Spidi Marathon H2OUT Jacket and Pants Combo

Brand new for 2012 is the Spidi Marathon H2OUT Jacket and Pant Combination from the designers over at Spidi. Created to handle the most intense and extreme conditions, this outfit can withstand temperatures ranging from -22°F (-30°C) to 122°F (+50°C). Crafted to keep the most extreme and adventurous riders comfortable for journeys all over the world. 

Check out our Spidi Marathon H2OUT Jacket Review:

 
Starting off with the Marathon H2OUT Jacket, it comes in three colors including Black/Ice, Black/Orange, and Black/Red/Blue and is available in sizes ranging from MD to 3XL. The jacket is composed of three layers and you'll notice right away the Tenax Polyamide outer shell which is extremely strong and abrasion resistant. For added comfort, there are several areas of Tenax Flex so it can contort and stretch with the rider in any position.  One of the unique things about this jacket is the amount of breathability it allows the rider to have even though it is a four season jacket. Built with a perforated mesh lining and dynamic air intakes on the sleeves, shoulders, and rear allow for air to flow throughout and keep the rider cool when needed. The outer shell also comes equipped with five external pockets (including two waterproof), a rear pocket for using a Hydroback hydrating system, and reflective zones for visibility while riding at night. This jacket does come with CE-approved Force-Tech armor on the shoulders and elbows. Spidi's optional Warrior Evo back protector or Warrior back and chest protector will also work in this jacket, but would have to be purchased separately.

The second layer is a waterproof, breathable H2OUT jacket, with a high collar for added protection against whatever the road or weather may throw at you. This layer is completely removable and is able to be worn as its own independent, windbreaker jacket.  The third layer is an insulated lining composed of aluminized fabric and thermal insulation that uses body heat to create an extremely warm inner layer that's able to battle the coldest elements. 

Check out our Spidi Marathon H2OUT Pants Review:

Now that we've covered the jacket, let's dive into the Spidi Marathon H2OUT Pants.  Durable for all weather conditions and even though they're built to perfectly match the Marathon H2OUT jacket, these pants work awesome as stand-alone touring apparel. You'll notice the outer shell is built out of the same 220g Tenax Polyamide as the jacket, and also comes with Tenax Flex stretch fabric for above and behind the knees. The knee protectors are height-adjustable and can be removed depending on what you need. There are large reflective areas around the calves for visibility during night driving. There is removable waterproof, breathable H2OUT membrane and the main shell has a cool mesh lining in addition to dynamic air intakes for ventilation. These pants will keep you cool and dry or warm and comfortable in any weather scenario. 

To wrap it all up, Spidi has delivered a stylish, four season outfit that will work for any extreme motorcyclists anywhere around the world.   Be sure to check out what else Spidi has to offer in our Spidi section at RevZilla.com.

Keep on Ridin,
YoungZilla

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Olympia Nomad Jacket Review

Brand new for 2012, the Olympia Nomad Jacket complements the X-Moto in the line of true four-season all-weather jackets from Olympia. Featuring the MVP (Mega Vent Panel) System for extreme ventilation, and with very flexible configurations, the Olympia Nomad offers the touring rider with a transitional jacket that will truly get you through the entire year in any condition that Mother Nature throws your way. The Nomad pairs up easily with the all-season X-Moto pants from Olympia, and is the replacement for the GT Air Transition Jacket in the Olympia lineup. Touting improved functionality and a more aesthetic design, the Olympia Nomad Jacket will solve a lot of riders' woes in 2012.

Check out our Olympia Nomad Jacket Review:

The shell of the Nomad is a mix of premium materials, with the MVP system utilizing ballistic airflow mesh, and 500D Cordura in the main chassis and 2000D Cordura in impact areas. This is one of the very few jackets we carry that utilizes 2000D Cordura, offering an enormous amount of abrasion resistance. While that is excellent in its own right, the other big feature on this jacket is that it will flow 30% more air than the GT Air Transition Jacket. This is thanks to not only the redesigned vent panels which are larger than before, but also the addition of the underarm vent panels. Speaking of the mega vents, they zip closed and velcro down in cold weather, but can be opened and tucked securely away into strategic pockets when it's hot out. (at right)

We've seen other manufacturers try to achieve comparable results and their efforts have resulted in clunky and cumbersome gear. With the Nomad, Olympia has designed a truly transitional jacket with two huge chest vents, two arm intakes, and two large back exhausts. All of these can be sealed closed when it's cold or opened for immense airflow when it's warm. Beyond that, there is a standalone two stage liner jacket featuring a waterproof breathable shell and removable Thermolite liner for warmth. The shell of the liner jacket is made of resilient ripstop nylon, and it's nice to see the finishing touches such as the very comfortable material that lines the high collar. There are also two waterproof pockets and an inner cell phone pocket on the liner jacket.

In addition to the CE rated Motion Flex armor found in the shoulders and elbows, the Nomad also comes equipped with a CE level 1 Motion Flex back protector, which is a nice upgrade over a standard foam pad. For visibility at night, there is 3M Scotchlite reflective piping at the back, front and sides, with thermowelded reflective panels (first seen on the AST 2 Jacket) on the side of each arm. The Nomad has five external storage pockets in addition to one inner pocket for a cell phone. The shell features a neoprene lined collar for comfort against the neck and there is adjustability at the collar, cuffs, elbows and waist for a comfort fit and accommodation of most body types. Lastly, there is an 8" connection zip to pair up with Olympia textile pants in addition to jeans loops.

The Olympia Nomad Jacket is truly one of the more unique products we've seen in the last year or so. With an insane amount of venting, true four-season functionality, and a hi-viz option, this is guaranteed to be a hit amongst tourers who need this degree of versatility. Rocking this jacket in 35º or 100º F weather, you'll be comfortable no matter the condition. Being able to use the waterproof breathable liner and the thermal liner together or separate truly affords the multi-season rider with a lot of flexibility.

To see comparable choices, visit our all weather motorcycle jacket section at RevZilla.com.

-RetroZilla

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Teknic Freeway Textile Jacket Review

It can be very tough to manufacture a jacket that meets all the demands of an adventure or touring rider. First, the jacket has to be able to take anything mother nature can throw at it. This includes the hot, the cold, and the wet. Next, a good ADV jacket needs to be protective and keep the rider safe in the event of a wreck. Tough abrasion resistant materials are a must as well as having quality armor in high impact areas. A good adventure touring jacket needs to be comfortable, look stylish, and have a ton of technical features. Finally, the price needs to be less then an arm and a leg.

The Teknic Freeway Textile Jacket is made to meet the high demands of many ADV and touring riders while not breaking the bank. Teknic designed this jacket to be able to handle any kind of riding condition, including the summer heat, the winter cold and the heavy rain that can spring up anytime. This is a true all-season all-weather motorcycle jacket designed for the rider that wants to be able to tackle just about any challenge thrown his way.

Check out our Teknic Freeway Textile Jacket Review:

Starting off, this jacket is completely waterproof and breathable thanks to the Powerskin Z liner system and Labyrinth main zipper entry system. This is a waterproof flap that zips up behind the first main zipper to keep water that penetrates the first zipper from reaching the rider. The Powerskin liner is bonded to the outer shell meaning you'll always be covered without having to fumble with a zip-in liner the weather goes from dry to wet or wet to dry. When ventilation is needed, there are massive YKK zipper vents that run over the chest and biceps and large exhausts at the back of the jacket. This gives the rider a degree of airflow. All the exhaust vents are waterproof so when the wet stuff
starts coming down, zip them closed and you're covered.

The removable Alufoil thermal liner is a full sleeve liner with a smooth shiny texture with 5oz. Polyfil insulation. The reflective material is going to retain heat much better then a standard jacket liner. It is also extremely comfortable against the skin. When the liner is removed, it can be folded inside a compact sack and attached to the outside of the jacket. When the liner is removed there are adjustment straps in the arms and torso to tighten the jacket back up.

Protection in this jacket is very impressive. CE Rated Knox armor is standard in the arms, shoulders, and back. Knox is upgraded over standard CE armor, is comfortable and does a very good job at dispersing impacts. The armor is removable via a zipper enclosure
on the outside of the jacket and velcro slit at the bottom of the back

protector. The Knox TP2 CE Back Protector is generally a $30 upgrade for other jackets.

The Teknic Freeway Jacket is packed with a ton of other features that you don't see on every jacket. An 8" pant connection zipper is incorporated in the back of the jacket, and a ton of storage pockets cover the outside and inside of the jacket. Reflective material sewn into both the black and the Hi-Viz versions of the jacket makes the rider more visible at night when hit with headlights. The soft collar can be put on and taken off very easily for added temperature versatility. A headphone grommet and internal MP3 pocket are thoughtful additions to this jacket from Teknic.

It's hard to find a reason not to love this jacket. Everything on it is simply done the right way. It has everything a ADV or touring rider could want.  It's sizing isn't super snug like the european jackets and it's not as generous as a lot of the American stuff. It falls right into the middle and fits true to size. Sizes go from 40-54US. This is just simply a great jacket providing solid bang for the buck.

Check out all of our Textile Motorcycle Jackets at RevZilla.com.

Fast Freddie

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Fly Trekker Jacket Review

If you're looking for a winter jacket that'll do everything well without putting a bad sting in your wallet, the Fly Trekker Jacket might be worth checking out. Fly has made the Trekker to compete with the much higher end jackets on the market but set it at an entry model price point. The new Fly Street collection of jackets, pants and gloves has come out of the gate as a great value for the guy or gal looking for well-rounded gear at a good price. The Trekker is no exception.

Check out our video of the Fly Trekker Jacket Review:

Fly packed this jacket with features essential to the ADV and dual sport rider. The shell of the Trekker is a sturdy and strong 600D Nylon with 840D ballistic nylon in the high impact areas of the jacket along the shoulders and elbows. There's CE rated armor in the shoulders and elbows and a padded back insert. The full sleeve waterproof membrane built into the jacket adds versatility for when conditions begin to start getting wet. Fly put in a removable full sleeve thermal liner so you can really stretch this jacket further into the temperature range. Venting on this jacket is provided by two shoulder zippers that go from the top of the bicep to the neck collar and zippered exhaust vents go along each side of the spine from the shoulder blades down to about the halfway point of the back. There's also two non-zippered exhausts vents that go horizontally along the waist adjustment strap. The Trekker also features an 8" zipper to attach to any pair of Fly pants in addition to a jeans loop.

I can't imagine anybody having any problems with storage on this jacket. There are 2 chest pockets and 2 huge cargo pockets below them. There are 2 smaller hand warmer pockets at the waist and 2 inter pockets. There's also a rabbit pouch on the lower back which would be a little difficult to get to or dig through with the jacket on but would be excellent for storing the liners of the jacket. All these stash pockets are waterproof for keeping all your important cargo dry.


Fly made a ton of sizes available on the Trekker. Sizes from small all the way to a triple extra large tall are available. There's also a ton of adjustment straps and button snaps on the arms and along the waist in addition to an expansion gusset so you can tighten or loosen this jacket according to your fit. The Trekker is available in 5 different colors including black, silver, red, blue, and an ultra bright Hi-Viz for the safety-conscious individual. So all in all you're getting a great jacket for 179 US with a ton of versatility. Even though this is an entry model jacket, you're still getting a solid well rounded piece of gear for the price.

Check out all of our Winter Motorcycle Gear at RevZilla.com

Fast Freddie

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