Expectations flying high, we received a brand new Stetind 3 UltraLight from Norwegian Barents Outdoor for an extended test by an entire Basecamp North team.

Now, months later, it is time to gather our experience with the tent we have subjected to wind-swept Danish coasts, Norwegian mountains, and a 10-day motorcycle trip with plenty of hard rain.

Barents Who?

To many of you, Barents Outdoor is a new entity on the outdoor manufacturing scene. To those in the know, Barents Outdoor is the continuation of a generation-long celebration of design excellence, better known as Helsport. The brand entered the scene back in 1957 with the Helliksen family at the helm. Melhus, a short drive outside the city of Trondheim, became famous for the development of Helsport world-class products. That is, until the family-owned operation was sold to Brav Norway AS (previous Swix Sport) in 2017. Three years later, Brav decided to leave an entire staff of experts behind and move the Helsport brand away from Melhus.

This is when Helsport founder Arild Helliksen´s granddaughter Nora Helliksen launched Barents Outdoor and moved into the old but familiar facilities, shouldered by a group of loyal employees.

The accomplishments of Barents Outdoor over the past three years are nothing but astounding. In addition to presenting a complete line of lightweight 3- and 4-season tents, sleeping bags and tarps, the brand has just been awarded a 7-year, 290.000.000 NOK contract with the Norwegian armed forces to deliver a range of specially designed tents.

Quality and Sustainability

Barents Outdoor marketing may sound like any other brand, attempting to score points by carefully introducing slogans to indicate a green profile. Barents, unlike many, is taking concrete measures to live up to their claims.

Not only do Barents offer one free repair on all their products, they also assist in repairing their products to last, encouraging consumers to extend the longevity of their purchase rather than replace it.

Barents also sells certified used products to limit unnecessary waste. All product hang tags are printed on recycled paper and wildflower seeds and can be planted. Barents headquarters all run on 100 percent renewable energy.

Pitching the Stetind UltraLight

The Stetind UltraLight is a free-standing dome construction, similar to Helsport Reinsfjell and Exped Orion. Pitching the tent is quick and easy with the inner tent attached to the outer to avoid exposing the interior to rain or sleet.

The three 9-mm Yunan poles run inside sleeves, making the tent extremely stable and quiet in the wind, something we appreciated during our nights on the exposed coast.

The construction includes two idential entrances with apsis to store boots, gear, and food preparation.

Air circulation is provided by large vents, held open by internal stiffeners, which prevent the vents from collapsing in wind or heavy rain. The outer tent can be lifted to provide further air circulation. It´s what Barents call their Open Air Ventilation System. All insect nets are no-see-um type. Nats are fresh out of luck.

The three-season tent sports plenty of anchoring points and guylines, all reinforced or double-gusseted, to withstand the nastyest weather.

Inside

First of all, we are big fans of the color choice. The rich blue color of the outer tent is simply gorgeous, and the light gray inner tent complements it well. Entering the tent, we immediately appreciate the high-quality materials and immaculate finish. The 15D Ripstop flows like liquid through our fingers. Zips and ties work well.

The tent is very spacious for two, but a bit cramped for the three this tent is made for. This is, of course, our subjective opinion. Our team is in agreement and always chooses a 3-person tent for two and a 2-person tent for one. We leave exploring the ultimate capacity for those comfortable with threesomes. The interior floor space measures 230 x 160 cm, leaving room for our Amok Fjøl XL matt and a little elbow room. Interior height is a comfortable 125 cm.

One of the reasons why the Stetind feels so roomy is the clever way the inner tent attaches to the outer tent. The apsis is 80 cm deep by 250 cm. 

There are plenty of attachment points for drying lines, gear lofts, and lights. There are large pockets along the inner tent sides for storing your phone, glasses, or snack.

The pleasant color choice and attention to detail made us feel very much at home spending time inside the Barents Stetind.

All The Benefits of A Great Tent

More than the sum of its parts, a good tent provides safety and creature comfort through many years of use. Unless your adventures keep landing you on camping site lawns, you will experience all sorts of environments. Windstorms, heavy rain, freezing nights, and scorching days All of the above is within the expected, or even extreme, circumstances. Predictable or by total surprise.

High-quality tents are designed and manufactured with all this in mind, while a cheap tent made for a single fair-weather vacation is made for just that. Being surprised by bad weather can happen to anyone. Being prepared and bringing appropriate gear will make a big difference.

Our Stetind Ultralight performed well during our months of use, showing no wear or wear points.Hours of high winds were no match for the tent, and it vented excellently in high temperatures.

A combination of hard rain and wind resulted in some seeming water ingress, but nothing more than should be expected for a new tent’s first outing.

Our Recommendation

The Stetind UltraLight from Barents Outdoor has our recommendation. It is a well designed high-quality tent that will keep you a happy camper for many years. And being backed by a responsible and experienced manufacturer like Barents Outdoor, you will not go wrong. 

The design provide a tent especially well suited for windy environments. It´s sleeved poles makes it quiet and extremely sturdy. The many smart details add lots to the user experience. 

NOTE: At current, Barents Outdoor is markedet in Norway only, but we hope growing interest in the not too distand future will make these fine products available to us on “the outside”. 

Pricing is similar to other high quality comparable tents with a very good value for money. The Stetind model is offered in a 2- or 3-person size. The larger option is also available as an expedition grade 4-seson version that looks awesome.

Basecamp North / Bibow

Specs

Total Weight: 2,8 kg (Tent: 1,8 kg / Poles: 0,78 kg / Stakes: 0,16.kg / Rep Kit: 0,04 kg)

Pack Volume: 19×50 cm

Outer tent: RipStop 15D/3.000mm water column

Inner tent: RipStop 15D, water resistance, breathing

Tent floor: RipStop 40D/5.000mm water column

Everybody’s talking weight-loss, yet most, considering themselves “adventure riders”, keep forking over their cash for pear-shaped, bloated machines. Is it the promise of endless power or the perceived globetrotter image that tugs on your credit card, or do you honestly need the 100+ horsepower bolted to a 250-kilogram travel platform.

I am guilty of not asking myself this question while following the trend—if not blindly, then seriously nearsighted. After two decades riding loud Italian street bikes, I started my role stradling one of the absolute heavyweights of the adventure segment, a BMW boxer.

Stubborn, Stubborn Man

At 189 cm and 100 kilos, I am not a featherweight rider by any stretch of the imagination, so I felt pretty comfortable and well matched behind the speedo of the big lump. But all comfort ended when I encountered a dead-end trail with the the bike´s nose pointing south. Turning 250 kilos of dead weight embedded in wet moss does not make for my kind of adventure.

Resistant to waking up, I’ve continued to trade my way through other heavy bikes until this summer, when I faced the unanswered question: What’s keeping you from choosing a different route and riding a lighter bike?

Fit For Adenture

To help me answer this question, I got help from trusted friends at AJP Nordic in Stockholm, who made a 2023 PR7 Adventure available for a few days stint along the ribbon of gravel roads, part of the Trans European Trail.

Throwing my leg over the tall sadle, the AJP felt unfamiliar yet comfortable. The riding position was nearly perfect, with all critical controls right where I wanted them, from foot lever angles to the thumb-operated remote for the impressive multi-functional Android tablet.

The light weight and narrow profile served up a real eureka moment, even before I pressed the start button. Hello, brave new world!

Gearing Up

When ordering a PR7, you’re presented with a number of options. In my case, “somebody” had opted for the race-mapped edition with 65 horsepower on tap rather than the standard model’s 46. Still a sucker for extra power on anything, the promise of extra “go” was welcome.

In preparation for a week on the road, I used a MoskoMoto Rackless 40 and a small duffle from the same brand. MoskoMoto also sent me a couple of their new tank bags to review: the cavernous “hat box” Hood tank bag and the minimalistic Gnome. I chose the ladder, which proved a tad too minimalistic, but more on that in a separate review.

Fitting bags and miscellaneous gear to the PR7 is a piece of cake. Not only does the no-nonsense bike design allow for easy access to critical components for service, but it is also super convenient for customizing your bike. Modern bikes all wrapped in plastic panels may look chic, but in most cases, the bikes are designed by industrial designers driving Alfa Romeos.

The AJP is a dream in this regard. The thoughtful way this bike is designed and built should be the gold standard of adventure bikes. Great job!

Hokus Pokus Free

Before rolling off, I kept note of the fact that the PR7 has no ABS, traction control, or programable riding modes. Maneuvering past new EU regulations, the PR7 is classified as a motorcycle for one person, the rider. The absence of passenger footpegs proves the point. (There are no back- and armrests available in the ordering form; this is a motorcycle.)

Another common detail with “pain in the ass” potential, the side stand sensor, has also been dropped. As soon as you take the weight off the stand, it folds up.

The guys at AJP have built a motorcycle around riders with enough confidence in their own basic abilities, rather than trusting dongles and button-pushing sequences to activate the desired level of hokus pokus. Having owned and loved an early cult bike from KTM, I just love this approach.

Power Is Nothing Without Control

The 65 horsepower from the 600 cc single is plenty to move the PR7 along, even with the combined tonnage of myself and my gear. For the bike alone, the scale stops at a mere 165 kg with all fluids in. For an adventure bike, this low weight is hugely important.

A 6-speed gearbox provides excellent ratios for all kinds of technical riding. The fuel delivery system forks power out in a rather snatchy fashion, but it is not at all problematic once you get used to it. Riding this bike up and over obstacles is easy. Even when your trust in your own abilities wears thin, support from this easy-to-control bike never fails. The generous ground clearance left me stunned, riding boulders on an old forest machine track. The 17-liter fuel tank gave in excess of a 300-kilometer range without the risk of running out.

I found the secure handling of the PR7 gave me room to push my limits and increase confidence as the miles racked up. I figure the main reasons for this are the agility of the geometry and the lack of bulk. Even with luggage, the bike handles like a smaller bike—well balanced and planted.
A couple of spirited evening runs without the weight of the panniers revealed another positive characteristic under heavy acceleration and breaking: the bike steers and tracks like a true enduro bike. It´s fun and forgiving. The adjustable Sachs suspension allows for 300 mm of travel at the front and 280 mm at the rear.
Brembo brakes efficiently bring everything to a standstill in the typical composed manner. A single disk, both front and rear. The front disk has a dual piston caliper.

Small Issues

The couple of issues that plagued me during the week can be attributed to my own physical frame and my lifelong allergy to the Android platform. As an Apple fan, I never made friends with the anti-Christ-like behavior of the foreign operating system. For this, I take full responsibility.
In the couple of days I succeeded in operating the tablet without issues, I found it brilliant for route tracking, bike stats, and map information. With this fully functioning unit, you can check email, surf the internet, find the nearest restaurant, and order a pizza. Amazing convenience and a standard feature from AJP.

The other unfortunate detail was my inability to find a comfortable standing position on the bike in its standard configuration. The distance between the sadle and footpegs was too short, and the handle bar too low. Standing up resulted in a curled up, cramped, and painful posture—not at all conducive to bike control. Luckily, this is easily remedied with lowered pegs and a bar riser.

My Recommendation

So, is the AJP PR7 Adventure 650 a real adventure bike? If your definition of adventure riding is the same as mine, the answer is a resounding yes. During my week of riding the PR7, it more than satisfied my expectations. Its predictable and competent handling over different surfaces and at different speeds is a testament to what weight loss brings to an adventure bike. I would be happy riding this bike for a spirited evening stint or for weeks and months on adventures anywhere. In my estimation, the AJP PR7 should be an obvious choice for adventuring the Scandinavian outback.

Recommending this bike comes easy and with but a single exception: If your idea of adventure riding is a four-day highway run to North Cape and back, I would choose another bike. As much of a joy the PR7 is on winding B-roads, it is ill-fitting as an asphalt burner. That´s where 250 kg, 150 hp, and the optional backrest should be considered.

Warranty & Dealer Network

So you´re intrigued. I don´t blame you. The PR7 is a bloody good bike and you owe it to yourself to ride the bike before you put your money down for your next purchase. If you don´t like it you are richer by an experience. If it crawls in under your skin like it did mine, you´re in for a new chapter as an adventure rider. If you come from one of the heavy weights the AJP will show you down paths you never would dare on your old locomotive. And it will gift you the skill and confidence that comes naturally with it´s weight class.

AJP is a small brand compared to the giants, but that can work at your advantage. If the service and commitment we´ve experience after working with AJP Nordic for the last couple of years is an indicator for how AJP treats fellow motorcycle riders, you will be in the best hands. Find your distributor and start the dialogue there. https://ajpmotos.com/pages/dealermap

All AJP products are covered under the standard EU 2 year warranty rule. Service and warranty procedures are governed by your national distributor. Availability and delivery times may vary.

Basecamp North / Bibow

“It goes with the territory”, som de siger. Lever man nær skov og fjeld er det mange ting der bliver en del af hverdagen uden at en egentlig er klar over hvorfor eller hvordan. Sådan har jeg haft det med anorakken. Hvornår jeg mødte min første kan jeg ikke erindre, men kigger jeg gamle billeder igennem, fremstår jeg tidlig med kængurulomme og pelskant. Jeg var heldig nok til at vokse op en familietradition der levede i takt med naturen i et område med dybe skove og høje bjerge. 

Anorak historie

Anorakken er et gammelt plag – og noget af det første mennesket iførte sig efter lændeklædet. Den krævede ingen avancerede redskaber. Skrabede man en dyrehud ren og lavede en hul i midten, iførte man sig den første anorak ved at stikke hovedet igennem hullet. Starten på et genialt outdoorplag som mange opgraderinger til trods fortsat i dag nyder en kæmpe tilhængerskare. 

I nyere historie er anorakken knyttet til expeditioner, til “rigtige mænd” som Edmund Hillary og vores egne helte, Nansen, Amundsen og Ingstad. På film dukket min barndoms helt, Kirk Douglas op i filmen “The Heroes of Telemark” og nedkæmpede et ubegribelig antal nazister – i en anorak!

Café Latte anorakken

De store modehus fik på et tidspunkt sine grådige klør i anorakken. Den er blevet misbrugt på catwalken og på de fineste caféer. Selv de ellers så overbevisende outdoorvaremærker har udvandet klassikeren i udgaver nær ubrugelige til det oprindelige formål. Det er hvad der sker når ting bliver mode, fremfor at blive respekteret for funktionelle egenskaber. 

For det geniale med anorakken er dens hårdføre praktikalitet igennem fire årstider. Den befinder sig godt tilpas til Champagnebrunch, men dens rette element er i skoven ved bålet eller i blæsevejr i fjeldet. 

Genopstandelse

Med Garphyttans Specialist Anorak har Johan Skullman givet urplagget nyt liv. I et par måneder har jeg taget på tur iklædt anorakken og der er opstået en slags afhængighed. Jeg har parkeret min lidt nedkogte version fra en anden skandinavisk producent, og helt givet mig over til specialisten. 

Når denne anmeldelse tager form af en kærlighedserklæring, er det ingen tilfældighed – for Garphyttan Specialist anorak byder på masser af funktionalitet og kvalitet der er kendemærket for godt grej. Den gir beskyttelse for vær og vind, den byder på suveræn bevægelsesfrihed og den har flere indebyggede praktiske funktioner for opbevaring, ventilation og tilpasning. 

Klassisk grundidé med multifunktionalitet

Anorakken er lavet i en velprøvet bomuld-polyester blanding. Den er let, fleksibel og “lydløs”. Snittet er generøst og tillader suveræn bevægelsesfrihed og rigelig plads til et isoleringslag, som en uldtrøje eller let dunjakke. Den høje krave beskytter meget godt og en stor hætte kroner værket når der skal lukkes til. Forberedt til blæsevejr har anorakken også en skridtstrop der holder den på plads.

Lommer here – lommer there – lommer everywhere

På nogle timers vandretur eller en lille dagstur har Specialist Anorak plenty opbevaringslommer, og i mange tilfælde betyder det at du kan lade din lille rygsæk blive hjemme. I anorakken har jeg tit en ekstra hundesnor, min kniv, pandelampe, optændingsgrej og handsker. I den store ryglomme er der plads til en drikkedunk og en lille madpakke. Helt genialt.

På hver overarme er der en lomme. Videre er der 2 brystlommer, en stor front kængurulomme og gennemgående sidelommer.  Der er også “lommer-i-lommen” for at holde på mindre ting som multiværktøj, nøgler, etc.

Ventilationsmulighederne er generøse. Lynlåsen foran er trukket ned til den øverste lomme og kan åbnes ovenfra eller nedefra. I hver side af anorakken er der en ventilationslynlås i fuld længde – fra armhulen og ned. Disse kan også åbnes valgfrit, oven- eller nedefra.  Jeg åbner den ene eller begge når anorakken skal på eller af…. det går super enkelt, uanset hvor meget tøj du har på som isoleringslag. Ærmeafslutninger er justerbare med velcro. 

En af de detaljer jeg er særligt glad for, er at alle lynlåse har dobbelt drager og kan åbnes fra begge sider. Desuden er alle forsynet med en generøs og solid læder “tab” der gør det nemt at betjene lommer og åbninger med handsker. 

Åndbar og vandafvisende

Garphyttans anorak er lækker åndbar og tilpasser sig fint klima og aktivitetsniveau. De mange justerbare åbninger sammen med materialevalget, gør det nemt at sikre den gode komfort, hele turen igennem. 

Materialet er vandafvisende, men ikke vandtæt.  Ønsker du at anorakken modstår tyngre eller længerevarende regn, imprægneres den enkelt med voks – lige som mange andre bomuld/polyester jakker. En voksimprægnering gør også stoffet mere modstandsdygtig overfor elementerne, rifter, gløder, etc. 

Er du en anorak?

Har du ikke endnu oplevet anorakkens fortræffelighed, så tag imod denne varme anbefaling. Anorakker imellem kan du næppe gøre et bedre valg end Specialist. Funktionalitet og kvalitet  er tilstede i alle detaljer og den overbeviser fra første tur. Anorakken er hurtigt blevet vores favorit. 

Og skid på at for engelskmænd betyder betegnelsen “anorak” det samme som “nerd” eller “geek” – en person med særegen stil og excentriske interesser. For vi er skovens og fjeldets eventyrere og gider slet ikke lytte til folk der drikker varmt øl. Vel? 

_________________

Det praktiske

Specialist Anorak er en del af Garphyttans serie af samme navn – Specialist. 

Anorakken findes i flere farver og størrelser, både i mand- og kvinde-udgave. 

Læs mere om Garphyttan og Specialist anorak her:  www.garphyttan.com

M Bibow

Scandinavia is home of a global favorite: Real Turmat from Norwegian Drytech. But this recent year two more contenders have surfaced – Gilde Turmat from Norway and Trail from Denmark. Hungry as always we´ve assembled a small panel to taste and compare. 

New Kid on the block – Trail

The most obvious difference is the choice of packaging. Trail comes in a short and slightly wider package when compared to Real and Gilde. We guess this is a marketing based choice because the content volume is similar and placing it in a smaller package result in a “fatter” and softer package that is less practical when packing. Also, the shape may not be optimal for trapping steam and heat when preparing and keeping hot.

Trail is the only brand to embrace ecology as a main parameter. The competition use conventional ingredients in their meals. The team behind Danish Trail is TV-personality Nikolaj Kirk and chef Mikkel Maarbjerg. Both experienced product developers and cooks. The new company is jointly owned with outdoor brand distributor Odex AS. 

Currently Trail offer five different meals: Beef & Potato Stew, Creamy Chicken With Pearl Barley, Pasta Bolognese, Vegan Daal With Rice, and Vegan Pasta Ratatouille. 

We have testet the stew, the ratatouille and the bolognese. They suffer from a common issue: Lack of taste and smell. Truly a surprising problem considering the team behind the product.
Freeze-dried meals may not smell much prior to preparation, but with smell and taste being inseparable to the enjoyment of any meal, we felt miserably cheated when opening the Trail meals.

In spite of the impressive look and texture, Trail meals are under-seasoned and bland, delivering a somewhat disappointing experience. 

Gilde Turmat

Where Trail is a newcomer, Gilde must be considered old spice. The brand is an iconic Norwegian brand, known for processen and unprocessed products, mostly animal protein based. 

Considering their size, distribution net and economic resources we had expected more of a developed product. However, Gilde have chosen to make a copy of industry leading Real Turmat – evident in both packaging and branding. Currently, Gilde is entering the market with two meals: Pasta Bolognese and Brun Lapskaus (Brown stew). We have tested both.

Ignoring a growing segment of critical consumers, Gilde has quite surprisingly decided to base both their meals on pork meat. The two classic recipes – Bolognese ragout and Brun lapskaus – are traditionally made with beef, veal and pork. Gilde´s versions are made with pork only.

Real Turmat

The unmistakable orange package has an established international crowd of followers and it´s not by coincidence. Real Turmat, located  way north of the arctic circle in Norwegian Tromsø, has perfected the manufacturing of free-dried meals for more than 30 years.

A few years ago Real offered mainly meal packages – one series mainly for military personnel and the rest for outdoor recreation and expeditions. Today Real has a huge product portfolio that also include breakfast meals, soups, snacks, energy-bars and drinks, as well as specially formulated Arctic Field Rations. Real also offer vegetarian and vegan meals, as well as meals free of gluten and lactose. 

For this small head-to-head review however, Real is represented by a single meal – their Pasta Bolognese. 

How they compare

We have prepared the three Pasta Bolognese per the manufacturers´ recommendation.  We have examined the meals prior to adding water. We have smelled, stirred, added, opened, smelled  – and eaten. Here´s what we think. 

Trail has an impressive appearance – nice large chunks, good color and great full size penne pasta. Unfortunately, it smells close to nothing. 

Real also impress with good chunks and color, but the pasta chosen looks a bit “low rent” compared to Trail´s glorious penne. 

Gilde has an intense orange glow and a smell of tomato. Pasta content is minimal. 

As directed, content of all three meals are carefully mixed before boiling water is poured. 

After approximately 10 minutes the real fun begin by opening the bags, searching for the smell of a nourishing hot meal. Immediately, we spot major differences. 

Does it look like food? Does it smell like dinner?

Gilde Turmat looks grainy and too much like baby food, in the panel´s opinion. The smell is very tomatoey… like tomato soup. 

Real Turmat looks closer to a ragout and the pasta has retained some consistency.   Smells like dinner and in a general direction of a ragout from Bologna. Clearly our panel’s first choice for taste.  

Danish Trail look fabulous – like lifting the lid after a slow simmer. But where is the smell? Again this product stuns us by it´s lack of presence. It quacks like a duck – but isn’t one.

Taste and Texture

Gilde Turmat

A pungent smell of tomato is ever present in taste. We catch a strong acidic tomato base, very little else. There is no taste of meat or other ingredients. Even the carrot pieces are over whelmed by tomato. The meal is well seasoned but too sweet. Four spoonfuls into the meal, we´ve had it with tomato. 

Real Turmat

The texture is good and the taste has a deep meaty flavor, like we expect from a classic Bolognese. We´d love to add the more substantial pasta from the Trail version, but all in all, this meal is the best tasting by a generous margin.   

Trail

Trail deliver great texture but It is totally under-seasoned and tastes surprisingly little. Compared to the two others, it has no taste to speak of. A vague taste of vegetables and cooked pasta, but none of the depth of flavor connected to a ragout Bolognese. If you bring Trail for dinner, don´t forget your salt and pepper. Completely lacking character, this meal needs help.

NOTE: Recipes for all Trail´s meals are availble from their web site, if you feel like cooking any of them from scratch. However, read careful and be critical – some items seem to be missing entirely, like potato from the Beef & Potato Stew recipe.  

Nutritional Value

The three manufacturers chosen for this small review all present similar specifications for nutritional value. After all – these meals are life savors after a long day on the trail. Sometimes life saviors in the true sense of the word. In the world of ultimate proof – the taste and texture of these meals are secondary. But for most recreational adventurers, smell and taste and texture is important to fuel our good spirits and keep the promise of another great day alive. This is the explanation for our less than scientific review. 

Here´s the basic nutritional info for the three tested Pasta Bolognese servings (500 g)

Trail: 598 kcal 

Gilde Turmat: 523 kcal  

Real Turmat: 525 kcal

________________________________

More information available on these web pages

www.trailfood.eu

www.gilde.no

www.realoutdoorfood.com

Back when men where men, personal protection for motorcycle riders were not on manly men’s mind. Luckily for more modern men, soon after the conclusion of World War I, tank crew leather gear was adapted by motorcycle riders wanting to protect themselves in a crash.

At the same time long duster coats became “out”, shorter jackets was popularized by Marlon Brando and other leather wearing studs.  For decades, leather became synonymous with rider protection. Even though the main purpose of leather suits were streamlining, horse hide provided important abrasion resistance in the event of a crash.

Eventually, built-in armor made it´s way to motorcycle riding gear. The protection was originally made from high density foam in combination with hard plastic shells. The obvious purpose, to reduce injury by spreading and dampening the impact to the wearer. A relatively low-tech solution still utilized by many manufacturers. By law, all motorcycle armor must meet certain quality standards and carry a CE-certification mark. Protection is typically categorized in levels, with a higher level offering better protection.

Fortunately, recent years have brought body protection equipment into a whole new realm with the use of modern viscoelastic technology. It is at the forefront of this development we enter the story of Holland based Xion® Protective Gear.

Made for A Wild Bunch

Founded by a couple of professional stuntmen, Xion® developed most of their products aimed at their own industry. Through the years, their customer base has grown to include athletes, extreme- and Moto sports-professionals, military and law enforcement.

An entire “Moto sport” segment is dedicated to motorcycle riders. Within this segment you’ll find three long sleeve jackets and one short sleeve. One full length pair of pants, three in Bermuda cut, and one short.  All products designed over an elastic 4-way stretch base garment with multiple protective inserts in fitted pockets. Not only does this provide an exceptionally comfortable protective layer – it also makes sure the protection stay in place, if you hit the ground.

Unrivaled Comfort

As always with the genius D3O® polymer – as soon as it gets in contact with your body, warming up, it turns soft and pliable, following your every move. After a couple of minutes, we hardly notice wearing our Long-sleeve Jacket Wheels and matching Bermuda Extreme Pro. The comfort is nothing short of brilliant.

Ventilation on a hot day is good, thanks to the moisture wicking material and ventilated D3O® inserts. Not as airy as a some hard shell motocross protectors, but far more comfortable and much better suited for adventure riders.

With high comfort comes the important secondary safety as a result of less restriction of movement, less fatigue and improved concentration through long hours on the road.

Getting it On

Donning the jacket is easy, thanks to the smooth front YKK zipper and the adjustable elastic waist belt. The Wheels jacket sleeves are equipped with thumb loops, excellent for those cooler days. The neck opening is generous in size and does not interfere with jacket collars or a brace.

The D3O® protection pads are fairly low profile and does not snag the inside of my Mosko Moto Basilisk shell jacket. Full dexterity and ease of movement is as crucial in traffic as on the trail.

Back protector level can be specified during the ordering process, both Level 1 and Level 2 is available. I went for a Level 2.

The Bermuda shorts is designed to be worn high and includes protection for waist, coccyx, hip, thigh and knee. Short leg length makes sure there is no interference with motorcycle boots.

Waist is adjustable, soft and comfortable.

Using the jacket and shorts together took some getting used to, as the back protector kept pushing my pants down, once we got off the bike. An individual issue, but annoying enough until I figured it out.

Wear areas are reinforced with a durable and wear resistant fabric – and yes, there´s a front zipper.

Protection

Proof is in the pudding and I have tasted it with an unintentional low side tumble from the heavy orange machine. Not the most dramatic of tests, but enough to experience that the Xion® protector lives up to it´s claim. In spite of back, shoulder and elbow impact, I suffered no injury or mentionable pain. Official certification and approval documents are of course in place for all Xion® products.

It is perfectly understandable when riders claim that the large, heavy and inflexible foam or thermo plastic protectors of yesterday offer better protection than the putty-like D3O® orange polymer, but this simply is not true. Government and independent laboratory tests have confirmed beyond any doubt that the energy absorbing properties of D3O®® is superior. The material comes in a variety of thicknesses and is becoming an industry standard across high quality brands.

The liquid-like base material is plant-based, so even the most environment conscious riders can sleep comfortably.

Final Thoughts

Adventure riding – what’s not to like? I have ridden motorcycles for many years – more than 30 in fact. I have survived my share of hard landings and have lived through all stages from wearing no-protection to ATGATT.

I have all but ditched the heavy riding gear, opting instead for shell style pants and jacket with a protector underneath. This gives me the freedom to layer according to season, weather and temperature, and the improved freedom of movement is fantastic.

Riding this season with the Xion® protectors have been a real eye opener: Good protection does not have to be limiting and uncomfortable. My rides usually takes me to a forest or mountain, where I wild camp. Typically, after a long day on the motorcycle, the first thing I do after finding my spot for the night, is to get out of my riding gear. With the Xion® protectors I find myself wearing the gear while setting up camp – and sometimes even through the remainder of the evening. That is how comfortable this gear is.

The design and quality has proven to be top notch. Zippers and velcro adjusters have survived without a hitch. No seams have given up under the strain of my generous corpus. The D3O® pads are easily removed for throwing the jacket in the washing machine. The only issue worth mentioning, – the Level 2 back protector is fairly heavy and I would have liked a wider velcro strip for the pocket that holds it.

While most adventure riders agree on prioritizing quality when choosing protective gear – cost is an issue, and Xion® products belong to the upper segment in regard to both quality and price. Currently the jackets retail from € 350 and pants for € 250. The tested products wear very well and we expect both pieces to last for several years – value for money is very good.

Xion® deliver top level protection combined with superior comfort. For adventure riders, this is the new black, a product that deliver on every promise and then some. 

For more info on models, sizes and ordering: https://xionpg.com

M Bibow / Basecamp North Founder. Photo-Journalist and Adventure Rider

Comments from fellow Xion®-wearing adventure riders: 

“Super nice. Great elastic material makes it comfortable to wear. Nice fit. Would be nice to see more focus on women riders…”

Henriette T. / Adventure Rider, Denmark

“Exceptional fit, stays in place even during vigorous activity while enduro riding, mountain biking or paragliding.”

Thomas R. / Adventure Sports Enthusiast, Denmark

“Comfortable and unobtrusive. Protection that stays close to the body, right where it is supposed to. My Bat suit!”

Peter K. / Adventure Rider, Denmark

The Klim Krios

The all carbon fiber Krios from Klim, is a great helmet. I’ve wedged my head into a fair number of helmets through my years riding motorcycles and racing cars. Some lids were great, other not so much. I have worn the Klim over 3 months of riding, and the Krios has become one of my all time favorites.

Precision and Quality

At this moment, you cannot find a lighter adventure helmet. The exceptional low weight is achieved partly through precision manufacturing. Carbon fiber is a natural choice for a low weight / high strength result. Klim production techniques have resulted in a helmet with precise and consistent shell thickness, minimizing individual variations. Nice to see in a hand laid carbon product and a testament to the individual commitment at the production line. 

The product finish is exceptionally nice, if you appreciate the helmet’s minimalistic and technical look. No unnecessary trim pieces, no over-designed fittings. Just a functional, smooth, aerodynamic package, void of styling bullshit.  

The helmet shell finish stand up to the sharpest scrutiny – as do all molded pieces and the removable interior. The comfort liner is made from anti-bacterial material, easy to take out and fast drying. Securing the helmet to your noggin, is a strap and D-ring.

Quality is always an issue with personal safety gear, and Klim has a long and trust-inspiring track record for product quality and customer support. The Krios meets or exceeds all ECE and DOT standards for motorcycle helmets.   

Transformer

Like most other helmets in the Adventure class, the Krios can be reconfigured without the use of tools. Not a feature I employ a lot, but it works as advertised: You can remove the visor and/or the shield, quickly and easily.  So, if you’re getting ready for a grueling freeway stint, the Krios can be turned into a touring lid smooth as an egg.

The field of vision is huge and the optical quality of the stock shield is perfect, with no distortion.  

Quiet please

Comparing the Krios to it´s competitors, you will immediately spot the difference in profile and shell size. The Krios is rounder and has a less sculpted profile then most modern adventure helmets. The result is a smoother profile and a more quiet experience. The shape of the adjustable visor and large rear spoiler works brilliantly together to create a smooth airflow, when exposed to “clean air”. And a smooth airflow keep things quiet.

Ventilation

When developing the lightest adventure helmet ever, you need to compromise somewhere, hence the Krios isn’t covered in little vents and knobs, like some other brands. The main vent is that of the chin bar. Generous in size, permanently open, channeling air up at the face shield preventing fogging. 

There is another vent on the front, above the face opening. This can be open or closed. Air entering the front of the helmet are channelled out through exhaust vents  located under the rear spoiler.

Excess ventilation adds weight and is a noise maker, therefore Klim has gone to great length to arrive at the ultimate compromise. The helmet feel nicely ventilated with the face shield in place, and vents well when using goggles. 

I don’t see an issue with not being able to close to the chin vent in colder temperatures, but if that proves to be the case, I will get creative. 

My helmet was delivered with two shields (one clear, one dark) as well as a custom PinLock.

Lightheaded

I like the Krios a lot and it grabs top spot in comparison with all other adventure style helmets I have tried. The exceptional low weight has everything to do with this. I keep hearing the argument, “its only a few grams”. Yes, compared to some, it is lighter by “just a few grams”. But these grams are noticeable and makes a difference, together with the superior aerodynamics. The Krios feels lighter and more agile, adding to my overall riding comfort.

MHO

The Krios is the most comfortable adventure helmet I have owned. Klim is not the only manufacturer making high quality helmets, but I have a feeling they spend more time in development and manufacturing, then they do in marketing. 

Not only is the Krios the lightest helmet on the market, but it is also one of the least noisy.

Both benchmarks can be attributed to the same fact – Klim´s minimalistic approach, turning their backs to the typical bells and whistles, staying focused on developing the ultimate adventure lid. 

Nortura er en norsk fødevaregigant og ejer blandt andet varemærket Gilde. Netop Gilde har i år lanceret en lille serie frysetørret mad under navnet “Turmat”. Lyder det bekendt så er det måske du allerede kender et andet norsk produkt med samme navn i en let genkendelig orange pose. 

At Gilde vælger at markedsføre sig under samme navn virker i udgangspunktet som en udfordring til duel. At Gilde herudover emballerer sine måltider i den nøjagtig samme størrelse pakning som originalen fra Real Turmat gør ikke duellen mindre interessant. 

To smagsvarianter

Gilde Turmat findes i to udgaver – en Pasta Bolognese og en Brun Lapskaus der henholdsvis indeholder 125 og 112 kcal. Saltindeholdet for begge er lige under 1.0 gram og fedt ca 6 gram.

Overraskende er begge smagsvarianter lavet med svinekød (19%). Gilde råder over enorme mængder kød. Okse, svin, lam, får og vildt. Når de vælger svinekød til begge sine to produkter, virker det ikke særlig kreativt. Desuden diskvalificerer det segmenter af naturglade mennesker der ikke spiser svinekød – eller kød i det hele taget. 

Gilde Turmats Pasta Bolognese

er en meget letbenet fortolkning af en italiensk klassiker der findes i utallige versioner, afhængig af personlig præference. 

Vi synes ikke Gilde har sluppet godt fra det. Tilsat den anbefalede mængde kogende vand, og stillet på vent i 10 minutter afslører den åbne pose noget der ligner og dufter som tomatsuppe fra dåse. Smagen af tomat er dominerende og her er ingen dybde fra kød, som er et Bolognese kendemærke, typisk laget på oksekød iblandet en smule svin.  

Indeholdsfortegnelsen fortæller også om 12% pastaskruer, men vi kan ikke finne en eneste én. Det eneste spor etter pasta i tomatblandingen, er noen tynde små bider lignende hvad man finder i en typisk “i-koppen” servering. Dette er ikke god mat.

Brun lapskaus

er norsk traditionsmad og ikke overraskende en af Gilde´s to smagsvarianter i pakker mærket med “Fra den norske bonde”.
I det norske køkken bruges betegnelsen “brun lapskaus” typisk på en lapskaus lavet på oksekød, mens en lapskovs lavet med svinekød kaldes “lys lapskaus”. Gilde Turmat´s “Brun Lapskaus” er udelukkende lavet med svinekød. De andre ingredienser er kartoffel, gulerod, selleri, og løg, tilsat aroma, kødekstrakt, sukker, krydderier, etc.
Denne smagsvariant er mere vellykket end Bolognese. Smag og konsistens har et tydelig kartoffelpræg. Konsistensen er noget grynet efter 10 minutters hvile, men tilsætter man en smule mere vand bliver den bedre. Svinekødet, skåret i små kvadratiske bider, lader sig ikke uden videre transformere af det kogende vand, og forbliver kedelige og smagløse. 

Varm kartoffel og gulerodblanding tilsat kødekstrakt smager ikke dårlig, men vi skulle ønske Gilde havde fundet salt og peber frem, for retten er kedelig og smagløs. Vi gav den en smule salt og peber, noget der gav en meget bedre smag. I efterårsskoven er vi sikker på at en håndfuld tyttebær vil løfte lapskausen endnu et trin. 

Karakter

De to smagsvarianter frysetørret turmad fra Gilde scorer ulige på skalaen. Brun lapskaus er ikke dårlig, men fortjener en tydeligere smagsprofil. Noget der skyldes de smagsløse svinekød-oblater og manglende krydderi. Men har du salt og peber med så er denne variant brugbar mad på tur. 

Brun lapskaus får 2 gafler af 5 mulige 

Vi kan ikke give Gilde Turmat Pasta Bolognese et eneste kompliment. Smagsmæssig har den intet at gøre med en bolognese og der er intet i konsistensen der minder om pasta. Det er en omgang tomatsuppe og brugbar kun for sit energiindehold og bidrag til øget kropsvarme. 

Vi gir 1 gaffel af 5 mulige, mest i medlidenhed.