On a recent episode of Moto Adventurer Unscripted, Mark and I did a deep dive into tool kits, including some obscure items. As it turns out, Mark and I both tend to be loaded for bear when we’re out adventure riding. Riding solo apparently carries a weight penalty. With that in mind, we like tools that can do multiple jobs, especially those that pack small and reduce weight.

Last spring Rolling Mavericks reached out to me and asked if I wanted to try out some of their products. I mentioned I wanted to lighten my tool kit, so they sent me a set of their Asahi Lightweight Trail Spanners. Considering my positive experience with them, and a few other items, I’m sharing this info with you today, no strings attached.

Lightweight Spanners

My advice on building a tool kit typically starts with basic wrenches and sockets. These tools become invaluable when a lever needs adjusted, or a handguard gets loose. In the past, I carried five wrenches to cover the sizes I needed on various metric bikes. The Asahi lightweight wrench set cut that down to 2; 3 if I wanted to pack a 13mm (KTM loves that 13mm, irony?). The Asahi wrenches are extremely lightweight, not titanium light, but reasonable, especially for steel. The open-end spanners don’t quite get the “grip” on smaller bolts when they’re especially tight, but it’s a sacrifice I was willing to make considering weight and typical torque ratings. The foursome of Lightool Trail spanners are available $27; you could shave a few more ounces with the high-end titanium options, but you’ll really pay for it.

Zippered Mesh Bags

In the past, I carried spanners and mini-ratchet tools in a canvas shaving kit. Considering the impacts of off-road riding, said containers were typically shredded by sharp-edged tools. Unsolicited, Rolling Mavericks also included a collection of zippered mesh bags with the trail spanners. I’ve been pretty enamored with them since day one. The bags come in at least four different colors and a handful of sizes. The variety makes it convenient to separate tools based on type; when you’re thumbing through a pocket of your tool pouches, you see the color you need and grab it quickly without shuffling through loose chrome parts bouncing around in the bottom. After a season of riding the bags are still in good shape; worth the $11 for the assorted “trail pack”.

Asahi 72-tooth ratchet

This entire conversation began with the endeavor to lighten the tool kit, but ironically a toolbox addition stole the show. In addition to the above items, Rolling Mavericks sent me an Asahi Lightool 3/8″ ratchet. From the moment I could walk, I was tinkering with my dad’s Craftsman tools. Certainly, we can debate Craftsman quality in 2025, but until now, that was more or less the standard in my toolbox. By complete accident, that has completely changed; when I’m enjoying a late-night wrench session in the garage, I now reach for the Asahi 72-tooth ratchet. The Asahi ratchet is lighter in the hand (nearly half the weight), smoother to the touch, and feels dramatically more precise; no slop in the ratcheting mechanism, and many more “clicks” in the action compared to the domestic hardware store alternatives. It’s about a $50 investment; a few more bucks than Craftsman, but if you’re a fellow tool snob, it’s still a savings against Snap-On fare.

As mentioned on the podcast, if you’re building a tool kit, you can save a few bucks by going to garage sales. However, if you’re looking to shave ounces, you need to spend a few dollars. I’ve been impressed with these offerings from Asahi over the last year. I suspect I’ll be doing some shopping with Rolling Mavericks in the near future for a few other handy items that will save me some frustration on the trail later.