Perhaps skip buying pants in UK? ... buy them here in USA, as you will be crossing the country, riding near many Cycle Gear Stores.

I'm guessing prices here for gear are better, although the UK pound is down, so maybe not such a bargain as it was.

Stop at Cycle Gear store, try on a bunch of stuff. If your size not in stock, you should be able to order stuff and pick it up at another Cycle Gear store along your route. The most well stocked stores will be in California. (based there) Just beware the crap. They still sell some gear that's not great, but as mentioned, lots of it is quite good. Avoid buying BOOTS at Cycle Gear. JUNK and poor selection.

Accoutrements for men and women
 

I agree whole heartedly with mollydog. One can buy as you go. I make it a habit, when riding the States, to plan visits to cycle gear shops. I was able to try on and purchase a $500 USD plus riding jacket on "clearance" for $125.00. You might want to start out with your basic layered riding jacket. Most these days have some sort of waterproofs/outer or inner... and inner linings for warmth. I use a very light yet sturdy pair of hiking boots that double as my walkers. A pair of TEVA river sandals with straps (extremely tough and easy to slip into and out of) and with specialty socks that wick sweat for the boots takes care of my feet.

Personally I dislike underwear, but a little support is appreciated while riding ( not not that kind of riding ) so I carefully select underwear that is NOT TIGHT in the waist! In the riding position, belly/waist restraints are NOT advisable. This includes tight wasted pants NOT GOOD for over landing. A flexible belt has always worked for me, one without designated holes for the buckle. I purchased one in an armory - hunting and fishing store in Spain. You just stick the tong of the buckle in the woven belt where ever it feel comfortable - loose while riding and tighten up while walking.

Pants should not be jeans, too bulky/ heavy and monsters to dry. There are excellent lightweight materials on the hiking/touring market. I do not normally wear short pants, but I do wear those pants that zip off above the knee to become shorts work well and double as a swim suit.

From this point it is all about weight and bulk. Rolled shirts fabricated from light weight water shedding material - some have UV protection built in, are great. I always carry a snug lightweight pull over for use under my shirt if it is chilly and great for sleeping - get one that does not bunch up while sleeping - they are advertised with this great feature.

If you are carrying a full kit tools/compressor or pump etc, tent or hammock, sleeping bag, ground mattress cook kit etc, first aid...you might want to try packing all that and discover how much space is comfortably left in your tail bag, panniers plus your roll on/roll off luggage potential and test ride before making any but what you need to get on the road.

The greatest mistake you can make is to pack for too many imagined events. Now here, I will confess I do pack my tango shoes. rosa del desierto and I dance tango, protocol and practicality dictate tango shoes be worn when dancing tango. Just try it without the right shoes and let me know how it goes? We do find melongas in every major city and dancing tango is no imaginary event.

If you can drop by our ranch in Flagstaff, Arizona where we host melongas in our Noble Barn on a specially constructed dance floor.

Now, a hat is mandatory. Figure that out for yourself. And, protective gloves are also mandatory. A scarf, for riding that can double to spiff you up when dashing around town on foot is suggested to go along with a very light weight spot coat. Banana republic offers travelers sport coats with special hidden pockets and made of a lightweight stretchy material that does repel water.

It is amazing how a dark colored pull over under a dark colored sport jacket with/without scarf can instill confidence and looks GREAT. The woman might want to pack one of those slinky black cocktail dresses - but skip the high heels unless you dance tango.

Remember, even while touring you can stop for a couple of days, order via the internet and have just about anything express mailed to you - if you are still in the States! Buying via the internet is possible, but a hassle in Mexico, Central and South America due to customs and import duties.

When selecting colors, you want to blend in, not stand out. dark colors are warmer but a bit uncomfortable in the tropics, but the alternative - white or light colors are a bitch to keep looking clean and loud colors will identify you as a foreigner, unless you are into wearing brightly colored skirts with accompanying bight smiles.

Now, I have carried ponchos - both water proof and for warmth and found them fairly useless and discovered my ground cloth for my sleeping bag, waterproof and extremely light and easy to pack works fine. Sweaters while great if they are tightly woven (military style) but are very very bulky, so unless you are doubling a light sweater for a pillow forget it.

Sometimes it is best to cover one's bike at night - so as to attract the least amount of attention. I use my ground cloth for this, or the tent part of my Hennessy Hammock https://hennessyhammock.com .

Believe it or not, a light weight collapsable umbrella has worked to provide shade when stranded in the middle of the desert (especially while repairing a tire) and is great while strolling around town in the wet lands. Get one that is tough, but can be collapsed to about eight inches.

Forget jewelry, expensive watches etc.... instead use wrapped para cord key chains, lanyards etc. and for God's sake always carry your military issue Swiss army knife, not the red ones, THE GREEN ONE! Carry it everywhere with you. This knife has a loop built into the main blade for rapid opening. This will be one of your most used tools.

A sturdy Japanese fan is great for the ladies. And, for men who are secure in their manliness. Hand fans are essential, light weight and can be stowed in the tank bag and withdrawn and utilized to tell an over extended border official /police/military that while your are going to be polite, you are actually bored to death with his/her inane questioning, searching and general demeanor. I call this the fan trick - it works well.

Not done, but got to go, new guests are arriving at our ranch house Airbnb and I must greet them and open a bottle of wine.

Oh, and ladies, it has been my experience that some of the most beautiful women I have met are international over landers!!! Your Inner beauty will shine through the dust. And wear the dust like some where medals!

Comments welcome

Eat, Drink and always dress appropriately
xfiltrate

Hi ladies, im now here, in Canada and have my chosen kit :-)

Loving it all at the mo!

Motorcycle Gear - Wander don't Wonder

Looks like two different lists of gear ... So which list did you go with?
IMO, all your choices are pretty good.

When do your bikes arrive? How much to ship and how much to get them out
of customs? Did you use a broker or Agent or do it all yourself?

bier

Brilliant multi-weather bike gear
 

Hi there. this is possibly a bit late but we’re doing Argentina to Alaska, so doing the trip in reverse. We arrived in Argentina (from the UK) in September, and are slowly working our way up north.

I did quite a bit of research before I left. I often get cold when riding. I am also a tall (6’), skinny female. I often find it difficult to get bike gear that first, and I usually have to buy men’s trousers as the ladies trousers are too short.

But now I’ve found a brilliant set of stuff. Two brands I would recommend are:

- Revit
- Modeka.

They both make women’s gear. I have Modeka, My trousers have 3 layers: an inner, quilted layer; a middle, waterproof and wind proof layer, and an outer layer that is part mesh with lots of vents. this makes it perfect for nearly all weathers. The same for the jacket. I wore these in Ushuaia, and they were just about warm enough.

The two brands above have models made for women, and Modeka is great for tall women. Also, the jacket and trousers come in black and grey / cream (better for hot weather). Unfortunately for me, the long length trousers only come in black.

Anyway, I hope this is useful. I look forward to hearing what worked for you.

Let me know when you are in Argentina - we will be here until Christmas. We haven’t come across many other bikers yet, and I especially miss meeting other biking women. I’m having a bit of a confidence crisis, so would be good to meet others who’ve done it!

All the best,

Isabelle

Despite the fact that the thread is old, I found a lot of interesting recommendations here. Thanks, girls.:thumbup1:
As for me, when I go on a trip I always, for some reason, take with me a ton of clothes which are packed in three suitcases.
I always pay for excess baggage at the airport. As a result, on vacation I use the same things, which are usually 5 pieces.
And other clothes remain packed in my suitcases. Every time I promise to take less clothes and every year the same thing repeats. Probably because I'm a girl, lol. Or because I really like Lily Lulu brand that I order in the Internet. They have so many stylish beautiful clothes that, going on a trip, I can not decide what to put in my suitcase and I take everything with me. Especially, these coats, if I travel somewhere in the cold time, so to keep warm.