Looking some honest opinion (if that is ever possible) about the Kilimanjaro and the Kathmandu.

Firstgear Kilimanjaro Textile Motorcycle Jacket

Firstgear Kathmandu Textile Motorcycle Jacket

We already have mesh clothes for Africa ( even if now we may need bullet proof ones) and I am interested to see if they are really waterproof , protective and pretty good quality in general.
i will be leaving for Central and South America this September but will certainly buy the clothes by April to test them

OK - I know nothing about the jackets, but I have some of their "Sport" gloves which I bought in Medellin 18 months ago (summer gloves with mesh), and I'm amazed that they're still good as they were so cheap.

Haven't dragged them down the asphalt yet though. Knuckles look like they could handle it - palms are partly Neoprene or similar so probably not.

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Simon

London-Cape Town 2004-06
Buenos Aires-Vancouver 2008-10:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/fitzpatrick

do they stand up to the piss-in-glove-when-drunk test ?

Tragically, due to the lack of campgrounds in Panama and beyond, I can't answer that with any accuracy old boy.

That's not to say I haven't wee'd on them without knowing of course - in which case I can only recommend them more highly.

__________________
Simon

London-Cape Town 2004-06
Buenos Aires-Vancouver 2008-10:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/fitzpatrick

Woa great info about the original question guys

Hi, as my first "technical" gear, have worn the Kilimanjaro jacket & mesh pants for 2 seasons (30Kkm) in fair and warm weather in BC and Yukon. With liners on was kept very dry. In hot wx (25C-30C) found ventilation very good (no liner of course). One minor low speed over the handlebar spill onto shoulder and elbow pads - hardly felt a thing. lots of pockets. waist belt allows for opening up coat when in hot idle environments, or just want cooler ventilation on hot days. Overall, has been a good buy for me.

as far as temperature goes how was the jacket in the 50 F , good enough or.....

Thanks for your comments

hi, at 50F/10C I wear liner jacket and a fleece. upper body is fine. it's the knees and toes that get chilled quickest :-(

Kilimanjaro & Katmandu I've never used.

I do have the First Gear Rainier Jacket though, and it works well. I have used it at 45* C and down to -5 or -6 *C. (with appropriate layers underneath). It is water proof and well designed.

I would expect the other First Gear jackets to be as well made.

..............shu

Hey folks. I've a Kilimanjaro jacket that i've been using for the last few months in Ireland in pretty cold weather, 5 - 10 Celsius. I find it warm with the liner in. The fit is good if a little boxy, as in it's not a very sculpted fit but i don't mind as i'm after function moreso than form with it. Also i'm usually size medium in euro gear but in this i'm a small. The elbow and shoulder armour seems quite good but the back pad is small and light and definitely needs to be upgraded. It's comfy and there are plenty of pockets which are easy to access. I bought it while on holidays in the States and the shop assistant i was dealing with steered me away from much more expensive gear saying that he also wore one and recommended it. So far i have to agree with him. I'll be buying a pair of their pants soon too.
Hope this helps.

That is confirming my choice.
Thanks

I use the Kilimanjaro jacket (2nd or 3rd generation) and the Kilimanjaro pants (1st gen. no removable liner) from 28F to 120F (-2 c to 49c). I have had them for years there not grate but will hold off most of the rain off of you. Both have need to be replaced for 2 years or so but will still do there job. I have ridden with it in rain all day just not that dry.

I think the jacket has to many pockets I do not use and there to big the weather seal will do its job but it is only a matter of time before something gets in. The padded armor is a bit small and not best the back pad like most in this type of jacket is something of a joke may save your life, may ride up in to ball. It is not built for a crash on a race bike but more of tip over at 40mph or so. The build and fit is good not grate you can get 2 years out it. If you use every day look at a year or so. You will see some fraying hear and there but not as much as to make the jacket unusable. The outer shell is light and will do little in slide to protect you for long.

Some things you may want to look at is a heated liner and a inner waterproof liner real back protection if that is something you want.

In the end it is good jacket for what it made to do keep most riders dry and protected most of the time. I am looking to get a motoport made but looking at the price holds me back Kevlar Motorcycle Apparel - the Best in the World. looks like some grate stuff but still looking at $1000 to $1500 is gust a bit more than I want to spend when Kilimanjaro will do the job most of the time and I can tuff it out the rest.

Thanks for this great review.
I can of agree that for this price you cannot expect everything to be at the best but my plan is to use it for a trip from Florida to South America ( about 6 month ) and then we going to Africa I will use mesh jacket and mesh pants . I will certainly buy a rain gear to wear over it ( if it 's torrential rain ). I use Rallycross gear for year and love them a lot but but no dealer in US so ordering thier product is a bit of a pain , rallycross make nice copy of it for chaep but I don't like the inner rain jacket system. Now BMW gear are great but I think they are a bit over price ??

Hendi
,
I have tried clicking on your website a few times, but it says that I have gone
there in error, I remember looking at some of your photos a while ago, but it is a no go for now ! You may wish to check it out.

Thanks
Paul

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....rather Die Living.....than Live Dying !
www.globetrekkers.net.au

I have the short version, the Teton. I LOVE that jacket. I've warn it now for about 6 months and it works great. I use an electric vest under it when the temp drops (I run cold these days) and stay very toasty. With the liner out, and the vents open, it moves a lot of air. I haven't had it long enough to try it in the dead of summer, but I think it "might" be a bit toasty when the temp gets above 80F. I usually move to a mesh jacket when it's hot and humid.

The pockets are plenty, and the removable liner can be worn on it's own around town. I like that feature, as it helps by not having to take a second "walk around" jacket. The left breast pocket is perfect for the iPhone. The other breast pocket will hold a SPOT. I find the armor to be in the right place. I usually would wear a large outer motorycycle garment, but in this I needed a medium - for reference I wear a medium t-shirt etc.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,

Bill