I like these posts where the initial poster asks a question, makes a decision and we get to keep on posting comments anyways, even if he doesn't care any longer...

I tried a dual approach. First off I added about ten pounds of fat languishing in Buenos Aires and stuffing my gullet daily. This was good for about an extra 5 degrees of temperature tolerance. I recommend this but your doctor may disagree.

Second, I ignored the questioning looks from Chuck and the others and with help from Sebastian finally cobbled together a homemade heated vest. No one even died in the process. The heated vest was invaluable but this was June and it got down to -5 in TDF. At the time of year you suggest it will provide added comfort but IMHO it wouldn't at all be essential.

My suggestion, and I'd have to put this a the top of my gear suggestions to anyone, is to leave half your layers at home and take a simple, insulated jacket filled with synthetic fibers. (for example - MEC Physique Jacket, available at Outdoor Gear - Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) - Équipement d'activités de grande nature)

This isn't a new idea by any means, in many winter and summer sports this is an essential piece of gear and many, many people carry them. For example the ski tourers toss them in their pack and when you hit the top after a long skin up, they just toss on the jacket once they stop. For rock climbers, even in summer, you keep in your pack and toss it on for long belays when you are sitting up high and out of the sun when it can cool off surprisingly fast.

I take mine everywhere, I mean everywhere (camping, skiing, climbing, hiking, motorcycling, etc.) and it has the benefit of adding true warmth when you need it (eg. desert ones where it gets downright cold at night) and unzipped can provide added comfort in even moderately cool climates. If you size it correctly, it fits over a layer of fleece and under your riding jacket.

It's windproof, water repellant (if you get the one with the treated shell) and also can be used as the second jacket when you head out at night and are sick of wearing the smelly, dirt stained riding gear or just for hanging around the camp fire. And it stuffs into a small stuff sack, not much bigger than a couple of pieces of fleece but much more versatile. No kidding, it's one of the pieces from other sports that so elemental that I'm really surprised that I haven't seen more of them out there.

Bu ten pounds via or asados is always a good parallel plan

Oh I care... and listening. I'm still subscribed to this thread and reading every post. I appreciate everyone's input and I'm also happy others are getting something from this conversation.

Thanks Tom for your recommendations about the MEC Physique. We are bringing a similar jacket, the Marmot DriClime Catalyst. It's very warm, light, warm in wind, packable and good in light rain. For the anticipated Central American mid-day downpours, we also have breathable outter shells, the MEC Hydrofoil.

Cheers!

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» “What do you expect to find there? Well, if I knew, I wouldn’t go there!” — Jacques Cousteau

So .... you've never actually owned a Gerbing then?

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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

I love it when someone hijacks the post and asks something totally unrelated, like: Hey MountainGuy - how's that new 800GS working for you in South America? Issues? did you ever get your v-strom racks converted over to work on that thing?

And, how did you manage to keep the weight gain to only 10 lbs.? You weren't working out, were you?

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quastdog
Chiang Mai, Thailand

"We are bringing a similar jacket, the Marmot DriClime Catalyst. It's very warm, light, warm in wind, packable and good in light rain. For the anticipated Central American mid-day downpours, we also have breathable outter shells, the MEC Hydrofoil."

Very nice gear, looks like you are well sorted and much better organized than I. And most times the best gear to use is the stuff we already own! I do still prefer the puffy jacket to soft shells though, it is just a fair bit warmer and packs to about the same size. Personal preference in the end.



"So .... you've never actually owned a Gerbing then? Only your homemade Anglo-Argentine electric rig? And I'm guessing you've bettered the Gerbing product on your first try?
Do you still use it?"

Lol, the ugly feat of Anglo/Argentinian/German engineering was sent home in the post but was sorely missed a couple of days up north. You are speaking to the converted though, electric gear is great stuff as you say, it is indeed a bit surprising that it is not more common in other countries (outside of North America) where is gets chilly. I would've bought some, but you can't really find it anywhere in South America.

"Actually, Beer and meat make you colder (initially, anyway) As a Canadian I'm sure you know all this "cold stuff", right? (like Mother's Milk, eh?)"

You are right about that stuff making you colder, that's why we also bring along whisky.

We are probably somewhat used to suffering in the cold though, it's the hot temps that I can especially use more experience and advice from the crusty old desert dogs



"I love it when someone hijacks the post and asks something totally unrelated, like: Hey MountainGuy - how's that new 800GS working for you in South America? Issues? did you ever get your v-strom racks converted over to work on that thing?

And, how did you manage to keep the weight gain to only 10 lbs.? You weren't working out, were you?"

Hey Chuck, I couldn't stop riding the damn thing and made it to Alaska a couple of weeks ago. Great ride, no major issues, and did finally finish making the crash bars and made the luggage racks fit. Lol, kilos, lbs, sometimes getting them confused is not a bad thing. How's SA? Matteo mentioned that you guys hung out and watched the GP when in Cape Town.