I upgraded my gear this year to a Valdez Parka and Toggwatte Bibs. I mostly boondock and ride thru a lot of trees.Love the new gear absolutly NO regrets and have not been cold once even in the minus 20 stuff.Gear fits awsome and is very comfortable.Lots of good deals on gear now that the season is almost over
Klim Guys - Need Your Advice in Picking the right Jacket and Pants/Bibs
- Thread starter Frostbite
- Start date
still use my skiing bibs and I have a Columbia, I think I'm going to get new bibs and stay with the jacket I've got but something I've thought of because of my Castle jacket is I don't think I want black for the warmer days. I've always sweated more than the next guy and that extra heat absorbtion does nothing for me. Just thought the color would be something you might like to consider.
Try extreme bibs and the PowerXross Pullover. Northern Maine gets cold (-20), but I have been Plenty warm and DRY. Roomy easy to move around in and great stuff. Don't go the "cheaper" route....We have all been there. Buy the goods and they will also last.
S
sled-fiend
Well-known member
I haven't had any problems, I wear tog bibs and a powerxross pullover with the tekvest on the outside
Works flawless IMO. Love the klim gear!At this particular moment, I'm thinking the Klimate jacket (the one with 200 gram thinsulation) might be the way to go. It's just over $200, full Gortex (like its more expensive brothers) so it's completely waterproof but, it has a little insulation to keep you warm (like a jacket is supposed to do).
While I'm not opposed to layering in the slightest, the idea of spending over $400 (Valdez) for a coat that is basically a shell with no insulation seems strange to me.
I have been wearing an insulated snowmobile jacket with some kind of gortex knock off for years and I have never gotten too warm (except during spring riding).
Explain to me why I'm off base please.
While I'm not opposed to layering in the slightest, the idea of spending over $400 (Valdez) for a coat that is basically a shell with no insulation seems strange to me.
I have been wearing an insulated snowmobile jacket with some kind of gortex knock off for years and I have never gotten too warm (except during spring riding).
Explain to me why I'm off base please.
Yes, klim seems to have the ultimate snow gear but, some of the Cat gear is on sale for over 50% off. The ones I'd consider are Gortex (thanks Al Gore
cat stuff is good...
200 grams of thinsulate is HOT especially in the mts. I have an arctic cat coat with 100 grams and i wear it only when it is extremely cold here in eastern,sd were it gets down to 30-40 below zero at some times. I wore it in the mountains and roasted even with all of the vents open. Go with a shell or a coat with a removable liner and layer underneath.
Thanks Xfire800,
Maybe I am off base? I wonder how much insulation my current Reima coat has in it? I just looked and it only says "polyester insulation".
In the fall, my early season bow hunting boots are uninsulated sneaker type boots.
As the days get shorter and slightly cooler I go to 200 gram thinsulate boots.
As it gets colder yet I go to my 400 gram thinsulate boots.
If I am sitting in a tree stand in November I use my 1000 gram thinsulate boots.
I guess this is where I am getting the thinking that 200 gram thinsulate isn't that much insulation?
Yup, I have too many boots. Need some?
Maybe I am off base? I wonder how much insulation my current Reima coat has in it? I just looked and it only says "polyester insulation".
In the fall, my early season bow hunting boots are uninsulated sneaker type boots.
As the days get shorter and slightly cooler I go to 200 gram thinsulate boots.
As it gets colder yet I go to my 400 gram thinsulate boots.
If I am sitting in a tree stand in November I use my 1000 gram thinsulate boots.
I guess this is where I am getting the thinking that 200 gram thinsulate isn't that much insulation?
Yup, I have too many boots. Need some?
C
CascadeXP
Member
my 2 cents
The tog bibs are great. Little details like the zipper starting on your hip, but rolling around to the backside of your boot, the little clip that hooks to your boot so the pant won't ride up when your getting unstuck in power. The knee pads (no cold knees). These details add up.
I have the tomahawk jacket, and I give it a thumbs up too. It is really just a shell but I prefer layering underneath it, and shedding clothes as the trips and days vary (fall, winter, spring riding).
Your paying for the quality with Klim. Yet pushing up through the rain from the parking lot to the snow 1000 feet higher and getting there dry and ready for the rest of the day is worth every penny, and alot better than starting out cold, damp, and chilled.
The tog bibs are great. Little details like the zipper starting on your hip, but rolling around to the backside of your boot, the little clip that hooks to your boot so the pant won't ride up when your getting unstuck in power. The knee pads (no cold knees). These details add up.
I have the tomahawk jacket, and I give it a thumbs up too. It is really just a shell but I prefer layering underneath it, and shedding clothes as the trips and days vary (fall, winter, spring riding).
Your paying for the quality with Klim. Yet pushing up through the rain from the parking lot to the snow 1000 feet higher and getting there dry and ready for the rest of the day is worth every penny, and alot better than starting out cold, damp, and chilled.
I have a Klimate jacket also....I use for daily wear to work and such....its very warm. It was designed for people back east lake riding....I never wear it sledding....its to hot. The tog bibs I have had over the years and when I switched to a vest they had to go.....to restrictive and HOT.
I have a pair of the tog bibs and really like them. My pant size is 34x36. I purchase a xl tall, found a good deal on them, and was a little worried that they may be a little big. But after getting them am glad that they were the xl tall. It's nice to ride all day in the powder and not be wet. I've also been looking for a klim jacket and have appreciated the different points of view in this thread. I was told by a polaris dealer that their jackets were basically the same as klim as polaris hired one of klims designers. Anyone know if this true or anything about the jackets polaris sells?
Ok Thistledoo, I understand.
Aren't snowmobile jackets be they HMK, Choko, FXR, CKX, Arctic Cat, Yamaha, Polaris, Skidoo, etc typically insulated?
I'm scratching my head here. I have never ridden with a jacket that wasn't at least a little insulated and I have been riding for a long, long time.
Yup, I understand the layering thing. You can regulate your body temperature by what is worn under your coat. Then you must stuff your inner insulating layers in your backpack as you warm up?
The problem I'm beginning to have with it is, I don't ever seem to get too hot or sweat in my current insulated coat even when I'm boondocking. I currently wear insulated long johns, a long sleeve t shirt, a sweat shirt, my tek vest and my Reima jacket. Sometimes I remove the sweatshirt but, it's the rare day. What I don't understand is, if I don't sweat now with this much stuff on, why would I want to go to a jacket that has absolutely no insulation?
I have ridden with guys who ride in nothing but a T shirt and jacket and sweat like pigs but, for some reason I don't get that hot? Weird huh?
I think I just need to go and try on all the Klim jackets.
As far as bibs go, I think I'm sold on the Klim extreme bibs. They are basically Free rider pants with a slightly taller back with suspenders to keep them from falling down.
Aren't snowmobile jackets be they HMK, Choko, FXR, CKX, Arctic Cat, Yamaha, Polaris, Skidoo, etc typically insulated?
I'm scratching my head here. I have never ridden with a jacket that wasn't at least a little insulated and I have been riding for a long, long time.
Yup, I understand the layering thing. You can regulate your body temperature by what is worn under your coat. Then you must stuff your inner insulating layers in your backpack as you warm up?
The problem I'm beginning to have with it is, I don't ever seem to get too hot or sweat in my current insulated coat even when I'm boondocking. I currently wear insulated long johns, a long sleeve t shirt, a sweat shirt, my tek vest and my Reima jacket. Sometimes I remove the sweatshirt but, it's the rare day. What I don't understand is, if I don't sweat now with this much stuff on, why would I want to go to a jacket that has absolutely no insulation?
I have ridden with guys who ride in nothing but a T shirt and jacket and sweat like pigs but, for some reason I don't get that hot? Weird huh?
I think I just need to go and try on all the Klim jackets.
As far as bibs go, I think I'm sold on the Klim extreme bibs. They are basically Free rider pants with a slightly taller back with suspenders to keep them from falling down.
good choice with Klim
can't go wrong with Klim gear. it is expensive but I haven't had any problems with mine. valdez parka and togwotee bibs for regular riding and picked up the pull over for spring. check out first place parts, I picked up my parka and pull over through them last spring for a smokin deal. they even shipped it to AK for a decent price. you might be able to get a deal since we're getting close to spring and they might be having some price reductions. to keep the snow out of your boots get some gators. OR (outdoor research) is what I wear, never ride with out them.
can't go wrong with Klim gear. it is expensive but I haven't had any problems with mine. valdez parka and togwotee bibs for regular riding and picked up the pull over for spring. check out first place parts, I picked up my parka and pull over through them last spring for a smokin deal. they even shipped it to AK for a decent price. you might be able to get a deal since we're getting close to spring and they might be having some price reductions. to keep the snow out of your boots get some gators. OR (outdoor research) is what I wear, never ride with out them.
check out rockymountainsnowmobile.com. I ordered the new Klim Klimate bibs and jacket and saved a ton. My second pair of klim and there awsome. I also went all black so im not color clashing with different sleds
Do your self a favor, get the Valdez and Tog bibs. I have worn Klim gear for 7 years now, you are paying for a few different things with the more expensive gear.
1. Quality, my orginal Klim MTN parka is still in excellent shape, I have worn it for 7 years, and it has never left me wet or dissapointed. Just this month I sent it back to Klim as the stiching on the Velcro cuffs came undone. My tog bibs are now worn by my wife and are on their 7th season also. My Klim gear has been much cheaper than all my buddies who upgrade their coats every 2 seasons at $200-250 coat. The Klim is also covered by a lifetime warranty, no other manufactuer does that.
2. Performance, the lower cost Klim products while of good quality for the price lack the performance of the Valdez coat. The gortex is not as thick or durable as the Valdez. I bought my wife a Tomahawk parka thinking they were all the same, never as impressed with the Tomahawk as we were with my MTN parka, started comparing Gortex layers 2 vs. 3, thickness etc, she now wears a Valdez and loves it.
The Valdez coat is tailored slighlty longer in the back to keep snow from getting up your back.
Standard snomobile coats leave the warmth up to insulation. The Valdez lets your body self regulate its temp, unneded heat and moisture breathe out of the fabric, and you stay toasty warm. I must say at the start I was skeptical of Klim products, but their performance has really left me in awe of how well it works. On most days I wear my base layer and maybe a vest, while my brother is loading up his 2 cotton shirts and a sweatshirt. I'm warm the entire day where if he gets wet he is cold the entire day.
Snowmobiling is to fun to cheat yourself by getting less expensive gear. Hopefully this helps in your decision making process.
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I bought the free ride pants this year. The boot gator ripped out the first trip. Took 10 days to fix! One month later the zipper fell apart, 10 more days to fix! Warranty good but 20 days without gortex, not good.
I pulled the trigger and bought a brand new 09 Valdez jacket and (since there were no medium tall extreme bibs to be found anywhere) I bought a set of Freeride pants to go with my new coat.
I can't wait to ride with them!
Thanks for all the help and you're right, the deals on Klim stiff right now are incredible.
I can't wait to ride with them!
Thanks for all the help and you're right, the deals on Klim stiff right now are incredible.
I got the extreme bibs and powercross pullover for christmas this year and couldn't be happier. The bibs fit like the freeride pants only with straps and a higher back to keep the snow out and i couldn't be happier about that. A few guys i ride with have the freeride pants and wish they would have gotten the extreme bibs. Whatever you go with you won't be disapointed, klim knows their stuff.
