Arctiva makes a good pant for the money. That's what I wore last year, but they were too warm most of the time.
Replaced those with Klim Khaos pants, which are still too warm so I ended up riding a lot in my sweatpants. Just got a pair of Powerxross uninsulated pants and now it's ridiculously cold... <karma>
The new 509 outerwear is really good also.

If you get warm easily like I do, I'd recommend pants with crotch vents. I'd only need one pair if I had more vents.

 

I went with Klim bibs and jacket about 8 years ago, I am not saying they are the best as I am sure there may be better but they have served me well and there are lots of sizes not just "S, M, L, XL, XXL..." But I think you're right it's all made in china.

 

Have a new pair of Klim Kewanee bibs. Can wear as bibs or pants
Biggest complaint is the tiny zippers on the elastic snow gauntlets around your boots. Very hard to get zippers started. Simple Velcro would of been easier

 

I'm real happy with my FXR Adrenaline pants and jacket. They call them pants but they are really a bib. I tried to buy Klim gear for 2 years with no success, their availability in season is atrocious- little advice, buy from Klim in August, because if you try to buy in December they won't have any snow gear left to sell.

 

Love my 509s - Range Insulated bib - Super warm and very comfortable . . .

 

Well my Ski-Doo Choko bibs just wore thin in the seat from who knows the miles and just could not keep the water out I have no complaint with them. End of year so I wasn't looking to spend to much and Helmet Country had Katahdin on sale for 95$ no shipping charges. Went out today in about -6 deg and was comfortable, they might not be my forever set but will be the set I use for until something different comes along. I got some reviews on this site and all were positive. I will be looking to update my whole setup in the next few years but for now I'm fine.

Katahdin Snow Gear

Katahdin Snow Gear

helmetcountry.com

 

I got some reviews on this site and all were positive. I will be looking to update my whole setup in the next few years but for now I'm fine.

Katahdin Snow Gear

Katahdin Snow Gear

helmetcountry.com

I'll bet one of them was from me. I have owned two whole sets of Katahdin gear. The first I bought like 15 years ago and they were fantastic for about 6 or 7 years. I was really impressed. The last set I bought was pure garbage. Pockets not sewn, zippers not connected, literally PURE garbage. But the first set I probably raved about here!

 

I've been using Klim Kimate bibs for several years now. Good quality, very warm and very dry. Note these are for prairie riding, might be too warm for the mountains.

 

Im like you, ive had all old cat gear. about 4 years ago i replace with cat premium bibes, there great not complaints,Way better than the old ones, Not sure why i waited so long.
Theres many brands out there and many differant opinuns. I was happy with my old stuff and wore well so i just went with the same.

 

I'm still wearing Cat / Arctic Wear gear with no issues. Actually think it is better than some of the older stuff from them in regards to things like the zip-off suspender straps to convert bids to pants, better venting in the jackets/coats that the older stuff didn't have, better materials for waterproof/insulation/wind/etc. I have no complaints and have not needed to look elsewhere........except for helmets. But that's a different story.....

 

Katahdin? Designed in Maine, made in Vietnam not China. Decent quality for the buck. available in Short (me) Reg. and Tall.Katahdin Extreme Gear® - X-3 Men's Bib - POWERSPORTSiD.com

 

I like my FXR gear...scored a new pair of Mission Lite Pants from Port Yamaha for 150 bucks...they say Yamaha and I ride a Polaris but for that price no worries.

 

All excellent posts, starting my research now.
My Cat dealee has some Klim stuff to try on, I'll starr there i guess.
Has anyone bought any Choko stuff recently? Ww had some kids suits many moons ago, bought at the Toronto show. Those suits wore like iron too. Choko made in north America?

 

Choko is made in China.

With that said, I love my choko cdi bibs. Extremely warm with venting options. Wear like iron. Mine look like the day I pulled them out of the package. The CDI bib is the mid bib. In between the full bib and pants which is the style I like. I’ll be buying a pair for my wife for next season


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I like my Katahdin, bibs and coat. Warm and comfortable, good value.

 

Katahdan brand is good
FXR
Choko
Motorist is my favorite (if you can find it company is toe up).
BRP is ok but buy the best because well the "cheaper" stuff is just that...
Klim x2 unless you bought while the leaves are still green on the trees lol
Even Joe Rocket is decent.

It's been cold ish here in the NEK...wow sweatpants? I can't imagine ever wearing them to ride. that's hardcore

 

Katahdan brand is good
FXR
Choko
Motorist is my favorite (if you can find it company is toe up).
BRP is ok but buy the best because well the "cheaper" stuff is just that...
Klim x2 unless you bought while the leaves are still green on the trees lol
Even Joe Rocket is decent.

It's been cold ish here in the NEK...wow sweatpants? I can't imagine ever wearing them to ride. that's hardcore

Short rides around 30F it isn't bad. Especially on the Matryx chassis, all the air goes around me. On my Rush, it all ends up right in my lap...

 

So I guess region of manufacturer is out for my consideration.....shame.
So my priority is keeping Dry, Warm, Durability, and Function pretty much in that order, wish me luck.
maybe I can find some spring sales. I do like Gor-Tex a lot. Maybe thats my starting point.

 

I used to sell sled gear etc. Look for
Waterproof..not water resistant
Windproof! That one gets overlooked. If your doing runs down trails at 70 ish you need to have protection from the wind. Geez I get "pushed" up on the higher ledges in the wind..

Now each mfg has differnet ratings for the "fill" of the garment. And different "nomenclature" also for the type of garment and it's preferred use.

So. The more ching you spend generally the better garment you are getting.

Shop around! If you've narrowed down what your looking for...check at least 3 websites.

Now don't forget your dealer. After Jan 19th (if memory serves) ALL CURRENT stuff goes on discount. And the mark-ups being what they are 🙄 don't be shy. ASK for a discount. Always! He wants this stuff GONE. Trust me😏

And get a couple of pairs of good socks. You'll be happier.

BRP makes one of the best boots I've ever owned. Tec-+. They are "unisex" sized. I wear a women's 9.5...the 9 fits great!

I also love the men's X-Team Leather gloves. I've been using them for over 20 yrs. I get a new pair when I get a new sled.

Good online retailers:

Dennis Kirk
Up North Sports (LOVE LOVE this company)
Country Cat (I've gotten awesome stuff cheap from them)
I'm missing a couple I'm sure.

 

So no one has mentioned Castle-X, but I've been very happy with my bibs for the past several years. My wife just got a pair this year and likes them, too, but it's too soon for a long-term eval. For whatever reason, Klim stuff has never fit me well, especially their pants, so I can't judge them. Maybe if I was built more like the models in the catalog... No one asked, but I really like my FXR jacket and boots.

Oh, and I have an Arctiva jacket I picked up at the Grass Drags for short money. I use that for motorcycling in the spring and fall.

 

I have several Castle snowmobile and motorcycle gloves, like them a lot, I'll look into their gear too.

 

I have worn Castle X jackets and bibs for several years and they have served me well. No issues whatsoever.

 

Riding in - degree weather this past weekend the only thing that was cold on us was our legs. I have castle x and she has hmk. And thats with us both having klims warmest under layer pants among other layers.

Next year we decided we both will buy klims warmest possible bibs and be done with cold legs. Hopefully.

 

Made in USA, thick leather.

 

Leather is too heavy for me....nice to see it is still an option. A friend of mine still has an Arctic cat leather suit from the 70's, He still wears it from time to time, warmest thing ever but tires him out quickly.