AmSnow.com is now SnoWest.com
Five months and more than 5,000 miles later,
AmSnow staffers had a good idea which of our numerous test products were worthy and which ones should be tossed. We test our gear to understand just how long it will hold together or last under the most serious abuse. Here's our report card, using a 10-point scale with 10 being the highest on over a dozen of only the best apparel and helmet products from reliable manufacturers.
GEAR KEY:
Product, Accessory, SCORE,
MSRP, Colors, Sizes(Following each review, products are evaluated in this order.)
1. Klim GearTested: Klim Valdez Parka, Togwotee Bib, Free Ride Pant, Radium Boot, PowerXcross GlovesSo far, we have yet to have an Official Clothing Sponsor that has been as versatile, comfortable and stylish as the Klim line of apparel and accessories. The Valdez Parka, Togwotee Bib and Free Ride Pants are Gore-Tex garments that are not bulky, but not skin tight. We fit our Tek Vests easily under the Valdez Parka, and loved the shoulder pads and plenty of pockets. Probably the most useful feature of the Togwotee Bibs and Free Ride Pants are the built-in kneepads. We aren't sure how we ever went without them!
For warmer rides, the Free Ride Pant, and a shell up top, were great, and for colder rides, the Togwotee Bibs worked perfectly. All the garments keep you dry at all times regardless of how much snow may melt on their surfaces.
The Radium Boots are an aggressive rider's dream. They are very stiff and give you a lot of support. These are not a pair of boots you will want to walk far in, but they're not made for that, and for hardcore riders they fit the bill.
The PowerXcross Gloves are the perfect cold weather gloves that don't feel like cold weather gloves. Their Gore-Tex, waterproof build makes them super-breathable, so they stay dry on those warm days that make your throttle hand sweat. The PowerXcross Gloves also are warm enough to wear on below zero mornings!
Valdez Parka, SCORE: 9.5, $399.99, Black/Blue/Green/Red, XS-5XL
Togwotee Bib, SCORE: 9.0, $379.99, Black/Blue/Red, XS-5XL
Free Ride Pant, SCORE: 9.5, $319.99, Black/Blue/Red, XS-5XL
Radium Boot, SCORE: 9.0, $146.99, Black/Grey, 5-14
PowerXcross Glove, SCORE: 9.5, $75.99, Black/Red/Blue, XS-3XL
www.klimusa.com