Hi Scilent Killer, I understand your feeling however, its bit late to ask for a Leh group. Because its only 10 days left to start the ride for most of the groups and as you know ride like this every body wants to on the same page in terms of understanding and planning.

Hope you understand. I have sent you a message as well. Check it and try if it can work out.
By the way, Good Luck!

I understand your point and truly appreciate your efforts...

I have been preparing for the ride with my friends but the things didn't turn up well and at the end I was left with desperateness...

Checked your message...lets see what happens...

Guys, how bad can be the windchill? Looking at first few pages, it sounds scary, specially going by what Vishwas was wearing. I am planning for a thermocot + woolen tee + riding jacket, and add a rain jacket if required. Lowers, only a thermocot + jeans, breathable shin length boots. Also, breathable leather gloves, with cricketer's liner inside.

EDIT: I have been in 0-5 C with a thermocot, tee and fleece or windproof jacket without much discomfort.

Hi diff,

What you have mentioned should be sufficient. It would be ideal if the jacket were to be spacious so that you could wear an additional thin sweater inside.

The wind chill is definitely a factor to be considered for but the speeds one does there do not allow this issue to become a major headache IF one is properly clothed.

I am planing the same clothings to carry. I guess its sufficient enough. Taking extra sweater would be good idea just in case we need it

Agreed!

Last year, we faced some really atrocious weather (snow storm/hail storm and rain)
I was wearing a thermal inner-sweatshirt-thermal liner of jacket + the jacket itself(cordura material)
It was sufficient. The problem mostly is plugging the gaps in your clothing.

1. Preferably long gloves which go over your jacket cuffs.
2. Sealed ends in the boots (ie jeans inside the boot)
3. Some muffler/monkey cap/contraption which can block air rushing in from the gap between the helmet and the neck. Balaclava tucked inside the jacket collar is important too.

This should see you through the worst of weather. Also, the cramster TRG2 or DSG primals will not be sufficient in cold clammy weather. You might want to have a woolen glove(The ones with fur inside and pseudo leather outside - 250Rs stuff) as backup or surgical gloves if you are riding extended hours in the rain.

Thanks Maneesh. My jacket would a bit of a tight fit since I have gained around the waist. Will loose the paunch once I am back in India in 30-40 days with running.

Thanks Kuldeep, I am thinking the same. An extra 500g doesn't hurt!

Thanks for the detailed breakup Mik. I have Alpinestars SP2 leather gauntlets, should cover above the jacket cuffs. Boots are a tight fit now, purchased last week, hope they expand once I start riding. I have a thin balaclava which I doubt will hold on, have to get something more than that.

My current gear stands as:
1. Alpinestars Exile textile jacket with liner (won't be using it though)
2. Alpinestars SP2 leather gauntlet gloves
3. Cortech Latigo RR Air boots
4. Alpinestars Bionic Knee guard

Additionally, I have a The North Face glove for providing warmth off the bike, though I doubt it will go over the riding gloves. Will buy the glove you mention, just in case it pours.

Manali - Leh Route is open

The Manali - LEH route is officially open

Thats a good news!!!!!

i have done almost similar preparation...needed to ask one thing..where can i get army boots or similar stuff in delhi for cheap...

smells like adventure coming our way...
kuldeep i have got a green signal from the troop...so thanks a tone to u...

Hello killer,

You can get the Army-style boot in Gopinath Bazaar and Sadar Bazaar. The good ones are NOT cheap but neither are your feet.

Have you planned for gumboots too? It is better to wear gumboots without a plastic bag covering your feet. Your feet stay dry and the boots are waterproof being made of rubber/foam.

I am carrying a pair of gumboots and my Army uniform boots so that I can change as per the conditions.

Regards,

Maneesh

As icemang said, you can get it at Gopinath bazaar in Cantt. The traditional DM boots are not exactly great for comfort. Also, i believe they need to be soaked in water for sometime to soften up. - Icemang can opine more on that.
Some light weight mid leg length boots are available too for around 1.4 k (The ones i used)
These have a major problem though - there are holes just above the sole to let the air pass through! I plugged the holes with putty which held up over the ten day ride.
From what i have encountered - you cannot save yourself from getting wet - just carry some extra socks :-)
Here is why you cannot escape the water - you will need to find out the way!

Wading in to check the depth and route - YouTube

no i am not carrying gum boots...tried it but i am not feeling comfortable in it..
i will be using the nike sports for my last year Spiti ride..they dry up pretty fast and will be wearing polythene in then to keep my feet dry...
after much of discussion i found this as the safest...n will carry 8-9 pair of stocks n polythene...

hahaha...lolz....i have checked this video already...n things get worse in noon..

Dear Mik,

Well opined.

I should make one thing very clear here. Military boots are NOT meant to be waterproof; they would cause untold misery to the wearer by way of continued non-evaporating perspiration and the concomitant infection. They are meant to be only water resistant - a quick step into a puddle, just a brief exposure to some rain etc. Total waterproofing will be given by a completely non-permeable surface like dense rubber. I have worn DMS boots and their variants for 24 years now as a part of my daily uniform and would not recommend them at for any continually wet conditions. These boots are meant for sustained marching, filled with traversing rough terrain where an ankle twist or sprain can mean big trouble. Please,please do not make the mistake of equating their utility with that of bespoke riding boots in the Alpinestar mould.

My advice would be to have two pairs of footwear. One should be a pair of gumboots, the calf length ones, for on - saddle use and the other a pair of normal sneakers in the Adidas/Nike/Reebok fashion for off-saddle wear. I am using this method in my forthcoming ride. I have picked up a pair of the former here in Rajkot for Rs 300/-. They are super light weight foam and very comfy too and due to non-permeability of water and air, very warm of their own.