Mountain outerwear

[Doonbuggy12]

Hi guys. I am a Midwestern trail rider but now live in Idaho and bought a new mtn sled. I will be mainly riding McCall. I am looking for new bibs and see that the mountain bibs are almost all uninsulated. This is a complete foreign concept to me. Especially paying $400 for them. So I'm leaning toward insulated bibs but I have no idea what I am really in need of. Can you guys give me some insight? I am looking at Klim mainly. Seems like the top of the line right now. I have never had nice bibs. Just wal mart types.
Thank you,
Brandon

 

[jacmmaxwell]

The ability to layer , and active riding style count for the uninsulated design. Digging your buddies out, horsing the sled threw some tight trees on a side hill, all at speeds under 30mph most of the time, the heat builds up.

I know I get cold on the after dark rides back to the truck on occasion, but if I dressed for that, i'd likely sweat to death way before the ride home.

Your gear will depend on your riding style and body type, some guys just get cold easier. Lightly insulated should not be bad but think all season long when your riding in the spring and it's 60+ degrees out.

Wind proof , and water proof ... beyond that if I'l cold I get back on my sled.

 

[rmscustom]

Good advice above... Quality unisulated breathable and water proof outers and a good layering system is the way to go for an active rider.

 

[Finnlandr]

Good info on post #2

Heres some info about layering....its a must IMO....invest in some good gear (Klim is great- gloves suck though)...it will last a long time and make your activities more enjoyable.

http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/a/11061/Introduction-to-Layered-Clothing-Systems

 

[Meadow Muffin]

D12, I am from the Midwest also and did the trail thing for several years, the advice you are getting is correct, this is a completely different deal. If you don't get a little chilled riding to where you jump off the trail you are going to be way to warm once you get in the trees, once you get wet then you will freeze. I carry a down jacket in my bag and wear uninsulated gear (Klim). Layers are the way and you will not need as much warmth as you have had on trail rides. Also I need 3 pairs of gloves to ride all day as stucks, crashes, ect tends to get them wet. Hope this helps....

 

[89sandman]

if you like to ride a lot of powder get a long coat and the full bibs, will keep the pow from going down you pants I start off wearing a nylon t-shirt, nylon long sleeve shirt, liner and my coat, a pair of nylon long johns and my bibs, one pair of socks and my boots. I've tried 2 pairs of socks on colder days but it seems to make my feet get colder quicker and stay that way. i'm a very active off trail rider and only use my seat for breaks and lunch time!!! extra gloves/goggles are a must on snowy days.

 

[winter brew]

If you stay dry, you will stay warm. I find the uninsulated gear breathes better than most of the insulated so you stay drier.....and because of this, warmer. Of course if it well below zero you will need an extra layer. Quality gear is the way to go if the checkbook allows, KLIM, Motorfist are both excellent.....probably others but those are what I have tried.
I wear light-med silk base layer and a breathable fleece or polyester top under the bibs and coat.

 

[Bowfisher]

Good advice hear. Thin breathable layers is what you want. I'm usually sweating so bad that I strip off my mid layer and just wear a base and outer layer. Also the mountains are usually warmer than the valleys. The only time I get cold is when we take a break or on the trail back to the truck. The Event fabric in Motorfist stuff is incredibly breathable.

 

[Seeker]

Trail riding and mountain riding are 2 totally different animals. Mountain/backcountry riding is a workout and you will be best served dressed with 3 layers of clothing: Base, Mid and Uninsulated/Gore-Tex(Waterproof) outerwear clothing. Dry, breathable and lightweight Gore-Tex outerwear from head to toe is the key and is essential....if you stay dry and have the layers you will stay warm. I use the 3 layer system most all year but in spring you can drop a layer if needed. The biggest problem that you will have is probably getting too hot but the nice thing about most top quality outerwear is that they usually have lots of zippers for venting. Un-zip a vent if you get too hot, then zip it up when you cool down....remember, too much heat causes sweat which is the enemy. I personally don't use bibs because I find that I get too hot and prefer pants, but each to their own. Buy a 2-3 good pairs of Gore-Tex gloves & 2-3 pairs of really good goggles. Use a good quality balaclava/helmet & get some good mountain Gore-Tex riding boots/socks. Keep fresh matches/lighters and fire starting gear in your survival pack just in case.

 

[BU1]

Rule #1.


LEAVE THE COTTON CLOTHING AT HOME!!!!!!!

No sweatshirts,flannel,t shirts or Wranglers.

 

[MotorFist]

Hi guys. I am a Midwestern trail rider but now live in Idaho and bought a new mtn sled. I will be mainly riding McCall. I am looking for new bibs and see that the mountain bibs are almost all uninsulated. This is a complete foreign concept to me. Especially paying $400 for them. So I'm leaning toward insulated bibs but I have no idea what I am really in need of. Can you guys give me some insight? I am looking at Klim mainly. Seems like the top of the line right now. I have never had nice bibs. Just wal mart types.
Thank you,
Brandon

We can help you at MotorFist

If you need I can have someone speak with you or you can email our customer service folks and they can answer any questions you have. Pm and I can get you some info if you need it.

You DO NEED quality gear. Uninsulated for sure. All that have spoken here are correct on layering to.

 

[Matte Murder]

Lots of good advice here. One thing to think about is how you are going to protect yourself from impacts and avalanches. I find that protection is hot so I just wear a base layer, padded shirt, knee protection(for me it's full Forrest Gump style braces) and then good snowmobile pants and a non-snowmobile jacket and then a Snowpulse Avy VEST with armor. Nothing keeps your butt dry like Klim Freeride pants(or bibs it that is your thing) but for a jacket ALL of the snowmobile specific jackets are too big on protection and not breathable enough. For me bibs are just another layer over my core and I over heat easy. I do keep a Smart Wool top in my pack because by the end of the day I am wet. Either from sweat or elements and I might need a thin layer to keep the chill off. Multiple pairs of thin gloves with an under hood bag to dry out and warm a spare set of goggles/gloves.

 

[Dam Dave]

Cotton kills in the winter............

HMK gear is awesome, never get wet or cold

HMK BOA boots are the shizzle

 

[Covelli44]

I will keep with the trend and say that the info above about the layering and breathable layers is good and correct info. Rode first in the midwest then went to the mountains.

It is expensive. But it works. And it will last. It will keep you warm and keep you dry.

My personal liking is Klim. Great products and even better customer service. Had a pair of their boots 3 years old and I thought one of my feet was getting wet. Sent both boots back to them for less than $15 for them to "test" them. In less than a week I received an email saying my boots were leaking and since they discontinued the style I had they were sending me the newest style for free. Even though it clearly stated only a 1 year warranty, they still made it right for the customer. As expensive as it is up front, in the end it will be cheaper for their quality products that last an extended period of time.

 

[GoBigParts]

I wear the tight base layer such as under armor. HMK makes good base layers as well. The key is breathable. Then I wear uninsulated snow pants over the base layer. I do have 2 jackets. One with some insulation one wothout. I pick based on the day. I also wear kneed pads and tekvest. HMK makes great gear for this.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2

 

[gmustangt]

Anyone ever tried two base layers then an outer layer?

Ive always done base, mid , outer. Find the mid to be bulky / to hot sometimes. Then just a base and outer to be to cold...

 

[Matte Murder]

Yes. Also try the Helly Hansen(or other) warm base layer that has wool in it. Merino wool is soft, not scratchy and has a kind of heat sensor effect to it. I rarely feel too warm if its really cold out unless I'm working really hard. When you eventually get wet from sweat or soaking through the wool still keeps you warm. I always keep a Smart Wool top in my pack in case I get caught over night. Base layer and non insulated coat gets cold fast when you stop moving and at 20 degrees or less over night it would be tough to survive without a good fire.

 

[srt20]

Anyone ever tried two base layers then an outer layer?

Ive always done base, mid , outer. Find the mid to be bulky / to hot sometimes. Then just a base and outer to be to cold...

Yeah, works fine. I usually only wear base, base, outer, out west. And base, mid, outer, trail riding in Midwest if its cold, usually fleece mid. I only wear loose base layers. The tight stuff makes me cold. Also I only buy cheap/generic base layers now. Work just as good as Under armor for 1/4 the price.

 

[AZ800]

Agree with all of the above. Haven't worn insulated outerwear except Carhartts for work in many years.
Best mid layer if needed for cold riding is wool. A wool flannel and surplus wool pants have been my staple mid layer for ever.
Shell, wool mid and and good long johns keep me warm in all but the very coldest conditions. Below -10 or so ill double up on longjohns on the bottom and add a fleece or down vest up top.

 

[aebsledder]

wool

Yes. Also try the Helly Hansen(or other) warm base layer that has wool in it. Merino wool is soft, not scratchy and has a kind of heat sensor effect to it. I rarely feel too warm if its really cold out unless I'm working really hard. When you eventually get wet from sweat or soaking through the wool still keeps you warm. I always keep a Smart Wool top in my pack in case I get caught over night. Base layer and non insulated coat gets cold fast when you stop moving and at 20 degrees or less over night it would be tough to survive without a good fire.

Another added benefit of the wool and wool blends is that it prevents you from smelling like hot garbage after a few sweaty rides. I switched to wool blend base layers and it makes a world of difference. The Under Armour type material works well, but manages to somehow create a horrible amount of stench if you don't wash it religiously after every ride.