Olympia AST owners: does it fit?

[Joe Frickin' Friday]

I was at the local dealer on Monday and spent about a half-hour checking out the Olympia AST jacket. Pretty nice, but the fit at the shoulders is a bit odd. In certain positions (e.g. elbows elevatedthe seam on the lower front part of the shoulder (at front of armpit) pulls tight. I sat on a bike with the jacket on for a while, and it doesn't seem to do this in a normal riding position. Tried it with my electric vest on underneath it; didn't seem to make the fit better or worse.

 

The dealer suggested that the jacket (which is pretty stiff, much like an Aerostich product) would soften and stretch to my shape over time. My last jacket purchase was in summer '03, so I don't remember what I went through with that.

 

Is he right? Will the jacket grow on me over time? I like everything else about it, and it does seem to fit fine when on a bike. Should I get this jacket? Assuming said stretching takes place, will the waterproof seams lose their integrity over the course of this stretching?

 

Thanks...

[Quinn]

Well, they do soften with age, but I doubt that they'll stretch much. A lot more likely that you'll just get used to it and it will become a non-issue.

[Vicious_Cycler]

Bought an AST this fall and it seemed to fit w/o issues right off the rack. In fact I bought it online w/o ever trying it on. I've only worn it 3-4 times, so maybe I got lucky.

[Bullett]

I bought one just before Christmas. Wore it for a week and a half. It seems to me that the shoulder armor is stiff and has edges that dig into my upper arms when I assume the riding position. I attributed this to the jacket being too large, but now that you mention it, I think it could be the jacket design. I am planning to try a softer style of shoulder pad to see if it is more comfortable.

 

But this sounds like a different fit issue than the one you observed. You might try a couple of different jackets in the same size to see if there is variance in the construction among the jackets (an old Home Economics class secret).

 

Plus, it will make the salesman love you as he puts them all back on their hangers.

[SteveB]

When I was looking at the AST I found that they run a little small so you might try looking at the next larger size.

 

Plus, it will make the salesman love you as he puts them all back on their hangers.

 

They really love it when you try them all with and without the liners.

[GoGo Gadget]

Pretty nice, but the fit at the shoulders is a bit odd. In certain positions (e.g. elbows elevatedthe seam on the lower front part of the shoulder (at front of armpit) pulls tight.

 

And that is why I did not buy one. I had the exact same thing. I tried a larger size, and it did not pull as tight, but I still felt pressure there.

 

Odd thing is that the Bushwhacker jacket is cut on the same pattern, but I have plenty of room in the shoulders. I guess it is the waterproof inner layer that causes that since the Bushwhacker does not have the waterproof layer.

[Art..]

Mitch, did you buy it? I've been looking at the AST and I was wondering how people like it.

[Joe Frickin' Friday]

Mitch, did you buy it? I've been looking at the AST and I was wondering how people like it.

 

Yes, I bought it last week. Scored a 15% discount coupon that was set to expire at the end of the month. So I've got it sitting in the closet, waiting for less snow on the roads. I'll have to post an update once I've actually started riding with it.

[Damean]

I've been thinking of one for the shear visibility of it That aside, how does it compare with the Kilimanjaro? I can never seem to find them both side by side in my size.

[Art..]

Aerostich has a new hi-vis also.

[Volfan615]

I purchased one last fall and initially I didn't like the fit especially in the area of the waist adjusters. It just seemed like they were to high. But with some wear it feels great now.

[Joe Frickin' Friday]

I've been thinking of one for the shear visibility of it That aside, how does it compare with the Kilimanjaro? I can never seem to find them both side by side in my size.

 

Couldn't tell you. Been wearing a Gericke since '03.

[sundaeman]

Love my AST for the cooler weather, within about 200 hours (maybe less) of riding it was very comfortable. The initial fit was weird off the bike but on it was very good. The only waterproofing issues I've had with it are forgetting a zipper.