smokingcrater
Expert
horkn said:
I was thinking the same! Would never want to wear leather snowmobiling for just that reason. Get it wet and you are screwed, not to mention it doesn't breathe like the synthetic fabrics.
Irv said:
I think this is the first year FXR is offering one.. TOBE and some other local Swedish companies has had them and sold them with great sucess to mountain riders over the last 3 or 4 years and I think it's catching on as it is really nice
And these new ones usually have suspenders? inside so it's not just hanging on your shoulders by the fabric.. works great for riding and no issues with snow or wind getting into your shorts
GeorgianBayGuy
Extreme
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2010
- Messages
- 65
- Reaction score
- 1
- Points
- 486
As a guy in the technical outdoor clothing game for 30 years....
I would agree, the modern fabrics and construction techniques are far superior now to leather. Everyone knows that a fabric treated with a Goretex membrane is waterproof and breathes, but the hidden get is that it is also windproof. This means it can keep a body warm because the wind won't be sucking the heat out. I have seen the infrared movies of skiers with and without goretex, it is amazing the difference.
Second, the Gore company has to approve every design. This means sealed seams, special waterproof zippers, no wicking fabric (even the drawcords and cuffs), flaps on the back and usually front of zippers. In other words, lots of thoughts have gone into their designs.
Expensive, yes, but really light, great warmth without as much bulk.
And the most important thing: NEVER, NEVER COTTON, especially as a first layer. It doesn't wick the moisture, it just holds it. This can create a cold spot. There are great materials out there that wick the moisture away from your skin and use the heat of your body to turn it into water vapor, which can be pushed out through the fabric. It is simply amazing.
Guys, go to an REI or Mountain Equipment Co-Op for a tune up on outdoor clothing, it's a whole new world.
I would agree, the modern fabrics and construction techniques are far superior now to leather. Everyone knows that a fabric treated with a Goretex membrane is waterproof and breathes, but the hidden get is that it is also windproof. This means it can keep a body warm because the wind won't be sucking the heat out. I have seen the infrared movies of skiers with and without goretex, it is amazing the difference.
Second, the Gore company has to approve every design. This means sealed seams, special waterproof zippers, no wicking fabric (even the drawcords and cuffs), flaps on the back and usually front of zippers. In other words, lots of thoughts have gone into their designs.
Expensive, yes, but really light, great warmth without as much bulk.
And the most important thing: NEVER, NEVER COTTON, especially as a first layer. It doesn't wick the moisture, it just holds it. This can create a cold spot. There are great materials out there that wick the moisture away from your skin and use the heat of your body to turn it into water vapor, which can be pushed out through the fabric. It is simply amazing.
Guys, go to an REI or Mountain Equipment Co-Op for a tune up on outdoor clothing, it's a whole new world.
horkn
Expert
Just don't buy anything from rei, as they fund anti snowmobiling groups.
Is to bad as they have great products. Everything I've bought from rei in the past has been exceptional quality. I just won't buy anything from them anymore due to them being against one of my favorite activities.
Is to bad as they have great products. Everything I've bought from rei in the past has been exceptional quality. I just won't buy anything from them anymore due to them being against one of my favorite activities.
sheetwright
Northwoods Snowmobiling Facebook
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2008
- Messages
- 2,242
- Reaction score
- 179
- Points
- 1,283
- Location
- Northwoods USA
- Country
- USA
- Snowmobile
- 2021 Yamaha SRX
Us
If you are really set on leather call highlands yamaha in countryside Illinois. No joke the largest selection of clothing around. Larger then the bike, quad, and snowmobile display area.. Just an idea if you are set on it
If you are really set on leather call highlands yamaha in countryside Illinois. No joke the largest selection of clothing around. Larger then the bike, quad, and snowmobile display area.. Just an idea if you are set on it
Highmiler
Expert
leather suit
Gentlemen,
I really appreciate all the feed back as I can now explore options that I didn't know existed. Those of you who wear Klim, which model is the warmest? Would it be the Klim Klimate??
Also, naturally even with my leather suits I wore layered clothing underneath on the coldest on days? I'll use my upper torso as an example. I wear under armor, turtle neck, wool sweater followed by my leather jacket. If I were to wear these same layers followed by the Klim Klimate jacket, would I be as warm?
Those one piece suits by FXR look to be quite warm however, what do you do when you get to a restaurant, kind of hard to take the jacket off. Thanks.
Gentlemen,
I really appreciate all the feed back as I can now explore options that I didn't know existed. Those of you who wear Klim, which model is the warmest? Would it be the Klim Klimate??
Also, naturally even with my leather suits I wore layered clothing underneath on the coldest on days? I'll use my upper torso as an example. I wear under armor, turtle neck, wool sweater followed by my leather jacket. If I were to wear these same layers followed by the Klim Klimate jacket, would I be as warm?
Those one piece suits by FXR look to be quite warm however, what do you do when you get to a restaurant, kind of hard to take the jacket off. Thanks.
newfie09xtx
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2011
- Messages
- 707
- Reaction score
- 20
- Points
- 323
- Location
- Corner Brook, NL
- Country
- Canada
- Snowmobile
- 2016 Polaris Switchback 800 Pro S
I recently bought Klimate gear last year and its WARM!! almost too warm. I have klim base layer and the klimate and if it gets warmer than -5 C I am too warm and I usually end up unzipping my jacket some. I wish I hadve bought the lighter klim gear and layered underneath more. You wont be sorry if you get Klim gear.
Last year I was out and it was around -12 but with windchill it was -20 C and everyone else was cold but I was perfect and my nytro has the smallest windshield. This was with Klim base layer only underneath my Klimate gear. If you wanted you could get the klim mid layer but I doubt you would need it unless where you are it gets really cold!
Check out www.powersports1.com for yamaha-klim gear.
Last year I was out and it was around -12 but with windchill it was -20 C and everyone else was cold but I was perfect and my nytro has the smallest windshield. This was with Klim base layer only underneath my Klimate gear. If you wanted you could get the klim mid layer but I doubt you would need it unless where you are it gets really cold!
Check out www.powersports1.com for yamaha-klim gear.
horkn
Expert
Make sure to check out other brands besides klim. Their stuff is good, but over priced compared to other brands. And IMHO, the klim doesn't do anything differently than for, cortech, arctica and the like.
I used to work in a leather shop yrs ago. As many have said here it is not a good material for keeping warm. Leather does not breathe, and can absorb water. It transfers heat quickly, and is not a good insulator.
When was the last time you saw someone skiing, or climbing Everest in leather? Gortex, or a knock off of it, is windproof breathable, and waterproof. It doesn't transfer heat as effectively as leather. Much better for sledding.
Leather is one of the BEST materials for wind resistance and abrasion resistance. Which makes it great for motorcycles.
When was the last time you saw someone skiing, or climbing Everest in leather? Gortex, or a knock off of it, is windproof breathable, and waterproof. It doesn't transfer heat as effectively as leather. Much better for sledding.
Leather is one of the BEST materials for wind resistance and abrasion resistance. Which makes it great for motorcycles.
There are not many manufacturers of leather suits because the made made stuff is way better.
Phatboyc
TY 4 Stroke Master
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2007
- Messages
- 1,050
- Reaction score
- 271
- Points
- 1,188
- Location
- Ottawa, Ontario
- Country
- Canada
- Snowmobile
- 2022 Sidewinder
As we all know Klim was bought by Polaris which is probably why Yamaha changed provider. Even if I already got my Yamaha/Klim Coat and pants couple of years back I was disappointed by the news because I knew how good the stuff was. I am a regular MEC customer and finally I told myself the same tech is now in snowmobiling. No more M. muffler oversized coat looking snowmobiler out there.
But what Yamaha replaced it with this year looks just as hi tech if not more so. I like that teh coat has a higher collar then my Klim and the boots looks awesome. http://www.outlast.com/
http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php?t=123311&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=
But what Yamaha replaced it with this year looks just as hi tech if not more so. I like that teh coat has a higher collar then my Klim and the boots looks awesome. http://www.outlast.com/
http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php?t=123311&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=
Last edited by a moderator:
