Lightweight ideas, hints and tips

[Northern jock]

Just finished another 10 week trip - Globebusters South America - Bogota to Ushuaia. Thought I'd share the post-trip packing list (ie adapted for lessons learned) whilst it's fresh in my mind. Only listing clothing (ie not riding kit or toiletries or tech). Happy to share those too if any interest.

L/S shirt x1
S/S shirt x1
T-shirt x1
Polo shirt x1
Riding top L/S - merino
Riding top S/S - merino
Long-Johns x1 - merino
Underpants x2
Socks
- ankle x2
- micro x1
- riding warm weather x1, cool weather x1
Microgrid fleece x1
Long pants x1
Shorts x1 (double as trunks)
Zip-offs x1
Merrell barefoot shoes - with gel sole inserts
Sandals/flip-flops
Plus a highly packable puffer jacket

This lot EASILY fits into a 31-litre pannier inner bag and covered every eventuality from +38C to -2C, all the associated heat/cold, wet/dry and wind conditions and all the activities, from hiking Machu Picchu to eating in Santiago's smartest restaurant

All clothes quick-dry and sink washable (no cotton). Daily arrival routine on riding days included washing whatever was worn during the ride (pants, socks and top) so everything is fresh in the morning. Easiest way to wash stuff is to take it into shower with you.

After three trips of this length, I reckon this is pretty close to the perfect list. I could probably lose the micro socks (and roll down ankle socks) and the short-sleeve shirt (roll sleeves up on L/S shirt) and if you want to send stuff to a hotel laundry at some point, a third pair of underpants would be useful - otherwise it's commando or long-johns

Good list.
I would have 2 LS shirts, you can roll the sleeves up on a LS but not down on SS.
No micro socks, just normal.
One LS t-shirt, one SS, no polo.
And a very light weight waterproof jacket and a cap.
But that's just personal preference.
And everything quick dry stuff.

 

[Wapping]

I was looking at richardbd’s very helpful list and thinking that it is pretty much similar to the list I’d created for my plan to ride the German Motorcycle Route(s), next year.

As I am planning to camp and ride it on my Himalayan (as opposed to my 1600) I need to keep the weight / volume well down and cut clothing to the essentials. After all, I don’t expect to be meeting royalty.

In my list:

I dropped the polo shirt and substituted a quick wash long sleeved shirt in its place.

I put in a pair of GorTex lined lightweight walking shoes, in place of the sandals. I did this only as, by camping, I’ll be outside more than him in his hotels.

I too had the extra pair of underpants ie. three.

Like his, my socks are an easy mixture of conventional ankle socks (three pairs) and two pairs of those ‘sports socks’ things, which just cover your foot.

I drop the long trousers and substitute a second pair of zip-off trousers. This gives me two pairs of shorts and (simultaneously) two pairs of long trousers.

I added a cap.

A waterproof jacket / over trousers, doubles up from that which I’ll use on my bike if it’s raining.

The discipline comes from washing clothing out on arrival and it then drying. Then using kit that doubles up, for instance the fleece I’ll wear under my mesh Rukka suit, if it’s cold and / or in the evening around the campsites.

 

[NeverRodeBefore]

I really disliked my zip off trousers, as the zips made them really inflexible and they stayed sort of square round my thighs all the time.

 

[Wapping]

I really disliked my zip off trousers, as the zips made them really inflexible and they stayed sort of square round my thighs all the time.

Name and shame these trousers of horror.

 

[Northern jock]

I really disliked my zip off trousers, as the zips made them really inflexible and they stayed sort of square round my thighs all the time.

I've a pair of North Face ones that are comfy, the zips are very light but work well, so far anyway. They feel like normal trousers

Edit to add, my jacket is a Marmot ultra light waterproof one, very good

Ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk is a good place for light weight stuff

 

[EKIMYRF]

Name and shame these trousers of horror.

 

[richardbd]

I really disliked my zip off trousers, as the zips made them really inflexible and they stayed sort of square round my thighs all the time.

I don't like them either. It's hard to look cool in zip-offs. They are very practical though. Best ones I've found are from (what I think is a US company) Kuhl. They have a better zip mechanism than many. Unfortunately most of their styles are cotton-heavy and so don't dry so easily.

 

[richardbd]

Ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk is a good place for light weight stuff

I agree...

 

[richardbd]

I was looking at richardbd’s very helpful list and thinking that it is pretty much similar to the list I’d created for my plan to ride the German Motorcycle Route(s), next year.

As I am planning to camp and ride it on my Himalayan (as opposed to my 1600) I need to keep the weight / volume well down and cut clothing to the essentials. After all, I don’t expect to be meeting royalty.

In my list:

I dropped the polo shirt and substituted a quick wash long sleeved shirt in its place. FOR ME THE MIX OF L/S AND S/S SHORTS IS CLIMATE DEPENDENT. I LIKE POLO SHIRT BECAUSE IN HOT WEATHER I CAN KEEP COOL AND STILL HAVE BACK OF NECK COVERED.

I put in a pair of GorTex lined lightweight walking shoes, in place of the sandals. I did this only as, by camping, I’ll be outside more than him in his hotels. I AGREE. IN FACT I TOOK GORE-TEX TRAINERS TO SOUTH AMERICA.

I too had the extra pair of underpants ie. three. LUXURY...

Like his, my socks are an easy mixture of conventional ankle socks (three pairs) and two pairs of those ‘sports socks’ things, which just cover your foot.

I drop the long trousers and substitute a second pair of zip-off trousers. This gives me two pairs of shorts and (simultaneously) two pairs of long trousers. THIS EFFECTIVELY REMOVES A PAIR OF SHORTS FROM THE INVENTORY BUT AS ZIP-OFFS TAKE MORE SPACE THAN NORMAL TROOS, IT DOESN'T REALLY SAVE MUCH SPACE.

I added a cap. I ALSO HAVE/HAD A CAP - IT LIVES IN MY OTHER PANNIER

A waterproof jacket / over trousers, doubles up from that which I’ll use on my bike if it’s raining. I AGREE

The discipline comes from washing clothing out on arrival and it then drying. Then using kit that doubles up, for instance the fleece I’ll wear under my mesh Rukka suit, if it’s cold and / or in the evening around the campsites. I AGREE

Some thoughts in CAPS above. I think we're on the same wavelength, with just some local adjustment for climate and purpose

 

[richardbd]

I've a pair of North Face ones that are comfy, the zips are very light but work well, so far anyway. They feel like normal trousers

Edit to add, my jacket is a Marmot ultra light waterproof one, very good

Ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk is a good place for light weight stuff

I carried a Klim Zephyr wind shirt to wear under Rallye suit when needed. Could argue it was an unnecessary luxury as I also had a rain jacket. I prefer the Zephyr under Rallye to rain jacket over though, for aesthetics if nothing else! Zephyr is also pretty shower proof (no taped seams) so useful in evening off bike too.

 

[richardbd]

I bought my Minix, an otherwise excellent product, in April. The small clip that holds the three pin adaptor in place has failed. This means that the device loses contact with the mains, not helped as the device hangs downwards from the three pin adaptor, gravity then taking over.

I have a similar unit branded UGreen. One USB and two USB-C outlets. Performed faultlessly all the way round South America. Seems to be nicely made and very robust.

 

[simondippenhall]

All great suggestions. My 0.02p (and which works for me) to bring Coolmax thin socks which I wear under thicker socks as the Coolmax ones can be washed and dried very quickly and easily and the outer socks rarely need washing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[richardbd]

For interest, riding kit for same trip(s):

Schuberth E1 - took peak off for entire South America trip, so really just a C3 Pro
Buff
BMW GS Rallye suit - perfect combination for such variable conditions and easily washed
Klim Zephyr as windproof liner
Forcefield Pro knee tubes - don't trust troos to keep armour in place off tarmac
Alpinestars Toucan GTX boots - good balance between comfort and protection. Hot but 100% waterproof.
Icebreaker merino ski socks - light for hot, heavy for cold
BMW GS gloves for hot
Rukka Virium for wet
Rukka lobster for cold
Silk inners + Tough Bags GTX over-mits for extreme wet of cold
BMW two-piece rain suit

Rohan merino union base (L/S for cold, S/S for hot)
Rohan Aether trunks for hot
Rab Forge leggings for cold
Rukka Down-X leggings for proper cold

Puffer jacket for proper cold
Keis waistcoat for proper, proper cold

In extremis I could (and did) wear base layers, heated waistcoat, puffer layers, Zephyr and Rallye suit. Never needed rain suit plus heated waistcoat but always had it in reserve. I was never cold

 

[richardbd]

All great suggestions. My 0.02p (and which works for me) to bring Coolmax thin socks which I wear under thicker socks as the Coolmax ones can be washed and dried very quickly and easily and the outer socks rarely need washing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good plan on the socks Simon. In my ultra-minimalist list I have the same idea, though I have lightweight Icebreaker merino. This removes the need for a second pair of long riding socks.

 

[Wapping]

Thank you, richardb. We are indeed on the same page.

I’ll be doing the German Motorcycle Route(s) in summer / early autumn, so I don’t expect it to be that cold all day. There again, with a Rukka mesh suit, anything beneath about 15 C, gets a bit chilly if you are out all day in the rain. Layering up, with clothes that double-up, holds the answer, as always.

PS Good point about the zip-off trousers, taking up more space than a pair of conventional shorts.

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Listen to you all.
Amazon.
Tut.
I despair, I really do.

 

[Wapping]

Listen to you all.
Amazon.
Tut.
I despair, I really do.

My sister always refers to it as ‘The Amazon’, as in the river, usually with a heavy emphasis on ‘the’, in the style of Trump.

 

[Flintlock]

Large Tesco freezer bags - great for storing clothes - example below - 5 tee-shirts. Once placed in the bag - sit on it & seal = vacuum packed.


Several bags can be used for different items of clothing. Also an area to write on with a permanent marker.

 

[richardbd]

Large Tesco freezer bags - great for storing clothes - example below - 5 tee-shirts. Once placed in the bag - sit on it & seal = vacuum packed.
View attachment 298305View attachment 298306View attachment 298307

Several bags can be used for different items of clothing. Also an area to write on with a permanent marker.

Great kit for shorter trips but three months of packing and repacking them everyday tends to call their longevity into question. Unless of course you take an extra big freezer bag with three months' supply of smaller ones in it...

 

[Northern jock]

Ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk is a good place for light weight stuff

Add Rohan as a source of very good quality clothing that can be washed in a sink and dries quickly. Not cheap unless you catch the regular sales but their stuff works and lasts so you don't need much with you.