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How many cloths do you pack?
I going from Portland to Tierra Del Fuego in January. I'll have a tent just in case I can't find a cheap hostel or motel. I'm fairly experienced, I've been on many week long trips but I've never on a 20,000 4 month one before. I have very limited space of course. My plan is to take two sets of cloths, three including what I'm wearing. Most of my stuff is the fast dry variety as I'll be hand washing most of the time. I'll have my riding boots and a pair of sneakers. Does this make sense?
I have every thing else covered. |
Sounds good to me and about what I take, if you find there is something else you need you can always buy it along the way.
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Sounds good. What about very HOT and very Cold? On such a long tour this is what I struggle with: Sub Tropical jungles up to 14K ft. Alti Plano and everything in between. :helpsmilie: I'm huge fan of Ex Officio underwear: Men's Give-N-Go® Brief | ExOfficio.com These are AMAZING! High tech fabric, breathes, resists odor, dries in just a few hours. I have their T shirts too. Expensive!! I've got 5 years out of my Ex Officio's. 2 - 3 pair all you need cause they dry so fast, so EASY to wash out in a sink or even plastic bag. NEVER use harsh soap or machine wash or dryer and they will last a LONG time. :thumbup1: Also like Merino Wool thin sweater as an under layer. Looks good for crossing borders or going out to dinner. One nice pair of quick dry REI light travel pants. No wrinkles, easy wash, quick dry, great in heat. Some versions have zip off legs. Expensive but tough. Conservative. For Cold: I'm old school, still use leather pants for cooler climates. Add thin, synthetic long johns under and rain pants over if cold. Good to below freezing. Wool blend socks, Balaclava, Gerbing Jacket. Ride Warm! :mchappy: For Heat: Sedici Full Mesh riding pants from Cycle Gear. Half price of KLIM or Rev' Just as good. ($112 on sale) My choice Mexico /Cent. America or anywhere brutal hot/humid. Once up in mid 80's or cooler, I go back to leathers. Storing leathers when not in use is a PITA, but I love them and feel secure in them. Crash tested. Misc. Couple T shirts, Keen sandals, walking Shorts, light down vest, 3 pair gloves, rain jacket to go over my waterproof riding jacket (for serious rain) All clothes pack down to nothing ... except my leather pants. doh |
Mollydog, so you take more than one riding suit? I have the Klim Latitude jacket and pants that I was going to wear the entire trip. I have mesh too but was going to leave it at home. I only have a 32/38 liter pannier cases plus a large Wolfman dry bag that goes on the back.
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I like to travel light. In term of clothing, whether I go for one week, 4 months or one year, I find I pack usually the same amount of clothing! My list really depends on weather. Will I go through very cold to very hot? Layering and “intelligent” odour-resistant clothing is best.
My riding suit is better adapted to summer (as heat is more of a problem than cold) so vents and airflow are essential. For cold, layers and a 2 pieces rain suit that can be put over my trousers and riding jacket is my favourite solution and pack smaller than the bulkier thermal/rain liner insert. Then combo of thermal t-shirt (I love Under Armour and does not smell) , micro fleece, good quality feather jacket, Motorcycle jacket and on top the thin rain jacket. For intense heat, a long loose sleeve shirt (high wicking- I have a couple of those, found in outdoor shops). I always use riding long johns. I am still to find the ideals ones that would work for both heat and cold. IF colder I can always buy cheap stuff on the way and ditch it when not needed anymore. Always 2 bras only. Both sport bras, one black one white/flesh colour. Socks: mainly in wool. Smart wool has a nice range. Why wool? Because it does not stink after few days usage! Out of bike stuff: one outdoor beige trouser that dry very quickly, and one short. A small bikini can be useful for washing in public (rivers etc…) and maybe a tank top. I am small and my clothes are tiny too. Shoes: flip-flops (for dodgy showers!) and light trainers. Wool gloves liners, that can be used as glove come handy too. What used to take lots of space was the toiletry. Not anymore. I discovered a solid shampoo/conditioner that works for me and lasts a long time. I also carry a multipurpose moisturising cream (night/day face cream, body and hand cream all in one!). So toiletry bag is now tiny. I also carry a laundry solid soap (I buy it online when we starts then can buy in shops outside of Europe!). Those soaps wash anything. My luxury item are Marigold gloves, as the laundry soap is very aggressive on skin but very efficient. Much better than the liquid travel soap you can buy in travel shops for lots of money! And I do laundry very often. Essential item though is deodorant. Could not go without. Again for obvious reasons. So in term of clothing I carry very little. Whatever I may need in addition to my main list can be purchased (usually cheap) and discarded later to minimise my luggage. See pictures of our set up for London to Mongolia and back trip last year in my blog (link below) or in this thread. |
Take exactly what you would on a week long trip. I don't believe there is any difference the longer you go. Just wash your stuff whenever you can. I like icebreaker t-shirts. Takes a long time before they smell. Typically only have 3 pairs of boxers. 1 on, the other drying from a wash or waiting for a wash, and the third for the next rotation.
Warm gear depending on the climate you're heading into. Leave jeans at home. Usually have 2 t-shirts and a button shirt for if I'm invited to something. Same deal on the shirts as on underwear. Arrive somewhere you have a shower, and wash what you've been wearing. |
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I don't carry TWO riding suits ... just 2 pair riding pants: Leather pants and Mesh pants. I have only ONE riding jacket which is better in HEAT than it is in COLD. It's a First Gear Rainier (top of their line) good vents and the fabric itself flows air, unlike most synthetic jackets. Not good in super cold but pretty water proof. For cold I have to layer up under my jacket and use my Gerbing elec. to stay warm if temps get below about 45F. If your KLIM suit vents well enough for truly HOT-HUMID weather then all good. :thumbup1: But I've tested lots synthetic riding gear. To me ... Most ALL are too hot save full Mesh gear. Mesh gear begins cooling even at 10 mph, so pretty good off road ... but impossible if things get cold. Most good gear has good vents but often that is not enough in super heat. Mesh flows A LOT more air. But it's a problem for storage with Leather pants. I've got similar sized panniers (about 33 L each) and also use a Small Wolfman Duffel bag on top. Always room to spare on my month long trips. For longer rides I don't think I would need much more space than I have. The Wolfman is cavernous! I only fill up half way. https://patricksphotos.smugmug.com/p...-sX2RbMV-L.jpg Things that take up a lot of room are spare inner tubes, bead breaker, extra tools and misc. parts, rain jacket, toiletries. |
Lots of good info! Every time I walk past the bike I study the packing and have been making some improvements here and there. I found a convenient spot to mount some tool tubes, this will remove some of the stuff from the panniers.
I love the Klim Latitude and it vents well but I'm sure I'll suffer on the real hot days. One way I deal with extreme heat is to remove my riding pants and just ride in trousers. I know it's risky but I actually think I'm safer if I can get some relief. I'm thinking on bringing my Darian over pants too as their easy to remove for walking around in street pants. I'll carry two tubes of the proper size so I won't need to replace a 21" tube in my 18" tire ASAP. What about water purification? I'm thinking about this as it comes with a filter: Geigerrig G1 1200 Hydration Pack Thanks |
I ride with the klim full mesh jacket which comes with a waterproof liner and the Dakar pants. Ride from cold Alberta to 100f Colorado and it works fine. Just wear windproof layers under the jacket.
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always remember you can make semi permanent cold weather clothing out of newspaper and plastic bags underneath summer riding gear. much cheaper/adaptable and easy to replace or add to.
2 spare sets of clothes sounds good for a long tour, i've done 3 months with no riding gear, 3 sets of underwear 2 sets of trousers and a set of boots with a big grin on them. Also walked up and down Grand Canyon with the the same boots! The washing stops become a highlight after a while. I always remember them more than things I should really remember moreof! |
light down mid-layer
I've got the Latitude as well, and will be using it as my only jacket for my Americas journey next year. I used it for the first time on a 4-day trip in Ecuador, that had nearly every climate and weather possible. With the right underlayers, it can handle anything (well, up to a point, but at that point no one is riding).
I normally will just wear my t-shirt and the jacket under regular temps. But for added warmth I use a merino wool long sleeve baselayer. Smartwool or Icebreakers. Expensive ($80) but good. The wool wicks away sweat, so actually is fine in moderately warm temps, too. Use the 150 or 200 weight, depending on whether you naturally run hot or cold; 250 is waayyy to warm. Over that, if it gets colder or I'm at altitude, I actually have used a down jacket. This instead of a sweatshirt or fleece pullover because down packs much smaller. The light/ultralight down jackets on the market today are excellent, and designed for high altitude mountaineering where lightweight is as important as warmth. The Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer ($250) is the cream of the crop (7 oz!), but there are plenty of alternatives that are nearly as good and cheaper (I've used s Uniqlo ultralight jacket ($80) under my Latitude just fine). People don't think of wearing a down mid-layer under their moto-jacket, but it can add good warmth, is not too bulky or obstructive, and the best part is it takes up little room in your panniers. On that note, a mountaineering trick is to NOT use the stuff sack they provide. Instead, mush the jack in the crevasses and empty space---it takes up less room than the neat little stuff sack ball. Plus, you have a nice warm jacket for cool evenings off the bike that doesn't make you look like Mad Max or some spaceman. |
How many cloths do you pack?
I carry;
1 cotton shirt 3 t-shirts (two is enough) 1 casual jumper 2 pairs of underwear 1 pair of trousers (quick dry trekking type) 1 microfleece 1 waterproof jacket 1 waterproof gortex over trousers (lost doh!) Two piece wicking base layer (helly Hanson make good ones). Top and pants thermal base layer 1 hat and one "buff" type scarf. 1 pair of waterproof gloves. Then; RST riding suit Overmitts Altberg boots Teva Sandals 1 pair of thick socks 1 pair of normal socks 1 pair of Sealskinz (amazing!!!) Notes; That's quite a lot actually but I like to be able to look fairy casual, as often I volunteer at places I like along the way (my trips are usually at least a year long). If I was just riding that list would be halved. Something I'd add would maybe be a feather down jacket. Also I do wonder about getting rid of the RST riding thermals and water proof liners and just using my other clothes, in fact I'd probably do this in the future! Toiletries; Toothbrush and toothpaste Bar of soap (not really needed) Tube of hand sanitizer (essential!) Packet of baby wipes (essential!) Disposable razor blade. First Aid kit The hand sanitizer and baby wipes because I camp a lot. They save on valuable water! The used baby wipes always go in a rubbish bag and are taken to the garbage can - as tissue paper is and should be. Water filters; Hard not to recommend a Sawyer Mini. They look great and only twenty bucks. Better, you can connect it to any hydration pack. I use a MSR mini works, which is very simple, reliable and filters a lot of stuff, but physically filtering is a real chore so in future will be replacing it with some sort of gravity flow filter. Apart from all that, I have a stove, a pan, good tent, sleeping bag and liner, travel pillow, sleeping mat, iPhone, gps and charger, kindle (broken), travel documents, knife, hydration pack and 4lt bladder, maps and tools/spares for bike. This fits all in a 60lt saddle bag, 31lt rack pack and 7lt tank bag, with plenty of space left for 3 days of food and a day's worth of water (4-6lt). http://i.imgur.com/mbdddq6.jpg |
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If you only need a T shirt under in "normal" temps (60's, 70's, 80's??) then I'm pretty certain you will be par boiled when it gets really got and humid. Did you go down to the Amazonas region on Ecuador (referred to locally as the "Oriente" if I recall) Can be mid 90's to low 100's with 85% to 90% humidity. You'll also have to get through Mexico-Cent. America. If you go NOW (November through April) temps are "reasonable" but still generally hotter than "normal" range we're used to. I ended up strapping my jacket on rear rack, wearing back protector and elbow guards independent of the jacket. Remember, Gore-Tex works in COLD, but not in super heat. |
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That said, I like your suggestion. I have considered just scrapping the Latitude and buying a Traverse or something and then wearing body armor underneath. If it is super hot, the body armor is fine sans jacket. I've seen/read guys that do this in Vietnam, etc.---countries that are notoriously hot and humid. Ecuador can be hot, but the elevation helps offset that. At low elevation its coast is a lot like the coast of southern California, namely, desert coastal wherein the dry heat and cool ocean water makes for temperate Mediterranean climates. I did ride through the orient (i.e. east) for a day and it was hot and humid. Not the most enjoyable ride, but motion and venting kept it manageable. In the end, there is no single jacket that will work for high altitude and cold climates as well as hot humid jungle climates. I figure the best option is to get the most versatile jacket and then supplement with other gear, water, etc. On that note, I will be taking my Shoei Hornet 2 helmet rather than my Shoei 1100, even though my 1100 is a much better helmet---quieter, better protection, more vents, etc. This is because with the Hornet (a DS helmet) I can ride with the visor open and goggles on, which is much cooler than the street helmet in any condition. Just something to consider as well. For me, the comfort of my head is of primary concern, then I care about my hands, then torso, then arms, then feet, then legs, in that order. Your priorities may vary. |
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