Olympia Motosports AST jacket and Ranger pants review

[wncbmw]

As I have posted on here before, my bike has been used in the last two Olympia Motosports catalog shoots and I have recieved some riding gear as comp for my time. That disclaimer aside, I also would not post any misinformation on the board and have no financial interest in the company. The following is an honest review of the Olympia AST (All Season Touring) jacket and Ranger pants I recieved and started testing in February.

I have tested this outfit out pretty well now (you can see some of the bugs on the jacket in the pictures), in cold and heat and during some serious rain heading to the Bash the other weekend. I stayed dry and comfortable for the whole trip. No leakage at all. No crash testing however, although that oil from the blown engine on the Saturday Bash ride nearly gave me the chance to check that out also!

The company's official website is here with all the technical data and better looking models! (The only shot my bike is in this year is the Ventura jacket). The prices are very reasonable for some well made gear.

http://www.olympiamotosports.com/

First off, I have an Aerostich suit. My current one is the two piece Roadcrafter. I have had two other one-piece Roadcrafter models and a Darien jacket, which got sold fairly quickly. I am a fan of their suits and consider the 'Stich the benchmark for multi-purpose and traveling protective clothing. The AST jacket and the pants are built more like the Roadcrafter as far as materials but wear more like the Darien jacket and pants.

I am a believer in function over fashion (hard to be fashionable in a lumpy 'stich) but looks can't hurt if the function is there. Since the materials of AST jacket match the weight of the Aerostich and has CE armour in the elbows/forearm and shoulders and a built-in CE backprotector, the AST has the protective function at least equal to the Roadcrafter and probably better than the Darien. And I think the AST jacket looks better than the Roadcrafter but that's just an opinion!

http://h2oman.smugmug.com/gallery/1506095/1/72254185

Views of the jacket and pants in riding position. Note reflective flaps over the pockets and on the back:

http://h2oman.smugmug.com/gallery/1506095/1/72254150
http://h2oman.smugmug.com/gallery/1506095/1/72214098

My only real complaint with the Aerostich is the venting. Yes, with the armpits vents and back vents open, you can get some air through but the AST has it beat for ventilation. There are waterproof zippers down the arm and under a velcro flap. Opened up and with the flap folded up onto more velcro to keep it out of the way, air rushes up your arms around your chest and out the back vent.

http://h2oman.smugmug.com/gallery/1506095/1/72254157

Open up the vent over the chest pocket, tug the buckle down to force the fabric to make a vent "scoop" and you really flow some air!

http://h2oman.smugmug.com/gallery/1506095/1/72214158

Another problem with the 2-piece Aerostich, is the pants are attached and cannot really be worn without the jacket - too baggy. I got a 2-piece to use ventilated Vanson pants with the jacket and to customize my fit. (46 jacket with 44 pants). The Ranger pants fit fine without the jacket and allow more versitility for meal breaks and gas stops. It is much easier to hang a jacket over a chair than find a place for a Roadcrafter suit. And the jacket and pants connect with an 8-inch zipper if you so desire.

http://h2oman.smugmug.com/gallery/1506095/1/72214200
http://h2oman.smugmug.com/gallery/1506095/1/72214219

And the outside thigh pocket is waterproof and the ideal place for my wallet, since I don't like sitting on it while riding anyway.

http://h2oman.smugmug.com/gallery/1506095/1/72254202

The zip out liner has a flight jacket look and is handy for chilly evenings. I used mine in the parking lot at the Bash for our BS sessions.

http://h2oman.smugmug.com/gallery/1506095/1/72214275

So what is the bottom line for me on the Olympia AST and Ranger combo? The best recommendation I could give - I am cleaning up my Roadcrafter to sell to finance a new Ohlin shock! As a big believer in good protective gear, and someone who enjoys long trips on the bike, I would not do that unless I thought the AST jacket and Ranger pants would do the job.

If you are looking for a reasonable alternative to the Aerostich, I think the Olympia stuff is well worth a look. I have last years Airglide Mesh jacket and pants and also consider them to be top drawer gear.

Hope this review from a real world tester is helpful. And thanks to my son Vince for the photography!

[Hiker]

I like the look of the pants. I have Darien pants and a Roadcrafter jacket which I like fairly well, but that outfit looks less stiff. Is it?

Hiker

Did you do a Mesh review?

[DSKYZD]

I was really eyeing this AST jacket at the Bash. Vann didn't really mention what I think is one of the slickest features. On a chilly morning he was wearing the liner only, it looks just fine alone I might add. When it was time to ride, he slipped the jacket on and attached the liner to the jacket with zippers which are on either side of the main central zipper of the liner. He did this without having to remove or unzip the liner. Just like that he was ready to go. Too cool!!


DSKYZD

[Boxer]

Nice review Vann. I love the big sleeve vents!
However, I couldn't help but notice:


I'm appalled!

Yesterday I opened up my latest issue of BMW ON and on the inside front cover is an Olympia clothing ad. If you peek very carefully under the arm of the model on the bottom right you can see the Roadster's front shock.

[wncbmw]

Hiker - yes, it is less stiff "off the rack" than the "stich but the listed material thickness is the same, so the protection should be equal. And I really didn't do a mesh outfit review, although I gave them props on any hot weather riding threads that popped up on the board. The mesh jacket has CE armour where it counts and flows a lot of air. On cool mornings in the mountains, you had better bring something to wear under or over it until it warms up or you'll freeze! I still don't trust mesh pants, of any brand but that is why I got the armoured shorts for under the mesh pants. Makes me feel better about them.

Its true, while wearing the liner, I can put on the jacket and zip it in without removing it. There are other velcro attachements at the end of the sleeves but I never bother with them. Just like the clever double snap system for the main zipper. I am sure in an all day ride in driving rain, it might be useful to stop any water but so far, I just skip the 2nd set and have had no leakage.

boxer - the vents do work well. And thanks for pointing out the spot I missed cleaning! I'll get right on that this evening!

[solitario11]

you dint talk about the protection on this olimpian combo? even in the web site they dont go into elbows or knee protection. I wonder if even has any?

[wncbmw]

You must have missed it on the web site. CE armour in the elbows, shoulder and back protection. Pants have CE armour in the knees and, like most textile competitors, form hip protection.

I would not get rid of an armoured Aerostich for a jacket with no protection!

You must have missed it in my review also, since I mentioned the same thing in the original review.

[solitario11]

your 100% right....I dont how I miss it! I should had know better! ok so now I am really impress and at that price is a steal!
thanks!

[wncbmw]

No problem!

[JCsman]

Nice review Vann.

I'm always willing to drop hints for good gear come Christmas and birthdays. I've been eyeing the Olympia stuff. It looks good. But I was hoped to hear an endorsement from "one who knows". Thanks.

{ Not to highjack the thread, but: I had an interesting encounter today that relates to gear. I'd stopped at a BBQ joint south of Birmingham. I was wearing First Gear mesh-tex pants, FG leather mesh jacket, gloves and a flip-face helmet.

I sat down near a young couple and the guy days, "What kind of bike do you ride?"

I said BMW Roadster and he turned to the girl and said, "Told you so. The BMW guys always wear full gear."}

[wncbmw]

"

Told you so. The BMW guys always wear full gear."

In my circle of rider friends, I would have to say the Ducati and Guzzi guys do also!

[iowabeakster]

i have an Olympia jacket, not sure on the model, and it does not look like any on the website. i'm guessing it has been updated/discontinued. The local Yama, Suzu, Kawa dealer had it on the rack, the only Olympia they had in the store. I tried it on because it looked okay. I'm so dam skinny jackets that accomodate my shoulders usually are floppy in the arms or around my waist. It fit me like a glove. The price was just a steal! Overall the value was good.

[Valueman]

Vann,

I am still catching up on my Internet reading from being on the road 10 days. Great review. Very helpful to anyone considering new gear for the change in seasons.

One thing I learned on my trip to Denver was the real value of good gear that is comfortable, reliable, and adjustbale for a wide range of conditions. My experience in the Rockies was definitely enhanced by the fact that I was always comfortable.

VM

[challey]

I looked at the AST jacket and Ranger pants this past weekend. The jacket looked well made and the cleck told me that the armor is movable. I tried on a large, which fit my shoulders and chest well (I am a 42). The drawback for me was that the arms seemed like they would be tight with the liner in place and a sweater or fleece on (I was wearing a t-shirt and couldn't check). I was not able to try the pants on as the only size they had was a 38 - I wear a 34. The inseam will definately be too long for me but the good news is that the pants have a 6" bottom that closes with velcro (i. e., the zipper stops 6" from the bottom) so they can easily be shortened. The pants looked as well made as the jacket and the armor again is moveable.

[wncbmw]

challey - I rode through the WNC winter with a thin fleece, long underwear and the liner of the AST. Do you have an electric vest?

I don't want the jacket too big, then it will get floppy over a t-shirt in summer.

[mcmarcia]

I found this deal on the airglideI jacket at Bob's bmw. $99.00 includes shipping. Anyone know what the difference between the I and II?

http://store.bobsbmw.com/index.asp?Page ... rodID=2131

[wncbmw]

I have the version you linked too, which is last years version. Don't know for sure all all the changes but except for the obvious striping variation, the newer version altered the arm velcro a little to make cinching it up easier without the liner and the new liner is more waterproof. Otherwise, I think they are basically the same. Good price too.

I double loop the velcro strap through the plastic to take up some of the slack and it works fine.

I never use the liner anyway, since it is just a hot weather jacket for me. I either ride in the rain and get wet or use a cheap Joe Rocket liner that is not insulated.

[MattPie]

I never use the liner anyway, since it is just a hot weather jacket for me. I either ride in the rain and get wet or use a cheap Joe Rocket liner that is not insulated.

The extra liner is a good idea, thanks. I have the Airglide I as well, and with the liner in I'll ride down to about 40F. Unfortunaely there's a dead zone between 65F and 75F that it's cold without the liner, but too hot with. It's the only 'real' jacket I have, as I don't count my non-armored leathers.

I also have the Airglide Pants. I think, if it's possible, that they flow more air than a pair of jeans. They get sticky when you're stopped though.

[wncbmw]

Mattpie and others - I solved the issues with the mesh pants by getting a pair of armoured Bohn shorts, the mesh model. I don't really trust mesh pants of any brand for protection. I wear the armoured shorts under the Mesh with a thin pair of nylon gym shorts over them and any air that flows you can really feel!

Of course, you can do it without the gym shorts but then you can't take off the pants in public!

[MikeCam]

Vann, Family site man. Don't talk that way!