It is hard to avoid velcro. The makers use it to hold the folded waterproof flaps in place, similar to how a dry bag works. Without these flaps even the best waterproof zippers will leak.
For those of you that own them: How is the armor in these Tourmaster 3/4 length Jackets? I have some Tourmaster mesh jackets and pants for summer-time and have replaced all of the (ultra comfy) thin foam pads they used for CE rated triple density foam armor. The foam stuff just doesn't look substantial enough for its intended purpose.
I also have a bunch of Fieldsheer jackets (yeah, I'm a gear whore) and am much happier with the armor that they provide. It's the hard plastic CE stuff, so isn't as comfy, but would do more good in a get off. Their sizes can be a bit tricky as it varies quite widely by jacket model. They also seem to make and discontinue new models often, which makes reviewing the ones that I have (a 3/4 length "Zero Condition", and a HiViz Quattro, as well as an older mesh one I don't know the name of) kind of moot, except in a general sense. I would recommend any of them if you can find one that fits properly.
Olympia does make nice gear (we have some of that too!!). But it is not really of much better quality than either Fieldsheer or Firstgear IMO, and because of their distribution practices, they are significantly more expensive for what you get. You almost never see it "on sale" anywhere, and when you do the discount is minimal.
