Opinion? Olympia AST 2 Jacket

user 28803 · Jun 10, 2012

Can any of you give me your opinion on the Olympia AST 2 Jacket? I know Google is my friend (as is Revzilla.com) and I've looked at videos and read reviews on multiple sites. This looks like the jacket for me and it's within my price range (barely. If I force it with a shoe horn. And a hammer).

What I'm looking for:

1) rear pocket for my wife's stuff when we're two-up (check)

2) multiple waterproof front pockets for myself (check)

3) ventilation good enough to wear in summer months (?)

I wear a Joe Rocket mesh jacket but want something for longer days and long, multi-day rides. If you've tried this jacket, do you think the ventilation is good? I know it won't be as good as a mesh jacket but just how good are the vents on this thing? It looks like I could wear it all 4seasons if the vents are decent.

TIA,

Always sweating in Alabama...

mdisher · Jun 10, 2012

I don't have *that* jacket. But do have the mesh predecessor, 3/4 jacket, which being mesh obviously vents well.

It's going on 5 years old and outside of being smelly, and somewhat dirty now as high-viz will get, it's been an awesome jacket.

I've washed it a half dozen times and it's help up extremely well. Haven't crash tested it, but I will buy another Olympia jacket. Very well made, good quality.

I just wish they made one-piece suits for us normal sized folks.

I have tried and cannot do a normal 'vented' jacket in summer months, just can't do it.

I'm in mesh with a liner 9-10 months out of the year. :/

Does that help at all?

user 28803 · Jun 11, 2012

It does, thanks. I looked at their Moab which has more mesh - I'd love that but the pockets aren't waterproof. If I have stuff in my pockets on a long ride I don't want to have to worry about a little 20 minute rain shower soaking everything (been there, done that). I'm really hoping the vents on the AST 2 do a good job in summer but I'll still use my mesh jacket for short rides.

ShinyPartsUp · Jun 11, 2012

Well, I've had the gray AST for 5 years and 40,000 miles through most weathers. Gets pretty warm in the desert in Summer, but I did it with lots of water and at one point a cooling vest. Otherwise, I've ridden at 28 degrees and snow on the ground to rain so hard I had to pull over. Washing and waterproofing were needed a couple times, and that worked well. A few threads in the stitching are getting a bit frayed, but I still geet complements from folks that think it looks good.

My final praisse: I am going to Boston to visit family and ride with my brother. I am shipping the jacket out so I can wear it. Even in Boston Summer I'd rather that than others.

If you don't like it I'm sure it would be easy to sell. Hope that helps.