Its the kind of rainy, blustery weather in San Francisco that I never, ever ride in if I can help it but its the perfect day for a thorough test of my new Firstgear wardrobe: the Monarch jacket and Escape pants. Im very cozy with the liners zipped in and vents zipped up when I go outside to start my bike. “Whatsamatter?” yells my neighbor across the street. “Did your truck die?”
“Nope,” I reply, as nonchalantly as possible. “I just feel like riding today.” OK, so I lied, but now everybody on the block considers me a real biker instead of the fair-weather weenie I really am.
The Monarch jacket and Escape pants are built for Firstgears “Technical Performance Gear” (TPG) system (and are sized for women riders) a three-part layered set of outerwear, liner, and base gear. The jackets outer shell is a waterproof and breathable 600 Denier nylon. The removable liner in the jacket is windproof and breathable with waterproof zippers on the pockets, fleece-cuff bands inside the sleeves and around the neck, and air vents on the chest. The base gear layer is optional, as are heated liners and controllers that integrate nicely, which are worth considering if you’re a real all-weather rider.
I tried out this outfit on for the first time in Monterey last winter for the launch of the Suzuki Boulevard M90. It was 8:00 in the morning and cloudy, but suddenly the sun came out and everybodyeven the riders from Southern Californiastarted shedding layers like crazy. I rode all day without the liners and was very comfortable in temperatures that ranged from high 40s to the low 70s. If I got too warm or cold it was easy enough to zip and unzip the front vents, even while riding.
The hard armor in the jacket fits well at my shoulders and elbows and the soft armor in back is nice and flexible. The sleeves are exactly the right length to close the gap above my gloves. Many zippers and adjustable Velcro straps at the sleeves, waist, hips, and every other possible junctions let me cinch it in for a cozier, warmer, tighter fit or open it up to take advantage of airflow. Locking pull-cords on the inside make the vents pucker up so even more air can enter.
All these options had me fussing and futzing with the system pretty much constantly on my multi-temperature day in Monterey, but today, when I am simply concerned with staying as warm and as dry as possible, there is no futzing needed. I zip in the liners and then zip, snap, and Velcro myself in from hips to head.
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I start out, and wow, am I cozy! Maybe a little too cozy getting out of town, but then I hit the Richmond Bridge with cold crosswinds and rain blustering across the bay from Angel Island to Vallejo. Amazingly, by the time I reach my destination I havent felt a single drop of water or leakage of cold air. Im impressed, and so is my friend who opted to drive his car to our lunch date.
The Escape pants are less complex but just as effective at keeping me warm and dry. They, too, are made from 600 Denier nylon. The womens size 8 pulls on easily and fit just loosely enough for comfort and to accommodate the fleece quilted liner without having to walk around like the Michelin Man. The liners are poofy and even without them the Escape pants are made to be worn alone. I wore my black Danskin cotton/spandex tights under them both times. The waist sits true and adjusts easily with Velcro tabs at each side.
The hard armor cradles my hips and knees perfectly. Side-zips from the ankle to above the knee let me slip into them with my boots on, and theyre covered with wide reflective strips Velcro-ed over the zipper for maximum visibility. On the back theres a jacket-conjunction zipper and a substantial rear pocket. A thoughtful feature is the heat-resistant fabric from above the knee to the ankle, which I appreciate when I ride a big touring bike that throws heat.
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The pants have air vents along the sides to cool you down and luxurious fleece-lined front pockets to warm your hands up. All pockets in the pants and jacket have waterproof zippers and fold-over Velcro-fastened construction where it counts.
Speaking of pockets, inside the jacket is a handy cell-phone pocket, a big map pocket, and a long, vertical zippered pocket along the edge thats also large enough for a map. A hidden pocket behind a pocket lets you pull a power cord through to accommodate heated gear. Two tiny zippered pockets (one on the sleeve and another on the shoulder) are just big enough for bridge toll or credit cards. The jacket has so many pockets that I lose track of where I put my stuff.
As for complaints, I dont really have any, so Ill quibble about the lack of a D-ring to clip on my gloves. And on my wish list: those yummy fleece linings in the pants to be included on the jacket, too. But for a super-high-quality outfit with waterproof zippers, double stitching, fold-over pockets, waterproof and heat resistant fabrics, and all the adjustable this and thats, at a cost of more than $600, it had better be pretty much complaint proof!
After half-a-day in most gear, from Cordura to leather, I find myself wiggling around to scratch an itch or adjust a pinch. But even though the Firstgear outfit is fairly heavy, the fit is so good and adjustment options so plentiful that I virtually forget Im wearing it. Moreover, I feel totally secure about the armor, and I like how it looks, too. It doesnt shout either “sport-rider” or “cruiser,” which is nice because I ride both. But most of all, a system that doesnt let in a sliver of horizontal wind or rain is worth it at any price because it means that maybe, just maybe, Ill get out and ride a lot more often, despite having to cross the cold, windy bridges of the San Francisco Bay Area. Im a fair weather weenie no more.
Firstgear TPG Monarch Jacket: $369.95, sizes XS-2XL (2XL is size 20-22); Escape Pants: $249.95, sizes 6-18. TPG Basegear and heated gear are available as options. Find a local dealer at FirstGear-USA.com.
About the Author
Carla King is a long-distance touring motorcyclist who travels to exotic places and writes about it. Her Motorcycle Misadventures series includes stories about trips in America, China, India, and Europe. You can buy her book (reviewed on WRN) and read her dispatches on the web at CarlaKing.com.
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I appreciate this review very much as well as the comments from readers. I too have a 34-inch inseam and dislike the limited options in women's riding gear though they sometimes offer brighter, more visible colors.
Living in the Pacific Northwest, rain happens so expensive gear that gets soaked through is not going to be high on my list of considerations. I would like to hear from others because I have heard nothing but excellent reports about the durability, comfort and convenience of Firstgear clothing.
I was going to submit an article on my Firstgear jacket, but decided to search and found this one. So, I'll just add a comment. I ordered my Firstgear jacket, at the beginning of winter 2008. It was great the few times I used it with the liner. Then yesterday, I took it out, took out the liner and wore it. It was great!
I have read so many articles about crashes in summer and those wishing they had worn their riding gear. So, I did. It's hot when the bike stops, but during the ride, it's quite comfortable and cool.
I have tried every makers pants. Only to return them. I have tried every pair of Firstgear available only not able to find a fit. The problem is they (manufacturers) do not realize that some women are short and they do not make petite size. I hope this gives them a hint. The only petite size Firstgear has is if you are under a size 10.
I ride almost year around- if it's over 34 and not snowing. I have a Firstgear Kilimanjaro jacket and HT Overpants. I bought these through closeouts on NewEnough.com and they were about $350 total. I bought the men's models because I am tall. I've ridden in all day downpours day after day on an October Canada to Mexico PCH ride, and from Montana to Arizona in March. It was 34 and foggy for the first day. I could barely see the road,but I was warm and dry (except for fingertips).
The Firstgear quality and design are excellent. I wear the jacket with a heated vest-with-sleeves I bought from Aerostich. The best money I ever spent. I wear the pants with various layers of tights, from thin silk to extra heavy thermals. Only negative was the jacket outer layer soaked through, and wind chill caused me to be cold when I stopped and couldn't run the heat.
I've since bought a Tour Master Elite rain shell. Totally dry and warm now. Good gear is priceless when on the road in cold weather. As a friend of mine said: “Buy the best gear first. That way you only cry once.”
I am a Harley-Davidson motorcycle long distance rider and MSF safety instructor. I have been riding in the full H-D Cordura FXRG set priced over $650 for a couple of years. I have enjoyed everything about the gear except that it is not waterproof as advertised and this makes me more mad. I live in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and you can experience four seasons in one day, most days. I want to get on my bike and ride for a good 400 miles — rain, snow, hail, shine and not need to do anything except adjust the thermostat on my heated gear and stop for food and fuel or to take pictures!
After much trepidation over trying something new for fear I would be just as disappointed over the waterproof capabilities, I ordered the First Gear Escape pants described here and a men's waterproof First Gear Jaunt jacket. So hearing the great feedback on the waterproof feature of the First Gear equipment is exciting! My order arrives next week. I may need to look into the Monarch jacket. Thank you!
After getting out of Harleys and into BMWs, I had sold all my Harley gear off. The FG Kilimanjaro jacket was my first purchase–great all around jacket. Purchased before the TPG system was introduced, the Kili has never let me down. I am sure the TPG is equally as good. Firstgear makes good quality, well priced gear that is protective and functions well. Thanks for the review Genevieve.
Firstgear makes the best riding products. I finally retired my First Gear Kilimanjaro jacket and over pants after fives years of relentless DC commuting of 50 to 60 miles per day. Motorcycle Consumer News rates this suit very high. This suit also eliminates the need to carry rain gear and my work clothes have never gotten wet. The only exception is extra long pants sticking out from the overpants during dreaded rain.
When it comes time to clean the gear, its relatively easy: remove the liners and pads, wash, hang, re-load all the pads. I even crashed one day on the way to work at about 35 mph. A long story involving a trash truck backing up into rush hour, the slamming of many brakes, and me trying to dodge cars and lane split. It was ugly, but I slid about 40 feet on one knee (padded) and the overpants never split a seam. My Harley-Davidson boot toe leather was ground down, but my overpants were hardly grazed. Bottom line: Results matter: accident at 5:50 am, $6,500 in bike damage, made my meeting at 9:00 am, and had no injuries. Now that is what I call priceless. You will get your value for the bucks.
Great testimonial. Thanks for sharing.
I've heard about Firstgear but haven't actually tried any of their stuff. Very nicely written review.
I won this jacket in a WRN drawing last year and I love it! Carla's review is right on target. Explore all the cords, zippers and Velcro and you'll always get a perfect fit. I was nice and warm with the lining and a turtleneck and everything cinched up tight when the temp got down into the 30s. With the lining out and all the vents open, it was comfortable in the summer, too. For extra visibility, I clipped an L.E.D. light to the loop sewn on the back.
Thanks for sharing your feedback Anita. Glad you like the jacket.
We plan to run another contest on WRN with more great prizes. Here's the link to the story about the contest we ran where Anita won her jacket.
https://womenridersnow.com/PublicFiles/Departmentviewer.asp?ArticleID=929
I enjoy reading these reviews. However, I am a larger woman who laughs at the sizes the manufacturers try to sell me. I have never been a 12 and I don't think I ever will. I am used to wearing men's motorcycle gear and have told my larger female friends that it is cheaper and fits better than the womens wear. Maybe one day, the motorcycle community will realize that some of us left the bathing beauty figure along time ago and make sensible clothes for the real women who ride
I like all the features that are offered except the fact that all these companies including this one that designs styles for women, don't take into consideration that some of us have a 34-inch inseam and would love to find a pair of pants to fit us without going up another size to gain the length. I personally have a 31 inch waist and 34 inch inseam.