“It’s about time” was my first thought when Moto-Skiveez shared news about the launch of their new padded compression tights for 2018. Back in 2013 when the Moto-Skiveez padded motorcycle shorts first appeared on the scene, I remember asking “Do you make a longer version?”. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one with this question because they’ve finally arrived… The new Moto-Skiveez Performance Adventure Tights are a longer version of their Adventure Shorts, offering the added benefits of improved chafing protection and leg compression.

As a dual sport rider that enjoys challenging terrain, the long shorts make a lot of sense. Typically I gear up with as much protection as possible to avoid unnecessary injury, and one of the protective pieces I’ve always ‘tried’ to wear is knee braces. The problem is, the hard parts and straps tend to rub your legs raw around the thigh and calf area. And long knee brace socks that go above the knee start slipping down after about 30 minutes, exposing bare skin. It’s not just knee braces that can be a pain either, strap-on knee pads and the rough material inside many adventure suits frequently cause chafing on longer rides.

Cutting-Edge Sports Tech

The opportunity to wear knee braces comfortably had me intrigued with the new Adventure Tights, but I’ve also become a believer in the benefits of compression garments after riding with Moto-Skiveez compression socks. Compression garments are something you often see pro athletes and cyclists wear to promote better circulation, muscle recovery and endurance. For us adventure riders, compression tights hold the promise of longer rides, with more energy, and waking up in the morning with fresher legs to do it all over again.

Even better, the new Adventure Tights have an all-new pad design based on cutting-edge tech from the cycling world. The Italian-made pad is formed through an elaborate process that involves a negative pressure chamber, fracturing bubbles, and cutting material with diamond blades. The result is a single layer of foam that offers more cushioning, moisture absorption and breathability than the original Adventure Skiveez pad, without increasing its thickness. And like the old pad, it’s also anti-microbial and positioned ideally for upright Dual Sport/Adventure Motorcycle ergos.

Another advantage of the Moto-Skiveez compression tights is the use of thin, lightweight materials. Two different fabrics are strategically placed on the shorts — one is a honeycomb mesh material for the crotch, rear end and back of the knees that offers maximum breathability, while the other is a moisture-wicking fabric that pulls sweat away from the skin for a cooling effect. There are also multiple panels of fabric that form an elliptical pattern around the knee for a more comfortable knee bend. Plus all fabric panels are neatly stitched together using flat seems that are smoother on the skin.

The new foam pad now breathes better than the previous pad and offers more plushness for the same pad thickness.

First Impressions

Trying out the Adventure Tights for the first time, I noticed a gentle amount of compression that makes them easy to slide on and off. The 3/4-length design goes down to about mid-calf or just inside a tall moto boot. Moto socks will cover the bottoms of the Adventure Tights, so there is no exposed skin to get chaffed. Everything is taut with no folds in the fabric that could cause pressure points in your boots.

The fabric of the compression tights feels high-quality and smooth on the skin. None of the stitched seams can be felt, and the pad is fairly thin so it’s hardly noticed when you are walking around off the bike. Compared to the original Adventure Skiveez Shorts, the 3/4-length design is also a lot less revealing if you step out of your tent wearing a pair.

On The Highway

I’ve been riding with the Moto-Skiveez Performance Adventure Tights for half a year now, covering many thousands of miles on a variety of bike models ranging from the Ducati Multistrada 1260 to the KTM 500 EXC. Some seats are better than others, but typically it’s the long, flat dirt bike-style seats that give you the most trouble. Even a good seat can get uncomfortable though if you’ve got long days of continuous highway riding to get to your destination.

My first big highway test came with a trip out to Nevada from Los Angeles on an Africa Twin. Even though I was unaware the Adventure Tights had an updated pad at the time, I noticed a marked improvement in comfort over the old Adventure Skiveez shorts during the first few hours on the highway. The old Moto-Skiveez always did an excellent job of combating soreness but the new pad seemed to have an even higher level of plushness.

Throughout the Nevada trip, the new padded compression tights kept my bum feeling happier longer and I felt like I could easily make it to the next gas stop without wiggling around in my seat. No hot spots, no pressure points, and after three days of mixed riding, I didn’t get the usual knee chafing from the rough material inside my riding pants.

Performance Riding Off-Road

A grueling dual sport ride on the KTM 500 EXC and a few motocross track days on the Honda CRF450R, gave me a chance to explore the performance side of the Moto-Skiveez Performance Adventure Tights. With my knee braces strapped on, I felt like I had a second skin to protect me and I was able to ride with a lot less discomfort than I usually experience. Braces will probably never be ‘comfortable’ but at least the pressure points were reduced and there was no rubbing on bare skin.

It was nice not having to worry about extra-long knee brace socks slipping down or constantly adjusting them. Long thick socks can also get seriously hot on a warm day, especially when blasting through whoops and deep ruts. Despite the 3/4 length design, the Adventure Tights don’t raise your temperature like a set of long johns do. There is plenty of breathability in the private areas and no excess moisture build up on the pad when you start to perspire. Throughout the day, my legs also felt less tired during those rigorous rides, and fatigue seemed to set in later.

And what about seating comfort on small bikes? Trail riding does require a fair amount of sitting, whether you are trying to get a clean line through a sandy turn, weighting the rear tire for traction, or power sliding on fire roads. The point is, seating comfort is also important on small bikes, especially when absorbing bumps through a thin, flat, firm seat. The extra cushioning in the Moto-Skiveez Tights definitely helped stave off soreness and contributed to making those rides more enjoyable.

Wear and Tear, and Care

After years of using the Moto-Skiveez Adventure Shorts, they’ve proven to be very durable and long lasting. Even shorts I’ve had for several years are still in use and the padding seems to feel like it did new. While it’s been about 6 months of frequent use on these new Moto-Skiveez compression tights, I haven’t seen any noticeable wear and tear yet, other than some fading of the Moto-Skiveez logo on the thigh. The seams are also holding up nicely without any threads coming loose.

As far as washing care, you can machine wash them or hand wash them in the sink when you are on the road. Always hang dry though. The tights don’t dry quite as quickly as the shorts do, but they are usually close to dry after hanging them up overnight. If you need to put them on before they have fully dried, any moistness tends to evaporate quickly after your body heats them up.

Final Thoughts

The Moto-Skiveez Performance Adventure Tights are a great option for avid dirt riders that want to maximize stamina on the trail and get full coverage protection from chafing. But they also work well for travelers that want better muscle recovery and reduced soreness on long overland trips. Whether you ride aggressively or casually, big bike or small, they let you extend your time in the saddle and improve the quality of your ride.

The price may seem a bit steep at $80 but considering they are purpose-built for Adventure/Dual Sport riders, with a high-tech pad from Italy, and hand sewn together in the US, the cost is easier to justify. Plus you get the additional benefits of the revised pad, increased skin protection and leg compression for just $15 more than the standard Adventure Skiveez shorts.

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Photos by Stephen Gregory and Spencer Hill

Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.