Tour Master 2012 Fall Gear Review

The Tour Master Intake Air 3 jacket replaces the Air 2 and is a three season mesh jacket: spring, summer and fall. With an American cut and boxy fit, it has plenty of adjustability. With a Aqua-Therm two-stage waterproof and insulated liner, the jacket can be configured to match your needs. There are elastic and snap sleeve take-up straps at the forearm and bicep, with adjustable waist belts and TPR pulls to help fine tune the fit.  Velcro cuffs have microfiber as does the collar to prevent chafing.


Tour Master Intake Air 3 Jacket Review:


Armor-link mesh material and 600 denier Carbolex combine with 1680 denier ballistic polyester in the impact areas. Removable CE armor is at the elbows and shoulders with an articulated triple-density back protector. This Tour Master has great air flow with no loss of protection. Two types of reflective material increase nighttime visibility.

The jacket is available in 6 color combinations up to 4XL, with tall available in sizes M-2XL.






The Tour Master Draft Air 2 jacket is a two to three season jacket. It is the most basic offering in mesh in this lineup and with an American cut tends to run a half to a size large.  A step down from the Tour Master Intake Air 3 with a waterproof liner but no insulation. Armor-link mesh material combined with 600 denier Carbolex in the impact areas create a well-ventilated garment with protection.



Tour Master Draft Air 2 Jacket Review:



With many of the same features as the Intake Air 3: the CE-approved armor, adjustable sleeve and waist tabs, microfiber-lined collar and cuffs, extra long back and two types of reflective material.

This jacket is available in four color combinations and sizes S-3XL.





The Tourmaster Solution WP Air boot is a highly breathable waterproof boot with HiPora waterproof membrane which breathes for warm weather riding and easily covers three seasons: spring, summer and fall. Reasonably priced, this boot comes in both wide sizes and women's sizes. Features include a molded nylon shin protector and ankle guard backed by foam, tecnoGL thermoplastic heel cup and toe cap and preformed orthopedic vibration absorbing footbed.


The Tourmaster Solution WP Air Boot Review:

The successor to the original Nomad, The Tour Master Nomad 2.0 boot, showcase numerous improvements. Using  HiPora, these boots have a waterproof yet breathable membrane. The slightly lower toe box allows for easier shifting. A removable padded foot-bed with soft interior lining increases comfort.  This is a work style boot with lugged, oil-resistant, anti-slip sole.



Tour Master Nomad 2.0 Boot Review:




Like the Men's version, the Tour Master Women's Intake Air 3 jacket replaces the Air 2 and is a three season mesh jacket: spring, summer and fall. With a Aqua-Therm two-stage waterproof and insulated liner, the jacket can be configured to meet your comfort needs.





Tour Master Women's Intake Air 3 Jacket Review:

CE-approved armor is at the elbow and shoulder with an articulated tripl-density back protector. A zippered chest map pocket, hand warmer pockets, internal pouch and mobile media pocket add to the features.









The Tour Master Women's Transition 3 jacket is a 3/4 length 600 denier Carbolex and 1680 denier ballistic polyester shell. It incorporates a waterproof, breathable Rainguard barrier to keep you dry yet release perspiration. It's a three to four season jacket with a full zip out quilted liner for cooler temperatures and 8 vents for warmer weather. The overall style is refined from the Transition 2 with 360 degree reflective piping, new front pocket design and TPR closure at wrist.


Tour Master Women's Transition 3 Jacket Review:

CE-approved armor is at the elbow and shoulder with an articulated triple-density back protector. Microfiber lined collar and cuffs are soft, yet durable.
The Transition comes in 4 color options and tall sizes from M-3XL in black and high vis only.






-MotoMary

Related:
Tour Master Transition 3 Jacket First Look
New Tour Master and Cortech Jacket: Fall 2011

New Tour Master & Cortech Jackets: Fall 2011

Brand new for Fall 2011, Tour Master and Cortech have released three new jackets which all look to be absolute home runs within their respective segments in the motorcycle riding community. Although we've not gotten an opportunity to shoot extensive video breakdowns yet, for now we will detail the standout features of these three jackets. Stay tuned for our video reviews in the near future!

First up is the Cortech Brayker Jacket, which is a completely waterproof outer shell designed to be worn atop a compression suit (as it does not contain built-in armor). Ultimately designed for snow sports, the Brayker will compete with high-end snow gear products this season. Utilizing a Nanomax 3.0 membrane, that is impervious to precipitation and oil but allows perspiration to easily escape through thanks to its nano-porous nature. There is an Aqua-Barrier under-the-helmet hood which stows away when not in use but, when needed, keeps water from running down the helmet and into your jacket. There is also an external hood that is completely removable.

There are two waterproof handwarmer pockets, two waterproof chest pockets, and two waterproof interior pockets. One of the inner pockets features an audio port to allow easy access to your MP3 player and headphone wires. Internally, you'll find a removable gaiter (powder skirt) that adds another layer of warmth by keeping wind out. Large pit zips can be opened in for a good amount of ventilation when you're going after it on the powder. You'll find adjustability at the wrist via velcro tabs, in addition to a drawstring at the lower hem to cinch this jacket down for a snug fit. There are also strategic areas of the jacket that feature Phoslite reflective piping for night-time visibility. Also available as the Cortech Brayker Women's Jacket.

Next, we have the Tour Master Flex Series 3 Jacket, the newest iteration in a series that has acted as the convertible of the motorcycle jacket world for many years. For the most part, the main upgrade for this year's model is the color-blocking and style of the jacket. It still easily converts from a 600D Carbolex jacket to an Armor-Link mesh jacket in a matter of minutes, offering a great deal of convenience and versatility. Removable CE rated armor at the shoulders and elbows, an articulated triple density back protector, a removable quilted thermal liner, Phoslite reflective piping, a great deal of adjustability (wrist, bicep, waist), short connection zipper, and microfiber lining at the collar and cuffs round out the solid feature set of the brand new Tour Master Flex Series 3 Jacket. Also available as the Tour Master Flex Series 3 Women's Jacket.

Lastly, the Tour Master Saber Series 3 Jacket is designed with the tourer in mind who is seeking a protective, waterproof breathable 3/4-length jacket that is affordable and will perform in multiple seasons. A 600D Carbolex outer shell with a Rainguard waterproof breathable barrier, the Saber Series 3 has received a very nice style upgrade for this iteration. Some key features: removable 100g polyfil quilted thermal liner; zippered chest map pocket, hadwarmer pockets, dual zippered fanny pack; adjustability at the bicep, forearm, wrist, and waist; removable CE rated shoulder and elbow armor with a triple-density back protector; 360º Phoslite reflective piping; and zippered sleeve and chest intakes with large rear exit vents.
You can really get almost four seasons from the Saber.

This is our quick rundown of the three key new Tour Master and Cortech jackets for Fall 2011. Be sure to check back for our detailed video breakdowns of each of these jackets.

-RetroZilla

Cold Weather Motorcycle Glove Guide

To round out our series of winter motorcycle gear guides, we scoured our inventory and decided on three groups of winter motorcycle gloves. We broke it down into "Cool Weather Sport Touring Gloves," "Cold Weather Touring Gloves," and "Extreme Cold Weather Adventure Gloves." As you move through the ranks, the materials used improve, including protective elements and creature comforts, and you get vaster temperature range & precipitation coverage. The rider who is riding five miles back and forth from work won't need a brawny glove in all likelihood just as the adventure touring rider in freezing temperatures will want to look for something more bulky than a basic winter riding glove. That explains how we broke down our categories. Let's get into the video, our Cold Weather Motorcycle Glove Guide.

Cool Weather Sport Touring Gloves

In our first bucket of gloves, the milder temperature range array, you'll find motorcycle gloves from Firstgear, REV'IT! and Cortech. The Firstgear Navigator glove and Firstgear Kilimanjaro glove (pictured at left) each feature a Hipora waterproof breathable membrane that will keep your hands dry while the Kilimanjaro has Thinsulate for the lining and the Navigator uses a warmer Thermolite liner. Consider the Navigator the leather counterpart to the Kilimanjaro. Both these gloves perform well in cool to cold weather basic riding scenarios.

The sportiest looking glove of all the gloves we show in this video is the Cortech Scarab glove, constructed from a mix of leather, goatskin & textile. All of this is backed with a Hipora waterproof breathable membrane. For protection, the Scarab has a molded titanium/carbon knuckle with finger and wrist protection as well.

The top-of-the-line glove in this group is the REV'IT! Zenith H2O glove, which provides a mix of goatskin and leather with coated carbon hard shell knuckles. The upgrade here being the Hydratex membrane from REV'IT! which will be more breathable than the waterproofing in the other gloves. The addition of SuperFabric on the pinky is another upgrade on this top-end cool/cold weather sport touring glove.

Cold Weather Touring Gloves

In the next lineup, you're looking at Cold Weather Touring Gloves that will stand up well to all the elements and a deeper temperature range than the previous grouping. Here you'll find gloves from REV'IT!, Tour Master, and Held. This is where you'll start to see advanced technologies such as Gore-Tex membranes and so forth. The Tour Master Winter Elite Glove is the starting point for this bunch and also the thickest. Constructed from goatskin and sheepskin with Thinsulate Liteloft insulation, the Winter Elite also features a visor wiper for convenience, a large storm cuff, and a built-in nylon polar cover for the extremes of temperature and precipitation.

From REV'IT!, the new REV'IT! Orion GTX Glove features Gore-Tex while the REV'IT! Kelvin H2O Glove was voted WebBikeWorld's Best Winter Glove 2009. The Orion is 1000D ripstop Cordura and 500D PWRShell with a Thermolite tri-fleece liner. The distinguishing factor is the Gore-Tex membrane that gives the highest level of waterproof breathability. Period. The Kelvin (pictured) is a full leather construction with Hydratex waterproof breathability. The distinguisher here is the Schoeller PCM Insulator which is a temperature regulator that absorbs heat. If the hand is too hot, the PCM absorbs it and your hand cools; if your hand gets cold, the PCM releases the heat.

Rounding out this group is the Held Freezer Glove, a water-repellent cowhide glove with a Gore-Tex membrane for waterproof breathability. The lining here is what's special: Primaloft, used by the military, is an extremely lightweight microfiber insulation that stays amazingly warm no matter the application. That does it for category two.

Extreme Cold Weather Adventure Gloves

If you're an Adventure rider or you want to ride really long distances in the cold weather, you need look no further than this group of gloves. These are the extremely technical gloves with the most futuristic technologies and extensive R&D. The Gerbing's T5 Heated Gloves are the only pair in this group that is heated and are best suited for the rider dipping into the lowest possible temperature ranges. Gerbing's Microwire Heating Technology was developed at the behest of the military.

Two gloves from REV'IT!, the REV'IT! Alaska GTX Glove & REV'IT! Bastion GTX Glove (pictured at left) feature Gore-Tex membranes, the Alaska being the leather alternative to the Bastion's extreme textile construction. Both of these gloves will handle the freezing elements with comfort and style, with the main differentiating factor being the SuperFabric and MotoGP elements that are in the Bastion.

The Held Warm N Dry glove is Held's highest end cold weather glove. With a mix of cowhide, textile and goatskin, the Warm N Dry also has a Gore-Tex membrane for waterproof breathability. SuperFabric provides reinforcement, the knuckles are protected by hard plastic armor, and the liner is Gore-Tex Thermoplush Fleece. Keeping in mind the Adventure Touring rider, Held kept the palm on these gloves thin enough for use with heated grips. This is a great Extreme Cold Weather glove.

Finally, our last glove is the Dainese Jerico Glove, probably the slickest and cleanest design of the bunch. The Jerico is made from Cowhide-Clarino, a synthetic abrasion-resistant textile material. It has a full Gore-Tex membrane and utilizes Primaloft insulation. It is the highest-priced glove for a good reason: it outperforms every other glove on the table and of course, offers that classic Dainese style.

That's quite a bit of information but we hope very informative. Our intention is to take some of the pain out of figuring all these details on your own. We hope we met our goal of connecting the dots in terms of subtle differences of winter motorcycle gloves.

Be sure not to miss our all of our winter gear suggestions at our Cold Weather Motorcycle Gear Guide at RevZilla.com

-RetroZilla

Related:

Cold Weather ADV Motorcycle Gear Guide

Cold Weather Touring Motorcycle Gear Guide

Cold Weather Sport Riding Motorcycle Gear Guide