Olympia Jackets

[russter]

I have never worn anything other than a leather jacket so looking at the textile is new to me. The Olympia are obviously popular so I checked them out. I hear many of you like the Airglide and the AST so last weekend I tried all of them on including one called the "Patton" but I don't see any of you mentioning it. Is this maybe a new model or one that no one really cares for? I definitely liked the Airglide. I know the AST is very popular but is this jacket maybe overkill for Texas weather? The Patton seemed a little lighter weight and maybe better suited to the milder Texas winters but I was a little skeptical because no one talks about this particular model. Also I have never worn a 3/4 length before and wondered if this jacket would tend to rub and scuff the tank or is it really not that long? It seemed that the Patton is somewhat of a lightweight version of the AST and with a few less bells, whistles, and pockets. Any advice you can give me on these jackets would be appreciated.

 

Russ

[EffBee]

The Patton is a cross between the Airglide and the AST. It's been a modest success for Olympia, but the Airglide and AST are their sales leaders by a longshot.

 

Based on the fact that you're in Texas, get the Airglide. The AST is too warm for your summers.

[TNT]

Hi Russ, I can't say anything about the Patton. But, I like all my Olympia stuff. Made well and seems to last. I first got the Sentry jacket and the Ranger paints. I live here in Norther Wyoming. In the Summer it was a little warm for me, temps anything over 85. So, I also went with the Airglide jacket and paints. Now this is the way to go! You get the liners in and your good to low 40's. So now for me I have the best. This time year up here, I have my old stuff and in the summer if it is hot I have my Airglide! If I was down South, like Texas. I would just have the Airglide stuff. I would not need a 3/4 jacket. Just me, but I love my Olympia stuff. Good luck and ride safe. Richard

[Lets_Play_Two]

I have the airglide jacket and pants and am pleased with both. Might even need the liner in the jacket now that we are getting those cool 70' nights.

[Silver Surfer/AKAButters]

I love my air glide Jacket, except for the fact that my neon yellow draws way too many comments. On the bright side (no pun intended), I guess it's doing what it is intended to do.

[kcscout]

I love my air glide Jacket, except for the fact that my neon yellow draws way too many comments. On the bright side (no pun intended), I guess it's doing what it is intended to do.

+1 yep... "I can see you from a mile away!"

 

The liner is excellent. Haven't quite needed it yet in our 50* mornings. Can't answer your question about the Patton. But the airglide gets a from me.

[270]

In a fit of insanity (not really, but I had been drinking) I decided to sell my AST and go back to an Aerostich Darien. Love the Darien, but the AST is the nicest all around jacket I have owned.

 

Any issues I have with it would only be nitpicking, but you can't miss with this one.

[GoldenK9]

I have both a Cortech 3/4 length jacket and the Olympia Airglide, both jacket and pants, and I never wear the Cortech anymore. The Olympia does a great job in both hot and cool temps (for me anyway) and I hardly ever use the liners (yet). The Cortech is a nice jacket for the price, but it is just too heavy, even with the liner removed. Go Olympia, you won't be disappointed.

[twilmotte]

I have the Airglide jacket and pants. The jacket isn't as "meshy" as my First Gear Tex-Mesh2, so when it's really hot, I go with the First Gear jacket. The Airglide has a really nice liner for cooler temps and could probably be used about 75% of the year in Texas.

[hopz]

Just my $0.02 but the coldest I have ever been on a bike was in Texas.

 

The combination of low temperatures and high humidity really cuts through.

 

I have no direct experiences with your choices but I vote for the warmest option. You can always un-zip but you cannot go back and get another layer...

 

Personally I have the First Gear Leather bib they call Arizona Touring Pant, and a great heavy leather jacket with its own liner. It says something funny on it... maybe Harley-Davidson but it is a great jacket.