My Adventure Riding Protection: Finding the Right Balance

If there's one lesson I've learnt over years of adventure riding, it's that comfort and protection need to work together. The safest gear in the world is no good if it's so uncomfortable that you don't want to wear it for a full day's ride. After trying numerous combinations over the years, I've finally settled on a setup that gives me the flexibility to ride comfortably in almost any conditions while maintaining a high level of protection. Leatt Dual Axis Pro Knee Guards The most important piece of protection I wear is my Leatt Dual Axis Pro knee guards. I've previously owned Leatt Z-Frame knee braces and several other knee guards and braces from different manufacturers. While braces undoubtedly offer the highest level of protection, I found they became uncomfortable during long adventure rides. As my knees have got older, all-day comfort has become just as important as outright protection. The Dual Axis Pro strikes the perfect balance for the type of riding I do. It provides CE Level 2 impact protection, excellent coverage and a natural range of movement without creating pressure points after hours in the saddle. They're comfortable enough that I simply forget I'm wearing them, and to me that's exactly how protective equipment should be. Riding Pants I pair the knee guards with either my Leatt 5.5 Rally Pants or Leatt Enduro Pants, depending on the ride. One thing I've learnt is that I much prefer in-the-boot riding pants. I've tried over-the-boot designs in the past, but on more than one occasion the extra material caught on my footpegs while putting a foot down in technical terrain. The result was a couple of completely avoidable falls. Since switching to in-the-boot pants, that's never happened again. They're cleaner, neater and simply work better for the type of riding I enjoy. Gloves For most rides I wear my Leatt 7.5 Adventure gloves, which offer an excellent balance between protection, comfort and feel at the controls. When temperatures drop or rain moves in, I switch to the Leatt 7.5 HydraDri gloves. They provide the weather protection I need without sacrificing too much dexterity, making them ideal for winter mornings or wet adventure rides. Hot Weather Setup South African summers can be brutally hot, and wearing a full adventure jacket isn't always the best solution. On particularly hot days, I swap the jacket for a Leatt 4.5 EVO Chest Protector combined with 100% elbow guards. This gives me maximum airflow while still protecting the areas most likely to take an impact during an off-road fall. It's a setup that keeps me cool without feeling like I've compromised on safety. A Modular System Rather than relying on one outfit for every ride, I've built a riding gear system that adapts to the conditions. Cold or wet weather: Leatt 5.5 FlowTour jacket with HydraDri gloves. General adventure riding: FlowTour jacket with 7.5 Adventure gloves. Hot summer trail riding: Leatt 4.5 EVO Chest Protector, 100% elbow guards and Leatt Enduro pants. Every ride: Leatt Dual Axis Pro knee guards and Gaerne SG-12 boots. That flexibility means I'm always dressed appropriately for the conditions without compromising on protection or comfort. Final Thoughts There's no single "perfect" riding gear setup for every adventure. Conditions change, temperatures vary, and every ride places different demands on both the rider and the equipment. For me, this combination has evolved over years of trial and error. Every piece has earned its place because it solves a specific problem, whether that's improving comfort, increasing protection or adapting to changing weather. The result is a riding system that lets me focus on the trail ahead rather than the gear I'm wearing, and that's exactly what good adventure equipment should do.