prasadee, Apr 13 2006, 03:01 PMThis online store sandhillspowersports.com sells this one piece suit for $239, and they also have an eBay store where they sell the suit for $215
It is definitely within my price range. (yes, I am a cheapo). Has anyone used this?
It's the competition for the Aerostitch, but priced so darn low that it is shunned by most serious touring riders. Doesn't have the prestige of the Roadcrafter. Materials are comparable. Go to WebbikeWorld.com for a review of the suit. They liked it alot
prasadee, Apr 13 2006, 02:01 PMThis online store sandhillspowersports.com sells this one piece suit for $239, and they also have an eBay store where they sell the suit for $215
It is definitely within my price range. (yes, I am a cheapo). Has anyone used this?
Yes, I was wearing one three years ago when I low sided on some sand. Suit was destroyed but protected me very well. I was doing about 45-55 and nothing could have prevented the broken collarbone but I attribute my ability to walk to the protection the suit provided. People don't realize what a beating your legs and knees take. I won't post the pictures on the website but if you want to provide me an email address I would be happy to send you the pics of the carnage.
I've had one for a year now. I have used it for commuting to work, a couple of track days, and a 5 day trip to Deal's Gap.
I've ridden in temps as high as 90 F and as low as 26 F. I used all the vents when it was hot and they really worked well. I layered with polyprope undies when in the cold and was not cold.
When using it to commute to work I don't have any big issues with clothes getting all wrinkled up.
I would rate it as water resistant and not water proof. In a light shower I can get home in 20 minutes and stay dry. I got caught in the remnants of Hurricane Rita when coming home from Deal's Gap. After 5 hours of solid rain riding I was soaked to the bone.
I have had 3 issues with zippers. I am not alone from what I've read. One of my front vent zippers broke after a couple of months. I took it to a shoe/zipper repair shop and the replaced it. Then a couple of months later the other zipper messed up. The same shop fixed that one. This spring the main zipper's pull tab broke. A local outdoorsman shop replaced it with a cord pull string that works great.
I would rate it as water resistant and not water proof. In a light shower I can get home in 20 minutes and stay dry. I got caught in the remnants of Hurricane Rita when coming home from Deal's Gap. After 5 hours of solid rain riding I was soaked to the bone.
I have had 3 issues with zippers. I am not alone from what I've read. One of my front vent zippers broke after a couple of months. I took it to a shoe/zipper repair shop and the replaced it. Then a couple of months later the other zipper messed up. The same shop fixed that one. This spring the main zipper's pull tab broke. A local outdoorsman shop replaced it with a cord pull string that works great.
Boy, those are some rather serious issues....soaked to the bone? I thought that was one of the big selling points of the suit?
I've heard other people having zipper problems. I like what the British magazines are starting to do. They are getting the couriers to test their riding gear and those guys are putting a gazillion miles on their bikes each year in all kinds of weather. That will weed out the bad ones in a hurry.
I added some weatherproofing like you use on boots on my suit. Works GREAT. Kept me dry through a 2 day wet ride, NO problems. Street clothes fit fine underneath when I need layers, but I generally wear the same stuff I wear under my leathers (lycra bodysuit type stuff, for athletic use)
FWIW: I think Fieldsheer uses some really cheap zippers.....and the jury is still out on their stuff. I would opt out and buy some quality gear.....in this order: motoport, firstgear, cortech, teknic, jr.
I wear a Teknic Supervent mesh with CE armor, a Teknic leather jacket that is 10 years old and still is in new condition (their stuff is great!), and a new pair of firstgear fuel pants. That is my2 cents avoid the FS suit....
JBY28, Apr 22 2006, 08:30 PMFWIW: I think Fieldsheer uses some really cheap zippers.....and the jury is still out on their stuff. I would opt out and buy some quality gear.....in this order: motoport, firstgear, cortech, teknic, jr.
I wear a Teknic Supervent mesh with CE armor, a Teknic leather jacket that is 10 years old and still is in new condition (their stuff is great!), and a new pair of firstgear fuel pants. That is my2 cents avoid the FS suit....
Fieldsheer began a transition in '02, affecting the '03 and newer lines of their clothing where they began making everything inhouse for all of their textile clothing. Older zippers were YKK, newer ones have a FS logo on the pull tabs. Some of these problems mentioned may have had something to do with the changes. Zippers are also probably the most abused portion of a garment. Dolly Parton once said "Ya cain't put 10lbs. of taters in a five pound bag!" Well, she was right but sometimes that is what we try to do. Trying to open and close vents while riding is probably another place where they get stressed. And while I have not sampled gear from all of these mentioned I can tell you for sure, the Fieldsheer is very good for the money invested. Far better than JR, based primarily on the quality of the armor. I just got a Cortech and it is OK but I am not overly impressed with its functionality. I always liked the look of the Teknic stuff and have a pair of their boots and more recently some gloves. I AM impressed with their build and function. I think many problems could be avoided if people could ALWAYS try it on before buying. Off rant now! My $.02!
End of thread · 11 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 24 Oct 2006