Contemplating purchasing a First Gear Rainier Jacket for riding in the Alps & UK next summer - does anyone have any experience with this jacket?

Thanks

First Gear stuff is usually alright .
Their waterproof HP2 pants are great .

I think Beemerbird bought one of these ,if I recall correctly , I only remember because I was considering buying one myself .She does a LOT of miles and could give a worthwile review .

I see Newenough has them on sale [cheap].

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Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."

I bought one of these three weeks ago in Tucson returning from Mexico. I left a worn out Killimjario with the dealer that was four years old and no longer waterproof. I love this jacket, well worth the money. Very warm and watertight. Great pockets, hokey strap on the back for some kind of bicycle light. The liner works as a stand along rain and wind jacket. I bought an olympic jacket last winter and it leaked the first day, poor rain control. I considered getting a Darien but went with the firstgear instead.

I'd consider it a recommended "buy" to anyone who wants to part with the money.

I reviewed the Rainier quite favorably last year, and my wife has been wearing it happily since. It's a solid jacket for a good price.

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www.overlandjournal.com

Yes, Dodger, I do have a Ranier jacket. It definitely IS waterproof : ie: the outer of the jacket is waterproof, no need to put on a rain jacket. Nor does the outer get waterlogged because there is an inner waterproof/Gortex liner, which is how most jackets these days are constructed. The zip out liner is, as mentioned in a previous post, a very nice stand-alone jacket, with pockets etc, wind and shower proof.

I DO like the jacket because it's waterproof (even in MASSIVE, ALL DAY storms!! Some of us are crazy, riding in weather like that!) however, I have some small concerns with fit, etc. The collar is FAR too high for me, and cuts into my oesophagus badly, to the extent that I always (except in wild rain) leave the zip undone about 6-8" and fold the sides underneath.

Another reason I like it is because of the "sand" colour, rather than boring old, and hot, black.

The venting system doesn't really work - for me - but it may be different for others. That said, I've worked out how to get heaps of air up the sleeves and around my body to cool me, by placing my hands in certain positions up on the hand guards.

The jacket is quite warm in cold weather, but - for me - it's a bit warm in hot weather, but I put up with it, because of it's waterproofness.

I also have the Escape pants [half leg zips]which go with the Ranier jacket. These, also, are waterproof and very comfortable, and I also have the HT2 (waterproof) pants [full leg zips], as well. Although they are each "overpants", I take out the quilted liner and wear them as normal riding pants. I like both, but will probably wear the Escapes RTW as they have a good cargo pocket, which the HT2s don't.

Overall, I've found FirstGear apparel to be quite good, and really waterproof, and I would recommend it.

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Margaret
"twenty grand and twenty miles don't make you a biker"
www.ridingtoextremes.com

Thanks for the input on the Ranier. How does the Kilimanjaro compare? I've been told that the Ranier is not for cold weather but Margaret obviously can attest to its cold weather applications. Is the Kilimanjaro going to be too warm for the alps in July?