1Tonne All Season Explorer Jacket

[p.dath]

1Tonne (http://www.1tonne.co.nz/) recently contacted myself with regard to a new Jacket they were releasing onto the market, which they call the "All Season Explorer" jacket. I regularly attend free Motorcycle training held on the North Shore of Auckland referred to as NASS (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/77111-North-Auckland-Street-Skills-NASS), and 1Tonne agreed to donate one of the new jackets to a deserving member. I intercepted the jacket in transit so I could take a look at it ....


From the moment you take the jacket out of the plastic courier bag that it arrives in you can tell this thing was designed to be waterproof. The first thing that struck me was the front zips. There isn't one, but two (see picture below). So you zip together the jacket using the inner zip. Then you do up the outer zip up, which completely covers up the inner zip. Then a flap of fabric goes across the outer zip and is held down by domes. I guess you could describe it as a triple fixture system. I just can't see any water or cold wind getting in.

The next thing that caught my attention is their appears to be an extra layer of fabric over the elbows and lower arms, and around the shoulders region. A quick read of their web site confirms the extra fabric is a really heavy 1000D Nylon Cordura layer. A quick squeeze and I can tell the jacket has armour in all the normal places. Casting my eyes over the labels and I can see it is all CE rated.

The jacket has an internal removable liner. I removed a section of the liner, and between the liner and the jacket is what I guess you would describe as another nylon liner. It must be there to keep any seepage into the jacket away from the liner and you body. It's kinda like a raincoat, but inside the jacket.

Down the bottom of the jacket is an 8 inch zip for connection to pants for those that want a two piece they can connect together.

There are a couple of easily accessible pockets neatly tucked into the jacket on the inside. There appears to be lots of pockets and storage places on the outside. A quick read of the web site tells me there is 5 on the outside. The main pockets on the outside at the bottom seemed to be lined in some kind of waterproof feeling material (probably nylon). I get the impression you could put a piece of paper in there, zip the pockets back up, and despite the rain you would be able to take the piece of paper out dry at the other end.


I don't know about you, but I always look for jackets that can breath for summer, so that I don't cook. I was reassured to see vents with zips in the sleeves and chest region. Under the vents is a nylon mesh style material.


About the only thing I can see that made me laugh about the jacket is that it has one those "pretend" back protectors made out of foam. Many jackets have them in this class - and I personally think they are all a waste of time.
If you buy a back protector you get it to either protect you against abrasion in case your back gets exposed (and your sliding on your back), or in case you hit something (impact resistance). Well if your back protector is built into your jacket, and your jacket slides up, then so will your back protector - so you get no abrasion resistance. And I don't know about you, but I would not want to suffer an impact on my back with only a soft foam insert for protection.
But as I say, the "back protector" is no better or worse than other "back protectors" in jackets of this nature.

The other thing I find surprising is that according to the 1Tonne web site this jacket is only $200. For this kind of money there is no reason why new and returning riders cannot justify not having a decent jacket. I'm tempted to get one for myself.

On the whole I think this is a well made piece of gear (like all the other 1Tonne gear I have seen). It is especially suitable for those wanting to stay dry or wanting to keep the chilling wind out. The removable thermal liner and venting also make it suitable for summer use. So I guess like the name says, it is an all season jacket.

[avgas]

Compared with my previous motoline ($150) and my current Teknic ($300), the price seems about right - but in no ways cheap.

[SPP]

Nice write up pdath. I‘ve yet to see a jacket with a decent back protector built in (including jackets costing many more hundreds of dollars).

Sounds like a sweet deal. $200??

I’m still waiting for someone to do a similar quality write up of this
http://www.1tonne.co.nz/index.php?page=listingDetails&prodid=58&sco=&categoryid=4

[wysper]

So it was $599 and now they are clearing them out for $200. Is there any reason or just wanting to clear the decks for new stock?

[p.dath]

So it was $599 and now they are clearing them out for $200. Is there any reason or just wanting to clear the decks for new stock?

No, they are saying the RRP is $599, but they are sellingthem for $200.

[firefighter]

I’m still waiting for someone to do a similar quality write up of this
http://www.1tonne.co.nz/index.php?page=listingDetails&prodid=58&sco=&categoryid=4

Well if 1tonne wants to send me one to trial i'll happily do a nice write-up! :shifty:

[Shaun]

No, they are saying the RRP is $599, but they are sellingthem for $200.


Good write up mate, 1tonne would be happy to read that.

[NOID]

Well if 1tonne wants to send me one to trial i'll happily do a nice write-up! :shifty:

i have the one peice and i love it. its well made, costs half the price of some other suits, and i cant fault it yet. Im going to order the 2 peice for my new road bike, 1 peice is a pain when having a coffie some where.

my 2c

[Squiggles]

Nice write up pdath. I‘ve yet to see a jacket with a decent back protector built in (including jackets costing many more hundreds of dollars).


My spidi one has a fairly decent protector but it'll still suffer if the jacket moves :(

[flyingcrocodile46]

Doesn't mean half as much as a post accident write up. Funny that they are so rare on textile jackets

[vindy500]

Doesn't mean half as much as a post accident write up. Funny that they are so rare on textile jackets

Could it be because textile jackets are designed to destroy themselves in a crash? Theres not much you can write up about them, crashed today, jackets buggered. the end....


Or maybe people who wear cordura don't crash as often?

[firefighter]

Doesn't mean half as much as a post accident write up. Funny that they are so rare on textile jackets


Could it be because textile jackets are designed to destroy themselves in a crash? Theres not much you can write up about them, crashed today, jackets buggered. the end....

When I wrote off my bike I was wearing a cordura jacket, and I still used it until I bought my leather one not so long ago. I was going around 80kms before I went down.

[p.dath]

When I wrote off my bike I was wearing a cordura jacket, and I still used it until I bought my leather one not so long ago. I was going around 80kms before I went down.

Any idea what the denier rating was (aka, thickness)? After you came off, how did the jacket have to protect you (e,g. did you slide on your back, roll, slide on your front, etc), or did you slide on your arse?

[firefighter]

Any idea what the denier rating was (aka, thickness)? After you came off, how did the jacket have to protect you (e,g. did you slide on your back, roll, slide on your front, etc), or did you slide on your arse?

Nah no idea mate. It was a cheapish jacket so probably bugger all. The only way it did'nt protect me was because it did'nt have decent armour in it, so I had a bit of floating cartilage in the elbow which went away after a while, but other than that the jacket was relatively ok. Had I put some decent armour in it myself i'd have get away even less hurt, but even then I only had injuries consisting of bruising etc, so pretty consistent with what you'd expect from any jacket.

Thud and slide was pretty much the MOI it had to protect from.

[flyingcrocodile46]

My observation was directed as a generalisation regarding textile jackets. Not any particular make or textile.

From what I have read on many forums and related websites is that even genuine 600 denier cordura (check speelink) does not fare well in abrasion tests. A frequent analogy that seems to pop up is that it is little better than denim (in a decent slide). Given the miserable performance it doesn't seem to be that big of a deal whether the textile is genuine or not as none of them are really any good at all. That said I use textile gear as I am too cheap and fat to find suitable leather gear (that I wont cook in). One day I will do the right thing and fork out for good leather gear.

I have a couple of Dririder jackets. One has been subjected to a slide of approx 1 to 1.5 m and the mesh on the front was holed through abrasion. I guess that's what you get for wanting to stay cool.

PS. Although both Quasimoto and 1 Tonne have some good looking leather gear, none of the stock stuff appears to be made for fat bastards like me.

[1tonne]

Sorry we don't stock your size. We will endevour to work on that.
As for our All Season Explorer jacket , it is Genuine Nylon Cordura. Cheers.

[flyingcrocodile46]

Sorry we don't stock your size. We will endevour to work on that.
As for our All Season Explorer jacket , it is Genuine Nylon Cordura. Cheers.

That's nice. Short leather jackets don't suit us fatties. We need more of a touring cut to make it up and over the hump ;-).

Personally I would like a fully perforated two piece leather suit. I'd rather get wet from rain than sweat any day.

[1tonne]

That's nice. Short leather jackets don't suit us fatties. We need more of a touring cut to make it up and over the hump ;-).

Personally I would like a fully perforated two piece leather suit. I'd rather get wet from rain than sweat any day.

We are looking at doing custom suits very soon (3-4 months) at a very competitve price. So keep an eye on our site and we may be able to sort you out.

[Shaun]

We are looking at doing custom suits very soon (3-4 months) at a very competitve price. So keep an eye on our site and we may be able to sort you out.


Looking forward to my NEW CUSTOM 1Tonne Race suit, I will use my Celtic suit untill we make mine

[firefighter]

From what I have read on many forums and related websites is that even genuine 600 denier cordura (check speelink) does not fare well in abrasion tests. A frequent analogy that seems to pop up is that it is little better than denim (in a decent slide). Given the miserable performance .


Saved me in a 80km/h slide. I wrote this a just a few posts before this. Jacket and pants are both still useable, and saved my ass. Certainly far greater than any denim would have. Both my pants and jacket held up fine, and neither are top of the line. In fact, I still use the pants, the jacket was replaced a while after as I finally brough a good quality leather jacket, and I will be getting an expensive cordura jacket to replace the old one soon"ish" for commuting.

Do'nt believe everything you read, personal experience shows that it holds up fine.

[vifferman]

I‘ve yet to see a jacket with a decent back protector built in (including jackets costing many more hundreds of dollars).
My Teknic had a fairly decent back protector moulded into the back of it. When my VFR750 was written off, I landed flat on my back after bouncing off the side of the Audi that u-turned into me. I was slightly winded, but my back wasn't in the least bit damaged.

From what I have read on many forums and related websites is that even genuine 600 denier cordura (check speelink) does not fare well in abrasion tests.... I have a couple of Dririder jackets. One has been subjected to a slide of approx 1 to 1.5 m and the mesh on the front was holed through abrasion.

The first time I came off after buying my Teknic, I would have slid for no more than a metre. I ended up with a hole the size of a 10c piece on the sleeve. The Teknic had padded kevlar panels on the underside of the forearms, the elbows and the shoulders. In subsequent 'asphalt encounters' these got scuffed, but were intact, as were my leather pants. I had the sleeves of the jacket overlaid with leather because the cordura (either 800 denier or 1000 - can't recall) abraded so alarmingly.
Cordura is convenient for all-weather biking, but really can't stand up to abrasion like leather. Even kevlar abrades more readily than leather does.

[carver]

quasimoto must be feeling the pinch now that the low price high quality market is being snapped up beneath them!

[1tonne]

217501217502217505

Now avaliable in Red as well.

Soon we will have a High Visibility version of this jacket on the market.

[jack_hamma]

Your GP TECH2 PRO RACE PANTS they come in just black? or can they been made with your own colours? Where the white and blue?red are?

[1tonne]

Your GP TECH2 PRO RACE PANTS they come in just black? or can they been made with your own colours? Where the white and blue?red are?

Hi. We only have them in Red/Black/White and Blue/Black/White and Plain Black.- The black ones are not on the website at the moment but if you purchase a blue pair, I can organise to send you out a black pair. Cheers.

[1tonne]

The High Visibility All Season Explorer is now on the market.
http://www.1tonne.co.nz/index.php?page=listingDetails&prodid=94&sco=&categoryid=2

[p.dath]

The High Visibility All Season Explorer is now on the market.
http://www.1tonne.co.nz/index.php?page=listingDetails&prodid=94&sco=&categoryid=2

That's really good to see - gear being made with visibility in mind.

[Elysium]

Nice looking jackets. Just had a look at 1Tonne site and fuck me some of the gear is way better then the old stuff I bought off you guys years ago. Might have to get some new gear from you guys I think. Definatly need new pants, jacket and boots.

[Underground]

The High Visibility All Season Explorer is now on the market.
http://www.1tonne.co.nz/index.php?page=listingDetails&prodid=94&sco=&categoryid=2

How accurate is the sizing on these?
My chest is 104, which on 1tonne's sizing puts me into xl
My current 'not so dry' rider is L and fits eairly loose.
Oh and has anyone been for a long ride in the rain wearing one of these ? wanna tell us about it??
The older I get the more interested I get in the hi viz and having it incorporated in the jacket is better than the vest I carry around with me but rarely put on :rolleyes:

[1tonne]

The sizing is accurate. Measure your chest with only a T-Shirt on and then check your meausrments.
You are boarder liner on either size. A Large may be too snug and so I would probably go for an XL.
We have sold many of these jackets and they have proven themselves in bad weather.
The Wellington Police even purchased some of these jackets after trialling them out.

If for some reason they start to leak after a few years then we also sell replacement waterproof liners for $50.00. So you do not have to buy new jacket. COOL!!

[Maha]

Yip some good gear a sharp prices by the look.
Liking the Advanced Touring Boots @ $145.00

[Underground]

Thats nice to know about the liners, dririder seem to have made theirs out of unobtainium.
xl then cause if I breathe in its 105 and I'd prefer a bit of space

[Dangsta]

Got to give props to 1tonne. I got a black hawk leather jacket and have been riding solidly with it for well over a year now. It's broken in sweet and is a solid, well fitting piece of kit. Very happy with it.

[bluninja]

I've had my high vis 1tonne jacket and trousers for about 18 months now. Still looks good and is comfortable.
However no longer waterproof, probably not even shower proof. 20 minute trip home tonight after the rain had eased.

Soaking at both elbows, behind both knees, and across the belly. Seems the waterproof liner doesn't stand up to the stretching and bending around joints; no idea why the water at the belly as it's too high for coming in the joint between the 2 items. Also the top popper has come off.

Not up to the longevity of the cheaper end kit I've had in the past. I think I will go for goretx at next purchase. Prefer to stop the water getting in than letting it soak the jacket and then just prevent it going through with an internal waterproof lining.

[HornetBoy]

Prefer to stop the water getting in than letting it soak the jacket and then just prevent it going through with an internal waterproof lining.


One thing you can do to help with this is throw it in the wash with "Nikwax Tec Wash" then spray or wash through with "Nikwax Tx Direct" . Ive done this with numerous cheap and expensive motorcycle jackets/pants and it reduces water soaking/pooling into the clothing as well as repels it in the first place. Try some out on your hand then run it under the tap and you'll see the effects (water is repelled off your hand/skin). I do it with all of my "waterproof" gear .They have a wax you can wipe onto leathers which does the same thing. Have tested these products over a few years and they definitely help,you will need to reapply them regularly though just to maintain the protection (even if you own a goretex jacket as you still need to keep the repelling action working) :niceone:

[russd7]

i bought a pair of 1 tonne motorcycle sports pants a few weeks ago, i do think that all these manufacturers need to remove "100%" waterproof from their advertising as i can assure you they are not,as i found out travling back home from the brass,although i only got damp i was riding the wing and not the zzr which i would say i would have been soaked, having said that my jacket also let the water in, they are very warm tho and i would still purchase a jacket at a later date and the gloves i bought at the same time held the water out for a long time and my hands were only slightly damp on arriving home.
one other thing 1Tonne, if you are going to supply different leg lenghts it would be help ful to put the measurements on your website, i searched and could not find them and being a bit disorganised needed to get the order in quickly so i could have them for the brass. that said the service was extremely quick with the pants and gloves arriving within 4 days, overall a thumbs up

[ruaphu]

Thought I would dump my two cents here on this jacket being I have one that is more than well used to say the least.

I bought a fluro version just on a year ago. It's used daily, and I mean daily, for work commutes. When not commuting, we're out cruising about or full on touring. In the last year we have covered 22oooK's all done whilst wearing this jacket. These K's have been done on a sport tourer and now my cruiser.

The jacket has been through sun, wind, rain, hail, gale force winds and snow. It has been well used and looks a bit worse for wear due to bug splatter and road grime. Everything still works!!! The waterproofing is still good except at the elbows, where it does leak, but what do you expect after all that movement? not bad in my view. (Might be an opportunity to improve this area, perhaps double layer, glued???)

The winter liner is cracker keeping you warm as is the rain liner at keeping the water out. The huge zipped vents on the arms and chest are an absolute bonus on hot summer days. (and do a great job trapping the odd Wasp too, lol)

All the zips, velco, adjusters and buttons still work. One zipper has broken the top section of zipper handle but is still functional. The 'cut' of the jacket is good but not as good as it could be. I do find the chest area is not as form fitting as it should (two mates jackets have the same issue too) This allows air to circulate around your front chest area, great in summer, can be bit chilly in winter at times and can be darn uncomfortable cos of this cold flow (I tend to stop and get a paper to sit across there to resolve the issue).

The only real improvement I would ask for (if your reading this Nathan) is rear zippers on the back to improve summer cooling.

A couple of minor grumbles. Stitching on pockets could be improved and perhaps better/stronger zipper handles(mates have issues with broken ones). Finally, improve the 'cut' around the chest area to stop the cold air circulating issue.

Over all I would rate...Quality 8/10, Price 10/10, functionality 9/10, styling 7/10(cos it's a touring jacket).

If you want a good jacket that will stand up to day to day use and abuse you cannot go past one of these. It's budget wise, hardy and generally does a good job. My former jackets include dry rider, Buffalo, axiom, Spool and cheap nasty thing from TM I gave away in the end.

Just to be open and honest, I live in the Naki a couple of towns up from 1 Tonne, but have no connection with 1 Tonne except to purchase products over the years for my wife and I. Over the years we have purchased 6 pair of gloves-Winter & summer versions (all have been bang on great), Pants (Hmmm, warm but not waterproof) Boots (not bad actually, wore the soles off em like any biker does with comfy boots)

Cheers A Dub-ya

[1tonne]

Hi Ruaphu

Thanks for the feedback. I am glad to hear it is still going strong after a lot of km's.
If you want to fix the Waterproofing issue around the elbows, get in contact and make an appointment as we sell the replaceable waterproof liners for $50.00.
We will see what we can do with the shape in the chest area but it can also depend on the body shape of the person as most people find that it is a good fit. We have found that when purchasing the jacket you want it to fit as snug as possible because once you take the thermal liner out and the waterproof liner out there is more space inside the chest area. If it is snug with these liners in then it will not be too loose when they are out.
PS. There is a hidden air vent in the back of the jacket. Check up the top under the flap.

Anyway. Thanks for the feedback. You are a legend.

Cheers
Nathan

[pete-blen]

I have had a 1 tonne toureing jacket & pants for 2 years...
Still as good as the day I bought them... warm / dry..
jackets a bit longer so yer don't get that gap between the
jacket/pants with the rain running down yer ass..
Jacket $140 / pants $130 I don't think yer could buy
better for the prise..

[ruaphu]

Hi Ruaphu

Thanks for the feedback. I am glad to hear it is still going strong after a lot of km's.
If you want to fix the Waterproofing issue around the elbows, get in contact and make an appointment as we sell the replaceable waterproof liners for $50.00.
We will see what we can do with the shape in the chest area but it can also depend on the body shape of the person as most people find that it is a good fit. We have found that when purchasing the jacket you want it to fit as snug as possible because once you take the thermal liner out and the waterproof liner out there is more space inside the chest area. If it is snug with these liners in then it will not be too loose when they are out.
PS. There is a hidden air vent in the back of the jacket. Check up the top under the flap.

Anyway. Thanks for the feedback. You are a legend.

Cheers
Nathan

Cheers for taking the time to listen/read Nathan, so many don't bother. Good being able to deal directly with a kiwi designer, manufacturer, seller for a change.

Re the rain liner, will do, I'm down your way today with my wife for pants. Re the chest area, speaking with a mate commented about having domes or adjusters further up to better fit more bod's.

Found the back vent, Duh! what a clot missing that feature, it will get well used in summer.

Regards, Andrew.

[bluninja]

Hi Nathan, that's good to know. I washed my outer with a waterproofing agent, but for me the liner now seems to leak in most places that move. Also the top popper has come off on the jacket collar. Do you sell replacements, or know where I can source them?

[1tonne]

Hi Nathan, that's good to know. I washed my outer with a waterproofing agent, but for me the liner now seems to leak in most places that move. Also the top popper has come off on the jacket collar. Do you sell replacements, or know where I can source them?

I do have some somewhere but I am not sure where. I will have a look for them (fingers crossed as it was a long time ago that I got them). If I find them I will PM you.
Otherwise try a tenting or canvas (Shade sails) place.

[TimeOut]

Cheers for taking the time to listen/read Nathan, so many don't bother. Good being able to deal directly with a kiwi designer, manufacturer, seller for a change.

Re the rain liner, will do, I'm down your way today with my wife for pants. Re the chest area, speaking with a mate commented about having domes or adjusters further up to better fit more bod's.

Found the back vent, Duh! what a clot missing that feature, it will get well used in summer.

Regards, Andrew.

Double Duh found the vent in mine, that'll be why it breathes so well with the liners out. It's the best jacket I've for keeping cool in the summer:2thumbsup

[Erelyes]

Thought I'd bump this to add my 2c as well. I have asked Nathan a bunch of dumb questions about his gear lately, so really should return the favor with an (honest!) review of what I've already bought from him.

I've had an All Season Explorer for the last five months - bought it at the start of April and have used it 5 days a week since.

The features of this jacket are great. Not just great 'for the price', but great fullstop. The waterproof liner is fantastic, the venting is extensive, it has plenty of pockets, and all the adjustment needed. The vent zips are waterproof which at this price point is a happy surprise. The storm zip, main zip and flap system are totally weathertight. The armour sits in the right places and I've not had cause to test it out yet but it all looks/feels up to par (the token 'back protector' excluded). Styling wise, I actually think it looks fairly sharp for an all season textile.

Durability wise, it is wearing very very well. One rubber 'cap' fell of an arm adjustment strap, which was a 5 minute fix. Other than that, not a single issue and I anticipate it lasting for years.

I agree somewhat with the comment above about the fit being loose. I got an XL instead of a L to allow for wearing a woolen jersey underneath, yet I still find there's acres of room underneath and I can get a little breeze up my chest. That said, there is a drawstring which helps things a bit and I'd probably be fine with an L if I wasn't so lanky in the torso/arms. At the end of the day it's textile, it's gonna be a bit looser by necessity.

Minor nitpicks:
- The waterproof liner doesn't have any sort of soft fabric underneath. Doesn't bother me cos I wear a merino neck tube anyway which covers it, but it would be a nice addition. (Hey, what about building a neck tube into the waterproof liner? There's a thought).
- The back protector is... modest. I wear a separate back protector anyway. To be honest to get anything decent in there is going to add $$ to the cost, I find all stock back protectors to be crap.

At the end of the day these are fantastic value for money and short of spending nearly four times the amount, you're not going to beat it. I know, I shopped around, looked at 2nd hand, tried a bunch of stuff on... then I took the plunge and bought the top of the line textile from 1tonne instead, and I am glad I did. My only regret is getting the charcoal instead of the fluro colourway - originally I wanted to avoid fluro but it has grown on me :lol:

HTH all... if you are a commuter and you want a practical jacket that will keep you dry, last the distance, and leave you some $$$ in the bank, you won't find better. :headbang: