Jacket comparision

[jason70360]

Here are the two jackets I am thinking of getting for upcoming winter riding. They both have fully sleeved liners but the FirstGear's looks like a nicer liner but I already have several fleece jacket. However, the TourMaster jacket looks like its made of tougher (thicker) material. But this could just make it "stiff" and uncomfortable.

Ted, I know you have a Kilimanjaro. How you like yours? Is it worth the extra money you think?

I know I can't go wrong either way, New Enough will exchange it if I'm not happy.

Here are the links.

Tour Master jacket $135
http://newenough.com/browse/view_product_images/548

First Gear jacket $270
http://newenough.com/browse/view_product_images/108

[Ritten]

I love my Kili, and have no complaints about it. After HARD riding over three seasons it could use some re-waterproofing, but now that it has a hole in it I'll be replacing it with the Olympia AST in retina burning hi-vis.

[iridefar]

If you can afford it, I recommend you look at Aerostich. It is a lot of money for a jacket, but I went through many $200 - $300 jackets before finally investing in a top of the line jacket. The farther north you go, the more riders you will see wearing Aerostitch. When I was riding in BC and the Yukon, it is pretty much all I saw. Plus they will tailor cut the jacket for you when you order it.

Aerostich is always having sales on discontinued products, irregulars, etc.

[minig0d]

I'd shy away from tourmaster... I might not be the expert in this subject matter but the few items i've seen of theirs have been on the flimsy side... that kilimanjaro one looks rather nice... as Ted said aerostich makes good stuff too if you run into any of it... I think it was denniskirk had some on clearance not too long ago for cheap... could be wrong on that one though

[nickatnite]

The only place to buy Aerostitch new is Aerostitch...

I've got a Stitch with the optional Heated fleece liner. Nice and super warm. But here lately, with it being soo hot and humid, I'm wearing my BMW Savannah II.
Why? It has air vents and a little lighter weight than my Stitch. True the Stitch has big vents, but if you are gonna get a Stitch, I would seriously look at the Stitch lite 160 denir Cordura Goretex vs 500 denir for the regular.

Darien Light (http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/DarienLight-Motorcycle-Jacket-p-16377.html)

[Shaq Diesel]

Glad this thread came up. I've been looking for a good winter jacket (before the season is in and everyone starts only charging MSRP).

[nickatnite]

Stu...
If you are looking for something, we are about the same size, swing by and I got 3 different styles you can try on.

BMW Savannah II
Areostitch Heavy - 500 denir
BMW City (commuter) jacket

[DukeRyder]

I have some TourMaster Overpants (not sure the model, the price tag said $199, but I think I paid $60 NEW), they're really heavy-duty and REALLY WARM, I think I've worn 'em maybe 3-4 times last winter on rides (rest of the time in jeans or wear some ICON superbike pants). I think they make pretty damn good gear.

I scored a USED Aerostitch Darien (from JayD) and it's by far the best Jacket I've ever had. Warm in Winter, very Versitile with lots of pockets, capable of zipping in a fleece liner or electrics. It's too hot to wear in summer down here for ME though. But it had a big vent in the back and under the pits. I can't foresee the thing ever wearing out.

[Bayou Boy]

I use the Kilimanjaro. It has never leaked, not once. I've worn it with layers in 28 degree weather with snow on the ground, and in 100 degree weather having to fill up my camelback twice a day. It just works. And never leaks. Not even in these stupid crazy summer thunderstorms we get down here when you cant see 10 yards in front of you. Not in 3 days of slow lazy rain in a row. I wear it on every trip that I take.

[JayD]

I love the Kili IV I bought from Nick
Vey comfortable and 100% waterproof (providing all the pockets and zippers are double/triple flap closed)

The 'Stich I sold Duke was a "tank" and TOASTY warm
but I tend to run hot blooded, so it didn't work well for me

When I went to Colorado I missed the 'Stich as it was hard to stay warm @ 20 degrees in the Kili
But the Kili work better for me here in the humid south
YMMV