I ride lots of high speed dirt dual sport and was looking for something could keep up with the summer heat and humidity of Texas while still offering more abrasion resistance than a regular jersey for the in between dirt road pavement sections. In talking with Brian about mesh options for dual sport he suggested the Tactical Pro Jersey. This has turned out to be a solid piece of gear.
I wear it over a thin long sleeve bamboo shirt with Leatt elbow guards that offer impact and sliding protection from the elbow into the forearm. That combo along with a back protector in the hydration pack provides good protection without being ridiculously hot. For sure it's less breathable than a standard mesh jersey but much better than even the great mesh jacket I own which I don't feel provides anymore actual abrasion protection. The fit and comfort of the jersey are very good. Very easy to throw a rain jacket over and also easy (non bulky) to pack. Only reason I did not give it 5 stars is the black panels on the arms are still hot in the sun (need a lighter color) and I would like to see some Cordura reinforcements on the elbows and shoulders for additional abrasion resistance as the black material with the foam padding underneath does not really breath anyway.
This Jersey looks and feels tough! I'm using it for hot weather ADV riding, about a 50/50 mix of on & off road. I wear it over body armor. I have not crash tested it, and hope I never do, but it feels substantial enough to offer good protection. The ventilation is fantastic, and it fits as it should. If it gets cold, I put a Jacket over it that I have removed the armor from.
I think for extreme off road this would be the best thing out there. It works well for my use from a comfort/venting standpoint, but I do wonder how much abrasion resistance it would have on the road. As much as I like it, I still go back to a conventional armored jacket when it's cooler or the ride is mostly road.
Brian helped me pick out these boots based on a conversation about my riding goals, desired protection level, and the shape of my foot. His expertise about fit was spot on - these boots fit me great, and I have hard-to-fit feet, so this is a rare occurrence for me. On top of multiple phone conversations, Brian also added express shipping for free so that I could get an epic ride in with a friend. Will be buying all my boots from Brian in the future!
This viper level II is the exact replacement for my original level 1 shape wise. Slightly thicker & stronger support design.
Hopefully this will save it splitting on the edges where my original failed, after being packed away in my top box.
The fit was right on. Some 10.5s are a bit snug but these 45s, for me, seem between a 10.5 and an 11. The form is what I was looking for; a slim sole and toe along with ankle protection that doesn't restrict a little flex. 4 and a half stars on the functions of riding and walking and
staying dry. Easy to adjust to shifting and braking feel, good support standing on pegs, no hint of a leak when submerged, only a knock on the left boot sole not being perpendicular to the upper. Kinda throws off my gait and stresses my knee a bit. Your mileage may vary.
Brian was super communicative and helpful. His videos reviewing boots were crucial in helping make my decision. The Sidis are excellent. So light, stiff where it counts and comfortable. I would have never known that these work for wider feet without Brian's review as well.
very stiff boot that is going to take a bit to break in. Compared to the X-3, they are not as comfortable but have more protection around the calf. I bought these for my wife, who is 5'4" with 16" calves. They fit her great and have room around the calf to spare. I took a star off from 5 because the top buckle strap is inside the boot with nothing between the strap and your leg. All my other boots have the strap between the liner and the shin pad.