What is the best jacket?

[ronmexico78]

Hi guys,

I used the search feature on Snowest and didnt find too many unbiased opinions.
I need a new jacket this year and was kind of leaning towards a North-Face jacket but I see HMK's are priced very reasonably in the swapmeet section, specifically the 'Stealth' jacket.
I dont want to join the 'Klim-Club' but i do recognize they make good stuff.

I hear alot about the ToBe stuff too but they havnt been around that long have they?

I FUC&ing HATE getting wet (I fall off my sled alot ) so im looking for the best jacket that 'dusts' the snow off and repells water the best.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Ex-Member]

Klim.

Haven't gotten wet yet.

 

[IdahoCrystal]

You may not wanna join the "Klim Club" (I didn't either) but you won't regret it if you do. I "converted" after all my old 'ski-wear' just didn't keep me warm or dry and would literally fall apart after a season or two of hard mtn riding.

It's not just about comfort - When I didn't make it up a hill and me and my sled rolled down, I had a deep impact wound to my knee that required several stitches, but anyone would have to agree that the knee pads in my Klim pants saved me from a ton of reconstructive surgery. The outside of the pants remained unscathed, while the lining, pad and my knee were split...

You'll save money in the long run because the Klim gear will out-last most others and the warranty is pretty comprehensive.

 

[F-Bomb]

I rode over 70 days from mid Nov to June last year in an HMK Stealth Jacket. DEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeEEEEEEEEP snow to rain in Bend on Memorial Day weekend. Never once was wet. Great jacket! I like the soft flexible feel of the fabric...very comfortable to ride in.

 

[enis750]

personally i think Klim stuff looks like crap
im not doubting its durabaility etc...
i just hate the way it looks

remember its not all about being waterproof
it needs to be breathable to be effective
i can stand in the shower in my Sessions Jacket and stay dry
its 20,000mm water proof and 15,000mm breathable (i beleive)

i have tried many different jackets..
snowboard stuff is the cats arse......good stuff anyway
and 1/2 the price of Klim

good luck w your search!

 

[thefullmonte]

You may not want to join the club, but you are going to have some extreme difficulty finding the same quality and function at any price from another manufacturer.
Over the years I have tried everything from top name ski jackets to the stuff the sled makers put out. And numerous other aftermarket snowmobile jackets.
None and I mean none have ever performed at the level I wanted. Yes, many were waterproof. Big deal. That didn't do much for me when I was completely soaked and dehydrated from sweating all day in their non breathable jackets.
I am a strong supporter of Klim because I absolutely believe in their product.
Their layering system is the best idea I've seen in this industry. Most of the other manufacturers although improved, are still big bulky and hot! Their waterproof/breathable is not even comparable to Gore-Tex.
I personally tested a Klim Tomahawk parka in a heavy downpoar this spring for 40min on my supermoto at a roadcourse. I was perfectly dry and comfortable. I did it because I wanted to see how good it really was. I figured it always worked great in the winter, but what happens if wear it in a rainstorm? And man was that fun
I'm not trying to sell you on something you don't want. Not everyone likes klim and not everyone needs to. It's just nice to leave your options open. Just letting you know from experience that a person can waste alot of money before you find what you are actually looking for.

 

[-Alticity Films-]

You may not want to join the club, but you are going to have some extreme difficulty finding the same quality and function at any price from another manufacturer.

TOBE, just as good, much better in some aspects and most of it costs less. The company has been in business in Europe since 1999. Almost as long as Klim. It has only been in the states for 3 seasons.

More color and style options, extremely functional.

I will be the first to tell you that Klim has a great product, but they aren't the only game in town anymore.

 

[MT boondocker]

TOBE, just as good, much better in some aspects and most of it costs less. The company has been in business in Europe since 1999. Almost as long as Klim. It has only been in the states for 3 seasons.

More color and style options, extremely functional.

I will be the first to tell you that Klim has a great product, but they aren't the only game in town anymore.

Anyone carring your to be product line in Montana?

 

[donbrown]

I use Cabella's jacket and works fine because of GORETEX features.

I thick the important feature reguardless of brand is breathable GORETEX.

Special fabrics today (like GORETEX) allow vapor to escape but the fabric prevents larger particles from coming into the jacket.


I think REIMA is a brand worth looking at as well.

 

[thefullmonte]

TOBE, just as good, much better in some aspects and most of it costs less. The company has been in business in Europe since 1999. Almost as long as Klim. It has only been in the states for 3 seasons.

More color and style options, extremely functional.

I will be the first to tell you that Klim has a great product, but they aren't the only game in town anymore.

Thank you,
I admit I have not tried their product, but have heard some very positive feedback from some professional riders. If I had to pick 2 companies that I would like to try/test their product it would be TOBE and the slednecks gear.
Unfortunately, I have not had the opportunity. Having a good company like klim in the picture makes other manufacturers work harder to develop better product. Great news for the consumer. Well off to haydays and cheese curds.

 

[snowordeath]

My wife thinks that riding gear should be like everyday clothes and a person shouldn't wear the same outfit day after day. No complaints from me since she just keeps working and buying me new riding gear. That having been said, i have a couple of different sets of Klim pants , coats, gloves,and other accessories, as well as a couple of sets of SledNecks gear. I like them all and wear them all pretty much equally.

The Klim gear is always warmer and drier at the end of the day in any conditions, but might not be quite as stylish. I am bucking fot theToBe gear this year.

 

[ericbigbore]

Klim here in the soggy NW, nothing beats gortex period!

 

[Long Gone]

One important lesson that I learned is that sometimes you get wet thinking it is the outer layer when in reality it is your own sweat. Unless you get rid of all the cotton cloths and wear the moisture wicking fabrics, you (like I was) will always be wet even on a sunny day. Same with boots. The socks you wear matter as much as the boots.

I am in the KLIM club, because it works.

 

[obr]

I'm torn between Klim and HMK, but I like my HMK ALOT for all around riding...Rode in it from Feb to June in all kind of wether...I'll be wearing HMK again this season...

 

[SnowSnob]

Anyone carring your to be product line in Montana?

Elkhorn motorsports in Helena.
Got a pair of ToBe pants and luv um.

 

[-Alticity Films-]

One important lesson that I learned is that sometimes you get wet thinking it is the outer layer when in reality it is your own sweat. Unless you get rid of all the cotton cloths and wear the moisture wicking fabrics, you (like I was) will always be wet even on a sunny day. Same with boots. The socks you wear matter as much as the boots.

You couldn't be more correct. This is a tough lesson to teach to people who are new to the layering system.


And unfortunately, Elk Mountain in Helena isn't a TOBE dealer anymore. Please pm me if I can help you out with anything.

 

[montanasledder]

been riding with Klim for 5 years, Time to try something new and i think TOBE is the way im leaning. Like the looks and heard alot of positives about it. Keep the Klim stuff for backup