Riding gear: Shifty experiences

I just wrote an item on my todo list which provided cause to stop and think: haven't I been here before?

Working at MCA I came across a broad range of Shift products and was broadly impressed. They seemed to offer good attention to detail, sensible design - and often they look shit hot as well. There were some reservations by some - but given those people were generally suggesting the European garments with 50-100% more on the price tag, I took these reservations tongue in cheek. And I know at least one with a lot of experience with the product who swears by them.

I am now the proud (...ish) owner of a pair of Shift kevlarred riding jeans, and some Shift sports gloves.

The gloves fit the bill perfectly when I was shopping - I wanted good overall protection, a wrist strap and a pricetage under $200. And they fit 'like a glove'. They were a no brainer, and generally seemed to offer good value. Within a couple of weeks, the stitching on the palmside of the fingers had buckled on a number of fingers - I took them back and they duly got restitched. Within a couple of months, the other hand has pulled apart and remain that way - taking them back is not worth the effort or wait, and I haven't yet gotten around to doing it myself. I am still happy with my purchase, but would be much happier if something was available with the same features and fit and was actually made properly.

The jeans are a reasonable amount cheaper than Draggins (and Hornees again), fit well and look so much hotter. I really like my jeans. Others expressed some reservation, but couldn't really give anything specific. The kevlar is much thinner - but should still do the job, right? Reading that the 'kevlar' pad is actually only 20% kevlar put any such misunderstandings to rest. Oh well, I got what I paid for - ultimately still happy with my favourite jeans.

But... on my todo list now: 'restitch the crotch of jeans". Frankly, I expect further deterioration. Compared to Draggins - or any half-decent jean - which I've heard of people wearing for 10+ years without drama, this is uninspiring.


... you can make your own judgement - with a bit more information than what you might see initially: the positive design elements which drive the sales of the the Shifty brand.

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@JohnSBaxter
2009-traveldiary.blogspot.com
2009-motorcyclist.blogspot.com

Money sinks which aren't too deep

Just a heads up to the avid consumers among you,

Aldi have their motorcycle gear in stock again. Having looked through it all none of it really excites me, EXCEPT the tank bags, which are certifiably awesome and awesomely cheap. It's been about a year now that I've had mine, and it has not fallen apart at all - including the inbuilt rain cover and assorted straps -, has shown no sign of fading or other wear or tear. Its assortment of pockets and ziptogether options are as good as any, it functions as a backpack/regular bag, has an additional hightening compartment which can function as a separate shoulder-bag - all sections of which (plus a separate base) have a clear top for the maps... Head to Aldi with $60 in your wallet and get one. (Yes it's $10 more exxy than last year.)

Deus have a decent range of older/winter stock going quite cheaply at the moment. You thought USydMC club shirts were the only wearable Ts you can get for $5!? - you're right, because the Deus ones are a horrible yellow (but they are $5, and they do have a Deus tag).

Of course, you could pay $99.95 for new-season boardshorts (minus 10%? for a USydMC discount perhaps), but I know none of you are that trendy.

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@JohnSBaxter
2009-traveldiary.blogspot.com
2009-motorcyclist.blogspot.com
jsbaxter.com.au (coming soon!)