Olympia AST

[empeg9000]

I've read that some of you have the AST. Are you still happy with it? Have you used it in any really hot days? Is the venting as good as it seems? i am sure on a humid 90 degree day its still hot but as long as air flows through on a hot day then thats okay. MY Joe Rocket Ballistic doesn't flow any air and I'm looking to replace it. That jacet seems pretty nice for the money. I also like that you can put the jacket on while you are already wearing the liner. Does it look at all sporty when wearing it, or does it look like a winter parka? How does the protection seem?

[Bigger Al]

Really nice jacket. I've worn mine up to 95 degrees, and it gets a bit stuffy. The ventilation is fantastic, but I have a mesh jacket that works vastly better for truly hot days.
My bike is unfaired, and with the vents wide open it pulls rather hard around the neck. There's a lot of room in the collar once the liner is removed, and it allows the jacket to tug, sometimes uncomfortably.
The armor is top-shelf, and fits snugly so it should stay in place in a fall.
It does look a bit like a ski parka, but then again I bought the Hi-Visibility Yellow, so fashion isn't all that important to me. Being 6'2" tall and 285 lbs., "sporty" doesn't often come to mind, either.
The jacket has really worked best in temperatures between 25 and 85 degrees. It's been completely waterproof in some very nasty T-storms, and the liner is exceptionally cozy when the temperature drops, so much so that I've not yet felt the need to use my electric vest.
Were I headed to Alaska or on a trip that lasted several months, then I would not hesitate to use this jacket throughout. There are ways to make yourself cooler while wearing it (cooling vests, etc.) and I'm getting ready to solve the collar issue soon. Good value in my book.

[saluki]

I have the grey AST jacket. I bought it in May, just wore the liner once on the first ride home on my bike. It is a great jacket. I have worn it up to 90 in the mid-atlantic typical humidity too. It does get warm at stops and can be a bit stuffy. It is passable though, I am not going to get a new jacket this year, sticking with the AST. The armor is great, the vents are awesome. Once moving, even in the heat, you get a nice airflow. Really for me, just the rides home from work will be stuffy this summer.

[empeg9000]

Okay this is good to know. It gets so dang muggy and stick up here in upstate NY. I suppose if it was really bad I could always do one of the cool vests as you suggest Bigger Al. I am going to run by the dealer later this week. I guess I will get it from there. It seems to be the same price everywhere I look.

[Tismee]

I picked up one this spring in the Hi-Vis color. I would have to agree with everything that Bigger Al said, its a great jacket. I think its as good a jacket as you can find in this type of jacket but when it gets hot its going to me warm or HOT no matter what. Any jacket will when its in the 90's, even mesh. You just can not have a jacket that is warm, waterproof, with top rate protection and still be cool in hot weather.

I replaced my Darien with the AST, better fit and finish to me. Would I buy this jacket again, yes.

Tismee

[empeg9000]

I think its as good a jacket as you can find in this type of jacket but when it gets hot its going to me warm or HOT no matter what. Any jacket will when its in the 90's, even mesh. You just can not have a jacket that is warm, waterproof, with top rate protection and still be cool in hot weather.

I replaced my Darien with the AST, better fit and finish to me. Would I buy this jacket again, yes.

Good to hear. The biggest advantage I can think of with the Darien is the ability to get alterations and repairs right with Aerostich. I am going to email Olympia and ask about getting repairs should the need ever come up. I am pretty sure the AST is for me though.

[John_L]

The AST is the best jacket I've owned hands down. Venting, fit, finish, looks, protection, liner, and everything else about it is better than others I've owned and tried on. I would definately buy another one.

[empeg9000]

Well I went to the dealer today to try it on again and just really check out the features. I really dig it so I ordered on at MAxs BMW. I should have it next week. I will provide a review when I get it and put some miles on it.

On a side note I also ordered a pair of Alpinestar Web boots online.

There's a quick $500 down the drain!!

[Latech70]

Originally Posted by empeg9000

Well I went to the dealer today to try it on again and just really check out the features. I really dig it so I ordered on at MAxs BMW. I should have it next week. I will provide a review when I get it and put some miles on it.

What happened to the review? Wondering how the AST is treating you.

Also, does anyone have suggestions as to who/where has the best price on this jacket?

[caffeine]

Originally Posted by empeg9000

I've read that some of you have the AST. Are you still happy with it? Have you used it in any really hot days? Is the venting as good as it seems? i am sure on a humid 90 degree day its still hot but as long as air flows through on a hot day then thats okay. MY Joe Rocket Ballistic doesn't flow any air and I'm looking to replace it. That jacet seems pretty nice for the money. I also like that you can put the jacket on while you are already wearing the liner. Does it look at all sporty when wearing it, or does it look like a winter parka? How does the protection seem?

i am still happy with it.

i have used it in 90 degree days, its fine, open the back vent as to not "balloon"

its an awesome jacket.

more importantly, i wore it in 29 degrees and it was warm with JUST underarmour cold shirt under it.

ive also did hours in the rain and no leaks...the pants...without the liners, leak a little in the balls.

it looks like any other dual sport jacket, the armour is good though.

the liner is perfect for wearing seperately as well.

the outtershell is the waterproof shell so dont worry about having to put the inner liner in for rain, the innnre liner is just for warmth, and ive only wore it when it gets in the mid to low 50's and below...the outter shell blocks wind so welll you dont need the inner liner above that.

the top neck button and velcro combo is frustrating with gloves, but thats my ONLY gripe with it...

i tried on first gear killimanjaros and the like, and this one just fit perfect and seemed better quality.

[ssbnveteran]

I've got the neon yellow and love it. Ventilation is pretty good. I didn't really think so until I left the vents open on a chilly day. There sure was some good air flow then.

[orgthtogod]

Hi guys,

first time poster here... I have been reading up on these ast's and finally took the plunge . I haven't "tried it out" though on the bike that is (yet). I live in Phoenix and got it with the idea of a colder/all weather type of jacket in mind. Seemed like the best value for the money! Well, here's my questioin... I've got a nice mesh jacket (remember I live in PHOENIX), I wanted this for traveling to "cooler" climates like up north and hopefully a Canadian adventure and beyond someday . Anybody live in my neck of the woods got one of these and if so what do you think of it for "our" climate... other than say like a trip to pinetop or the grandcanyon and so on (where, of course it will be great!)???

Any and all feed back appreciated!!! BTW I've got a KLR650, yea I know the color definitely kinda clashes with my kawai green, but you know what... NO ONE wil miss seeing me now and that's really all I care about!

Thanks....

[Behindbars]

I have a hi-vis AST and there is no reason someone should ever say they didn't see me. Specially since I wear 3XL. I love this jacket. Only compaint is the velcro neck strap is hard to get right when riding and the bright green is hard to keep clean. I consider it a must have and great bargain.

[Emoto]

They don't have tall sizes, do they?

[Effervescent]

Where can it be had at the best price?

-Eff