$350 Jacket

[jecklc80]

I am getting ready to buy a new jacket and have about $350 to spend on it. I am looking for suggestions or advice from those of you who have used these types of jackets. I live in Kansas so I get the full range of weather. Most of my riding is commuting through the city and weekend gravel roads and trails. I am trying to get more into technical dual sport riding. I'm really looking for a 4 season waterproof jacket that I can wear all year. I realize that I am probably going to be warm wearing any of these jackets in the summer. But I am not going to buy another summer jacket this year so I will just have to deal with it. I have been looking at the FG Kathmandu, Olympia AST 2, Revit Spectrum, and Olympia Nomad. Anyone used these jackets? Any insights as to why I should choose one over the other would be a great help. Thanks.

[Guido]

I really really like my Aerostich Darien Light jacket. Very comfortable, lots of ventilation, huge elbow and shoulder pads. lots of pockets, weatherproof like crazy. It's the one I'm wearing in my avatar photo. But at $437 its $87 over your budget. FirstGear makes some nice dualsport jackets. Check out Motorcyclegear.com (used to be NewEnough.com) http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/jackets_and_vests/textile_jackets?page=2

[MacGyver]

I bought an Olympia AST 2 last summer. I noticed that the stitching didn't look to be of high quality but I ignored it.The first time I wore it was at the beginning of a 5 day trip. It was raining when we left and about 30 minutes into the ride my shirt was soaked. We were going through the town where Olympia is located so I called and later stopped by and got a replacement jacket. A few miles away I noticed that a seam in the sleeve had a 2" gap that wasn't stitched so I went back again and got another jacket. We rode through some more light rain and at the next stop I had slight leakage in the front area of this jacket. When I returned from the trip I talked to the dealer I bought the first jacket from. He refunded my money and I ordered the new Firstgear Kathmandu. I'm very happy with it and it hasn't leaked yet. The craftsmanship is much better than the 3 AST2s  that I went through. I also have a Firstgear mesh jacket that has done well for 3+ years. Maybe I just had bad luck with the AST,but 3 in one day was a bit much.  

[Guido]

I also owned a couple FirstGear jackets and liked them. Solid.

[ajeli]

I like my Kathmandu. It's not that shiny anymore.
I've had the jacket for a year or so and it has about 25,000 miles on it.
It's been rained on, sun-shined, snowed on, rained on, hailed on, sand blasted, heated to over 100F in Nevada,
Been splattered with bird guts twice, rained on and killed countless insects. It's been down in the dirt a few times and keeps coming back.

[gunny]

I just bought he Olympia Moab jacket. Unlike the other post, this was put together extremely well. I ride all year here in the North east and needed something I could use. My old teknic jacket has seen a lot of miles and I've repaired it myself. It's Sun faded but still waterproof . However it is hot and sticky once the temps.climb past the high 70 s. Vented decently but with no mesh liner, sticks to your skin.

The Moab jacket is. Mostly mesh jacket with a two part liner, a water an wind proof liner and. Full sleeve insulated liner. So far ive tested both liners and they perform as expected. Got poured on earlier in the week on the way to work and the last few mornings were in the 30 s. Its also the hi viz green which stands out like an Orange in an Apple crate. The armor is well paced and solid. Over all a very comfortable jacket at a $320 price point. I consider it a great deal. Oh, the waterproof liner also has a mesh lining as well.

sent from my G'zOne Commando

[jecklc80]

Thanks for all the input guys. What about the Klim Traverse Jacket? Anyone have experience with this. It looks like it's made with heavier duty materials than some of the other jackets. Any thoughts on this jacket? Also I would be buying the armor to go with it.

[Guido]

Does it fit your budget? Klim make nice stuff as far as I know. But I've never owned one.

[jecklc80]

Does it fit your budget? Klim make nice stuff as far as I know. But I've never owned one.

Yeah just barely, with the CE armor it is $343.

[MacGyver]

I have the Traverse pants and really like them. The craftsmanship is great. I chose the Kathmandu over the Traverse jacket for a few features but it was just personal taste.

[CoastieShep]

Here's mine, that I'm happy with after 9k plus miles. Been through some heavy Florida rain, and just a little damp down the front of my shirt where the water would run down my neck.
I've worn it down into the low 30's with a sweatshirt on underneath, and I was cold, but it's the price I'm willing to pay to have the mesh during the hot muggy months.

[jecklc80]

Here's mine, that I'm happy with after 9k plus miles. Been through some heavy Florida rain, and just a little damp down the front of my shirt where the water would run down my neck.
I've worn it down into the low 30's with a sweatshirt on underneath, and I was cold, but it's the price I'm willing to pay to have the mesh during the hot muggy months.

Maybe I missed it but which jacket did you have?

[CoastieShep]

Maybe I missed it but which jacket did you have?
[/quote]
Crap. Forgot the link. 
http://klrworld.com/forums/index.php/topic,19795.0.html

[snowlover]

KLIM.  At least their sled stuff is top drawer!