FirstGear HT pants?

[joema]

I tried on some FirstGear HT pants today. Liked the design, quality, fit, but the poor belt adjustment was horrible. There was about 1 inch max of adjustment, and even achieving that was very difficult. The belt and waist size is essentially non-adjustable.

The entire belt buckle/adjustment scheme seemed fatally flawed, which is odd considering the general quality elsewhere.

Can anyone having these pants comment? Did I miss something?

Can someone recommend some other cold weather pants? How about the FirstGear HT Air? From the pictures the HT Air looks to have a simple, logical waist adjustment.

I'm just incredulous the regular HT pants were designed that way.

[steve3b3]

I tried on some FirstGear HT pants today. Liked the design, quality, fit, but the poor belt adjustment was horrible. There was about 1 inch max of adjustment, and even achieving that was very difficult. The belt and waist size is essentially non-adjustable.

The entire belt buckle/adjustment scheme seemed fatally flawed, which is odd considering the general quality elsewhere.

Can anyone having these pants comment? Did I miss something?

Can someone recommend some other cold weather pants? How about the FirstGear HT Air? From the pictures the HT Air looks to have a simple, logical waist adjustment.

I'm just incredulous the regular HT pants were designed that way.

I have a set of HT overpants, and you're right, there is only an inch or so of adjustment. If you buy the correct size, it's not a huge problem. If it fits, the waist adjustment is to handle incremental changes, such as a sweatshirt vs a teeshirt tucked into the pants.

When my wife went looking for gear after dropping her bike, the lady at Motomarket in Acton fitted her with a set of HT overpants as well. Neither of us has had a problem getting into them or making them fit for us.

What is your major issue with the adjustment?

Steve

[joema]

I'm just used to riding pants that have a considerable waist adjustment that's quick and easy to use. Over the years I've gained and lost weight, so know the importance of an adjustable waist :)

Even my inexpensive Joe Rocket Phoenix pants have a nice velcro-based waist adjustment that's simple, reliable and fast. It appears so do the other FirstGear pants, such as the HT Air.

The belt design of the regular HT pants struck me as poorly designed, especially odd considering how well designed the pants are otherwise.

[Killtimer]

Mine have been able to accommodate a ~20 lb fluctuation. 6 years and I've no idea how many miles and downpours and they're still waterproof. Some fading but no frayed edges or broken snaps/zips/belts. I've yet to find a better overpant. Yes the HT Air have a better (slightly) waste adjustment system, but they're not nearly as good in the cold. Just as a side note, the Air's fit a little tighter than the regular HTs in the same waste size. Something to keep in mind if you're going the mail order route.

[joema]

Thanks for the feedback.

What about the Voyager pants? Anybody use those?

[electrajoe]

I tried them last year. They were too hot above 50F, with and without the liner, but they are waterproof. Took them back for the FG mesh pants, not waterproof, but can be worn to about 95F, these require suspenders. The Joe Rocket mesh Large was too small, XL was too large. I cannot recommend either.

Joe

[Ken]

So a question about adjustment & fit of overpants: Do you purchase them in your waist size, or do you need to purchase them a size larger to accomodate pants/jeans underneath?

[timblanch]

I bought mine last winter and used them the first time for a ski vacation with my wife. They were impenetrable to cold and water, epsecially on a long day where the temperatures start melting the snow and you fall down once or twice (OK, wipe-out a half-dozen times.) The only bad thing for skiing was the ankles wouldn't close around the fat ski boots but that wasn't a functional problem for me.

The buckle: Yeah, I thought it was horrible when I got mine but it turns out it's not a problem. I bought the same size waste (34) overpant as pants I wear. If due to limited adjustment around the waist the pants are too loose, it won't matter because the pants are too warm to wear any other time than riding and when you're sitting on your bike, they aren't going to slide down. In fact, you want them a little loose so they don't bunch up when sitting. I sometimes don't even clasp the snap or buckle. The velcro fly holds them together just fine (for riding.)

Bottom line? I like them. They look cool, are very warm with the liner, have removable pads at knees and hips, and are pretty easy to get on and off. Do I wish the buckle was smaller and more adjustable? Yes. Is it a major issue for me? Absolutely not.

BTW, I just saw them for $128.00 at Motorcylce Closeouts. Apparently FG introduced a new version that's selling for about $30 more. I wonder if they changed the buckle?

[PanAmerican]

So a question about adjustment & fit of overpants: Do you purchase them in your waist size, or do you need to purchase them a size larger to accomodate pants/jeans underneath?

If you are getting the HT Airs, buy the size you wear.

I just purchased the First Gear HT Air Overpants from RideGear.com and am well pleased with them and with the vendor. They are "size-adjusted" already to fit over your jeans, etc. I am a tad over 6' and usually wear jeans in 38W/32L. I made the mistake of ordering a the HT Air Overpants in size 40 Long. They were *way* too wide and *way* too tall. I exchanged them for size 38 Regular which fit perfectly over my regular pants.

BTW, the HT Air Overpants have a very flexible velcro waist adjustment (there is no belt) and a fully removeable waterproof liner.

[Fred D]

BTW, I just saw them for $128.00 at Motorcylce Closeouts. Apparently FG introduced a new version that's selling for about $30 more. I wonder if they changed the buckle?

fwiw, $119 @ New Enough (http://www.newenough.com/product_group_closeout_textile.htm)

[Pred8tor]

I ordered a pair from New Enough yesterday after I heard about the sale... they should be here Saturday.

[Stermp66]

I have the ht overpants that I wear like now around these parts of northeast pa. I have found them to be a little slick on the leather sargent saddle. I like them because the legs open allowing you to remove them over you boots. Tommorrows forcast is predicting it to be 37f in the morning so you know I will be wearing them to work with the liners installed lol :eek:

Paul S.

:04biker:

[joema]

Well, after all my complaining, Firstgear HT pants are what I bought. https://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/ had them for $128.00 (thanks for that tip).

I selected a closer fit, so the limited belt adjustment was less an issue.

I'd still prefer a better belt adjustment, but they fit OK, feel good, are very good quality, esp. for $128. I just couldn't find anything better for that price.

Heck there are non-lined pants that are more expensive than that -- these have a zip-out Thinsulate liner, also, padding and water resistance looks good.

Thanks everybody for your help and feedback.

[Allan_Leahy]

I have the HT Air overpants and I like them a lot. The hook and zipper went out on me after about 2 months but I took them into a local seamstress and had the zipper replaced with a heavy duty one and the hook replaced with velcro and they work just great now. I just ordered the HT Overpants for the winter and I expect them to work just as well.

[Tor]

I got my HT's a while back, and love them. Nice and roomy. The buckle problem don't bother me, because I always use suspenders on my riding pants. Not that I have to, it's just something I've always done. Got the Kili jacket at the same time as the pants, and had a chance to try them out to work the other morning when it dropped down to about 40. Comfortable and warm.(Yeah, I know, but it's SC) I bought the pants to size, but long, so they don't ride up on the boots when sitting on the bike. Pockets are somewhat cumbersome to get into (goes for the jacket too) but waterproof is waterproof. Overall, a good combination for cold and wet weather riding. Now if I could just get my Sidi Onroads in, I would be all set. Oh yeah, gloves, my Steve's didn't cut it in the cold (good summer gloves though), so using Held Narvik's for the cold stuff. Same good quality as the Steve's.

[IntruderCruiser]

I got the insulated First Gear HT pants and they are great -- I took out the insulation lining since our low temps are only in the 50's and I have ridden with them in the 90's with out any problems -- I don't have a problem with the minimal adjustment at the buckle and I have done some walking around in them

couldn't beat the price at Newenough.com