Elevate your snow riding experience with the Klim Ripsa Vapor One-Piece, designed for those who demand unparalleled performance and comfort on the slopes. The Ripsa Vapor seamlessly integrates advanced ventilation and high-durability materials tailored for the rigors of mountain adventures. This year I tried the Ripsa one-piece suit. It’s a non-insulated one-piece that’s designed for maximum mobility.
The main framework of the Ripsa one-piece suit is a 2-layer GORE-TEX performance shell that’s engineered to be durable while still being highly breathable with great ventilation. This cutting-edge suit is crafted from a lightweight 3-layer GORE-TEX Performance Shell, ensuring you stay dry while allowing maximum mobility, making it perfect for aggressive riding. Because of the two-piece GORE-TEX material design it also feels softer and slightly more maneuverable than the 3-layer GORE-TEX design of the Lochsa mainly because of the difference in stiffness between the 2 and 3-layer GORE-TEX designs.
Ripsa has slightly more room than the Lochsa with a high-end look and feels with nice touches like embroidered Klim emblems and stylish zipper pulls. For Ripsa, the combination of comfort and performance for the one-piece suit is incredible and was appreciated all season long. That’s why I was extremely curious to try them out. Are they up to my expectations? I’m lucky enough to be dressed from head to toe, which allows me to have a certain overview.
First, it is important to take into account that this garment is a shell. It is therefore not insulated. This means that your source of heat and insulation will have to come from your underlays and from you.
Обзор комбинезонов KLIM RIPSA и LOCHSA 2019.
Key Features and Design
The Ripsa also has a slightly more relaxed fit than the Lochsa one-piece. Even with its more relaxed fit, the Ripsa doesn’t feel baggy or bulky but does allow for an extra layer without feeling cramped or too tight. The main venting option for the Ripsa is 16” armpit vents with mesh. The size and placement of these large vents work well to cool down your body when opened.
Read also: Element Jacket: Performance and Comfort
Inside the Ripsa theirs a hidden built-in suspender system to tailor the fit and feel of the one-piece to each rider. The suspender system works well and helps the rider get precise placement of the one-piece for their body shape and size. YKK waterproof zippers are a key element to the durability and performance of the Ripsa. Built-in knee pads are another nice feature of the Ripsa. Klim also left enough room in the leg and knee area to add additional knee pads or knee braces for riders looking for added protection.
I ride with knee braces to protect my knees in case the sled flips and lands on me. The Ripsa has a Velcro boot cuff and tether to keep the deep snow from coming up your legs when you’re walking or wading through deep snow. The Ripsa I chose this season was the HI-VIS color. It was designed with two main colors, Asphalt and HI-VIS, with a third accent of red zippers and a red Klim logo embroidered over the right chest.
Additional Accessories
During the 2021-22 snowmobile season I was able to ride with and test a few new pieces of Klim Technical Riding Gear. These were all new pieces that I had never ridden with before, so I was excited to get out in the mountains and have a full season to put them to the test. This year my season started in early December and ran through late April. So, over the course of the season, this gear was tested through varying winter mountain conditions from deep powder days to -33F (-36C) degree cold high-speed trail days to warm 40F (4C) spring riding days and everything in between.
F3 Carbon Fiber Helmet: The F3 Carbon Fiber Helmet is a super lightweight helmet designed for snowmobiling and off-road adventures. When you first pull this helmet out of the box, you’ll immediately notice two things: it’s super light and it looks amazing. All Klim helmets look good, but the F3 with the hand-laid carbon fibre gives it an added depth and look that’s really appealing especially on sunny days. When you put it on you hardly feel the weight, it’s comfortable and fits great. The F3 also has a larger eye port for improved visibility. Even though the eye port is larger, when I used the F3 with the Edge goggles, the fit was seamless. The F3 Carbon helmet comes with the Fid-Lock quick-release magnetic strap which is amazing and super easy to use. The F3 carbon helmet is incredibly efficient with its venting engineering. This helmet has 13 intake vents and 6 exhaust vents. It does a great job moving the air in and around your head to keep you cool when you’re riding sleds or dirt bikes. The vent design on the F3 is great and in the right location. Some helmets I’ve used in the past had vents next to your ears. The problem with vents in that location is it usually adds a lot of noise when you’re travelling at higher speeds.
Edge Goggle: The Edge goggle was incredible goggle all last season. It’s a goggle with many features but the two main features that stand out and put this goggle in the next level category are the incredible field of view and how quickly you can change out lenses. The quick-release magnetic slide lock system allows you to change lenses easily and in seconds. So, now you can bring an extra lens or two and, in a minute change out the lens to match the conditions you’re riding in. I don’t wear glasses, but I know plenty of people that ride wear glasses or use contacts. I tried putting on a pair of sunglasses to see if the Edge goggle would fit over them and they did. Now full disclosure, I didn’t test wearing my sunglasses and goggles at the same time out in the elements, so I’m not sure about fogging with limited air flow around the glasses, but they fit so it seems like it could be an option. The fit of the Edge goggle with the F3 Carbon helmet was seamless with no cold spots. I also had no issues with fogging or freezing up.
Read also: Is this One Piece Snowmobile Suit Worth It?
Powerxross Heated Glove: The Powerxross heated glove is a lightweight wind & waterproof breathable Gore-Tex glove designed for maximum dexterity with a 3-level heating system. Now you can have the best of both worlds with this new heated glove, great grip and tactile feel to the bars all while having warm hands and fingers while you’re riding. The heating elements start on the back of the hand and then wrap each finger to provide warmth in the areas you need it. When you turn the gloves on you can almost immediately feel the heat. The 3-level heating system is extremely easy and intuitive to use. When you initially turn the gloves on, they go to high heat with the button illuminating red. You can immediately turn down the heat level to medium (blue light) or low (green light) if you choose. If you don’t turn the heat setting down the gloves will automatically turn themselves down from high to medium after 10 mins on high. The battery in each glove will last up to 8 hours on low heat (Green Light), 3 hours on medium (Blue Light) and 1.5 hours on high heat (Red Light). The Powerxross gloves are powered by one lithium-polymer battery per glove that when in use, lives in a pocket in the wrist area.
Atlas 26 Avalanche Airbag: This season I was able to ride with and practice using the Atlas 26 avalanche airbag. Klim has two airbag options for their customers, the Aspect 16 and the Atlas 26. Both have many similarities and operate with the same airbag system; the largest difference is the size of the storage of each bag. The Aspect 16 has 16 litres of equipment storage, and the Atlas 26 has 26 litres of storage. I decided to go with the Atlas 26 because I’m a backcountry snowmobile guide, and avalanche instructor and assist with search and rescues, so extra storage and the ability to bring extra gear was important to me. The Atlas airbag was a very comfortable pack that has a lot of straps to help it fit comfortably and securely to any rider or body type and size. It also has many different compartments and gear storage options for staying organized, which I appreciate. It’s nice to go right to the area where you have that item stored and grab it without having to open one big area and dig through all your stuff to find the one thing you need. One of the storage areas is dedicated to avalanche rescue gear and is marked with a red zipper so it is easy to find.
The airbag blower system is charged with a micro-USB cable, and I found it charged in about an hour. The airbag also has a spot for a pair of AA batteries that will recharge the capacitor after use in the field, it also takes approximately an hour to recharge the system. Three lights will indicate if the system is ready, green, amber and red indicator lights to let you know if the bag is charged and ready to head out for a ride. Green means the system is good to go and is ready to be deployed. The Red light means the bag is not ready and should be charged or something in the system isn’t ready. There’s no compressed air cylinder so you can do multiple deployments while you’re in the field. So, if you’re caught in an avalanche or have one coming toward you, you can deploy the airbag without hesitation. The other nice part about having an airbag pack with a blower system is it can be reset and recharged easily, so you’ll be more likely to use it for practice. Practicing with all your avalanche gear is important. Even with your avalanche airbag. You should practice setting off the airbag when you’re in a safe spot in the field regularly. The Atlas 26 airbag pack has 6 pull handle adjustments so you can set the location of the pull handle to the perfect height for each rider.
When you’re out riding, the snowmobile you’re on plays a big part in the enjoyment of your day, but the gear your wearing is, in my opinion, just as important. The riding gear you’re in is what you’re feeling when you’re out riding all day long. When you’re in the elements it’s what’s keeping the cold out and from wrecking your day by sending you home early. There’s a lot of engineering that goes into high-quality riding gear and it pays to invest. Let’s face it, some of the best days of riding are when the weather is the worst.
Additional Observations
I must emphasize the effectiveness of the seals on the boots and gloves. I had no snow intrusion from these two areas. At the level of the knees, there are protective pads. This help to reduce the impact. They are not as effective as a traditional knee protector, but they still offer a reduction of light impacts. There are underarm ventilation hatches, which help regulate your temperature. In my conditions, they weren’t necessary, but I’m sure in the spring they will come in handy. You can adjust the garment with two belts on the sides, as well as a pair of suspenders. These straps offer Y-shaped support and easily support the weight of the garment.
Read also: 2-Piece Hockey Stick Review
When it comes to the quality of the Zippers, I have to say I am really pleased. Too often in the past, I have had garments that have given way very quickly. Here, I have to say that the quality and durability are spot on. I love the center position of the main zipper. I find it well-placed and efficient. It’s easy to open from the bottom to urinate which is a plus. There are only three pockets and they are not very big. However, they do provide effective protection from the elements. Again, the closures are solid and waterproof. The set also comes with a hood, this one is removable. I love the style, most of the sets feature a two-colour contrast. It’s tasteful and goes with a lot of different snowmobiles. I must say that I am very satisfied with the Ripsa package because on all my outings I returned home dry. The internal and external moisture control is excellent. All of the internal surfaces are soft to the touch. The outer surfaces are sturdy and quickly stop the progression of any tears. The garment is soft and light. It allows me to maintain my agility.
In conclusion, the Klim clothing and accessories exceeded my expectations. Whether it’s their neat aesthetics, their high level of safety features, or their performance in the snow. I personally believe that every dollar invested in Klim clothing or accessories is worth it. Quality and performance are a given.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Material | Lightweight 3-layer GORE-TEX Performance Shell |
| Ventilation | Advanced ventilation system for temperature regulation |
| Zippers | YKK waterproof zippers |
| Knee Protection | Built-in knee pads |
| Suspender System | Hidden built-in suspender system for tailored fit |
tags: #klim #one #piece #snowmobile #suit