A couple of motorcycles, some camera gear, a few good friends, and one of our favourite stretches of highway in Alberta.
We recently headed west of Calgary to Highway 66 in Kananaskis Country. No big agenda. Just an excuse to get out of the shop, put some miles on the bikes, and capture a little of what life looks like behind the scenes at Odin Mfg.
We're pretty fortunate to do what we do. We love motorcycles, we love riding, and every once in a while, we get to call a day like this work.
Right in Our Backyard
One of the best things about calling Alberta home is having the Rocky Mountains practically in our backyard.
Highway 66 is a favourite of ours. Good pavement, winding roads, mountain views, and plenty of places worth pulling over for.
With the fall colours showing off, we made our way through Kananaskis, stopping at a few familiar spots to shoot photos, capture some video, and take in the scenery.
We met up with a few friends along the way, talked bikes, shot the shit, and generally enjoyed being out on two wheels.
Nothing complicated. Just a good day riding motorcycles.
We Ride. It's What We Do.
People often ask how we test our gear. Some wonder if we even test it at all.
The answer is pretty simple. We ride.
We're not just designing motorcycle apparel and hoping it works. We're riders ourselves, and the gear we make is the gear we choose to wear.
That doesn't mean every ride is a formal product test. Sometimes we're just out enjoying the road. But spending time in our own gear gives us a firsthand understanding of how it fits, feels, and performs when we're actually riding.
It's often the little things that stand out. A detail that could work better. A fit adjustment worth considering. Something that might make the next version more comfortable or functional.
Combine those experiences with thoughtful design from our team and feedback from the people who wear our products, and you've got a process that never really stops.
We're always learning, always refining, and always looking for ways to make the next version better than the last.
That's what building gear with purpose means to us.
Behind the Scenes (And Sometimes Hanging Out of a Truck)
There's a lot more that goes into capturing a good motorcycle photo or video than most people realize.
Finding the right stretch of road. Getting the light right. Setting up the shot. Riding past the camera a few more times than you'd planned.
And then there's Bryan.
Our photo and video guy was doing his usual magic, which on this particular trip involved hanging halfway out of the run truck trying to get the perfect rolling shots.
While we were busy riding, Bryan was doing what he does best, making the whole thing look pretty damn good.
Between the rolling footage, roadside stops, and the occasional bit of organized chaos, we managed to capture some great moments.
A little work. A lot of riding. Exactly how we like it.
The Moments In Between
Not everything makes it into the final edit.
Sometimes the best parts of a day like this happen when the cameras aren't rolling.
Pulling over somewhere with a good view. Catching up with friends. Talking motorcycles. Standing around doing absolutely nothing productive for a few minutes.
That's the stuff we love.
Motorcycles have a way of bringing people together, taking us somewhere new, and giving us a reason to get away from everything else for a while.
And while we're proud of the gear we make, we're just as proud to be part of the community that rides in it.
It's why we started Odin in the first place.
By Riders. For Riders.
Gear From the Ride
We weren't out to put on a fashion show. We were wearing the Odin gear we like to ride in.
Here's some of what came along for the day.
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Originals Smooth Motorcycle Gloves — A longtime Odin staple.
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APEX Aero Riding Shoes — Motorcycle footwear built for life on and off the bike.
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Moc Toe Motorcycle Boots — Classic styling with riding in mind.
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Japanese Selvedge Denim Riding Pants — Our take on denim for riders.
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Alliance Perforated Leather Vests — Leather vests with perforated construction.
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Leather Shirt — One of our leather riding layers.
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Windknit™ Chain Hoodie — One of the newest additions to the Odin lineup.
EXPLORE THE GEAR
Good roads. Good friends. Good times.
See you out there.