First Up for any english trolls stay under your bridge I ve got minor brain damage so this is the best I can write.

For 5 years I own Firstgear products ranging from 2011 version to the latest. I ve had issue with them all resulting in warranty returns. They do keep you dry . They were safe . They do handle the warranty with no issues. 2 email and you ve got a free return label. That leads me to the lasest version of firstgear TPG line that is 359.00 on sale.
2013 Firstgear TPG Rainier Jacket





For 2013-14 They redesigned The jacket it comes in Yellow or gray / black. I used this jacket for 3 month before selling it.

Pro: Cocona waterproof-breathable shell , light weight with lots of air flow . Far better 3D0 Armor then before including the back pad.

• Level 2 D3O T-5 Evo Pro armor at shoulders and elbows
• Level 1 D3O Viper back pad

kevier underlays in key areas ? ( where I don't know)
Cons:

1) No base layer Jacket that was in The TPG line before . Gone as a cost cutting measure. Cost to buy $75 bucks if you dont have it already.

2) High vis Yellow is facing inward instead of out . Why is this an issue? Beyond being seen better with it facing out , the High vis Yellow gets dirty fast and even hand washing it doesn't remove the dirt. Might be the same with gray / black jacket.

3) Revzilla.com has posted that the Denier is Just 320. I feel that unsafe above in town speeds. I cant see that being safe in tumble down a back road in some far away land. I ask Firstgear myself and was told 150 x 150 denier with some mubo jumbo about a special weave . After 3 emails to them to get a denier number I gave up. 320 Denier is what you see in cheap stuff . With a 450 MSR pricing I feel it stinks of cost cutting

4) The jacket now has 4 less waterproof pockets then before. Also no waterproof zippers on selves cuffs and gone is coin pocket on left selves. The cuffs on selves use a under gator type closure to keep water out. No more opening up the zippers and letting int some airflow. In the 2011 version you had a draw string in the pockets allow you to close out drafts on cold days. This is also now gone.

Point blank At 450 MSR price ( 359 on sale ) it's not worth buying the jacket. The 2011 version was 600 denier compaired to 320 today. The old version had more features including a base layer. I feel it was twice what the new 2013-14 . There are only 2 things better on the new version. The waterproof shell and The armor.

2013-14 Firstgear TPG Escape Pants



Pro: Cocona waterproof-breathable shell , light weight with lots of air flow through the vents . Far better 3D0 Armor then before

• Cocona waterproof-breathable shell
• Level 2 D3O T-5 Evo Pro armor at knees and hips. Kevlar underlays in key areas ??

Cons :


Rather then repeat myself . Its just the same ship. Same 320 denier with more cost cutting of features. Both of these now made in china. No side adjustment in the pants. if you have to many six packs you going to be buying new pants. You going to have to wear a belt if they fit lose. Again same price points. These where 600 Deneir in 2011 with overlays at key areas.





I guess I m saying don't waist you cash. You can find better stuff out there including motorcycle pants with GORE-TEX liners at this price point. I m not writing a bad review just because I piss off and want to be a troll. I just feel firstgear has screw with the TPG line and people should know about it. Sorry about my crappy writing but I got hit in the head and it has screw it up.

Thanks for your write up. Was looking at these to replace my worn-out Gerbing suit.

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I have an earlier version of the Rainier ... guess I should hang onto it!
Your CONS are valid ... they are cutting corners and think no one will notice.

They'll have to do better. I don't mind them leaving out the jacket liner, I have two already, but some of the other shortcomings are not good. I like pockets.

I find my '11 Rainier a fairly good hot weather jacket. Good venting, and the fabric itself seems to flow a lot of air. This is a CON in very cold weather, so you really have to "layer up" if cold, or do what I do ... I put on my Rain jacket which is sized to fit easily over my Rainier. Adds a lot of warmth and even more rain protection.

On my Rainier I replaced both with back protector and elbow guards with my own, custom ones. Far better. My elbow guards are dirt bike style and are the strap on variety. This way, I know they are in place and will be there to protect in a fall. Slip in guards can move out of position in a fall. Mine do not.

My jacket was made in Vietnam, new First Gear jackets, made in China.

If your looking for really good travel adventure jackets, check out
Moto Port and Olympia. Both doing interesting innovations.

I tested the TPG Escape pants too ... way too hot and sweaty for me. My leathers were better in heat! They suck!
Good in cold/wet only. Not for me, sold mine off cheap.