With my latest motorcycle upgrade in 2025, I upgraded my riding gear as well. Here’s how my offroad + touring riding gear fares after a year and a half of usage for touring and off road riding.
Ever since I got the KTM 390 Adventure S, I started going for more off road rides and dirt track practice sessions.
I figured I couldn’t use my regular touring gear for trail riding and dirt track practices because of two major reasons. Firstly, touring mesh jackets and pants are well ventilated as long as you keep moving at a good pace as you do on the highway.
But on the trails and tracks, this is not the case. Wearing such gear while riding at slow paces started making me uncomfortable due to its weight and heat.
Secondly these gears were getting damaged more often as we fall more often during trail rides and dirt practice sessions. This was causing a lot of wear and tear which was getting unsafe for touring.
I wanted gears dedicated to 2 different use case scenarios. One for off road riding and one for touring. Since I didn’t have the budget to get dedicated gear for both, I got something that’s modular and works well for both use case scenario.
First I’ll get into the Off Road gear since my touring gear is mostly off road gear with an extra layer for abrasion resistance.
When we go off road, the terrain is mostly soft and we ride slow. It’s a mixture of mud, slush, loose rocks, gravel or sand. There you’ll need mostly impact protection and not much of abrasion resistance. Gear which gives abrasion resistance is what makes it bulky and less ventilated.
Armored/Protective Base Layer for Offroad + Touring Riding Gear
For the upper body I got the Raida TrailCraft Armored Base Layer. It has CE certified level 2 flexible protectors for the back, shoulder and elbow and Level 1 protectors for the chest. The base layer is very thin, absorbs sweat and it quickly dries off too.
The armors are easy to remove so that you can wash the base layer after one or two rides. The only downside is that the back and chest armors are quite heavy thereby making the whole base layer heavier compared to the one from Rynox.
But it costs around 4.5k INR while the Rynox one costs around 9k. If you have the budget for it, I’d recommend the armored base layer from Rynox as it is lighter.
It nicely fits, the fabric is comfortable and it hasn’t lost its elasticity with multiple washes. The zips are also very smooth to operate.
One added advantage of armored base layers is that the armors sit snugged to your body. It doesn’t move around or shift when you fall as with some touring jackets.
For the lower body I got Rynox Quest Pro Protective Base Layer as Raida doesn’t have one. These also have CE certified level 2 hip protecotrs and added padding for tail bone and thighs. It’s very comfortable to wear and absorbs sweat and quickly dries it up.
The added tail bone padding makes it comfortable to ride for long hours on the saddle especially on firm seats like the one on the KTM. This is one of the reasons why I’ve never felt the need to modify the seat on my KTM. It costs around 5k INR
Product Links – Raida TrailCraft Armored Base Layer, Rynox Quest Pro Protective Base Layer
Acerbis Jump Mx Chest Protector
The armored base layer offers adequate chest and back protection. But during an amateur off road race in March 2025, I fell sideways and hit my side chest on the ground where armor coverage wasn’t there. I suffered hairline fractures on 2 ribs.
That’s when I decided to get Acerbis Jump MX chest protector. It’s CE level 2 certified and comes with a rib cage protector as well.
Since it’s hard plastic, it gives a good amount of abrasion resistance along with impact protection. I have removed the chest and back protectors from the armored base layer and replaced them with this armor.
It’s well ventilated and has a comfortable inner lining that sits snug. I wear it over the jersey so that while taking a break from the ride I can remove the armor and keep it aside to prevent heat build up.
I’m yet to suffer a bad fall with this but by the looks of it I think it should do a better job than the armored base layer. It costs around 9500 INR. It’s available along with Acerbis armored base layer for 12k. Since I already had an armored base layer, I just went with the protector alone.
Product Link – Acerbis Jump MX
Cramster Rage Bionic Knee Guards
Rynox armored base layer doesn’t come with knee guards and hence I went with a separate one. As you know after your head, your feet and knees are the most vulnerable to motorcycle accidents.
I went with Cramster Rage Bionic Knee Guards and I’m very happy with it. These guards are so comfortable that you often forget you’re wearing them.
It’s comfortable to walk around as well. It can take up quite the impact. I’ve had nasty falls on the dirt track right on my knee which ended up damaging few parts on the bike but I’ve walked away completely unhurt.
Product Link – Cramster Rage Bionic Knee Guards
It costs around 2.5k INR & I highly recommend these.
Rynox Air GT gloves and Cramster K2K full gauntlet gloves
Rynox Air GT gloves are not off road gloves. I used to use them as my primary touring gloves but ever since I upgraded to the Cramster K2K gloves for touring, I started using this for off road riding and for city commute.
I’ve made separate blogs explaining the pros, cons and prices on both these gloves which you can check out in the following link.
Cramster K2K Gloves, Rynox Air GT
Atlas Traction MX boots
I used to use the Gadsyll G Star WP 11 tourer boots. I even made a separate blog on it. Those boots worked great until I started going off road more often. They were perfect for touring as they provided decent protection, abrasion resistance and water proofing but it wasn’t great in terms of protection for off road use.
I sold it and got Atlas Traction MX boots. I’ve been using these for a few months now and so for it’s been good. Once I get more time on these, I’ll put up a detailed review on it. It costs around 23k INR. These boots are not waterproof.
Product Link – Atlas Traction MX boots
Rynox H2Go Waterproof socks
While touring in rainy conditions, I use the Rynox H2Go waterproof socks. These work great for rainy conditions and river crossings as long as water doesn’t enter from the top.
IMO it’s better to use a boot that’s not waterproof because it dries faster as you keep riding. Waterproof boots tend to dry very slowly if water gets inside and thus keeping your feet damp and it stinks for a long time.
These waterproof socks on the other hand keeps your feet dry, dries up faster and doesn’t stink that bad. Only issue is it’s a little tedious to wash it but that’s worth the trade off. A combination of waterproof socks and a normal boot works great.
Product Link – Rynox H2Go waterproof
Rynox Switchback Neo Off Road jersey
Rynox Switchback Neo Off Road Jersey is very light and well ventilated. I wear it on top of the armored base layer for trail rides and dirt track practice days. It costs around 1500 INR.
Product Link – Rynox Switchback Neo Off Road Jersey
Axor X Cross Helmet
I use Axor X cross helmets for both off road and touring use. I have two of these. One for city commute and for off road use while the other is for touring in which I have installed the mics for vlogging. This helmet costs around 6000 INR. I’ve made a separate review blog on it.
I don’t use goggles for off road riding even though it improves ventilation because i’m very allergic to dust. I like my head to be as secluded from the environment as possible even if it gets hot and uncomfortable. Otherwise a dedicated MX helmet with a goggle setup is best for off road usage.
Product Link – Axor X cross
Trek n Ride Hydration bladder and bag
Trek n’ Ride 3L bladder and bag combo is very handy during off road rides. It has a lot of pockets for you to store stuff like phones, wallets, protein bars, hydration gels, first aid kits, few tools, zip ties, camera mount and so on.
I always keep this bag stocked with essentials so that in the morning of a trail ride or a dirt track session, I can just put this on and start the day with a peace of mind.
Now when it comes to touring, you’ll need abrasion resistance and protection because you’ll be riding on tarmac. While touring, almost, all the gear remains the same. Along with all that, I add a layer of gear for abrasion resistance.
Product Link – Trek n’ Ride 3L bladder and bag combo
Rynox off road jacket
Rynox Dune Neo Trail Offroad Jacket is a mesh jacket and doesn’t come with any guards or protectors. It’s supposed to be worn over the armored base layer. This is well ventilated, comfortable and fits nice. Build quality is good.
Viaterra also makes offroad jackets which are lighter and fits better. But I went with Rynox mainly for one reason. This jacket has detachable sleeves. If you’re riding in very hot and humid condition, instead of opting to not wear a jacket, you can remove these sleeves to improve ventilation.
Another feature I love is the space for a hydration bladder inside the jacket. It can hold a 3L bladder from Trek n Ride and you can route the pipe from the inside. This is very convenient and comfortable. I personally don’t like wearing bag packs over the jacket as it’s uncomfortable during long rides.
With this jacket you’ll not even remember that you’re carrying 3L of water inside. Moreover it acts as an extra layer of cushion in case of a fall. The jacket has enough pockets to carry your essentials. It costs around 5k INR.
Product Link – Rynox Dune Neo Trail Offroad Jacket
Viaterra Corbett Monochrome – Off Road Trail Riding Pants
Corbett Monochrome – Off Road Trail Riding Pants from Viaterra are great. Once you place your order, they reach out to you for measurements. They custom stitch it according to your requirements. It has enough room to accommodate knee guards and has a tapered end that goes inside the boots.
I got these over the Rynox pants as they are cheaper, better fitting, less bulky and more comfortable. The only downside to these pants are that it doesn’t have any pockets for quick access. It costs around 4.5k INR.
Product Link – Corbett Monochrome – Off Road Trail Riding Pants from Viaterra
I’ve been loving this setup which I can efficiently and conveniently use for my different use case scenario without compromising safety.
Altogether this offroad + touring riding gear setup costs around 70k INR which is less than 15% of the cost of the KTM 390 Adventure S. Don’t skimp out on safety and get good gears to protect yourself.
Consider safety gears as insurance and invest at least 10-15% of the cost of your bike in getting good safety gear so that you can enjoy riding for the longest time, safely.
