Favorite gears / items for hot weather riding (2017)

[S21FOLGORE]

Well, I should have done this BEFORE the summer season started.
Nonetheless, it is better late than never, I hope this is still useful for some people.

Here are some very useful hot weather riding gears / items that I like/use.
(The usefulness is based on my very personal and totally biased opinion.)
Some are obviously motorcycle specific, some are not.


RS Taichi Cool ride Sport under shirt (and the pants)



First things first.
You will need base layer that is designed for hot weather riding.
(Doesn’t have to be RS Taich brand, though.)

You really need to ditch that traditional cotton T-shirt, if you haven’t already done so.

This type of base layer works best with fully perforated leathers or textile jacket with big mesh panels.

Also, they work better as skintight fit, than loose fit.

They are made out of moisture wicking material. So, it carries sweat away from your skin, move to the outer side of fabric, then, by the wind blast coming though the perforation or mesh panel evaporate the sweat.
Pretty simple, but very effective.

FYI, some of them (including RS Taichi), they have mesh panels.



Can you see?





Where to buy
https://japan.webike.net/products/21151131.html
https://japan.webike.net/products/21151124.html

(compare the price with US vendor)
http://www.taichimoto.com/rs-taichi-cool-ride-sports-under-shirt/
http://www.taichimoto.com/rs-taichi-cool-ride-sports-under-pants/


Icebreaker Cool-lite shirt

For those who prefer looser, more relaxed fit, I’d recommend these, rather than the motorcycle specific ones.



One of the biggest advantage of Merino wool shirt over the synthetic shirt is that they are naturally odder resistant.
(Also they are naturally UV blocking.)
Disadvantage is that they are not as durable as synthetic.

http://www.icebreaker.com/en/cool-lite-tech-landing.html

Where to buy

Icebreaker’s own sale page
http://www.icebreaker.com/en/web-specials?prefn1=gender&prefv1=Mens

Sierra Trading Post
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/icebreaker~b~10021/

REI garage
https://www.rei.com/rei-garage




Dainsese Super Speed Tex jacket



This is for “when it’s too hot for Roadcrafter R-3” weather. (Meaning that when it’s reaching to 90°F)
 I should do the separate review on this one.
I went to D-store San Francisco, tried bunch of different ones, Super Rider D-dry, Super Speed D-dry, Air Frame, etc, etc.
One thing you can’t tell from web picture and Revzilla review video is, their cut is all slightly different.
(That’s why I had to go to the store and try them, and sit on a bike.)

Above 86°F, I switch from R-3 to This.
BTW, the yellow thing is NOT a part of Dainese jacket, but Hit-Air Air Bag vest.

Helimot Hi 5 gloves
(in the photo above)
Another item that I should do the separate review.
Despite the appearance, Hi 5 are really comfortable in hot / warm weather.
When I went to Helmut’s store, he took me to the back of the workshop and did pretty much the same thing as in this video.


Sadly, Helimot is no longer in the Bay Area.
(Helmut is relocating to Oregon, and it will be online sales only. No more store front.)

Where to buy
https://hel1.myshopify.com/products/helimot-hi-5-motorcycle-glove

[S21FOLGORE]

Platypus flexible water bottle



When you wear moisture wicking type of base layer and mesh jacket (or fully perforated leather), you are very quickly dehydrating yourself.
In any case, drinking a lot of water when riding in hot weather is crucial.
For motorcycle use, I like these flexible water bottles.

Where to buy
(I think this particular style of 1 liter (32 fl.oz) bottle is no longer available. But, you can find something similar, or even better ones.)

https://www.rei.com/b/platypus

http://www.aerostich.com/bags/hydration-and-cooling/water-bottles-and-drink-holders

Saltstick



When you drink a lot of water while you are sweating, you are flushing vital electrolytes from your system. More water just dilutes the electrolytes.
Some people drink Gatorade or similar sport drink that are full of sugar.
This is much better solution.
It is a capsule with the required electrolytes, Sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, in the correct ratios.
Note: “correct ratio”, which is important.
You drink your water, take one capsule / hr when riding in the heat (or doing whatever physical activity) and avoid the sugar overload in the process.
You will feel noticeable difference at the end of the day.

Where to buy
https://www.rei.com/product/823163/saltstick-electrolyte-salt-capsules-100-capsules

Biore UV Aqua Rich sunscreen


I need sunscreen, (So do you.)
But, I seriously hate that greasy feeling of some of the products.
I also hate sweating a lot from putting sunscreen on.
This is the best one I have ever tired.
No greasy, oily feel. No excessive sweating. And, it works very well (to block UV rays.)

Where to buy
https://www.amazon.com/Biore-Aqua-Watery-Essence-SPF50/dp/B01MTDFFQ5/ref=dp_ob_image_hpc

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Biore-UV-Aqua-Rich-Watery-Essence-Sunscreen-Waterproof-50g-SPF50-PA-F-S/182601586041?_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D44770%26meid%3D84b42a4e64cf4a339178a769f4632990%26pid%3D100623%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D251237339016

Buff / Spec Ops recon wrap



I have tons of these stuff.
2nd from the right (multi cam) is Spec Ops recon wrap, the 3rd one (black) is Buff, in merino wool.
These two are the most comfortable. Thin and no seam. (Spec Ops literally has no seam at all. Buff has, at the each end, but no seam line running vertically.

I wear them all year around. In the summer time, they are mostly worn for covering the back side of the neck.
(I put sunscreen on, still, I prefer to cover the neck.)



Where to buy
http://www.opticsplanet.com/spec-ops-recon-wrap-100010101.html
http://www.specopsbrand.com/recon-wrap-452.html
https://www.rei.com/product/789718/buff-wool-buff

Kao Success shampoo



Well, I guess I don’t have to tell you about the importance of keeping your hair and scalp clean, especially if you wear helmet and all the gear and ride in 90°F heat.

This shampoo REALLY cleans your hair and scalp. And it feels so good.

Oh, and you should wash your helmet liner every once in a while, too.

Where to buy
https://www.amazon.com/KAO-Success-Tonic-Shampoo-Large/dp/B00M7KV5O6/ref=dp_ob_image_hpc
https://www.ebay.com/i/112480048385?chn=ps&dispItem=1

[TWDucfan]

Another item that I should do the separate review. Despite the appearance, Hi 5 are really comfortable in hot / warm weather.

Sadly, Helimot is no longer in the Bay Area. (Helmut is relocating to Oregon, and it will be online sales only. No more store front.)

Where to buy
https://hel1.myshopify.com/products/helimot-hi-5-motorcycle-glove

Look forward to your Helimot Hi-5 review.  

TIA  

[S21FOLGORE]

Well, I just found out that Helmut took down Helimot website.

So, right at this moment, you can't shop Helimot gloves.
(Helmut closed the store in Fremont just recently (July 1st was the last day), will be relocating to Oregon, then will start online store again.)

I think I will wait to write the review for a while. (There's no point writing about the products that you can't buy.)

BTW, I forgot to mention that I use this for carrying Saltstick.


https://www.rei.com/product/840790/humangear-gotubb-09-cu-in-container-package-of-3

[S21FOLGORE]

So, this is how I am dressed for the summer (this year).

RS Taichi cool ride shirt & Pants,
chest armor is also RS Taichi,
The pants are (previous generation) Dainese D-sytem D-Dry pants (D-Dry liner removed, thigh vents open).



The helmet for the summer time is AGV AX-8 Evo Naked.
(This mid-range AGV helmet is surprisingly nice. Flow tons of air, wide, WIDE eye port (both vertically and horizontally), very plush comfort liner which really resist odder, really quick drying. )



The air bag vest and chest armor block some air flow, but this set up is a lot cooler than it looks.

These Dainese pants may not look like that they are going to keep you cool, but, believe it or not, it is actually cooler to ride in these pants than regular blue jeans. (Also cooler than those kevlar (aramid) lined jeans.)

The older one


The new one (EVO D-dry)


I don’t wear short cuff gloves, and I don’t ride in short boots, as I really don’t feel the need.

I personally believe it is way more important to keep your head and upper torso cool, than tring to get some extra air flow around the cuffs and ankles.

AX-8 Evo Naked helmet




(I bought mine at D-store San Francisco while they were on sale (30% off), and really like this helmet.)

[S21FOLGORE]

Moto-Skiveez “Tri-Fold Hat”



I am not a hat person.
I normally don’t wear a hat / cap, at all.
However, every once in a while, I need them.
When I need to protect my head and face from strong sunlight in the summer, for example.
Or, when my hair gets messed up too badly (to the point I can’t fix,) then I wear this.

There’s nothing really special about this Tri-Fold Hat. Other than the fact that it can be folded and fits into the pocket nicely.


The structured cap will get crushed, misshaped, look awful when you pull it out from your tank bag / tail bag (let alone taking it out from the jacket / pants pocket.) Tri-Fold Hat always looks good.
I keep mine in the thigh pocket of Aerostich Roadcrafter R-3 all the time. (When I wear something else, I move it to the tail bag.)

It will keep your head cool, and keep the sun off of your face.


When I got mine, black was the only available color.
Now, you can choose either black or light gray.


The material is very breathable (almost like mesh), so the hat vents very well.



Simple, understated design. Functional. Priced right.

http://motoskiveez.com/shop-page/tri-fold-hat/


Liquid eyewear “Player” sunglasses


I don’t like wearing sunglasses under the helmet, mostly for comfort reason.

But, during the hot summer month, I often wear safety glasses under the helmet so that I can ride with face shield (visor) up when moving slow.
(I’m not going to ride on the freeway with face shield up, you know. It is ONLY when it’s hot, and when I’m moving very slowly. Or, when I’m riding on extremely bumpy, badly paved, really narrow back road ...).

 I also need them for when taking break.

Enter "Liquid Eyewear" Player sunglasses.

The totally unique hingeless design frame that’s made out of aircraft grade aluminum, ballistic gray lenses that goes from clear (VLT84%) to pretty dark (VLT 17%)(one of the best photochromic lenses out there),


  
made in Yuma, Arizona, US of A ...

These are my favorite pair at this moment. ( I have a very twisted mind, so I don’t follow mainstream. I don’t wear aviators (Aviators are for fashion, not for function), I don’t wear Ray-Bans, Oakleys, (I refuse to buy Luxotica brand).

https://liquideyewear.com/pages/our-history

[S21FOLGORE]

A little bit serious talk about UV protection.



Don't underestimate the damage that UV rays can do to your skin, eyes, to your gear, and to your motorcycle.

[1.21GW]

I can confirm that Icebreaker Cool Lite line is great for both warm and cool weather.  Been on the road a year now and all my clothes are merino (Icebreaker or Ibex).  Worth the high prices.