined with GORE-TEX and 3D Mesh lining, create a well-thermoregulated boot interior. Perfection.

Waterproofing guaranteed by GORE-TEX

GORE-TEX is not only waterproof but also has very good thermoregulation. During lower outdoor temperatures, the temperature inside is effectively insulated.

To put it simply, GORE-TEX is a mesh with eyelets 20,000 times smaller than a water droplet, but 700 times larger than a molecule of vapor molecule. This provides an effective barrier against liquid while allowing the temperature to be regulated.

Comfort

It used to be that before I set up my tent and prepared my camp, the first thing I did was to change my footwear to wreak a sense of relief. I’m sure many of you know what I’m talking about 🙂 Now changing shoes is the last thing on the list when preparing for camp.

BOA® System

Tightening your boots using the BOA® fit system is a pleasure. The boot adjusts perfectly to the shape of your leg. My chicken calves didn’t always fit into other boots and a lot of slack was left – there, I don’t experience it. What’s more, regardless of the sock thickness, every time I wear the boot I’m assured of a perfect fit.

After several thousand kilometers on a motorcycle, the boots loosen up and the lace at the midfoot compressed worse, but it was enough to pull it firmly with the fingers before using the knob and the boot lay perfectly again.

The entire design of the BOA® system is also lighter than other solutions.

Vibram®

As soon as I saw the Vibram® logo on the sole I knew immediately that the pleasure of walking would be first class. Excellent grip, stability, and control are what Vibram® is all about. I had already convinced myself of this by climbing Norwegian peaks in the Furoshiki “shoe-socks” from Vibram®.

The multi-layer sole with different densities brilliantly absorbs vibrations both while riding on asphalt and standing off-road. This is a very big plus for adventure motorcyclists who, like me, don’t use rubber overlays on motorcycle footpegs. It’s also because of this sole construction that walking is comfortable.

OrthoLite®

OrthoLite® is another well-known and reputable company whose excellent insoles are used in the Discovery GTX boots. The technology used here is the X40 insole, which is another factor that contributes to comfort by improving the flexibility of the boot’s interior.

OrthoLite® doesn’t compress after time, so the inside of the shoe stays like new.

Summary

Discovery GTX are motorcycle boots that lack nothing. In such boots, you can go on an adventure anywhere, in any conditions, without compromise.

For me, the major plus is first of all comfort and reliability. To design such a boot selecting and using technologies that work perfectly together is a great advantage for me. It is a certification that the product is well-thought-out and well-made.

If you value comfort or even like to ride in “non-motorcycle” boots precisely because they are simply more comfortable, then you should definitely take a look at the Discovery GTX from REV’IT!.

The reliable GORE-TEX waterproofing will come in handy when you’re riding in the rain, checking out fords before a motorcycle ride, as well as when you’re riding through mud and more difficult terrain.

Whom are these boots for? Certainly for short- and long-distance motorcycle travelers, oriented to travel in all conditions, not afraid to go off the asphalt. In my Discovery GTX boots, I rode a loop around Turkikye and a while later almost the entire Italian TET route, and then the Italian ACT route. After more than 15,000 kilometers, the shoes are in great condition, and my legs are grateful for the comfort each day of the trip.

However, it’s important to remember that these are not boots for riding in rough terrain. In a ride geared mainly to off-road, for safety reasons, taller and stiffer REV’IT! Expedition GTX boots will work better.

Post REV’IT! Discovery GTX Boots – Review pojawił się na AdvAnywhere.

Initially, we bought jackets with two traditional liners – thermal and waterproof. Although this option worked quite well, recently we had the opportunity to test a new solution – the Solar 2 jackets from REV’IT! which can be used as a mid-layer instead of the traditional liners. During a trip to Norway, where the weather can be really capricious, we dispelled all doubts about this solution.

What to Look Out For

When choosing a mid-layer we focus primarily on versatility and thermal properties. When it comes to mid-layers, we have a whole list of expectations. It is rare to find a perfect candidate, but we try to make our choice meet as many of the following requirements as possible:

• good thermoactive properties
• option to use it as an everyday jacket
• protection from wind and rain
• lightweight and packable

So let’s go through all of these points, analyzing how Solar 2 performs.

Thermal Insulation for Demanding Riders

The most important thing. After all, why we decide on a mid-layer is for it to help keep us warm while riding in colder weather. The Solar 2 is filled with PrimaLoft® which is the so-called “artificial down”. Initially, this insulation was used by American soldiers. When it became popular with them, the producer decided to introduce it to the civilian market and now it is used as a filling for clothing and even sleeping bags. A great substitute for duck and goose down! It keeps warmth very well and is lightweight and moisture resistant. PrimaLoft® has three series: Gold, Silver, and Black. REV’IT! used the Gold series in the Solar 2. It’s is the most “elite” and technologically advanced series. 

We paired this jacket with a thermal base layer (such as merino wool), an outer layer, and a rain jacket if needed. While this sounds like a lot of clothing, it is worth remembering that the “onion” layering allows us to protect ourselves from different weather conditions and maintain the desired body temperature.

Ultra-Light Mid-Layer Jacket

The filling itself provides exceptional lightness, but to increase this feature even more, REV’IT! used Ripstop nylon 10D as an outer layer. As we can read on the manufacturer’s website, this is the lightest possible fabric currently available on the market. In addition, it’s quite pleasant to the touch. You can even use it while sleeping in a tent.

Solar 2 is not only lightweight but also very compact. It doesn’t take up much space either under the top layer or in your luggage or backpack.

Water- and Windproof

The materials used effectively ensure not only good insulation and extremely low weight, but also wind resistance. There is a “windscreen” on the zipper, specifically underneath it on the inside, which effectively prevents the wind from entering through the micro gaps in the zipper.

The jacket also has a PWR coating, so it can withstand light precipitation, but we tried to keep it out of the rain. Mainly because it would be hard to dry it later on the road. You have to remember that getting such a jacket wet involves keeping moisture in it for a long time. It is therefore not an ideal solution for hiking in the mountains, when we can sweat a lot.

No Only for a Motorcycle

We’d say that the Solar 2 jacket is quite stylish. Thanks to this, we can easily wear it on cooler days even to roam around a city. We wore it when sightseeing in Oslo, Tromsø, or Ålesund.

In our case, it also worked great for camping – we could take off our motorcycle jackets without changing and stay in just the mid-layer. It was comfortable and still warm enough.

Moreover, the jacket is equipped with external front pockets and internal mesh pockets. So you can easily take your essentials everywhere without packing your wallet, keys, and phone to your backpack (or purse). We especially appreciate the inner pockets, where you can safely hide your valuables.

How to Wash a Mid-Layer?

Finally, something for those who are not too keen on hand washing. Solar 2 can be thrown into the washing machine, instead of tiring yourself over a bowl of water. Undoubtedly, this is a big convenience, especially when you need to do laundry of all your clothes after a month-long trip.

An Almost Perfect Mid-Layer

Solar 2 from REV’IT! is close to perfect. The jacket seems to be quite delicate, and after a few months of use, we noticed the insulating material “coming out” in several places near the seams. The seams themselves seem to be durable, but the outer material does not seem to be so. Still, after so many hours of use, we estimate that Solar 2 will accompany us at least for the next few seasons.

A drawstring at the bottom would also be a nice addition to provide even more wind protection.

Summary

Motorcycle riding, tent camping, mountain hiking, city walking – the Solar 2 accompanied us in a variety of conditions during our 30+ day trip around Norway.

Today we know that the next motorcycle season will also be spent without traditional liners. The Solar 2 is a lighter alternative and is available in men’s and women’s cuts.

Thanks to this jacket, our approach to motorcycle clothing has changed and we now ride in such a configuration:

• Thermoactive base layer – merino for cold days or moisture-wicking on warm days (REV’IT! Airborne LS)
• Mid-layer – warm and windproof (REV’IT! Solar 2)
• Motorcycle jacket with protectors (REV’IT! Sand 3)
• Rain jacket and pants – put on top. They ensure 100% waterproofness and in contrast to the underpants provide a dry motorcycle jacket (REV’IT! Cyclone 3 H2O). Additionally, the neon yellow color ensures better visibility in difficult conditions for better safety.

Post REV’IT! Solar 2 – Jacket Instead of Liners pojawił się na AdvAnywhere.

In the box, we can find the intercom itself and also two microphones (boom and stick-on) and 40mm JBL speakers. The assembly is very simple, although of course, we have to remove the sponges. The microphones are mounted on velcro, and the speakers easily fit into the cutouts in the helmet. The most work is to arrange the cables so that they do not break, and do not press on the head. However, the whole thing can be done very quickly.

Sound Quality

The JBL speakers and the driver used in the Packtalk Bold do an amazing job for a motorcycle intercom. The low tones are surprisingly noticeable and clear. Listening to music on this intercom will satisfy even the most demanding listeners. Of course, there is no comparison with in-ear headphones, but for real motorcycle audiophiles, there is the possibility of connecting them.

DMC Is a Must

The biggest advantage of Packtalk Bold, which probably everyone writes about, is how easy it is to connect with other cardo-ers using DMC. We can create a group of up to 15 members. The biggest one we created was probably eight people and everything worked fine. It’s also great that a once formed “gang” exists all the time and its members connect automatically with each other whenever they are within range. Sometimes, we don’t even see our companions yet, and we already hear them.

With people who don’t have Cardo, we can connect via Bluetooth as standard, but this solution usually ends in frustration and a return to the old way of communication: screaming out loud through the helmet.

Pairing with the phone is instant and intuitive thanks to the Cardo application. In the app, we have the option of choosing the volume level, sound priority, or microphone sensitivity.

Private Rooms and Muting

Cardo also allows us to create private rooms via the app, so if we want, we can talk only to a part of the group or to a single person. We also have the opportunity to completely mute ourselves and others if we want to be alone with our thoughts for a while.

Controlling

We can “control” the intercom in two ways – by voice or buttons. Four buttons (three small ones and one roller) give a plethora of combinations. Of course, they are all described in the manual, just like the voice commands, so we won’t list them all here.

Both the roller and buttons are easy to find and feel even with thick motorcycle gloves.

Voice control works great, but only during stops and preferably in a quiet space.

Noise Reduction and Automatic Volume Adjustment

Packtalk Bold generally has good noise reduction. Although it can sometimes work too well and cut off the beginning of the first spoken word. This especially happens in the Packtalk Bold – Packtalk Slim relationship.

Problems with noise reduction, or rather the lack of it, usually occur on the passenger side. The microphone can pick up the wind and motorcycle exhaust noise quite intensively. As it turns out – after talking to many motorcycle couples – they have the same observations: noise reduction only works well for the rider. Cardo makes it possible to reduce the sensitivity of the microphone, but it doesn’t change much. During our 5-week trip, strong Norwegian winds meant that we were disconnected most of the time.

What should also be mentioned is the automatic volume adjustment depending on the surrounding noise. On stops, the Cardo intercom reduces the volume. This is one of its greatest advantages.

Up to 70km/h

Speeds above 70km/h significantly deteriorate the sound quality. This is largely influenced by the motorcycle and helmet. For most riders, the limit of unobstructed intercom communication will probably be around 70-90km/h.

Water Resistance

Norway, specifically the Norwegian rains, was also a good opportunity to test the water resistance of the intercom and here we can certify that even in a downpour everything worked perfectly.

All-Day Long Talking and Listening to Music

Packtalk Bold is equipped with a battery that easily lasts a whole day of driving. The manufacturer declares 13 hours. Our routes are usually a bit shorter, but with music and navigation, Cardos work morning to evening. But! we’d like to point out that during the stops, we try to remember to turn them off so we don’t waste the battery. Another advantage is the ability to charge the device while using it. This is definitely handy when you forget to charge your equipment overnight.

Indispensable when Photoshooting

In our case, we use Cardo not only for communication on a motorcycle but also when we take photos or make videos. We call each other and thanks to the intercom, we do not have to shout to determine what shots we are taking at the moment. We communicate calmly – the driver has a Packtalk Bold and the photographer, a telephone with an ordinary headset. The sound quality remains flawless.

Summing Up

For what’s most important – music and navigation – Packtalk Bold works perfectly. The speakers give a good sound, and the navigation instructions are very clear because the device mutes the music early enough with the right settings.

The possibility of constant contact with riding companions becomes an indispensable part of trips after the first day of testing.

Post Cardo Packtalk Bold – Review pojawił się na AdvAnywhere.

NEXX decided to do a step further and squeeze the most out of it. The carbon version, as you probably guess, is even lighter than the previous model, which is already quite light. We managed to stock up on them just before our five-week trip to Norway. Now, after 10,000km of Norwegian roads and off-roads, I can honestly admit that even if I wanted to, I would probably not be able to think of ways to improve it. It’s perfect. Let the below paragraphs and photos prove it.

The anti-allergic lining material is even more pleasant than before, and the hems and trim seem to be even more precise. The material inside the helmet dries quickly. As I always wear a balaclava, I had the opportunity to test it only after washing. As in the previous version, sponges are removable which allows quick and easy cleaning.

New features include two fabric clips for attaching a camel bag tube. Personally, I prefer to have the tube attached to my jacket because I often take my helmet off for taking pictures, but I suspect some may find this little thing very practical.

The best thing about the X.WED 2 Carbon helmet, in my opinion, is its visor which is super big. Motorcyclists should practice their peripheral vision to be more responsive to what’s happening on the road. NEXX is well aware of this and provides us with a wide field of view.

In this model, you do not need to remove the visor to ride with the goggles. So we can spare ourselves all the hassle of dealing with it. You can read about this and its other advantages in the previous review – A Univeral Dual Sport Helmet – NEXX X.WED 2.

Post The Best Adventure Helmet – X.WED2 Carbon pojawił się na AdvAnywhere.

Field of view

What you can already see in the pictures is that… you can see a lot while wearing the X.WED2. Its huge visor not only provides a wide range of peripheral vision, but also ample space for the goggles. When riding off-road, I always wear 100% Armega goggles which fit like a dream in the helmet even without removing the visor. This is a convenient and invaluable method on routes such as those in the TET project.

The visor itself is attached using the X-Lock system, developed by NEXX. It doesn’t feel like it’s a durable element, but nothing should break as long as you use it correctly. An attempt to turn the lock the wrong way will surely end in breaking the latch. This one, however, can be easily purchased as a spare part.

The helmet is also Pinlock-ready and has a built-in visor with 80% blackout.

Airflow

The ventilation system in the NEXX X.WED2 helmet certainly deserves a medal. There are two air outlets at the back and four air inlets at the front: three on the top of the shell and one closed at the chin that regulates the amount of air directed towards the rider’s face. The forward-sliding flap breaks down the air rush, so that we won’t feel a piercing cold on the chin inside the helmet, but rather evenly distributed fresh air.

When we want to increase the amount of air flowing in, we can detach the front flap with one move in order to insert a plastic net in its place. This solution is very useful when we go off-road riding on hot days.

Additionally, thanks to the high-nose design and the direction of the exhaled air, the visor does not get foggy when driving in temperatures close to 0°C – steam comes out of the helmet like out of a kettle.

It is also worth noting that, unlike in many helmets in which poorly designed air circulation can dry the eyes, we will not experience such a problem here.

Accessories

NEXX X.WED2 comes intercom-ready and features cutouts for the speakers. Both the dedicated X-Com developed for NEXX by Sena, and other universal communication systems will fit perfectly. We use Cardo Packtalk Bold and these sets work very well.

What distinguishes X.WED2 from X.WST2 is the enduro peak. Driving against the sun, in addition to direct sunray, reduces the contrast through glares appearing on the visor. The peak casts a shadow over the visor, effectively reducing this effect. Moreover, it perfectly protects against branches in the forest, and stones or mud thrown by enduro companions who try to move from the marshy terrain (those who experienced it know what I’m talking about). The peak is attached to three points, between which there is enough space so that the peak does not adversely affect the aerodynamics and doesn’t cause unwanted turbulence, even when driving fast. In addition, its structure helps to direct air towards the air inlets, thus improving airflow inside the helmet.

Weight

For its class, the X.WED2 weighs little, only ~1500g in size M without accessories and ~1750g with accessories (visor, action cam, intercom). That’s pretty good. Read more about the extra light carbon version here – The Best Adventure Helmet – X.WED2 Carbon

X.WST2

The street model is very similar to the enduro one in terms of construction and specifications. It also has a wide viewing angle which definitely improves comfort while riding (even when you are only a passenger, as it is in our case). X.WST2 is no worse in terms of ventilation, too – it is not equipped with the additional plastic net mentioned earlier, but the basic version still flawlessly fulfills its function.

It is also worth mentioning that both X.WST2 and X.WED2 have a double D-ring clasp, as well as the EQRS (Emergency Quick Release System). It allows you to safely remove the cushions from the inside of the helmet in the event of an accident, which is an invaluable help for medical services.

Wrapping it up…

If we want a comfortable and universal helmet, which will serve us in everyday rides, on TET routes, on long journeys, and even in enduro rallies, X.WED2 is the ideal candidate at a decent price.

If, on the other hand, we are not interested in off-road riding, the cheaper, street-oriented version, the X.WST2, is perfectly sufficient and has similar advantages to the X.WED2. This helmet will be an excellent choice for both asphalt lovers and billions.

Check out the supplementary post about the carbon version – The Best Adventure Helmet – X.WED2 Carbon

Post A Universal Dual Sport Helmet – NEXX X.WED2 pojawił się na AdvAnywhere.