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 up-cycling this 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.