[Off Topic] My equipment in Mongolia on a motorbike (2/2)

[Hors Sujet] Mon équipement en Mongolie à moto (2/2)

After the first article about my trip , I would like to go into detail about the equipment I had — my "gear", as Valentin says — because finding THE perfect piece was a lot of fun (and busy) for me.

For this three-week motorcycle trip, I needed clothes:

  • capable of handling large thermal amplitudes;
  • which do not retain odors;
  • which wick away perspiration;
  • which may not be washed after several days of intensive wear;
  • without bright colors like hiking clothes;
  • with something to sleep on;
  • all of which must fit into a discreet and durable backpack.

Clothing geek friends, lovers of technology, you will like this article!

My equipment for Mongolia… in video

At the very end of our trip, Valentin shot this video with the means at hand, where I completely empty my bag to detail each object taken with me.

(few comments under this video, but they are very interesting!)

The backpack: the central piece of your trip

Choosing a suitable part

Yes, as surprising as it may seem, I did not have a backpack for this kind of trip. I mostly traveled in urban environments, where my trusty Horizn Studio suitcase was more than sufficient (and satisfactory).

Valentin kept telling me about Goruck , an American brand. He had already had many adventures with his, the GR1 model. He had even made a video of it .

He appreciated the very discreet design of the bag, which does not look like a "backpacker" He is adamant on one point: when you look like a backpacker, you are treated differently by the locals .

In other words, he doesn't want to be seen as a backpaper, because he doesn't want to experience being a backpaper. Quite simply. And when I see how some people are seen (especially this almost unhealthy relationship with the budget), I share his opinion.

Goruck GR2 (mine) vs Goruck GR1 (Valentin's). Photo taken on the day of departure, in Paris. Note that Valentin added many pouches thanks to the MOLLE system.

I decided to do my research anyway, and I started reading many tests/reviews. Carryology , the BonneGueule of backpacks, helped me a lot.

There were several brands in competition:

  • Goruck , on the advice of Valentin;
  • Triple Aught Design (we’ll talk about it later) and its Fast Pack Litespeed, very popular with digital nomads ;
  • Mystery Ranch and its 3 days Assault , known for its system of three zips that join together, which has a good reputation among survivalists;
  • bonus: SDR Traveller and their D3 . Too minimalist for me, but I loved reading the product page;
  • the Minaal , which however seems to be confined to an urban environment only;
  • the Tortuga Outbreaker , which is really aimed at urban nomads. Despite its accolade by The Wirecutter , I wasn't thrilled by the boxy design.

For smaller budgets, there are also the 5.11 tactical bags , but I have no idea what they are worth. And finally, my choice fell on the GR2 from Goruck .

So it's time to tell you about this brand....

Goruck: Made in USA, really strong

The brand was founded by Jason, a former Special Forces officer. He wanted to have a bag that could go as well in the middle of the Afghan desert as in the middle of New York.

Above all, no overly military look with MOLLE rows everywhere .

This is exactly what Jason wanted to avoid: a huge military bag or hiking backpack.

After using it, it is clear that he has succeeded in his bet . Jason said it himself: he knew nothing about bag making, but his past as an elite soldier taught him to recognize quality material.

He called on designers and, a few prototypes later, the GR1 was born: a very sleek black backpack, without a logo. Only the slanted front pocket and the small MOLLE row brighten up the front .

The materials are really robust, the seams are reinforced... In short, everything exudes solidity, and the feeling is excellent when handling the bag .

So, what were the decisive criteria that made me choose the GR2?

The design that goes everywhere

For once, I was sensitive to the all-purpose side of a bag.

TAD and Mystery Ranch were too military for me, and the others were hiking brands with too many connotations.

For me, the GR2 has a clean and balanced design, with just enough MOLLE to add additional modules.

The Goruck comes in two sizes, I took the 34 liter. Note the very sober design.

The "clamshell" opening

An important point, on which Valentin had insisted a lot: the "clamshell" opening, separating the bag into two complete parts.

You will be able to store your things better, because you do not stack them in layers, but place them in your bag as you would with a suitcase.

The "shell" opening of the bag, which is very practical for storing your belongings. Photo credit: All Day Ruckoff

Practical and sturdy

It was much more compartmentalized than the other two models. It has many pockets that allow you to organize your things well.

The compartments are made of a strong mesh and allow you to easily store your belongings.

It's super tough. Really. For a trip where it was going to be put through a lot while harnessed to the bike, I needed durable materials, with sturdy finishes. I wasn't disappointed on that score.

A good feeling about Goruck

I had a good intuition about this brand, without explaining it too much.

I was sensitive to the very in-depth pedagogy around the product, to Jason's passion which shines through on each page of the e-shop, to the honest and striking descriptions.

I love this kind of little explanatory diagram , but few brands take the time to do them.

Sometimes you have to let your intuition speak, especially when you've been reading presentation pages for years.

What is MOLLE?

It's time to take a quick look at MOLLE.

I didn't know about this customization system at all, but after experimenting with it, it's very well done.

Basically, they are rows of sewn straps , which allow you to add multiple elements to them as needed. This is what you see in all action movies, especially on bulletproof vests.

No, the fabric strips are not there to look pretty, they are used to add all kinds of pockets.

It is easy for the manufacturer to set up (just sew on straps) and the system offers a lot of possibilities. .

One day it will be an extra pocket to store chargers. The next day it will be a larger slot to put a radio in... It's up to each person. Really, it's a well-crafted universal standard.

For my part, I customized my GR2 with an extra pocket bought at La Tranchée Militaire , in Tours, and a fold-out pocket from the Triple Aught Design brand . I also hung lots of bits and pieces with carabiners!

Note: for those on a budget, military surplus stores are full of bags similar to the Goruck, much cheaper, although I have no idea of ​​the quality. Get one that is black to avoid the overly military look.

My conclusion on this bag

To put it simply: I am super happy. It is a very sturdy bag, which exudes quality and has played its role perfectly, so much so that I regret not being able to use it more often on a daily basis.

The zippers, the American manufacturing quality, the ingenious storage, the MOLLE system, the discreet design and the overall impression... Everything is perfect!

I love this bag. REALLY.

We quickly get attached to this little GR2. That said, it is not perfect either. In any case, there are two points that can be improved in my opinion:

  • Comfort is pretty rustic . Jason is a staunch opponent of mesh-padded shoulders, because during his desert missions, they turned into dust traps. But as a result, the breathability of the back is rather basic;
  • It is a relatively heavy model, because of the plastic sheet for the bomb-proof compartment and the density of the materials used. It still weighs more than 2 kilos empty !

That aside, it's still an excellent product. However, if you're a hiker and this is the only time you'll be wearing a backpack, I think there are better products out there. I would strongly advise against it, if only for comfort reasons.

This is a travel bag , not a hiking bag.

It is a bag very appreciated by "digital nomads" for its discreet design and its practicality.

Finally, know that Goruck also has a small line of sober technical clothing, which looks solid. It's maybe not what I would wear to go for a drink on a terrace, but for an adventure-style trip with Valentin, it would be perfect.

They test their clothes in particular during their "rucks ", these outdoor obstacle courses where everyone carries a backpack and often ends up in sea water. Attention enthusiasts!

For those who want to go further, I advise you to read two very nice reviews :

  • the very comprehensive Pack Hacker test , with which I am totally in agreement;
  • the reviews page on Carryology;
  • cheaper alternatives to GR1;
  • Valentin has the GR1, I have the GR2. I recommend you read the story of the GR3 , which is a good summary of the genesis of Goruck and their design bias.

In addition to this bag, I needed two special "containers", here is what I found...

My two favorite accessories

The SDR Traveller Double Passport Pouch

If you knew how many times I said to myself "this thing is so useful!" It's the passport-sized pouch from SDR Traveller .

Let's be clear : with customs and transport costs, having this delivered to France is clearly racketeering.

The object of all fantasies!

The history of the brand is quite amusing: basically, everything comes from a small company called Studio D Radiodurans . Its core business? Selling services that involve going all over the Globe to understand consumer behavior. They do "field research" , the founder has also published a magnificent book on the subject .

During his travels, he realized his need for a discreet, minimalist, and obviously very solid "small luggage" line. So he created SDR Traveller, which offers equipment that is very radical in its approach, using Dyneema, for example. .

So, what is their passport cover worth?

It is simply awesome. I can't imagine going on a long trip without taking it with me, and I highly recommend purchasing such an accessory if you are a backpacker.

I had it around my neck all the time, with my passport, papers, and cash in it. No risk of losing it because of a trouser pocket. I sometimes wore it over my shoulder too.

And I fell in love with Dyneema, this material so light, waterproof, resistant, crisp, with an original patina that sets in over time.

The more you travel with Dyneema, the more a rich and subtle patina sets in!

Otherwise, without the hype of SDR Traveller, you have a much less fancy equivalent at Zpacks , a small American company specializing in outdoor equipment. It is not very good at highlighting its products, but the sincerity behind its products is palpable .

Their business really has a human face... and their " passport pouch " costs exactly three times less than the SDR!

It's $20, compared to $60 for the SDR.

Last tip: two years ago, I also recommended the Magpul Daka Pouch to Valentin, whose pouches can survive the apocalypse. Reliable and resistant accessories, which Valentin and I recommend without hesitation. Pack Hacker did a very good review of it.

There you go, I’m closing this big parenthesis on my passport cover!

The Nite Ize Glasses Case

This is an accessory that really gave me a hard time, to my great surprise.

I was simply looking for a sturdy glasses case that wouldn't be damaged. I thought I'd find a brand with unbreakable cases that you could put in the bottom of your bag. Well, not at all! And it's not for lack of looking at Pelican .

You had to be a real geek to find that one!

I finally found what I was looking for at Nite Ize , this funny company that designs various objects to improve everyday life. Valentin is also a big fan of their double carabiner .

They have a hard case, very practical, with in addition a hook that fits perfectly into a MOLLE system. I am super happy with it, and I continue to use it today .

And if I had known, I would have taken one of their straps to harness my bag to the motorcycle.

Now let's move on to the clothes I brought!

How to dress for 3 weeks in the Mongolian steppes?

Now, what a challenge! I had to last three weeks with as few clothes as possible .

I only took eight, which was completely new for me. When I go away for the weekend, I usually take a different outfit every day...!

No secret: to wear clothes for a long time without washing them, you need as much merino wool as possible.

So I left with:

  • three merino wool t-shirts;
  • two pants (one Triple Aught Design, one BonneGueule pant in Schoeller);
  • the BonneGueule bomber jacket in Power Stretch Pro;
  • the Triple Aught Design softshell in Polartec NeoShell;
  • a Quechua fleece that I had had for years;
  • a Seagale short .

Note that there were three BonneGueule pieces in the lot... When I tell you that we think of versatile clothes, I'm not just talking! Joking aside, I would never have imagined taking them to the Mongolian steppes, but I was interested in testing them in a setting totally different from a city.

I also took some accessories:

  • two pairs of shoes;
  • two belts;
  • four boxers, a pair of leggings and three pairs of socks;
  • an Arct'éryx neck warmer, a Maharishi face cover and a cashmere cotton scarf;
  • a pair of motorcycle gloves.

Come on, I'll give you all the details!

Merino T-shirts: the essential for long-distance travel

It's THE key piece in a minimalist wardrobe, as its versatility and odor resistance are useful, without the feeling of wearing a hiking item.

Here I took three t-shirts that are slightly different in terms of composition...

Wool & Prince T-shirt, with 22% nylon for durability

I chose the color "wine" out of curiosity, because I already had quite a few colors in my wardrobe.

I am very happy with it, it is clear that the addition of nylon makes it more stable and less prone to pilling. It has held up perfectly for days without washing, and I find that the nylon has not taken away anything from the properties of the merino wool. In short, nothing to report on this piece which has perfectly kept its promises.

Nike ACG Long Sleeve T-Shirt, 50% wool 50% polyester

I wanted to have a long-sleeved merino piece for layering. And I really don't regret it. It will now be part of my minimalist travel wardrobe. It was very useful in the evening, especially.

Note that with this proportion of polyester, it starts to hold odors. Not as much as a 100% cotton, but a little bit nonetheless. As usual, if you want one, you have to watch the next "drop" of the ACG collection from Nike or search Grailed .

BonneGueule 100% Merino T-shirt

Finally, I wanted a 100% merino , so it was only natural that I turned to ours . And then it was the opportunity to test it in more "extreme" conditions.

Even though I had designed it for urban use only, I am happy to see that it fulfilled its role as it should have , and that it resisted the harshness of the trip well, while I wore it a good half of the time. Basically, it is like the first day. A very nice satisfaction!

Pants: the choice of minimalism

Valentin and Dimitri were very radical in bringing only one pair of pants ... I wasn't comfortable with that, so I decided to take two.

Here, the choice is more delicate: you need resistance, good perspiration management and always a "low profile" design.

The Talon Guide Pant by Triple Aught Design, 100% nylon

I wore them almost every day, a real joy. These are THE ultimate adventurer pants ! If Sam Fisher or Jason Bourne had to wear only one, it would be these.

I hesitated with the Challenge Pant from Goruck, but it was no longer in stock (the two products seem very similar to me). So I fell back on the pants from TAD.

The pants in question, worn here in a warm climate.

On the product sheet, they refer to the fabric as "amphibious cloth". It is actually a 100% nylon fabric that is quite light and therefore dries very quickly. This has been particularly useful for me on rainy days, or when crossing rivers on my motorbike.

I really appreciated the resistance of the fabric . Where I thought it would come back from this trip with scratches or "scars", it is ultimately not the case.

Finally, the two (large) zipped pockets are REALLY useful and secure, especially on a motorbike. You can rest easy knowing your phone is safe in your closed pocket.

Zippered pockets are strategically located on the thighs for convenient use.

The other special feature of these pants is that there are several nylon panels with stretch. . It is bi-stretch, which is quite moderate but resistant to abrasion.

I was worried that the 100% nylon would be uncomfortable and make me sweat, but honestly, it's still okay. The fact that it dries quickly allows sweat to wick away quickly, so even in the Gobi Desert, I didn't feel any discomfort.

I thought I could "recycle" it into an urban techwear look, with my Acronym jacket, but the cut is too loose. That's my only disappointment.

The material is much nicer than I thought it would be. I also wore these pants in the snow this winter, with merino leggings underneath. I didn't feel a thing!

And finally, for those on a budget, don't forget that Decathlon has a wide range of comfortable and technical hiking pants, like this one .

BonneGueule pants in Schoeller Dryskin

These are THE pants that I take with me whenever I'm on a plane, because they are very stretchy, dry quickly, and are therefore absolutely comfortable.

I didn't wear it so much during the day, more in the evening. I liked to put on "clean" pants to be in the tent, sitting down to eat...

I was glad to have it on the first night, to go out and enjoy the nightlife of Ulaanbaatar. Sure, it's not the selvedge jeans that go well, but... "it's OK". Basically, it doesn't feel like you're wearing hiking clothes to go eat at a restaurant.

A pair of pants that I take whenever I travel by plane!

Here too, its comfort, its technicality, and its urban side mean that I do not regret having taken these pants, which I consider to be a real "Swiss army knife" garment. I even slept with them during the coldest nights. It is definitely my essential when traveling.

By the way, did I tell you that Acronym sometimes uses this fabric for its €600 pants?

Second layers for the upper body

Softshell “Raptor Hoodie” in NeoShell from Triple Aught Design

The piece that was supposed to protect me from the rain was the source of many questions. I didn't want to take our Sympatex fabric softshell because it's not compact enough, and there was no way I was taking my Acronym Gore-Tex Pro jacket for a trip where I knew nothing about the conditions.

So I set out to find a lightweight and absolutely waterproof jacket. It's a well-known piece among hikers, and there are plenty of very comprehensive comparisons . Except that... they all have a very distinctive look, with very loose cuts or very flashy colors.

I wanted a sober, light, compact and breathable garment. That's where I found my happiness again at TAD:

At the beginning of the video, you can see that the jacket can be rolled up into the hood to be compact . This is exactly what I needed!

The Neoshell is really light, so it is very breathable. It also has several pockets and, above all, the hood is great: you can completely adjust it to your liking. A great success for those looking for a sober and effective rain garment made in the USA.

I could have taken Arct'éryx or C old Smoke , it would have done the job very well. Valentin had an even more compact jacket from the Marmot brand, but its waterproofing was really limited.

And there too, for small budgets, apart from recommending Decathlon or Uniqlo, there aren't many alternatives...

BonneGueule Bomber in Polartec Power Stretch Pro

Probably the most underrated piece in our collection while... I was so happy to have it ! I wore it EVERY day of this trip . It accompanied me on:

  • our adventures in Ulan Bator, where I could have a relatively urban look;
  • in every moment on the motorbike protecting myself from the cold, the wind, but also from the sand and the sun;
  • in mid layer, over my merino t-shirts and under my TAD softshell;
  • on my coldest nights (I carried it in my sleeping bag);
  • and in each of my falls!

Honestly, do you know many clothes that can be worn in so many circumstances?

Yes, this bomber jacket has never left me!

The Power Stretch Pro worked wonders with its crazy stretch and gentle warmth. I was also surprised to see how useful it was in direct sunlight, as it wicks away sweat effectively. .

Along with the TAD pants, this is by far the most useful piece of clothing on this trip , and will be for many adventures to come.

There was just a seam that came undone for less than a centimeter at the shoulder, but the fabric held up perfectly.

Quechua fleece sweater for €6.99

It was a piece I had kept in my closet for several years "just in case" ...

I hesitated a lot to take it in addition to the Polartec bomber, but I told myself that it was my "anti-cold insurance", as Valentin would say. Here too, it is a garment that has served me well. I sometimes wore it under the Polartec because of the cold, and it was just what was needed. No regrets about this purchase.

Underwear

Unsurprisingly, I got everything in merino wool .

I had three pairs of Icebreaker boxers, which I was able to wear for several days in a row without washing them, and a pair of merino wool "leggings", also from Icebreaker. .

Not much to add here. Merino underwear is a well-documented topic among hikers and nomadic travelers. For my part, I am very happy with it.

I just have two points to share with you:

  • Merino long boxer shorts (or leggings) are worth it . I wonder why I didn't buy this item sooner. Are you tired of having cold legs? No worries, put a pair of long boxer shorts under your favorite pants and your life will change forever;
  • These are relatively fragile underwear. For example, after a month, with friction on the saddle, sweating, etc., tiny holes appeared on one of my boxers (one of the oldest).

Same for socks. I chose three pairs bought at Au Vieux Campeur , from the brands Smartwool and Icebreaker. Even though I knew all the anti-odor and insulating properties of wool, I was afraid of being too hot. Finally, nothing to report here either, I was very comfortable in my shoes.

The Quest for the Right Shoes

Things are getting complicated! I needed sturdy shoes, suitable for motorcycling, with which I could go on adventures, within a very reasonable budget (unlikely that I would use them again once in Paris).

A few years ago, for a trip to Norway, I bought a pair of US Army rangers for €45, made of Gore-Tex, Vibram soles and Cordura, barely worn. They were great value for money, but between all the moves in my student life, I simply misplaced them — much to my regret.

So I turned to military surplus again and eventually found...

Desert "Brodequins" of the French Army

Robust, inexpensive and efficient.

I already knew about the Military Trench in Tours, I went to the one in Saint-Ouen. For €45, I found this pair of shoes reserved for desert climates. Here is my quick feedback:

  • They are very durable and have held up well, even though I really mistreated them, especially with the gear selector on the bike. On that, apart from the sole which came off slightly because I dried it too close to the fire, nothing to complain about;
  • the thickness of the sole makes you safe when walking on rocks, pebbles, etc.;
  • They became comfortable very quickly, I didn't have to "do" them for weeks. Not a single blister;
  • the look is quite "neutral" when you wear the pants over it;
  • they're not that breathable — no more so than a regular hiking shoe — and they don't dry particularly quickly;
  • but I don't recommend them for hiking , I still lacked stability inside the shoe. It's like my foot was sliding inside sometimes;
  • it still remains a very good quality/price/robustness ratio.

Alternatively, I could have explored other tactical shoes, but I knew I wouldn't find anything cheaper.

Important note: I advise you to check the price on the website carefully before going to the store, there are sometimes differences from one to another.

Nike Flyknit sneakers

These were my pair of "slipper" shoes, the ones you happily put on in the evening after spending the day in my desert boots.

Valentin always refused to take two pairs of shoes. I was well aware that it was a luxury, but I was so happy to have them, especially when my first one was wet. For me, it is therefore one of my recommendations, even if it means looking for a "small extra pair" that is even lighter and more compact. But leaving with just one pair seems a little too bold to me.

And of course, I used Muji travel bags to carry everything, a must-have in my opinion if you are used to traveling often.

On the accessories side

To protect my neck from the cold, I took no less than three accessories!

My cotton/cashmere scarf

A friend ( who makes very beautiful hats ) brought it back to me from India. I asked Valentin if it wasn't too bulky, he simply replied "it's your lucky charm, take it."

I recommend EVERYONE to have such an accessory: it protects the neck well, and I regularly used it as a scarf to protect my head from the sun, and it can also be used for lots of things ).

An Arc'teryx neck warmer

The part that can save your life!

Unlike my scarf, it stays in place perfectly during long motorcycle rides. It also served as a hat at night when I was very cold.

I was really pleased to have it, and Geoffrey joins me in stressing the importance of such an accessory, which came in very handy on his cycling trip two years ago.

My Maharishi hood

It's no longer on the site, but it looks a lot like this piece (except mine is breathable mesh).

I'll be honest with you, I have no idea why I bought this piece two years ago. But deep down, I knew it was going to be useful to me one day.

This is THE room I thought I would never use… And yet!

And it didn't fail, I'm so glad I had this piece! It protected me perfectly from the sand and, faced with a helmet with questionable hygiene , I was very happy to have a textile barrier. For me, it's an essential for a motorcycle road trip. Valentin, although very minimalist, is even thinking about getting one for his next expeditions.

Rev'it Mid-Season Motorcycle Gloves

Please don't be such a jerk and take a motorcycle road trip without decent gloves. And when I say "motorcycle gloves", I really mean "gloves designed specifically for motorcycling " and not "tactical gloves", or "awesome Filson leather gloves".

There is bound to be a time when you will have to put your hands flat on the ground, perhaps you will slip on a slope with stones. And there, it can really make a difference . In this case, your fingers, and especially the palm of your hand, need to be well protected.

I couldn't find the gloves I had on the Internet. They are Rev'it mid-season, which perfectly fulfill their protective function but are a little too warm. If necessary, don't hesitate to take a second pair of gloves for the summer.

Tip: wait for sales to buy them, you will find them without any problem.

My sleeping gear

Now that’s a key topic! Along with the weather, your sleep is the other big factor that influences the quality and memories of your trip .

This is why I spent so much time looking for the right equipment, with two criteria: performance and size, which had to be as small as possible.

The inflatable mattress question

I know the price can be scary, but the quality is really there!

When sleeping in a tent, an inflatable mattress is absolutely mandatory. Except that most of the time, they are very bulky, the opposite of minimalist and lightweight equipment.

So I spent several hours "benchmarking" the reviews and my choice finally fell on the Thermarest Neo Air .

It's expensive - about €150 - but its impact on your sleep is phenomenal . You sleep well, and it insulates you from the cold ground , even on awful ground like plains with little stones everywhere.

For the record, during our last night in the tent, Valentin slept on an air mattress much larger than this one. . It was much colder than with the Neo Air.

Its great strength remains its ultra-compact size. , even smaller than a 1 liter bottle! I absolutely do not regret my choice. This should be a must-have / Christmas / birthday gift, if you regularly spend your nights in a tent.

If you are interested in this mattress, the web is full of written and video tests of all kinds to help you make your choice. And as usual, (much) cheaper solutions exist , but they will be (much) more cumbersome.

The sleeping bag

The element that gave me the most problems.

Still with the aim of fitting everything into my Goruck bag, I looked for the most compact sleeping bags possible . And as with inflatable mattresses, the lower the price, the more cumbersome it is, with a range from €30 to €700. Except that I wanted something under €100...

After several hours of research, I decided on the Snugpak , but they seemed too light to me.

This is a good sleeping bag, very compact, to use on weekends with friends in a "normally" heated room. But for Mongolian nights it is too cold.

Bottom line: I was very cold some nights , to the point of not being able to sleep. It's not necessarily because of the bag itself, let's just say that I greatly underestimated Mongolian night temperatures.

At the time, the only solution I found was to take out my survival blanket and put on ALL my clothes at once. So I slept one night with two pairs of pants, the long boxer shorts, the three merino t-shirts, my Quechua fleece, my Polartec bomber jacket and two pairs of socks on top of each other. And despite everything, I was still "a little" cold.

On the other hand, it is a really compact bag , about as small as a water bottle. So with the Neo Air mattress and this sleeping bag, you have a very compact solution for sleeping. .

There are much warmer and more compact sleeping bags, but the prices are skyrocketing. Expect to pay over €400 for the Sea To Summit Spark III . Its comfort temperature is... 2°C!

So, you can either:

  • take a warm but inexpensive sleeping bag, with something to carry it in;
  • put the budget on a warm and compact solution.

In any case, do not underestimate the night temperature.

Bonus: Nemo Fillo Elite inflatable pillow

This is the built-in pocket for storing the pillow, with Primaloft insulation!

During his bike trip, Geoffrey had been able to test an inflatable pillow without being very satisfied with it. He had advised me not to take one, but I still wanted to try. Not wanting to make any concessions on the quality of my sleep, I told myself that at worst, it was better to end up with one too many accessories than nothing at all.

So I searched intensively for the most compact AND comfortable products, and I quickly came across the Nemo Fillo Elite . It is indeed very compact and I was surprised to see that it contained... Primaloft insulation!

Review of 3 weeks spent on this pillow: I am super happy with it . Really. The fabric is very soft, it inflates in the blink of an eye, you can easily adjust its "softness" by letting air escape, and it is tiny.

The Massdrop tip for quality equipment at a reduced price

Massdrop is a site that allows you to make bulk orders with very interesting discounts, on very varied categories of objects: it goes from selvedge jeans to survival knives. They have a lot of outdoor clothing and equipment and, by correctly anticipating the delivery dates, you can have excellent equipment for not much.

The rest of my gear

Basically, my bag with two compartments: one for sleep-related gear, and another for clothes. But obviously, I didn't only bring that.

Electronic equipment

The biggest question was whether to get an iPad or a computer... Neither, in the end, and I don't regret my choice at all!

On the other hand, I wanted to have something to write easily. So I tried the external keyboard , rechargeable via USB port .

After intensively "geeking out" — thanks Wirecutters — I settled on a Logitech keyboard . Again, nothing to complain about. I, who am usually a fervent defender of the typing and responsiveness of Apple keyboards, was pleasantly surprised.

Then comes the question of external batteries. I chose to take the one that came with my Horizn Studios case , simply because it seemed very sturdy to me with its aluminum body.

Very good product! Just missing a few attachment points to hang it with carabiners, and it will be the ultimate solar charger!

And then there is THE accessory to take on a trip to the middle of the steppes... the solar charger!

I didn't worry: my friend Baptiste, who created the X Moove brand, gave me the Solargo Trek , which has the huge advantage of having a battery integrated under its solar panels.

This system with two batteries (the Horizn Studios and the one from the X Moove solar charger) is quite practical. If I had to make another trip as "wild", I would take two batteries again rather than just one.

And the food?

To put it simply: our three backpacks were in cabin baggage, and we bought a large nylon bag from Decathlon, light and foldable, which we filled with lentils and tea.

I also picked up a small spice box from Muji, which I filled with 5 different spices.

Honestly, the redundancy with which we ate rice and lentils didn't bother me that much. With small onions cut into pieces, and after a long day, it's even a comforting dish.

FYI, in three weeks, I must have lost 3 to 4 kilos, because I was simply in a caloric deficit. Note that I never felt hungry, we took a lot of snacks with us: oilseeds, dried fruits, but also less recommendable things like Snickers.

Choco Pie, this snack that is not healthy at all, but which was very useful to us.

Valentin and Dimitri are big fans of Choco Pie, this snack with a funny story that you can find in the smallest micro-grocery store in the depths of a steppe. I ate it almost every day, and I must say that it often warmed my heart.

As for drinks, we only drank water and tea. And since Valentin created a brand of matcha tea , we were treated to high-quality teas !

We usually woke up around 8am. Valentin prepared our tea which we drank more or less in silence, in front of the immensity of the steppes. Tea which was systematically accompanied by a Choco Pie! Brushing our teeth, quick check of the map and off we went again for a day of motorcycling!

Valentin's matcha tea , we drank cups and cups of it! Facing the steppe, it was the best tasting possible!

To eat, it was extremely simple. I only had two objects:

  • my titanium cup, from the MSR brand , for its lightness and robustness. It served as a bowl, a container for washing your toothbrush, a teacup...

Always choose titanium! It’s light, strong, and doesn’t rust.

  • a titanium spoon-fork, Valentine's gift, from the Light my Fire brand which did not disappoint.

The ESSENTIAL accessory for this kind of trip. Dimitri had a plastic equivalent, which broke during the trip. Don't hesitate to switch to titanium.

For lovers of beautiful things and Japanese brands, Snow Peak has a very nice line of titanium cookware ... if the price doesn't stop you!

The pharmacy

This is not the most fun aspect to prepare, but it is nonetheless crucial. Here too, thanks to Valentin's experience, putting together the "medical kit" went very quickly:

  • Steristrips bandages;
  • Aquatabs to disinfect river water in precarious situations (used once only);
  • disinfectant (poured into a Muji bottle);
  • medications for diarrhea;
  • mosquito repellent purchased at the pharmacy;
  • sterile compresses;
  • painkillers: Doliprane, Dafalgan codeine, or even Acupan in the most complicated situations.
  • an Allevyn bandage;
  • biodegradable cotton swabs;
  • biodegradable baby wipes that Valentin and Dimitri really appreciated;
  • biodegradable toilet paper:
  • biodegradable tissues (I bought a lot on Amazon);
  • and Nutrimuscles multivitamin capsules. I had absolutely no idea what we were going to eat there, especially with two vegetarian friends, and I didn't want any deficiency issues.

As for the capsules and medicines, I put everything in a Muji box.

The toilet, or how not to wash for several days

Ah, THE subject that we underestimate in this kind of trip! I didn't know at all what to expect, and relied on only two objects:

  • a very compact Sea to Summit towel;
  • and Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap that Valentin had given me, put in a Muji tube. It's not a miracle product, but it does what it's asked to do. I don't know of any other that can be used as dishwashing liquid, shower gel, hand soap, or shampoo all at once. It's definitely THE hygiene product to take on a minimalist trip.

Dr. Bronner's soap that I discovered via Valentin.

This is how we should have washed ourselves... except that where we went, there were almost no streams. This only happened to us once! So, most of the time, we washed ourselves in the showers of the camps or hotels that we found on the way.

We didn't go more than four days without washing. When you're outdoors all day, and you don't see anyone, it (surprisingly) didn't bother me that much . With clothes that wick away sweat effectively, the odor problem was much less present.


And there you have it, this long list of equipment ends here. I hope it will be useful for your next trips, and don't hesitate to enrich it in the comments ! I'm sure there are great adventurers reading us, so share your experience!

The final word...

Although I am still very happy with my gear overall, I asked myself what I would do differently if I had to do this trip again:

  • I would have taken a sleeping bag that was much more effective against the cold, or a competition survival blanket from Mambe that I would have harnessed to the motorbike;
  • I forgot my collapsible water bottle! I bought two from Massdrop and, like a fool, I completely forgot to clip it onto the GR2's MOLLE ranges;
  • I would have planned real straps for the motorcycle, much more practical than tying and untying knots.

That's about it!

This concludes my trip to Mongolia for good. I hope you enjoyed it and, as usual, please let us know what you think of this kind of unusual article, or even if you would like more . Sometimes, getting out of men's fashion and getting lost in the steppes does the most good...

Benoît Wojtenka Benoît Wojtenka
Benoit Wojtenka, co-founder

I founded BonneGueule.fr in 2007. Since then, I have been helping men build their style by providing them with clear and practical advice, but also more advanced thinking. I also like techwear, Japanese materials, sports and tea.

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