Tested: Scott USA Impact
Jacket And Wander Pant
What: Scott USA's best
offerings for loose-fitting, freeride outerwear
Contact:
www.scottusa.com, see your local dealer
Description: When
Scott USA bought out Riema a couple of years ago, it got its hands on a Gore
Tex license and the opportunity to expand into markets like snowmobiling. It
took Scott a year or two to refine the product and get its designs up to where Dyke Morris, Scott USA's snowmobile division leader,
wanted them. We spent a season in a set of Scott gear.
The Impact jacket features Scott's Tri-Phase technology,
which is a waterproof, breathable design. The Impact has just about every
feature a jacket could offer, including a removable hood, several pockets,
underarm ventilation, waist gaiter and is MP3-player compatible.
The Wander pant is a lightweight offering from Scott that
provides comfort, fit and function without sacrificing anything. Its
non-insulated shell is very durable and features padding in the seat and knees
and has two zippered pockets and one large cargo pocket. The seams are taped to
keep water out.
How it works: We
were impressed with what we consider Scott's premier line of outerwear (Scott
has offered outerwear for a couple of years, but the transition from Riema to
the current design limited its design. The 2008 product line was all Scott USA
and a big hit with snowmobilers and freeriders.) The jacket's fit was great and
we never had a problem with any of the closures or zippers. True to its claim,
we never got wet in the Impact jacket. And you can pack all sorts of things in
the jacket's well-placed pockets.
We also liked the Wander pant, though we would prefer an
adjustable waistband over the removable suspenders. However, the pants
functioned great and we didn't have any problem with wear and tear. While Scott
states that this is a race-oriented pant and doesn't claim to be waterproof, we
didn't have a problem with getting wet while riding in the Wander pant.
The comfort level of both outerwear pieces is high on the
rating scale. The breathable material of the Impact jacket and the armpit vents
keep you warm when it's cold and cool when it's warm. We didn't sweat profusely
nor did we freeze. It's more than a bare shell, so it does carry a little
weight to it, but it didn't hinder us. It's a very comfortable, functional
combination of outerwear.