Firstgear HT Overpants: When the Ride Takes You To the Edge of Your Seat

England… Middle Ages... suiting up with the proper riding gear takes 30 minutes and a small team of valets to assist you in the process. Your gear is heavy, your fitment is cumbersome, and your mode of transportation is, well… 1 horsepower.

Fortunately for us the times have changed. Gear has now become a vast and ever expanding realm of technological improvements with constant innovation geared towards simplicity and ease of use. We have new materials, new designs, and new concepts of ergonomic protection against the potential hindrances to the enjoyment and safety of our daily commute.

Firstgear is a company that is leading the way in this regard. Their credo of “Any weather, any condition, any time” rings true in their products and stands at the forefront of their line. Looking ahead at the re-designed for 2014 HT Overpants, the focus on innovative gear for the ardent motorcycle enthusiast can be seen on full display.

The Firstgear HT Overpants & the Firstgear Women's HT Overpants are built for riders seeking to maximize their experiences through the circumstances that they may encounter in the cooler riding conditions of the Fall, Winter, and Spring months. The always-waterproof HT Overpants have the membrane built into the shell itself and come with a removable thermal liner for those times of the year when the temperatures are slightly less hospitable. While the liner is installed, you have built-in pockets that can be reached through the outer shell. When the thermal liner is removed, however, you have the increased functionality of through-pockets which will allow you to reach your interior garments and access whatever gear or valuables that you may be carrying.

Specifically looking at the changes made for the 2014 line, the largest difference is evidenced in the attention to fitment details. This can be seen in the extended side zippers of the Firstgear HT which will now rise to the mid-thigh area and allow for an easier on/off aspect of the outer shell. At the same time, in not being full-zip pants, they create a more comfortable fitment for the rider. With a wider opening at the bottom in comparison to the previous edition of the HT Overpants, riders will be better able to quickly, efficiently, and comfortably gear up for the ride… no valets necessary!

In addition the outer shell construction will now utilize 420-denier nylon Hypertex material for lightweight, durable, all-weather protection from the elements. When combined with features such as silicone gripped and elasticized internal storm cuffs, as well as the rubberized YKK thigh vent zippers and articulated knees with adjustable CE armor, the outer shell of the HT Overpants provides a burly defense against meteorological unpleasantries while also protecting riders in the event of a fall.

So as the weather begins to turn and the welcoming hospitality of summer slightly wanes with the changing of the seasons, remember the Firstgear line of outerwear and the HT Overpants as you saddle your gallant, octane-driven steed and ride nobly in search of new adventures.

As always, have fun, be safe, and until next time…

Enjoy the ride,

--T-3
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Firstgear Fall 2010 Gear Guide

Brand new for the Fall of 2010, Firstgear has released an abundance of new motorcycle apparel. Last year they focused on jackets, including the TPG line; this year, the focus is on motorcycle pants and their one-piece commuter suit. They've also produced a group of upgraded gloves. All of this gear offers massive improvements over previous iterations with upgrades in fit and articulation, better materials, and more sound design across the board.

Here is our Firstgear Fall 2010 Gear Guide.

The first major standout to us in the new lineup are the Firstgear TPG Escape Pants. Originally released in 2008 as part of the then brand new Firstgear TPG line, the Escape pants did not have the same level of R&D or thought put into them as a exceptional product like the Firstgear TPG Rainier jacket did. The pants weren't properly articulated for comfort or movement, they had a very boxy fit to them and they didn't have d3o molecular-level armor. This year's model is completely restyled and redesigned for long-distance touring and touts the addition of d3o armor in both the hips and knees. Even the standalone liner pants offer completely upgraded style over the previous iteration.

New for Fall 2010 is the Firstgear Expedition Suit, a brilliant piece of gear for the rider who wants all the features of a one-piece riding suit without having to shell out a thousand bucks for it. The Expedition is a completely waterproof breathable oversuit that will keep you warm and dry whether you are ripping trails off-road or simply commuting to work. The input of a lot of the features of the TPG line of Firstgear apparel translates to remarkable functionality at this price point. The massive quantity of vents in this suit provide maximum ventilation for true four-season functionality. There are YKK zippers throughout the suit with waterproof pockets and the main connection zipper is a Scuba-level RiRi zipper.
Firstgear hit it out of the park with the Expedition.

Three other pairs of pants are brand new for Fall 2010 from Firstgear. The Firstgear HT Overpants & Firstgear HT Air Overpants both have far superior fit and articulation than previous models just like the TPG Escapes. They are lighter and more flexible than previous models and are built as a touring fit for long-term comfort. The HT Overpants are three-season Fall-Winter-Spring riding while the HT Air Overpants are three-season Spring-Summer-Fall riding. The HT Overpants have a waterproof breathable membrane in addition to a removable zip-out liner pant that can be worn as a destination when you hop off the bike. The HT Airs have the waterproof breathability built into their destination liner pant.

For maximum performance in hot weather, the new Firstgear Mesh Tex Pants are a great option for sport touring. The previous model of the Mesh-Tex Pants were styled after a leather track pant, which meant uber-snug and very untenable for long-distance riding. These pants are cut more generously, touring-style, with a high waist and comfortable articulation. Constructed from durable 250D polymesh for maximal airflow with adjustable CE rated knee armor, the Firstgear MeshTex pants also have heat-resistant reinforcements on the inner calf on each side. These pants are designed to keep you cool and protected in warm weather riding and are a massive upgrade over former versions.

Firstgear also came out with six new gloves for this season, three of which are available in women's specific cut and fit. Every glove is redesigned with better articulation, comfort and protection over their predecessors. Two of the standouts are the Firstgear Kilimanjaro Glove, a cold weather waterproof breathable gauntlet, the Firstgear Kilimanjaro Air Glove, a lightweight mesh, leather and textile summertime glove. We're also pumped about the Firstgear Navigator Gloves, full Goatskin leather construction with a waterproof breathable membrane built as an all-season glove. Our favorite glove in the new lineup is the Firstgear Kathmandu Glove, an ADV touring style waterproof breathable textile glove.

We have full HD video reviews of the entire Fall 2010 Firstgear Gear lineup that can be seen at RevZillaTV or on the individual product pages at RevZilla.com. Firstgear took a giant leap forward these year with their new ADV touring gear and we are impressed to say the least. All of this gear is certain to go head-to-head with other leading brands on the market. Stay tuned for more details on new Firstgear apparel.

-RetroZilla

Related:

Fall 2010 Firstgear Kathmandu Gloves

Fall 2010 Firstgear Kilimanjaro Gloves

Cold Weather Touring Motorcycle Gear Guide

Cold Weather ADV Motorcycle Gear Guide

Cold Weather Everyday Riding Motorcycle Gear Guide

The next installment of our Cold Weather Gear Guides is for the rider who isn't planning any 8,000-mile adventure rides for the winter and doesn't plan to be hitting the off-road trails either. This gear will perform well for the urban commuter or the casual everyday rider looking to stay warm. It also offers a subtle look that will be stylish on the bike or wandering around the streets of the city. All of the gear in this video will be built for Fall-Winter-Spring riding, featuring water-resistance and thermal liners. Be sure not to miss our other guides which feature our picks for Sport, Touring & ADV cold weather riding if any of those is more your style. In this guide we feature outfits from REV'IT!, Icon, Firstgear & Alpinestars.

Here is our Cold Weather Everyday Riding Motorcycle Gear Guide:

Starting out, we have an outfit from Alpinestars that will perform well in the cool and cold weather, and completely shield you from precipitation. The Alpinestars Verona WP Jacket & Alpinestars P1 Sport Touring Drystar Pants have a great muted style that will make it difficult for people to even know you were riding a motorcycle. The jacket and pants are constructed with 450D & 500D Cordura for durability and weather resistance and feature CE rated armor in the shoulders, elbows and knees. The jacket has a PU coating on the exterior to assist the built-in waterproof membrane in ensuring you'll stay dry while riding. Alpinestars' minimalist styling of the jacket makes it an ideal choice for anyone wishing to fly under the radar. The pants are form-fitting and contoured, providing an ergonomic sport fit that is not bulky at all. This is an excellent option from Alpinestars, who always delivers on style and performance.

The REV'IT! CR Textile Jacket & REV'IT! Zip Pants is one of a few featured REV'IT! outfits in this lineup. Previously seen in our Sport Riding gear guide, the REV'IT! CR Textile Jacket provides a vintage style that will appeal to any classic-type of rider. Moto Guzzi riders, cafe racers, light motorcyclists, scooter riders: that's who REV'IT! made this jacket for. With bold racing stripes on the chest, arms, and back, the CR jacket also has Knox CE rated armor in the shoulders and elbows with a detachable thermal vest liner to keep you insulated in the cold. The Zip pants offer the same Knox CE armor but also have a Hydralining waterproof breathable membrane to keep your legs free from precipitation. They built this overpant specifically for the everyday rider as it fits conveniently over jeans or business wear. A great option from REVIT that corners the niche of riders that rock the vintage look.

Changing gears and moving into something a bit more in-your-face, the Icon Contra Slate Jacket & Icon Arc Textile Pants are a great choice for the everyday sportbike rider in the winter time. We showed off the Icon Contra Redeemer Jacket in our sport riding video in addition to the Arc pants in a different pairing. Removable CE rated armor in the shoulders, elbows and knees and a durable textile chassis with heavyweight reinforcement panels ensure your safety from abrasion and impact in this combo. Both jacket and pants are water-resistant so this won't be ideal for very rainy conditions. But for basic everyday riding in the cold, this outfit is going to perform tremendously.

The Firstgear Kenya Jacket and brand new for Fall 2010 Firstgear HT Overpants is one of the most versatile options in this lineup. It'll do a great job in the cold, but also perform well as the mercury begins to rise. Both jacket and pants are built with 600D polyester and have Firstgear's proprietary Hypertex waterproof breathable membrane. CE rated armor exists in the shoulders, elbows and knees. The jacket has a fully-sleeved removable insulated liner and the pants, designed as overpants, also have a zip-out thermal liner pant that can be worn standalone. The HT Overpants are completely redesigned over previous models with greatly upgraded articulation and fit. This is a do-it-all three to four season outfit from Firstgear that will offer superb performance in the cold and wet months. We also highlight these pants with the Firstgear Kilimanjaro Jacket later in this guide. The Kilimanjaro is waterproof breathable with CE rated armor, and an excellent ventilation scheme for true four-season riding.

The REV'IT! Dragon Jacket & REV'IT! Factor Pants are another four-season riding option. This combo will absolutely shine in the Fall, Winter & Spring but will also perform in the hotter months of the year, with removable liners and excellent ventilation. The pants have REV'IT!'s Hydralining (waterproof & breathable) sandwiched into the outershell and the jacket has a detachable Hydratex liner that is waterproof breathable as well and can be worn standalone. With a durable construction of high deniers including 600D polyester, 750D PWRShell & 1000D Cordura, this outfit is going to keep you toasty and dry all through the year. The jacket is also available in hi-vis, with bright yellow accents that is an excellent choice for the commuter. Both the pants and jacket are available in womens-specific sizing and fit, the REV'IT! Siren Jacket being the womens version.

Lastly, the REV'IT! Brighton Jacket & REV'IT! Factor Pants combo may seem familiar to anyone who has seen our Sport Riding gear guide. That's because the Brighton is essentially the slightly longer version of the REV'IT! Bronx Jacket. This outfit looks great zipping around town or hopping off the bike and walking. I've already spoken at length about the Factor pants so I'll focus on the jacket. Constructed with a highly water-repellent fabric and providing a removable thermal liner, the Brighton will keep you warm and dry. It also offers the versatility of a removable thermal collar for the warmer days of the season. Simply put, this is a great choice for the urban rider: protective, understated, stylish.

That'll do it for our seven picks for Everyday Winter Riding. Don't miss all of our Cold Weather Motorcycle Gear Guides at RevZilla.com. Keep it warm, dry, and safe in the winter!

-RetroZilla

Related:

Cold Weather ADV Motorcycle Gear Guide

Cold Weather Touring Motorcycle Gear Guide

Cold Weather & Winter Sport Riding Gear Guide