Hi!
I planned this email for the start of August assuming that it would be the perfect time to talk about riding in the heat.
As it turns out, here in the UK I'm probably about a month late, it has been a HOT summer!
If you've already been out riding I hope you managed to stay cool.
If you are getting ready to head out for hot lands on the bike, this email is for you.
👉☀️👇
What's more breathable? Supershirt or Mongolia?
Long time followers of Adventure Spec know that The Supershirt 2.0 is the CE AA base layer that we've built our layering system around. Put your protection on first then add as much or as little as you need over the top.
So, if it's hot, you have the option to add very little, or even nothing, as a way of staying light, protected and breathable.
When we get asked on socials about how much the Supershirt actually breathes, I'm always heartened by our community who often jump in to share their experiences. Despite its close fit, the UHDPE and Nylon 6-6 weave lets a surprising amount of air through when you are moving.
But, what if the heat is extreme?
It's been close to 40°C here in the UK, hotter in other parts of Europe, and if you've got a bike adventure booked you're going to be seriously weighing up the 'protection v comfort' debate.
A while back Jim our product manager ran a little air transfer test to help illustrate how the different fabrics in our Supershirt, Linesman Jacket and Mongolia Jacket compare.
The Linesman Jacket 2.0 is designed to be windproof. The softshell fabric is backed by a PU membrane (like our waterproof gear) so it's no surprise that it lets the least air through. Although you can take the sleeves off which greatly increases air flow!
Jim's experiment is a great way to see how breathable The Supershirt 2.0 is, especially compared to the Linesman fabric. I think this is what surprises many people after their first ride in it. In contrast to how it looks, it does let a lot of airflow through.
But the clear winner is the Mongolia Jacket 2.0. From the outset the Mongolia range was designed to work in hot climates (and racing the Dakar!). The nylon 6-6 fabric features an open weave pattern which creates a mesh construction. It's essentially a CE AA jacket full of holes!
To compliment this our new Flow armour was specifically designed with breathability and airflow in mind. Level 2 protection that allows air to pass through.
When it heats up!
A little while ago we were in Morocco on the Trans Morocco Trail giving the new Mongolia 2.0 gear a good and final test before launch.
It was October so the mornings were cool and we layered up accordingly. The Baltic Hybrid mid layer to add some warmth, the Mongolia Jacket 2.0 over the top.
By mid day when the sun was at its peak and the heat was on, we were riding in just a T-shirt and Mongolia Jacket 2.0.
The air whipped through the mesh fabric as we were riding, providing well needed cooling, and in the extremes of heat we enjoyed the looser fit of the Mongolia Jacket 2.0.
It also meant that when we stopped for tea breaks (and there were many!) it was really easy to take the jacket off and cool down in the shade.
A key bit of feedback that we incorporated into the development of the new Mongolia 2.0 gear was "can you make it in a lighter colour"?
Our Storm white is about as reflective as you can get. Every single effort made to keep you cool.
And Sam, our guide from Wilderness Wheels Morocco was happy to wear Black just to prove that for those that live and ride all year in the desert, there's hot and then there's HOT.
STAY COOL
I don't know where you are riding this August, but the chances are you might be looking at a weather forecast that's all shades of yellow, orange and red.
Maybe you're thinking about risking it and just heading out in a T-shirt.
Or maybe you are scratching your head trying to understand how you will manage with the riding gear you've been used to.
Maybe, the breathability and CE AA protection of the Mongolia Jacket 2.0 is just what you have been looking for.
Either way, I hope you have a great, safe and memorable August adventure.
☀️😎🙌
Greg Villalobos
The Mongolia Jacket 2.0
Built for hot weather adventure touring.
Breathable mesh construction.
CE AA performance.
Rear pocket for hydration bladder.
Zips into the Mongolia Pant 2.0.
See how it fits different body shapes here
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