How The ADV Exchange Was Born

When I started my ADV journey in 2020, transitioning from decades of road riding, I assumed I needed the toughest gear available. Like many aspiring explorers, I invested in an expensive Gore-Tex Rev’it Dominator suit. It was technically excellent—arguably the best for Northern Europe—but as I swapped my heavy Africa Twin for a lighter T7 World Raid and began riding TET trails, I realized the suit was too heavy and hot for my evolving needs.

I researched alternatives and discovered ‘layering.’ I went all-in, realizing that refining the kit had become a hobby in itself, filling the void when I wasn’t riding. Soon, I owned a €2,500 touring suit, a €3,000 layering system, and multiple helmets.

The quest for perfection continued. I switched a puffy jacket for a Mosko Ectotherm (my best move) and tried a Klim Marrakesh. Eventually, I adopted the Adventure Spec Linesman system, matched with a Supershirt and Mosko Basilisk pants.

Retiring at 56 allowed me to test this system on month-long trips through Europe and North Africa. Encountering diverse weather, I tweaked my setup until I was comfortable from -3C to 38C, staying dry while carrying less. Of course, different trips still require different load-outs, but I had finally distilled my gear down to the core essentials.

I decided to sell the surplus to clear space in my garage. It was embarrassing how much kit I had accumulated. I gave some items to friends, but listing the rest on a Facebook forum was a disaster of scammers, low-ballers, and time-wasters.

That is when I decided to start The ADV Exchange.

I built this platform for riders like me—people for whom curating gear is integral to the hobby. I want to build a community of premium-minded enthusiasts. By the time a seasoned ADV rider finds the perfect combination, they often own six jackets and four sets of pants. We keep them "just in case," but we should be upcycling this unused premium gear to give it the second life it deserves.

If you read this and say to yourself, "This guy has the same problem I have," welcome to The ADV Exchange.