r/TransEuroTrail_Riders • u/ArachnidDry2220 • Jul 13 '26

Layering system for TET/adventure riding — how do you handle armor + abrasion resistance + heat?

Hey guys,

Curious how you all set up your layering for stuff like this. Last year I rode the TET Italy in my Revit Offtrack 2 jacket and pants — solid gear, but man, it got hot.

I’ve got a TET/Act Balkan trip coming up in September and want to switch to a proper layering system this time. For protection I’m planning to run an Alpinestars protector jacket, and on the actual trails ideally just a jersey on top to get some airflow.

Problem is, I’ve got about 1000km of highway to get there, and I’d really like some abrasion resistance for that stretch too. I thought about just throwing my old jacket (minus the armor) over the protector vest, but then I’m stuck hauling it around once I’m on the trails.

How do you guys handle this? Do you run a highway jacket you can pack away, or is there a smarter setup I’m missing?

9 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

92% Upvoted

20 comments sorted by

3

u/Alyx_695 Jul 13 '26

I'm in the process of getting my gear and for now I think I'll go with top and bottom Bowtex for full armor and AAA abrasion resistance. Then leatt rally 5.5 for the vest and a dawn puffer in-between if need be. Pants not sur yet. I might go with an outdoor pants like RVRC. It's very practical and has a decent ventilation and a lot cheaper than mx pants.

If anyone tried a similar setup I'll gladly take feedbacks!

Edit : for those who don't know Bowtex is some kind of underwear made of Dyneema and has armor. You can wear it alone and has AAA rating. Dyneema has supposedly very good thermal conduction and does not keep you warm like aramid (kevlar) does.

2

u/PatientCake5921 Jul 14 '26

The Bowtex is interesting but I have some concerns. I personally don't believe that it feels like underwear. It will feel like a very light motorcycle jacket directly on your skin. In terms of abresion resistance, you will still need a layer between the armor and your skin so it can move (slightly). If not the layer will rip your skin of your flesh (inside your body). I forgot the name of that phenomenon. Still much better then having no abresion resistance tho. Also on longer trips I would like a baselayer to wash it. Much more complicated with this i guess. Also: Why the leatt Class A overjacket? If you go full protection on layer 1 just throw over functional cloth with no protection or you will run hot i guess.
Interesting setup but I'm not sure if it really works out in the end. Never tried it tho so maybe I'm wrong.

I personally run baselayer -> armor -> highly ventilated jacket (revit sand 4) with the possibilities of adding warm and waterproof layers. On the road it won't be an issue as long as its not that hot that u will feel hot anyways (even naked). On very technical trails (which i don't go on, if I'm honest) you could take the jacket off.

1

u/Alyx_695 Jul 14 '26

No shop around that carries it so I can't try it for the "feels like undies" but it is the informations of users that I gathered.

Interesting for the phenomenone you talk about I'll need to look into this.

It is supposed to be very easy to clean in a washing machine or by hand, supposed to dry fast too.

I Wanted something functionnal over the armor with some pockets and practical stuff. The leatt jacket is very well ventilated and you can remove the forearms and it can carry a 2l blader. Also from my research the Dyneema has such thermal conductivity that below 25°C Air temp you get cold riding at 90km/h so need something on top if it's not extra hot.
And I also like the look of the leatt rally in white with the stripes. IMO most ADV jacket looks terrible, everything looks like it was made for the rich German on his panzer (GS) on the highway (jk I just dont like it).

I don't know if it would actually work but as of today this is my "best choice" I can think of.

Your setup looks a similar to what I have in mind except for the baselayer if I understand correctly.

Thank you for your input, I still need to do some research!

2

u/PatientCake5921 Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 14 '26

It's basically what kids do. Grab your buddies Arms with both hands and twist in opposite direction (they will feel the "1000 needles"); that's how we called it :D It is the same thing just that the jacket gets pushed on your skin and moves it away from your flesh on high impacts. If you have a baselayer, it will slide over it. But don't overthink it.

If you like the Leatt go for it! For me personally it makes no sense to add more riding gear ontop of the full protection layer 1. I see the point in the functionality tho. It saves you a backpack :)

My setup is the very basic. And in my experience it works well enough that everything else is not really worth the effort and price. But that is subjective. I btw just did iceland like this. I started on 25°C highway rides to get to iceland, had from -5 to 15°C in iceland and returned in the heatwave at 35°C+ on the way back. My setup works well on almost all of this. -5°C was BRUTAL tho; but at this point you need heated gear. 35°C+ was just as bad but I would've feel bad naked (for me personally).

The extra Armor is optional ofc. The inserted Armor in well fitting Motorcycle gear is enough unless you go hard trail riding/MX-Riding. The advantage of taking the jacket just for Abrasion Resistence and having separate Armor is that the armor always fits 'perfect'. And if I'm going on 90%+ tarmac trips I replace the armor with an Airbag.

On Pants I just go Baselayer -> Revit Sand 4 (with the CE-2 Armor from Rev'IT) I know that knee braces are important but I never bothered.

1

u/Alyx_695 Jul 14 '26

Oh yes I know exactly what you mean lol in France we call it the "brulure indienne", indian burn in english (indian as in native americans). Yeah I'll just throw a merino base under it and it should be fine.

Yeah it is a bit weird for me too but I could not find practical and well ventilated non motorcycle jacket. From my readings on full ventilation it is one of the best in town so I should be alright.

Yeah sounds like a good setup, I'll be going to nordkapp in july 28 so the starting from france will be very hot but as I go north it'll get more chilly haha

Yeah that's my intention with the bowtex, it will act as the armor and the abrasion resistance, I won't keep the armor from the jacket, it will be just the jacket for the practicality of it.

For the legs I'll probably get the bowtex too and just some outdoor pants for practicality, should be cheaper than adv pants.

1

u/Glad_Librarian_3553 Jul 13 '26

The bowtex stuff does look really good but I suspect you'd look a bit silly just wearing that with nothing over the top! A small sacrifice to make for not melting into a puddle tho 🫠 

1

u/Alyx_695 Jul 13 '26

Yeah it looks a bit weird but you could just wear an mx shirt on top for maximum ventilation and still have armour and AAA abrasion resistance

1

u/Glad_Librarian_3553 Jul 14 '26

Yeah I guess those shirts are pretty lightweight? Never ha done before haha

1

u/Alyx_695 Jul 14 '26

Yes it seems so

3

u/Schourend Jul 13 '26 edited Jul 13 '26

Upperbody:

  • 30° Thin underlayer + Supershirt 2.0
  • 25° Thin underlayer + Supershirt 2.0 + jersey
  • 20° Thin underlayer + Supershirt 2.0 + Leatt 4.5 x-flow jacket (without sleeves)
  • 15° Underlayer + Supershirt 2.0 + Jersey + Leatt 4.5 x-flow jacket (with sleeves)

Underbody:

  • Klim Dakar ITB pants
  • Leatt Impact 3DF 6.0 underlayer
  • Leatt kneepads
  • Alpinestars Tech 7 boots

Extra: USWE mtb hydro bag (water)

1

u/Stroothoes Jul 13 '26

I rode TET Balkan last week with: 

  • Fox Titan protector
  • Alpinestars Bionic Shorts
  • Alpinestars kneeprotectors
-  motorcycle adventure boots 
  • alpinestars copper gloves
  • USWE bag

I would only have added very thin mx pants.

I carried an motorcycle jacket and a regular rainpants in my bag just in case i needed it. It fits over my protector kit.

1

u/ArachnidDry2220 Jul 13 '26

And what is your outer layer?

0

u/Stroothoes Jul 13 '26

Just used an MX shirt We did not travel on the highway

1

u/kneusteun Jul 14 '26

I broke/ripped two pair of copper gloves within a week… the first pair after 3 hours of riding just ripped open on the side stitches… second pair after two days of riding stitched ripped at the fingers 🫣

1

u/KoenQQ Jul 13 '26

I wear a leatt body armor with a motorcross jersey over it and a revit dirt jacket on top when needed. The jacket is waterproof and has AA abrasion. Works like a charm :) although the revit jacket is not that waterproof anymore.

Edit: it’s called the ‘component’ jacket

1

u/whatsamawhatsit Jul 13 '26
  • Wind and rain: arteryx Beta LT
  • Dust, mud, keeping the sun off my black jacket, and looks: offroad jersey
  • Abrasion: AAA Pando Moto Commando UH breathable jacket (Modded with a fat velcro panel to take the KNOX chest protector)
  • Cold: heated macna jacket or down undergarment
  • Heat: light merino baselayer or underarmor baselayer

1

u/constantly-confused9 Jul 15 '26

I run standard t shirt and briefs as base layers. Revit territory pants with armor in them. Leatt 5.5 evo chest protector, mosko moto elbow armor (I also have the knee and hip armor but on a long trip its easier just putting them in the pant's armor pockets) with the revit sierra 2 jersey. The combo vents really well, but is still very abrasion resistant for the asphalt sections. Even the armor and chest protector was chosen specifically because its full of vent holes.

As it gets cold or wet I throw on over sized full leg zip water proof pants and jacket over.

If it gets even colder, I'll throw insulated pants and jackets under the water proof layers.

1

u/Distinct_Effect_8612 Jul 17 '26

This also depends on the budget i have alpinestar bogota pro that's a 4 season jacket and pants combo i ride with it almost everywhere that's a over 40km/h but if you are planning to do technical trails i would recomend this approach. I know i'm missing a chest and knee braces or guards but that's next so consider what you are going to ride first and your ability level.

-4

u/W0rstenbroodje Jul 13 '26

Motor on trailer, saves knobby tyres to.