Wet / Washington snow sledding Pants

[Van Epps]

what do you guys think about riding with pants around here that are not Gore Tex? How does the Cordura or other nylon shell pant material do? Is it worth spending $200 on a pair of HMK's vs $320 for a pair of KLIM's? Will the Cordura type pants keep me dry?

I HATE GETTIN WET!

What do you wear and do you get wet in them?

Thanks!

 

[rmk2112]

My Klims are worth every penny

I've been riding Gold Creek and Stampede the last 3 days, rain and snow. I'm as dry as a bone at the end of everyday. Minus the sweating of course. i just wear a base layer top and bottom and I'm toasty warm and dry.

I wear:
Jacket: http://www.firstplaceparts.com/3271.html
Pants: http://www.firstplaceparts.com/3275.html

I got mine at the local snow show, they were last years models, so I got a discount

 

[akturbo]

My Klim gear keeps me dry and warm. To date they've stood behind their warranty and I've had my jacket and gloves replaced. The boots and helmet are great as well.

 

[Adrenaline Revolution]

Klim here also.
I wish I would have pulled the trigger on these a couple years ago instead of waiting because I didn't want to spend that much on a coat and pants.
Hell, the coat cost more than my first sled!

I NEVER get wet anymore...Ever.

 

[duchunter]

I have HMK pants and jacket, they keep me warm and dry too!

 

[eazyduzit509]

I have Carhart snow pants and HMK jacket, both of which are awsome, had the pants since last year and dont get wet, they seem like a cordura type materail, paid $120.

 

[CoyoteGirl]

I've worn the HMK Action Jacket for 3 seasons and the Ascent pant for 2 now and been through some pretty icky W. Washington days that I thought for sure I'd be wet when I got back to the trailer and well, that hasn't happened yet! I'd say they hold up FANTASTIC!

 

[catmandude]

HMK will keep you dry guaranteed.....They stand behind their product if it does not. I have HMK gear and have never been wet. Great product for a fraction of KLIM cost.

 

[Macattack]

All Gore-tex for me. HMK or other gear with coatings will keep you dry if you take care of them. Wash and retreat the shells.

 

[Van Epps]

Great, thanks all

What type of treatment is required to keep the waterproofing intact? Simple process?

 

[Macattack]

Back in the day when I had North Face gear, I used Nikwax wash treatment. It worked pretty good and you wash it in the washing machine in place of normal detergent.

 

[CoyoteGirl]

All Gore-tex for me. HMK or other gear with coatings will keep you dry if you take care of them. Wash and retreat the shells.

I have yet to wash or recoat my 3 year old coat....

 

[Macattack]

I have yet to wash or recoat my 3 year old coat....

Do you at least wash your underwear?

 

[winter brew]

I have yet to wash or recoat my 3 year old coat....

I have a feeling you will regret posting this piece of info.

 

[deepdiver]

There are other products available now a days that are comparable to Gore. Hypora works very well.

Just about anything with a waterproof "membrane" will work.

The Nixwax treatment is good keeps a lot of the water from penetrating. Once the jacket is wet..gore tex etc..the breathability is diminishd...then you can have sweat that does not dry and you feel wet..not any fault of Gore or like products...just the nature of the beast.

A real good trick that two of my riding buddies dont get...is that cotton underlayers will trap any moisture wether it be sweat or whatever and not dry out..then you can get cold.

Synthetic under garments are the best way to go..fleece shirts are inexpensive. You can get Klim under garments for a nice price tag (wife has them) they are good but no better than my stuff that was half the price.

 

[chris91182]

Got all HMK stuff myself, I also picked up some revivex waterproofing spray and cleaner.

Basicly was the stuff int he washer witht he cleaner concentrate and then let dry, spray with waterproofing spray and tumble dry and your good to go and not bad for just shy of $20

 

[sunbather1969]

ttt

I have yet to wash or recoat my 3 year old coat....

i do the same thing then my gal got sick of smelling my gear and washed it well day one was wet. day two after recoat was dry, thank god! cordura

 

[Van Epps]

Do you at least wash your underwear?

LOL

Great info here, thanks all. I think I'll give the HMK stuff a try... maybe spend the saved money on ?? the wife! That'll earn me a few additional hall passes!

 

[Flakey]

I'd never been DRY dry untill I popped for KLIM. They WORK.

I'll be sitting on a totally soaked seat ever time I ride(when I AM seated that is) but my but is always dry when I get back to the truck. My buddy with the snowboard pants has to change clothes when we get back. I just take off the KLIM and drive home. It is freekin expensive though.... But you get what you pay for.

 

[Van Epps]

I know the Gore flat works, just a question of money and function..

My other "pet peeve" is bulky feeling clothing. How do the HMK's "feel"? Do they fit good / comfortably? Do they feel bulky?

I have been wearing a pair of KLIM shell pants that feel pretty light and don't want to go to a heavy / bulky feeling set up.