Olympia Moto Sports Jackets/Pants

[Mark Jags]

I think overall, there are many people who really like their products. And it's reasonable to think that not everyone will like everything they make.

So then it was great news for me yesterday when I got the call from my OMS rep saying they have accepted my dealer application   Looking forwarding to adding their products to my line.

[Ken Phenix]

I'm in the ReV'it! camp. Every company produces a bad piece of gear now and then but what impresses me is how much they've improved overall and how aggressively they have developed new innovations.

My Olympia Ultima I gloves are fantastic: well made, well insulated, very comfortable and still waterproof after 7 winters and thousands of touring miles. My only regret is that I didn't buy a few more pairs because I believe they stopped making them. I did not like the fit of the Ranger or Air Glide so I didn't buy them. I am pleased with my Stealth suit mostly for its convenience. The stitching is letting go in places and the armor is lacking but it's alright for a minimalist hot weather commuter suit. My AST was very comfortable and versatile and performed flawlessly for a couple of years. However, I think Olympia tried to achieve too much with the design. The goretex layer laminated to the exterior and all that positive venting had to be problematic. I hope Olympia can be as effective at problem solving and become as innovative as ReV'it! has been. Meanwhile, I enjoy my Navigator jacket with its removable waterproof liner and more conservative venting. My Dakar pants have performed well since 2007. I still would not buy another pair of ReV'it! boots though, not when there's Sidi and TCX for the same money.  

Olympia gear can be found at almost any mc dealer - market saturation. If I was planning to sell gear, depending on the local market, I think I'd be more inclined to bring in more high end brands that aren't so readily available such as ReV'it!, Rukka or Klim. I also wish Aerostich and Motoport had better distribution models.  

[Mark Jags]

Olympia gear can be found at almost any mc dealer - market saturation. If I was planning to sell gear, depending on the local market, I think I'd be more inclined to bring in more high end brands that aren't so readily available such as ReV'it!, Rukka or Klim. I also wish Aerostich and Motoport had better distribution models.  

I tried to get a dealer account with both ReV'it! and Klim because they are higher end and not found everywhere, however they turned me down because I do not have a brick and mortar retail location.....yet. At this point in the early stages of my business, I'm strictly e-commerce. But I'm still very excited to carry the OMS line.

[Mastros2]

I have an AST that leaks no matter what I do to it.  I used nikwak, camp dry, etc and it still leaks.  I do like the cut of it though. It fits my body well.  Also, it does breath in the warmer months and with the liner, keeps me warm in the cooler months.  

I picked up a Firstgear Kiliminjaro recently this past fall and love it.  Better fit on me than the AST but haven't tried it in the rain yet.  We'll see.  

[Justin]

I have an AST that leaks no matter what I do to it.  I used nikwak, camp dry, etc and it still leaks.  I do like the cut of it though. It fits my body well.  Also, it does breath in the warmer months and with the liner, keeps me warm in the cooler months.  

I picked up a Firstgear Kiliminjaro recently this past fall and love it.  Better fit on me than the AST but haven't tried it in the rain yet.  We'll see.  

Where do you get wet, on the chest and arms? If so, that is from the zippers. You will love the firstgear in the rain, never had a firstgear jacket leak.  

[ConPilot1]

I have an AST that leaks no matter what I do to it.  I used nikwak, camp dry, etc and it still leaks.  I do like the cut of it though. It fits my body well.  Also, it does breath in the warmer months and with the liner, keeps me warm in the cooler months.  

I picked up a Firstgear Kiliminjaro recently this past fall and love it.  Better fit on me than the AST but haven't tried it in the rain yet.  We'll see.  

Tell ya I hated even the fit of the AST and I'm an average-smaller build dude. the jacket felt like it was fitted for Lurch to me. Terrible fit, the collar? Forget it I couldn't take that collar for a half hour. I wore the jacket for 2 weeks and it was up for sale. Worst feeling jacket I've owned actually. But the color.... Aerostich should be so lucky to have a neon green like Olympia's.  

Good luck with the Kili. I havn't heard pretty much one bad thing about the Kili, although I tried one on and it felt like a bulky jacket, but it did have the liner in it at the time. They say Firstgear's stuff is truly waterproof and the Kili is a great storm jacket.

[Mastros2]

Where do you get wet, on the chest and arms? If so, that is from the zippers. You will love the firstgear in the rain, never had a firstgear jacket leak.  

It starts to leak on the shoulders, in a similar place where the shoulder armor is. Then, the left and right chest and bicep area of arms get wet.  Probably leak down from the shoulder seepage.  

I had a pair of HT overpants that were great.  Before I sold them, I got almost 4 seasons of dry riding out of them.  That is one of the reasons I went back to Firstgear.  

Good luck with the Kili. I havn't heard pretty much one bad thing about the Kili, although I tried one on and it felt like a bulky jacket, but it did have the liner in it at the time. They say Firstgear's stuff is truly waterproof and the Kili is a great storm jacket.

The Kilimanjaro fits much better without the liner in.  I was able to get out Thursday for a bit with my Gerbings liner and the jacket was noticeably more comfortable.  

[ScubaDave]

Not trying to jump on the anit-AST bandwagon but just as info for anyone looking at a new AST. I bought the new AST 2 last month and within 300 miles of riding the seams were falling apart. I sent it back and they said it was all fixed. I received it back and checked the seams and even the one they fixed was still falling apart 12 inches form the first fix. I returned mine to the dealer for a refund.

If you buy a new AST be sure to check the seams really well before you leave with it.

[Ken Phenix]

I bought my AST early in 2007 and loved it the first 2 years before it began to leak. It still looks good and all the seams have held up well. If I hadn't found such a deal on the ReV'it! Navigtator I might have stuffed a frogg togg top inside the AST when it rained. Except for the leaking, it was a heck of a good jacket - especially for the price.

[ConPilot1]

Not trying to jump on the anit-AST bandwagon but just as info for anyone looking at a new AST. I bought the new AST 2 last month and within 300 miles of riding the seams were falling apart. I sent it back and they said it was all fixed. I received it back and checked the seams and even the one they fixed was still falling apart 12 inches form the first fix. I returned mine to the dealer for a refund.

If you buy a new AST be sure to check the seams really well before you leave with it.

\
In other words, don't buy a new AST. Good chance you may be sorry. For that kind of money I expect something better.

[Cablebandit]

Glad I didn't read this before buying my AST.  I taught a double shift MSF class last spring in it.  12+ hours in what amounted to 2-3 inches of rain and a driving wind.  Dry as a bone when I got home.  Like I said before, you need to be very deliberate when zipping the vents and covering said zippers.  The only water-proof zippers I have ever seen on gear were the zippers Rev-it uses.

[Mastros2]

Like I said before, you need to be very deliberate when zipping the vents and covering said zippers.  

I was never able to get the zippers all the way shut after the first time I used them.  

[Cablebandit]

Bummer.

[Mastros2]

Bummer.

  I'll give you a +1 for making me laugh!

[Ken Phenix]

In other words, don't buy a new AST. Good chance you may be sorry. For that kind of money I expect something better.

Generally, Olympia builds good gear. IMHO the AST's problem is its daring design. Direct venting through a waterproof exterior will be problematic regardless of brand. I chose to solve the problem with a jacket material that breathes better and employs a removable rain liner which seems to be more reliable.

[Justin]

Generally, Olympia builds good gear. IMHO the AST's problem is its daring design. Direct venting through a waterproof exterior will be problematic regardless of brand. I chose to solve the problem with a jacket material that breathes better and employs a removable rain liner which seems to be more reliable.

Yeah, the AST's biggest issue is as you said. If you add openings to a waterproof material, then you made it so it's no longer waterproof. I wonder why the waterproof zippers do no work well though? I suspect it's due to the thick/stiff jacket material causing wrinkles and creases on the zippers? I have top end Gore-tex waterproof shells for other activities that have waterproof zippers and they are 100% storm-proof when closed.

But, since I do not live in a rainy area, my biggest issue with the AST is comfort. It is by far the least comfortable jacket I have had. The cut and design seems bad IMO, and I have seen many others say that as well. And the stitching is weak is well - another thing I have had probs with and have seen others complain about.

[sagerat]

I had an AST in high viz and the Olympia pants that went with it.  Jacket was good for about three seasons.  Stayed mostly dry in rain, but did have a little leaking.  Elastic straps around biceps/elbow area frayed quickly and it was not because of my rippling physique.  Collar was really comfortable.

Pants were a bust; leg zipper went toes up fairly early.  

My Rev'It! gear was better in the rain, but had lots of small parts failures.  Snaps went kaput; velcro tap on sleeve came off, elastic loop to keep collar open lasted about six months, etc.  Colors faded quickly, but then I'm in the High Desert.

I had both for three seasons and about 20K and riding.  On a scale of 1-10, I'd give Olympia a 6 and Rev'It! a 7.

[Mark Jags]

Any experience with the Airglide3 jackets?

I just received M,L and XL in the Black/Pewter and the Hi-Viz yellow ( I just became a dealer), and they look really nice.

[Croak]

Any experience with the Airglide3 jackets?

I just received M,L and XL in the Black/Pewter and the Hi-Viz yellow ( I just became a dealer), and they look really nice.

I like mine, have about 20k miles on the jacket and about 4k on the pants.  The liner system is nice, the waterproof liner works, and with the liners out it vents well.  

But there's a serious problem with the mesh getting fuzzy/frayed pretty quick, especially in areas like the chest/gut where it contacts the tank and tank bag..  I've owned a fair amount of mesh gear and have never seen this problem before.  

FYI, I have the black/pewter.

[Andrew]

I have 2 ASTs,
first is the Neon Yellow Love it Works well on warm days (good venting) On cold days I use a heated liner. On rainy days I use another jacket, leaks bad, wet in the arms.
Second is tan and one size larger, good in the same ways as the Neon Yellow same problems when the rain comes down.

 Stitching is good in both jackets, and they fit me well. I am about 6'2" and not thin in the least bit.

Lots of pockets and good venting, fit well for me & the price was reasonable are the reasons I both the ASTs