Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Camping Equipment and all Clothing
Firstgear Kilimanjaro vs. Olympia AST Firstgear Kilimanjaro vs. Olympia AST
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Camping Equipment and all Clothing Tents, sleeping bags, stoves etc. Riding clothing, boots, helmets, what to wear when not riding, etc.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia




Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11 Mar 2010
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Summerland BC, Canada
Posts: 37
Firstgear Kilimanjaro vs. Olympia AST
Hi All
Just looking for some hands-on advice.
I currently have two sets of gear. Firstgear mesh for hot weather and a 2008 Firstgear Denali and Joe Rocket overpants for colder weather - but neither set is very much good in the middle. It doesn't take much for the Denali to be too warm (The venting sucks) and likewise the pants soon become a sauna. The mesh gear is fine as long as it's >25 but anything below that and you have to wear light long-johns and carry raingear to cut the wind.

I bought everything two years ago when I first got started and I'm afraid I let my excitment get in the way of prudent research. So now I'm looking for something that's truly three season.

I like Firstgear for no other reason that I know exactly what size to order and I like the look. After some research the best alternative I can find is the Olympia AST. Both seem to be a reasonable compromise between price, features, safety and function. Does anyone have any current experience with either of these? I can read the reviews off of the net and the respective websites but I'd really like some hands-on experience

Thx in advance
Dale
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11 Mar 2010
Mickey D's Avatar
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: California
Posts: 501
Dale,
Where are you headed? Three seasons sounds like S. America, since you will ride through pretty much everything: Heat, humidity, rain, cold, snow, wind,
more heat and back again!

I've owned many different types of riding gear, I had a Kilimanjaro about 5 years ago. Good jacket, but things have moved on. The new First Gear jackets are very good IMO. I have a Rainier and it's a very good 3 season jacket. Great in heat, truly breathable fabric, good vents, excellent TPG liner (separate jacket) and very waterproof. In super cold weather you will need a good base layer and perhaps electrics. In hot weather it is really good. I rode in 118F in Death Valley and did great. Also in Baja in 90's. Very versatile for me.

I've heard some good things about the Olympia jackets, tried one on, did not like it. First Gear felt much better and that is what I got. I also have a couple Joe Rocket jackets. Very good. Ballistic 5, the new Ballistic 7 or 8 (?) also gets rave reviews. I also had the JR Alter Ego, not bad.

Check out the First Gear jackets on close out at New Enough:
Closeouts > All Types > FirstGear :: New Enough

Also consider the Kathmandu. I've tried it on and its very very nice!!!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11 Mar 2010
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Summerland BC, Canada
Posts: 37
Thanks
Hi There
Thanks for the response - I really appreciate it.
Maybe it's just because it was my first "real" gear when I got started three years ago but I really like the Firstgear stuff. Plus I know their sizes so I can order on line. If it wasn't for the colours I'd probably go with the Ranier too. The TPG line looks good but........I want something brighter for the visibility. That's why I was looking at the newer Kili or the Olympia - both come in hi-vis yellow.
I have a potential short-term overseas job contract coming up and if I get it I'm going to reward myself with new gear. I'm coming down to the travelers meeting in August. If you're there hopefully I can show you what I decided.
Cheers
Dale
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11 Mar 2010
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Summerland BC, Canada
Posts: 37
Follow up
And yes, I'm planning on South America in the fall of 2012.
I rode to the Panama Canal in Jan 08, and this year and last year my wife and I rode down and back into Mexico. Down the Pacific Coast as far as Zihuatenejo in 09 and this year down the middle to Guadalajara/Lake Chapala, over to Mazatlan and back up the Pacific Coast.
This year and next I'm going to I buy a sport-touring bike and concentrate on Canada and the US but in 2012 I'll be heading south again! If the Mayan's are right I want to be doing what I love when it all ends
:-)
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12 Mar 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 16
I used to have an AST. It was a good jacket and comfortable until around 90F or so. The vents were awesome but the jacket did leak a little bit in an all day rain. I did really like that the liner could be worn as a jacket alone. It was great as a camp jacket. It always seems to bunch up on me though when I was on the bike since it was so long in the front and the fabric was kind of stiff. The neck also didn't fit me well. Here is a review of it on Webbikeworld.com

Olympia AST Jacket - webBikeWorld

Hope this helps.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Climb Kilimanjaro en route? RasMan Route Planning 4 8 Mar 2010 20:20
For Sale: Olympia Mustang Jacket and Pants worstell TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 0 14 Nov 2006 19:20
FS: FirstGear HT Overpants, men's size 36 Doug Haas TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 0 6 Sep 2005 10:11
Olympia Travel Show Talk IanC North Africa 1 30 Dec 2002 01:08

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:26.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top