Having spent the better part of my late teens and early 20s scraping footpegs on the winding mountain roads in California’s San Diego North County, when AGVSport introduced a leather jacket named after the 6,142-foot peak at the heart of the best riding loop in the area, I couldn’t resist. Especially since its new Palomar jacket has a distressed, rugged vintage look (much like myself), which complements older and newer bikes alike.

AGVSport recently reinvented itself and has an all-new line of functional, high-quality apparel at attractive prices, of which the Palomar jacket is a central player. Available in men’s and women’s cuts and sizes, it’s constructed of 1.3-1.4mm buffalo hide that appears well worn and broken-in when new, with perforated leather panels in the sides, arms and across the back for ventilation. Major seams are multi- and triple-stitched with mil-spec thread for safety and strength, and there’s both a 10-inch zipper and belt loop in the lower back for attaching the jacket to pants. Antique brass YKK zippers with storm flaps secure the cuffs and front of the jacket, and the collar, cuffs and adjustable waistband also have snap strap closures. Removable Smooth Ways CE-approved Level 2 armor that stays soft and pliable in cold weather protects the elbow, shoulder and back areas.

The Palomar is cozy and supple right off the hanger, and its medium weight, perforated panels and full mesh lining keep it relatively cool in warm weather. A warm, nicely made zip-in 75-gram thermal vest is included for cooler temperatures. Both the jacket and vest have large, separate media and cargo pockets on the inside, and the jacket has zippered handwarmer pockets outside as well as a zippered wallet pocket in the inner chest.

Classic looks with a soft, already broken-in feel, a nice normal fit (I’m a 45 and the 46 fits well), functional 3-season comfort and lots of storage and solid construction with CE Level 2 protection–the AGVSport Palomar jacket has it all. It comes in the black/red shown or black/gunmetal in men’s sizes 38-54 for $379.99. The women’s version has a flattering feminine cut, identical features and is offered in black/red, black/orange and black/gunmetal in sizes 2-16 for $359.99.

Even if you never have the chance to ride the Palomar Mountain loop, its namesake jacket would make a worthy addition to your riding armory. And if you ride it wearing a Palomar jacket, send us a photo! 

For more information, call (800) 777-7006 or visit gearhousepros.com.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

I’m always on the prowl for riding gear that’s a step up from what I’m currently using at an affordable price. The mid-height Flex WP Touring boots from Tourmaster come pretty close to nailing my ideal for a commuting boot: they’re waterproof (which I tested in a light rain), have a dual zipper for easy entry/exit and offer a nice balance of comfort and protection. Oil-resistant, anti-slip rubber soles are reinforced with a steel shank, while the leather/synthetic leather uppers sport heel, toe, shin and ankle guards. The boots fit well and are true to my normal size 11. The dual-zipper entry requires a bit of fiddling to ensure none of the inner pleat is caught in the second zipper, but I’m hoping that goes away as the boots break in. The soles are rigid enough for comfort on the bike but flexible enough for walking, and feel slightly rounded which contributes to walking comfort in the office or on a short hike.

Previous experience with Tourmaster boots has been very positive as they proved durable and robust, and the Flex WPs have a quality feel and are well-constructed. With a reasonable MSRP of $124.99, they offer a lot of boot for the money.

For more information, see your dealer or visit tourmaster.com.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

Adventure touring boots have a serious job to do. In addition to keeping your feet dry and protected from rocks and impacts, ADV boots should provide plenty of ankle support and have a sturdy sole for long periods of standing on footpegs. The problem is that all of this often results in a boot that is stiff, heavy, uncomfortable and hard to put on and take off, with lots of straps, buckles and hook-and-loop flaps.

Rev’It’s new Discovery Outdry boots take a different approach to ADV boot design, by incorporating the stability and safety of off-road boots with the user-friendliness and clean, lightweight construction of a touring boot. A key element is the lightweight Boa lacing system, which replaces shoestrings, buckles and straps with stainless-steel wire laces and low-friction lace guides that snug up the boot with the turn of a dial. Pull the dial to release the laces and the boot slips easily on and off; push the dial in to engage the locking adjustment system and a few turns result in a perfect fit every time.

Boa technology was invented for snowboarding boots in the 1990s and is now used by hundreds of footwear companies worldwide. The steel laces only need to withstand five pounds of pressure to work, but are rated to 10 times that amount, and Boa guarantees its dials and laces for the lifetime of the product in which they’re integrated.

Beautifully constructed of suede and full-grain leather and 500D Cordura nylon with a rubber abrasion edge around the sides and toe, the boots are laminated with an outer layer of Outdry, a 100-percent waterproof membrane that sheds water before it soaks in, keeping your feet dry and warm. My pair passed the soak test handily, but I haven’t yet been able to rain test them.

Injected ankle cups and thermoformed plastic armor in the heel, toe, shin and a hook-and-loop flap that covers the Boa dial provide comfortable protection. A versatile Vibram Apex sole with a shock-absorbing EVA midsole and anatomic footbed is comfortable and grippy for walking or hiking and provides plenty of support for standing on footpegs. Reflective panels in back enhance conspicuity, and large loops on top aid in pulling the boots on.

Rev’It Discovery Outdry boots come in Euro sizes 38-47 (U.S. 6-13) and have a pricy MSRP of $499.99, but as a rider who dislikes time-consuming complication and clutter in my apparel, I couldn’t be happier with them. Fit and comfort are exceptional, they break-in quickly and are light, fast and easy to put on and take off, yet the level of protection they provide is substantial enough for pretty gnarly ADV riding. While they won’t quite substitute for motocross or enduro boots, short of that you’d be hard-pressed to find as much comfort and protection in one boot. Or even two.  

For more information, see your dealer or visit revitusa.com.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

’Stich. Spacesuit. Moto onesie. Aerostich’s R-3 suit, known for years as the Roadcrafter, goes by many names, but one thing is for sure: it has become an icon of motorcycle apparel. Introduced in 1983 by Andy Goldfine, the founder of Aerostich and the non-profit organization that promotes the annual Ride to Work Day, the Roadcrafter was designed for motorcycle commuting and can be worn over street clothes. Thanks to its two main zippers–one from the neck down to the inside of the left ankle and another down the inside of the right leg–a Roadcrafter, with practice, can be put on and zipped closed in a matter of seconds, and removing it is even easier.

Over the years, as word spread about the Roadcrafter’s convenience, versatility and practicality, it became the suit of choice not just for commuters but also for many touring riders. Based on regular feedback from customers and motojournalists, evaluations of suits damaged in crashes and a personal obsession with details, Goldfine has steadily refined the Roadcrafter over the past 36 years. It may not be particularly stylish, but it works remarkably well.

Soon after I joined the Rider staff in 2008 I tested a Roadcrafter, and I wore it for years and over many thousands of miles, on my daily commute, on short- and long-distance tours, on press launches and road test photo shoots, in all kinds of weather. Though faded and stained, that suit is still going strong and holds a place of honor in my gear closet. Over the past four years I’ve been wearing the R-3, the third-generation Roadcrafter, which is better for California’s hot, dry climate because it is unlined and, thanks to seam-sealed zippers in addition to its full Gore-Tex membrane, is waterproof. (The Roadcrafter Classic is still available.)

Made of 500D Cordura with 1000D abrasion-resistant ballistic panels at the shoulder, elbow and knee that are backed by tough, pliable TF armor (a back protector is sold separately), the R-3 is stiff at first and requires some breaking in, but soon feels like a tailored, flexible exoskeleton. It has a full collar that can be folded down, nine pockets that hold a ridiculous amount of stuff, flap-covered zippers at the hips that provide easy access to your pants pockets, various adjustment tabs and Scotchlite reflective panels. With ventilation limited to two underarm vents and a horizontal back vent, the R-3 can get swampy on hot/humid days, but that’s it in terms of shortcomings.

Aerostich’s R-3 One-Piece Suit sells for $1,197 and is available in sizes 34-54 in Short, Regular and Long in multiple suit and ballistic panel colors. A women’s version, a lighter-weight Tactical version, custom sizing and a wide range of add-on accessories are available. Suits can also be sent back to Aerostich for cleaning, alterations and repairs. Like any well-made, tailored garment, you’ll wear it for years.

For more information, call (800) 222-1994 or visit aerostich.com.

Source: RiderMagazine.com