Mountain Hardwear Alakazam Jacket Features:

• Totally waterproof, breathable softshell loaded with ski features
• Removable, adjustable, stretch powder skirt
• Pit zips for additional ventilation
• One-handed hood and hem drawcords for quick adjustments
• Zip handwarmer pockets
• Plenty of interior pockets for all your gear
• Soft, “Butter Jersey” cuffs
• Micro-Chamois™-lined chin guard eliminates zipper chafe
• Colors: Blue/Grill, Black/Grill, Red/Grill (tested)
• MSRP: $375

Mountain Hardwear Alakazam Jacket Review

At Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2011, I was introduced to Mountain Hardwear’s new fabric technology, Dry.Q. It represented a line in the sand between Mountain Hardwear and long-time partner W.L. Gore. Mountain Hardwear was so confident in their new fabrics that they were cutting the cord and moving on without the most recognizable waterproof/breathable membrane on the market. It didn’t take much convincing to sell me on the finer points of Dry.Q as I tested the Effusion Power Jacket and now the Alakazam Jacket.

The Alakazam is packed full of ski-specific features, like the detachable powder skirt and “Butter Jersey” cuffs. It features an efficient fit without a with just enough room for a typical light to midweight underlayer. Overall construction is superb and on par with what I’ve come to expect from Mountain Hardwear.

Wearing the jacket around, one of the first features I appreciate is the semi-detached collar design. In fact, I like this feature so much that I’d call it the Alakazam’s most impressive feature. Typical hooded jackets feature a rollover collar that flows into the hood. The result is typically a poor seal between the back of the neck and the jacket. The Alakazam remedies that by its semi-detached, fleece-lined collar. You can stand the collar up and keep all the heat in with or without using the hood. It allows you to enjoy the jacket with or without using the hood.

For simplicity, all the zippers on this jacket are of the waterproof variety and all have worked well, except for the upper-chest pocket. The problem is not necessarily related to the zipper, but to the design of the outer zipper flap. The way it’s designed, water and snow gathers inside the lower part of the zipper flap and gets frozen there. In my world, I’d get rid of the outer flap and just go with the zipper.

While the Alakazam does feature a zip-off powder skirt, this jacket still doesn’t pack down all that small. There are better lightweight jackets that pack up super-small, so keep that in mind. No, it’s not huge and bulky, but it does take up more room than my typical lightweight shells in my backcountry pack. Yes, you can lighten it up by zipping off the powder skirt, but it’s still a tad bulkier than I’d like for dedicated backside use.

Back to a few more great features, it’s impossible to overlook the quality and design of the hood. It goes on easy and adjusts to fit a helmet or bare noggin with ease. A single pull on the rear pulltab and it cinches down in just the right places. Another great feature is the Monkey Man-like  shag insulation that lines the upper-back, shoulders and upper-arms. That fleece greatly adds to the warmth and comfort of this jacket.

Breathability of the Dry.Q Elite fabric was as expected — superb. On a particularly snowy day at Deer Valley, the temperatures were cold on the ridgelines, but in the protection of the trees where the snow was piled high and deep, I found myself in a close-encounter with a scrubby pine tree that snagged my arm and sent me tumbling. With one ski missing, I began hiking uphill in waist-deep powder. After a few minutes, I began sweating and the Dry.Q Elite fabric breathed like a champ. In fact, I never needed the pit zips.

Good Alakazam Jacket

• Dry.Q Elite fabric breathes better than other waterproof/breathable fabrics on the market
• Exterior fabric is bomber and has withstood serious abuse
• Butter Jersey cuffs are comfortable and keep the snow out
• Semi-detached, fleece-lined collar gives you the best of both hooded and non-hooded worlds
• Strategically-placed insulation on shoulders and upper-arms extends warmth
• Awesome hood works well with or without a helmet

Bad Alakazam Jacket

• A little heavy and bulky with all the pockets, powder skirt, etc.
• Sleeves could be an inch longer
• Ditch the pit zips… unnecessary fluff to appease old-school nay-sayers
• Chest pocket flap captures snow

Bottom Line: Mountain Hardwear Alakazam Jacket

Knowing the origins of Mountain Hardwear’s new Dry.Q Elite fabrics, it’s no wonder it works so well. I’m sold on its superior breathability and continued weatherproofness. The Alakazam Jacket is a great ski-specific jacket with all the bells-and-whistles you could ever want when bombing the deep on the frontside of the mountain. And, should you need to push its limits in high-output situations, it will not leave you cold and clammy.

Buy Now: Visit MooseJaw.com

My time aboard SRAM road groups is limited, but, like SRAM’s mountain groups, the shifting has always been crisp and smooth. DoubleTap does take some getting used to, but those who ride it absolutely love it.

On other fronts, it’s long been rumored that SRAM has been developing road-specific hydraulic disc and rim brakes. Today, SRAM made it official by at least acknowledging they are working on them with a tentative launch of Fall 2012.

Read below for a bit more information on the new 2012 SRAM RED groupset and a link to the PDF spec sheet.

From SRAM:

For 2012, the new SRAM RED continues in the SRAM tradition as the leader in light weight, flawless shifting, and ergonomic advantage with gorgeous aesthetic styling. How did we improve on the world’s best mechanical gruppo? We started with everything we knew, and then designed a brand new drivetrain from scratch. Each part was engineered with the twin goals of eliminating the superfluous while focusing on an overall synergy that translates into unmatched performance. Elegant and simple, SRAM RED perfects the riding experience through genuine innovation. SRAM RED changes everything.

SRAM RED Highlights:

• 6 BRAND NEW COMPONENTS:Shifters, Rear Derailleur, Front Derailleur, Brakeset, Crankset, Cassette
• NEW FRONT SHIFTING TECHNOLOGY: Fast / Efficient / Low noise
• FULLY INTEGRATED POWERMETER: New Quarq Technology
• AMAZING NEW FINISH: Two-tone Falcon Grey and Black look
• SRAM RED TOTAL WEIGHT: 1739g (BB30). The lightest groupset ever
• MSRP: $2575 complete
• Available February 15, 2012

More Info: Visit SRAM.com | Download Spec Sheet – PDF

As always, I’m tasked with finding the best-in-show. Lots of great gear, but I’ve whittled it down to these.

The North Face FlashDry

With all the new latest waterproof/breathable fabrics on the market, there’s one thing that remains constant — water droplets. With all laminated fabrics from Gore-Tex, eVent, Polartec and the like, the most efficient way to transfer perspiration through them is in vapor form. Well, changing perspiration droplets into vapor takes time and that time is what makes you wet from the inside-out.

To combat this, The North Face has developed their new FlashDry™ technology and will be releasing it on nearly 100 items for Fall 2012. FlashDry will be a core part of several key new products as well as being added to many of their top-performing items.

A quick bit from The North Face on FlashDry:

The porous particles of FlashDry® work with your body to regulate temperature by accelerating moisture removal and dramatically improving dry time. Individually, articles with FlashDry™ outperform anything available on the market, but when worn together in a layering system with a baselayer, mid-layer and jacket, the dry time is even faster than when wearing alone.

The technical demo of the fabric was what wow’d me. Two fabric swatches (one with FlashDry and one without), a constant drip and a puddle under one and nothing under the other. The FlashDry fabric dried so quickly that the water never even had time to fully-saturate the fabric while the regular fabric soaked it up and allowed the water to puddle below. Amazing.

Look for FlashDry in a wide variety of products from base layers to hard-shells this Fall.

Patagonia Light Flyer Jacket

I’m always a fan of lightweight, breathable shells. For my activities of choice, I’m always leaning towards the breathable side of waterproof/breathable. With that in mind, Patagonia will introduce their 9.1 oz Light Flyer Jacket.

Intended as a weatherproof/breathable running shell, Gore Active will allow this jacket to battle anything Mother Nature dishes out while breathing like a champ. Breathability is aided by unique upper-arm vents to allow gobs of airflow. And when the unexpected becomes chilly and cold, the asymmetric cuffs feature built-in mittens to allow you to stay out longer.

Look for the Patagonia Light Flyer Jacket this Fall at a reasonable $279.

Garmont Cosmos Touring Boots

Lots of great new backcountry ski boots were on display, but the one that captured my attention and wrapped my foot in absolute comfort was the new Garmont Cosmos. Billed as the lightest 4-buckle boot on the market at 1450 grams, the Cosmos doesn’t just go for lightweight, it adds a dose of versatility and comfort to the mix.

While the competition does have some great boots, I have to give the nod to the Cosmos for its amazing comfort, supreme walkability with a full 65-degree cuff rotation and overall simplicity of the design. Constructed of 100% Gryllamid, it balances weight reduction with stiffness to make a winning design.

It doesn’t attempt to “out gadget” the competition, instead it provides a no-nonsense design that will withstand years of use and abuse in the backcountry. I loved the stiffness and walkability the most as it goes from a mountaineering boot to a vert-devouring machine in a jiffy. At $699, it’s not the cheapest in its class, but it is on par with the competition.

Black Diamond Covert Avalung Pack

Black Diamond has emerged from the Avalung recall with a vengeance. New materials and design changes highlight the lifesaving device and have it being built into an entirely-new backcountry ski pack lineup. The hero of the group is the Covert pack that sports a complete re-design.

Starting with the backside, the Covert now features floating shoulder straps to flow better with your natural skiing movements. Add on top of that new pivoting waistbelt and you’ve got what BD is calling their “Active Suspension Platform”. The covert now has a sleek new design and includes niceties such as a versatile helmet holder and soft-lined goggle pocket.

Columbia UltraChange Jacket

Gone are the Bugaboo’s of yesteryear, Columbia has some seriously-impressive stuff coming down the pipe. Tops on that list is the UltraChange Jacket. Ditching the bulky and heavy zip-in design, this two-piece shell keeps the system together with a few strategically-placed loops.

Built with strategic combinations of Omni-Wick Evap and Omni-Heat fabrics, the UltraChange impressed me with its fit and comfort in a way no other jacket has. The suppleness of the outer shell and the way the entire package felt like “one” while still remaining independent was truly unique.

Sierra Designs DriDown

From a young age in Seattle, I was told that down bags were a no-no in a wet climate, so I never experienced the wonderfulness of a down sleeping bag until moving to Utah. Now, that advice can be thrown out the window… Sierra Designs DriDown treats down feathers with a hydrophobic polymer treatment that keeps it dry 7-times longer than untreated down with 98% loft retention and 33% faster dry time. The demo says it all as these identical containers were allowing water to enter into the down feather side. One is soaked and the other side has retained its loft and is nearly dry.

DriDown will initially be available in sleeping bags this June at your local REI. Then, a series of DriDown jackets will be released in the Fall.

In the shop, I gave the bindings a visual run-down. Some of the first things I noticed were:

• The torsion bars are much lower profile than any other similar bindings on the market
• Changing the bindings from ski to tour and back to ski modes is super-easy
• The toe pivot is smooth and stiction-free
• The climbing bar only has two settings but moves into and out of position easily

I took a few close-ups of the bindings to call out their specific features.

The overall construction is impressive with solid engagement into and out of touring mode. The ski shop pivot test felt smooth and the low-profile torsion bars really made the Guardian’s ride low to the deck.

Switching it to touring mode requires a thumb or some ski poles to slide the grey tab back and change into touring mode. It did require a firm movement just to make sure you don’t do it accidentally, but can be easily done with or without gloves or using your poles. And… drum roll please… you can do it all without un-clicking from them. Ta da! Switching back into ski mode was as simple as returning the climbing bar to the ski mode and stepping down — it latches back into place with ease.

The two-position climbing bar features a spring-loaded engagement into the highest position, thus making it very easy to hit that position with the flick of a pole in either direction. I found that dragging your pole basket from the back was the easiest way to move it from the ski position to climbing. I did wish for a position inbetween the two offered positions.

While on a short tour, I was impressed with the smooth and efficient stride. While these are no replacements for Dynafit’s in the backcountry, they felt smooth and natural. The ever-important switchback test yielded a 10 on the easiness factor. I was immediately whipping out switchbacks without any difficulty.

As far as ski-ability on the frontside, I didn’t do any twisty-flippy-switchy-pipe-charging-hucks, but I did ski them aggressively and fast. They did what I’d expect a good binding to do — held my boot in place and became invisible. Like any binding, if you are dropping insane cliffs and skiing Bode Miller-fast, you will out-DIN any regular bindings, but for the 99.99% of us, the 7-16 DIN will be perfect.

I can see the new Guardian bindings as the de-facto choice when I want to buy an alpine-friendly binding that doesn’t limit me to frontside use only. I like their overall function and am impressed with the package. They don’t come without some minor faults, but overall they are going to be my top choice for those seeking a “do-it-all” frontside/backside binding.

Good Guardian

• Low-profile design keeps you low to the deck
• Smooth touring stride
• Super-solid clamps allow you to charge with chutzpah
• Switchbacks are easily mastered
• Getting back into ski mode is as simple as stepping down firmly

Bad Guardian

• I wish they had a middle-tier climbing bar setting
• Moving the climbing bar from ski mode and flat mode to climb mode  wasn’t always easy to do with just your poles

Bottom Line: Salomon Guardian 16 Alpine Touring Bindings

If you’re looking for an alternative to the Marker Duke or something burlier than your Fritschi Freerides, these will be your ticket to ride. With a low-profile design and easy-to-use touring system, the Guardian’s are now the sidecountry bindings to beat.

More Info: Visit Salomon.com

Sugoi Resistor Shoe Covers Features:

• Piston 14o Fabric (76% Nylon 24% Spandex) features a smooth, buttery hand feel with uncompromised 360 degree stretch
• PU coated stretch lycra provides lightweight wind and waterproof protection
• Stretch bound edge fits snugly around shoe and positions cleat hole
• Rear entry zip with velcro closure tab
• Signature grip ankle elastic
• MSRP: $40

Sugoi Resistor Shoe Covers Review

If I could pick out one of the key pieces of cold-weather cycling gear that has kept me out on two wheels all Winter long, I’d have a hard time not including the Resistor shoe covers on that list. While these aren’t insulated, they make up for that with excellent wind protection that keeps my feet warm — even down to 30-degree temps.

Looking them over, you may not think they would add much warmth, but don’t be fooled. For me, just blocking the wind allows my feet to keep the warmth inside and sort of marinate. I’ve been wearing these with my Specialized S-Works Road Shoes in combination with the Resistors and they are very easy to put on and take off. I did use them with my MTB shoes for a couple of rides and getting these over the more aggressive treads on my MTB shoes is much more difficult than my road shoes.

Overall durability is about what I’d expect. I do have some scuffing on the toe area, but nothing that affects the performance at this point. Maybe after a couple of seasons, you might see more damaging scuffs, but what I’ve now got is pretty minimal.

I like how well they fit around my shoes and the cuff height is perfect. I’ve found them to be easy to zip up and down and on the road, they quickly become invisible. There’s enough flex in them that any ankle movements are uninhibited and smooth.

Good Resistor

• Super-easy to take on/off
• Provides excellent wind protection — even down to 30 degrees
• Excellent water protection for inclement weather
• Not too tight… just right
• Budget-friendly price tag

Bad Resistor

• Fabric scuffs pretty easily
• The giant tag gets in the way of the zipper
• A little challenging to take on/off with MTB shoes

Bottom Line: Sugoi Resistor Shoe Covers

Keeping things simple, the Sugoi Resistor Shoe Covers are easy on the wallet while being highly functional and versatile for a variety of weather conditions. My feet have stayed warm down to 30-degrees in them, so buy them for wet and cold weather to boot.

Buy Now: Visit Altrec.com

Merrell Hoffman Shirt Features:

• 100% polyester flannel
• Merrell Opti-Wick fabric for moisture transfer
• Weight: 16 oz (size large)
• 30” center back length
• Single left chest pocket
• Three color options: Boulder (tested), Michigan, and Lava Plaids
• MSRP $65

Merrell Hoffman Shirt Review

After a good hard winter’s workout, there’s nothing like slipping into a comfortable shirt to lounge around the house after your warm shower.  But what if you have to gather up some wood for the fire later, or take on a list of chores after watching the game?  In those cases, a shirt that can do double duty is doubly appreciated.

Merrell’s Hoffman shirt uses a midweight polyester fabric that is slightly coarser than cotton flannel, but still fairly comfortable against the skin.  The cut is perfect for layering over a T-shirt, but slim enough to wear under a jacket.  Warmth is reasonable for a midweight flannel, especially when worn as a top layer.

If you have to return to the active outdoors, no need to change clothes: Merrell’s Opti-wick technology moves sweat away from your skin, and allows the material to dry quickly afterward.  The fabric is durable enough for hiking, camping, or general outdoor activity; this year, the Hoffman was my shirt of choice for our annual Christmas tree cutting, as well as for sawing the tree apart after the holidays.  And when your work is over, you’re already in your comfortable shirt again.

Calico cat not included

Good Hoffman

• Durable fabric construction
• Effective moisture transfer

Bad Hoffman

• Less soft against the skin compared to cotton flannel

Bottom Line: Merrell Hoffman Shirt

Equally suitable for lounging in front of the TV or working outside in the yard, Merrell’s Hoffman is a versatile flannel option for kicking around the campfire or coasting your way through a weekend.

Buy Now: Visit Altrec.com

Castelli Sorpasso Bibtight Features:

• Thermoflex and Thermoflex Core Due fabric
• Progetto X2 seat pad for maximum comfort
• Giro++ straps on bib
• Giro++ ankle grippers position the tight and seal around shoecover
• Metallic ankle zippers with reflective ta pe for high visibility
• Rated Temp Range: 39-59 degrees
• MSRP: $179.95

Castelli Sorpasso Bibs Review

This year has been great for road riding. Even more so, this Fall has been outstanding. Yeah, it’s been chilly finally, but it’s been dry. As such, I’ve been riding strong well into December and now January (not typical for Utah). This weather has been the perfect testing grounds for Castelli’s Sorpasso Bibs.

Seeing as these were my first pair of Castelli bibs, I was initially worried about the “legendary” race fit. I was guided to the size Large and my 5’11″ and 175 lb. frame fit into them perfectly. The overall fit is just right for me. Pulling these on does take a little bit of a multi-step approach. I’ve found that it’s best to pull them up into position over the knees, then stand up and pull them up slowly. A few side-to-sides and leg stretches later and you’ve got the ultra-comfy bibs in place.

Something notable about the Sorpasso’s is the unique strap design. The thin straps have a unique, grippy material on the inside that keeps them in place without being too sticky against your skin. It’s a departure from the typical bib straps I’ve worn with other shorts. The way the uppers are made, the frontside ends a little abruptly and digs into your stomach under certain circumstances — really the Sorpasso’s only notable flaw.

Riding in cold weather down to 30-degrees, the Sorpasso’s keep my legs warm and cozy. I love the fleece-backed Thermoflex and Thermoflex Core Due panels that offer wind protection to keep out the bite of the cold. Only on extended descents near 30-degrees do these start to show their limits as the wind starts to chill the man area a little more than I’d like.

While these will start to get too chilly below 30-degrees, I rode these mountain biking in 16-degree temperatures and they were awesome when worn under the Sugoi Gustov MTB shorts. So, if you have the need to ride in the cold, slap a good pair of baggy shorts on top and the added protection will keep you comfortable.

On the flipside, when ascending long climbs and working hard, the Sorpasso’s breathe very well without ever feeling too hot all the way up into the upper 40′s and 50′s. And, the Progetto X2 seat pad stays comfortable in the saddle without ever feeling too bulky or cumbersome. It’s very well-designed to keep your sensitive bits comfortable.

Good Sorpasso

• Fits true-to-size
• Chamois is comfortable on long rides
• Love the bib straps… very minimalistic, but they work great
• Lightly-lined legs keep things cozy
• Thermoflex fabrics offer excellent wind protection
• The multi-panel design contours the body well
• You get what you pay for… these are worth the price of admission

Bad Sorpasso

• The top of the frontside of the bib can push into your stomach just a tad (or maybe I need to lose my Winterweight)
• Below 30-degrees, you’re gonna get a little bit of a chill

Bottom Line: Castelli Sorpasso Bibtights

With the extended cold, but dry weather this Winter, the Castelli Sorpasso Bibtights have been the perfect riding companion on my regular rides. I’ve loved the fleece-lined legs and wind protection provided by the Sorpasso’s. The unique strap design keeps things in place and the overall fit is as good as can be.

Buy Now: Visit RealCyclist.com

PORTLAND, OREGON (January 5, 2012) – Garmont (www.garmontusa.com) the recognized and award-winning innovators in backcountry and ski mountaineering boot designs, will unveil their newest breakthrough – the PowerLite AT Series – at the upcoming Outdoor Retailer Winter Market and SIA Snow Show.

Available to skiers everywhere in fall 2012, Garmont’s PowerLite design aims for the sweet spot of winter ski adventures: full day alpine tours where climbing agility, skiing performance and complete comfort are all equally critical.

The PowerLite’s most aggressive designs – the Celeste and Cosmos – achieve their skier friendly goals by blending the industry’s most comfortable liners; Garmont’s guide-quality ski performance; and a breakthrough in weight-shaving technology that sets the stage for the lightest four-buckle ski boots, ever.

“Garmont created the big-and-burly freeride AT category, and we’ve brought ultralight AT touring to a broader audience with boots like the Masterlite, but the soul of the brand has always been centered around the backcountry and ski mountaineering experience,” said David Fee, president of Garmont USA. “To create the PowerLite series, we took some of the DNA from the award-winning Radium, added a few new twists, and created something that’s pure Garmont – a series of powerful, comfortable lightweight boots that are a blast to ski.”

In addition to the four-buckle Cosmos (MSRP $699, 1450 g, 125 AT flex) and Celeste (MSRP $699, 1250g, 120 AT flex, women’s specific liner), the PowerLite line also features two three-buckle mountaineering boots: the Orbit (MSRP $649, 1345 g, 115 AT Flex) and the Nova (MSRP $649, 1140g, 110 AT flex, women’s specific liner).

Comfort is the key in the PowerLite series, as the boots are stable and secure thanks to Garmont’s proprietary anatomic shell design and their EZFit PowerLite Liners. Comfortable out of the box, but 100% thermoformable for those seeking a custom fit, the EZFit PowerLite Liners use a bi-elastic skin with Lycra for durability and an exceptional ergonomic fit.

The PowerLite’s Grilamid® shells utilize Garmont’s exclusive “webframe” design technology, which distributes reinforcing ribs throughout the shell and cuff to give maximum rigidity while maintaining incredible lightness. The streamlined, simple Ergonomic Tongue is both elegant and easy to use. And expanded PU inserts in the shells’ inner sole act as a skiing shock absorber, as well as adding insulation, comfort and feel.

The PowerLite Series’ system for Adjustable Forward Lean provides two easy-to-adjust positions. Once the settings are locked in, a single flip of the lever changes modes from “walk” to “ski.” The patent-pending walk mechanism is sleek and streamlined, and moves with the cuff so that rotation is effortless and friction-free.

The ergonomic, supportive cuff sets a new standard for range of motion in an alpine touring boot with 60 degrees of rotation. The cuff’s dual-diameter rivets increase durability and enable free cuff rotation; while an Asymmetric Spoiler with additional medial support can be adjusted to two height positions.

On the sole of the boots, full-length Vibram® dual density rubber ski mountaineering soles cover the instep area for maximum grip when scrambling over rocks. A black, firmer rubber is used around the sole’s perimeter for durability and superior edging power in step-in bindings. Softer red rubber is used in the sole’s midsection for maximum grip.

Magnesium micro-adjustable buckles provide minimum weight and maximum durability, and use Garmont’s unique ‘Wide Open Design’ to maximize the span between open and closed. EZ Open Buckle Straps are simple and easy to manage, hinging out of the way for wide-open entry and exit; while EZ Lock Buckle Catches securely hold the cuff buckles in place during a climb.

More Info: Visit GarmontUSA.com

Sugoi RPM Jacket Features

• HydraShield outer shell for wind and water resistance
• Firewall 220 fabric
• Full waterproof separating zipper to prevent seepage
• Waterproof taped seams
• Core ventilation zippers
• Raglan sleeve construction
• Elastic cuffs with adjustable Velcro closure
• Elastic back hem with flat front
• Microfleece lined collar
• Semi-form fit
• 3M Scotchlite reflective accents add visibility
• Colors: Tomatillo, Super Nova, Chili Red, Black (tested)
• MSRP: $120

Sugoi RPM Cycling Jacket Review

Waterproof and breathable is the dream combination of winter performance gear – unfortunately, in practice those two elements are almost mutually exclusive; true waterproof stuff doesn’t breathe, while truly breathable stuff doesn’t resist water.  It’s a tricky equation that’s practically impossible to solve.

Sugoi’s RPM jacket has outstanding water resistance, as the entire exterior surface is composed of HydraShield, made with a woven outer shell fabric containing DWR coating.  It also seals off all the places water might sneak in, with a fully waterproof zipper and waterproof taped seams.  The rear hemline stays in place, and the mock-turtle-height microfleece collar can be secured with a Velcro closure.  In other words, water’s not getting in this thing.

On the breathability side of the equation, the RPM uses takes a couple of different approaches to let sweat and heat escape; one is a fabric strategy, and the other is a design element.  The fabric is Sugoi’s Firewall 220, which utilizes three-layer construction: a knitted, breathable interior membrane, a performance wicking middle layer, and a weather-resistant surface on the outside.

The design element is quite simple: large core zippers on either side of your trunk allow air to pass through and help regulate moisture management and body temperature.  Another benefit of the core zippers is that they allow you to reach into the back pockets of your base layer – an important point, as the RPM doesn’t have any pockets of its own.

In practice, the overall breathability of the jacket is decent, but not fantastic.  If the rain clears and the day turns out sunnier than you expected, you’ll get warm in a hurry.   If water resistance of the RPM is a 9 out of 10, ventilation is probably closer to a 5.

Zippered core vents; Firewall fabric visible on interior

Fit of the RPM is comfortable through the trunk without feeling baggy, and can accommodate either a single base layer or two thin layers.  Full range of motion is provided by stretch components of the fabric, as well as raglan sleeves to prevent restriction of the shoulders and arms.

Good RPM

• Outstanding water resistance
• Strong insulation for cold temperatures
• Convenient access to rear shirt pockets

Bad RPM

• Limited breathability
• No pocket storage

Bottom Line: Sugoi RPM Jacket

Better for stormy days than sunny ones, Sugoi’s RPM Jacket offers great water resistance for riding through rainy fall or winter conditions.

Buy Now: Visit RealCyclist.com

SUN VALLEY, ID — January 3rd, 2012— SCOTT Sports today announced it will shift gears in the aftermarket bike accessories business and take over the Syncros brand to become a major supplier in the parts and accessories market. Syncros was founded in 1986 by Peter Hamilton and Pippin Osborne as a small, high-end components company on Vancouver’s North Shore. After a few changes in ownership, Tom Ritchey made the most recent buy in 2003, and under his guidance, Syncros returned to its roots as a leading manufacturer of high end mountain bike components focused on the All Mountain, Freeride, and Downhill categories.

SCOTT will give Syncros the necessary support to design outstanding products and will enlarge the line by expanding into Cross Country and Road categories. A dedicated design and engineering team has been created, and they have already begun developing innovative products for future Syncros lines. The products will be built to refect SCOTT’s high standards for technology while also keeping top-to-bottom integration in mind. This type of product integration will cultivate new levels of innovation, adding further value to SCOTT bikes.

“We have always believed that the Syncros name has had an excellent image in the industry,” adds SCOTT Sports Vice President, Pascal Ducrot. “Our priority was to find a way to increase our offering of parts and accessories while still maintaining our relationship with Ritchey, our long-term partner. The purchase of Syncros was the perfect solution and we look forward to ofering our dealers a full line of new parts and accessories with the same high quality standards as our bikes.”

Syncros will be distributed through the SCOTT network of dedicated dealers around the globe. SCOTT currently offers dealers a full range of bikes, clothing, bike shoes, and helmets. The addition of Syncros parts and accessories will further strengthen this package, giving dealers more to offer. SCOTT will present the complete range of new Syncros products to the public during the 2012 Eurobike show.