12 hours in Alaskan Rain, Sub-40 degrees--

[VicaDon]

 


Thought I would share with the group what I have found that works well in keeping me warm and dry in Alaskan riding weather. I rode over 250 miles this week, 8 hours, in heavy rain most of the ride, temperatures below 40 degrees and stayed dry and warm. When I returned home, there was no evidence of water leakage.

 


With each item I have included a picture and the vender's web site. You may not need or want all this, but if it keeps me warm, I'm sure it'll keep you warm.

 


1. Sidi Thunder Sympathex Street boots w/ Smart Wool socks.

 

 


Can't say enough good about these boots, very comfortable right from the get-go. I have a pair of Aerostich Light Combat Boots, which are very supportive, and offer excellent protection, but they are stiff, even after being broken in; I find it more difficult to shift the gear lever with them, as opposed to the Sidi.

 


https://www.newenough.com/sidi_thunder_symp..._boots_page.htm

 

 


2. Polaris 2007 Blue AF-1 Helmet.

 

 

 


Works as advertised; never once did my shield or glasses fog…I later learned that they offer this one in a modular style. I have a Shoei Syncrotec Modular, HJC Modular, and a Nolan N-102, and this Polaris is quieter than any of them. Nolan with the fog-shield does a fair job; but not as good as this Polaris.

 


They state that it is for snowmobiling use only; not for street use. I wonder why? It is is DOT and Snell approved. Might have to do with the design of the shield…anyone know why?

 


https://www.purepolaris.com/Landing.aspx?De...arisPGACatalog)

 

 


3. Kilm Inferno Base Layer Shirt. I need to own several of these…outstanding performance… The other items can be replaced with other equally quality items; but not this shirt.

 

 

 

 


https://www.klimgear.com/index.php?main_pag...products_id=511

 

 


4. Polaris Fleece Jacket Liner. I also have a First Gear Kilimanjaro Liner that works equally well.

 


https://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l237/Vic...JacketLiner.jpg

 


https://www.purepolaris.com/Landing.aspx?De...arisPGACatalog)

 


5. Gerbing Heated jacket Liner. I purchased this in 1997 at the Honda Hoot in Asheville, NC. Still works great and produces more than ample heat. I turned in on a few times, but did not really need it so I turned it off each time.

 

 


https://www.gerbing.com/heat/jl.html

 

 


6. Aerostich Falstaff Motorcycle Jacket. I have an older Darien Jacket, purchased in 1996 that is still functional. It has worn well, and is still waterproof. I have washed it twice. The Falstaff feel like it weighs more, especially when wet. I also have the Roadcrafter one piece suit; but after eating well this summer it appears to have shrunk. Maybe by spring I'll be able to get in it.

 

 


https://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Falsta...et-p-16378.html

 


7. Aerostich Fleece Pants.

 

 


https://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Aerost...ts-p-16545.html

 


8. Aerostich Darian Pants. Not a leak! My inseam is 29 inches. I ordered these altered, removed 3 inches above the knee; and 2 inches below the knee. This way the knee pads are just right…

 

 


https://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Darien...ts-p-16379.html

 


9. Aerostich Roper Gloves - These did get soaked…but my hands stayed warm with my heated grips… Took them a couple of days to dry out, now they fit better than ever. I also have the Storm Glove by True North Adventure which would have been a better choice. I use them for snowmobiling and my hands have never gotten cold or wet with them. I took the Ropers because I wanted them to shrink a little, for a better fit.

 

 


https://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Aerost...er-p-16818.html

 

 


As always, YEMV...but it works for me.


Hope this helps!

 

[zzkenoman]

Fast tip: My gloves soaked all the way thru, had a pair of surgical gloves in my first aid kit, wore that under the gloves until they could fully dry out, kept my hands dry in a wet glove for the duration of my trip.

 

[TheAxeman]

Thanks for the write up, its always good to know what works and what doesn't. Nice looking boots. I run with either a pair of Held boots

similar to your Sidi's or a pair of Oxtar Matrix both of which are also great in the rain.

+1 on the Darien and the Gerbings. The Kilm shirt looks interesting and I will definitely be checking that out. Along the same lines, these also look pretty good from West Marine

 

[HaulinAshe]

Sometimes I envy you guys in cold weather regions. You can actually wear all that gear. I would spontaneously combust before making it out the driveway.

+1 on sharing what works. There's certainly lots sold, but knowing what works saves everyone money and keeps marketing agencies (semi) honest.

 

[jestal]

I use the Klim gear exclusively when snowmobiling and you cannot go wrong with any of their stuff. It works excellently and just as advertised. Not cheap but cheaper than buying three or four other brands only to find that they do not work as well. I've been on a personal lobbying campaign to Klim to get them to make some "technical" road bike gear but they haven't yet. They make snowmobile and dirt bike gear but no specific street bike stuff ..... yet.

The snowmobile shields are not DOT approved. Since they are two thin layers for the dual pane effect it prevents the fogging but I doubt that the thin face shield material would meet any sort of DOT penetration requirements for rocks or other debris from the roadway. Don't usually run into that sort of thing on a sled so the fogging protection with the dual pane is more important than penetration protection. I have taken some pretty solid whacks by branches and stones (running old railroad grades where the trail groomers occasionally pull up a stone or two....) in the shield with a sled, though, with no apparent damage to the shield so I personally would not have any real safety concerns with using a snowmobile shield on the street especially being at least partially protected by the windshield for large objects.

If you really have a face shield fogging problem in cold weather use one of the HJC (or other) heated face shields. Dual pane and coated with a conducting layer for heat. Plugs into the sled/bike electrical system. About 12 watts I think if I remember correctly. NO fogging down to -43 F....at least that is as cold as I have tested it...LOL.

 

[VicaDon]

The snowmobile shields are not DOT approved. Since they are two thin layers for the dual pane effect it prevents the fogging but I doubt that the thin face shield material would meet any sort of DOT penetration requirements for rocks or other debris from the roadway.

Jestal, thanks for the information on the shield. Your explaination sounds correct.

VicaDon