Sedeci Jacket/Pants Riding suit

[Frulk_imp]

Took some time off from work and went to the new Cycle Gear store that just opened in Northern Utah on a shopping strip not too far from my house. As mentioned in another thread I was interested in purchasing a new mesh riding jacket (for DAILY use) to replace my now 10+ year old Icon mesh one.

They didn't have any I was really interested in including the Honda branded one. Another issue is that the jackets all maxed out at 3X and that was a tight fit in the shoulders. I wanted a little room to have the option during shoulder seasons to wear something like a thick hoodie for extra warmth.

In the process of doing that I was derailed and ended up with the Sedeci Alexi jacket/pant combo that will NOT BE FOR DAILY use but for longer weekend trips. Some basic info. Both have removable water and thermal liners. They're made of non-technical fabric (nothing breathable) but appear to have adequate manual vents to compensate for that. Obviously there are some convenience issues with that as you will have to ride with the liner in if you think it might rain because stopping and putting it in beforehand will be required if clouds are on the horizon. This is where Gore-Tex and other breathable fabrics shine as long as you're willing to pay the price of entry. That's a lesser issue with the thermal liner because you'll know in advance if its going to be cold. The zippers are not waterproof but appear to be robust. Behind the jacket zipper is a broad flap with a folded side which appear to be designed to keep water that makes it through from circumventing the waterproof liner. All the vent zippers are covered with flaps that open to the rear of the direction you're riding in.

The thermal liner are quilted throughout but do have some sort of silver heat reflection material as is popular currently in some clothing brands like Columbia etc. That reflective material goes down to mid thigh in the pants (the quilted liner goes all the way down to the ankles). In the jacket it encases your entire lower core (belly button to top of kidneys).

Thermal liner in jacket:



Other notable features are fabric tie down-snaps in the arms (assuming that when both liners are out there may be excess material that needs to be pulled back...see pic). Plenty of chest and interior pockets in the jacket. The Jacket has an extended lower back flap to cover that area when bent forward and in the same area under the flap the jacket and pants can be zipped together. Also, the jacket does have reflective piping on it that is surprisingly effective. Note how that thin line reflects to the camera flash.

Without flash:



With flash:





The belt tightening mechanism appears to be a modified version of the Schlier (sp?) system used to tighten some back pack hip belts and I like that a lot.

The Jacket has armor in the shoulders, back and elbows. The back pad seems to be a large dense foam of some type that's relatively light. The manufacturer calls it a memory foam comfort back panel....what the ? I have extra armor laying around and may replace or supplement that pad.




Shoulder and elbow armor is much 'harder' and denser.

Elbow pad area:




The pants have that same dense armor in the knees and appear to have sewn in pockets if you want to add hip armor.

Looking into pants with thermal liner in place:



Vent in thigh area:



There are a couple of other features like sewn in loops etc. that I haven't figured out what they're for. The set also has sewn in stop gaps (cloth grommets for lack of the correct word or better description) at stress points, double stitching at spots that have tendency to wear out (cuffs etc.)

I'm getting ready for an extended 10-12 day backpacking trip in August so I happen to have my scale out because I was weighing some items. The pants with all the liners in weigh 4 pounds, 15 ounces. Because there is A LOT of material in this set and as a result when all the liners are in I'm guessing the weight of the set approaches 10 pounds. For me that's a non-issue since I'm wearing it on a motorized machine.

I wore the jacket to work yesterday for 8 miles in 32 degree weather. Worked fine. I liked the big tabs that make the cuffs easy to adjust. The neck collar has the very nice touch of having a soft, padded lining along its length instead of the Cordura surface the rest of the jacket and pants are made out of. I noticed that almost immediately.

Quibbles as of now: I would have liked cord tabs on all the zippers. (I can fix that). Would make them easier to find and adjust with or without gloves. The neck collar doesn't have a button to snap it back to keep it out of the way.

How it currently is:



How I want it look with the Velcro tie back in place



(Will have my mother-in-law sew some Velcro on it to facilitate that). Would have liked a vertical zipper with some stretch material behind it on either side of the jacket at the bottom for comfort vs the Velcro zinch that's there to tighten the seal around the waist. will have to live with that.

With tax the set was $380 dollars. For that price point you don't get the top-of-the-line convenience of the cutting edge gear but you do get some functionality that comes close in what appears to be robustly made jacket/pants. It will be my dedicated distance gear from now on. For now, the ICON jacket for daily use will need to last a little longer until I can find a replacement.





Additional info from Cycle Gear:

Sedici Alexi Mesh Jacket
A deluxe textile mesh jacket with features enabling full 3 season variation for performance riders.
Features:
Ultra Air-Flow outer material with Ultra-Brase1200 denier abrasion resistant panels
600 denier Ultra-Brase inset sections for improved movement and a light weight construction
3-way lining system:
Removable waterproof/breathable/windproof membrane liner
Integrated dual-layer waterproof storm flap
Quilted detachable satin liner
Air Control System - ventilation system throughout
Airflow inner lining to main body
Reflective details for increased visibility
Multi-point sleeve adjustment tabs for a variable arm fit
Shoulder stretch panels for added flexibility in the riding position
Velcro waist tabs for an adjustable fit
Cell phone pouch and additional pockets on inner lining
Short and all-around connection zippers
CE approved armor at shoulders and elbows
Memory foam comfort back panel

[Lord Popgun]

I have a Sedici jacket and a couple other brands too. That foam back pad is just comfort like you said. I had to buy CE rated inserts for them.

[dsan1964_imp]

I have a Sedici jacket and a couple other brands too. That foam back pad is just comfort like you said. I had to buy CE rated inserts for them.

I also upgraded the back armor. I have the Sedici gear also.


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[Frulk_imp]

So, I just came back from a 30 mile ride in 36 degree weather. I wore a long sleeve t-shirt and light shorts under the gear to get an idea what the base temp rating would be. That was with all vents zipped closed and both liners in, neck collar closed and wrist cuffs snugged tight. I did not have the back of the coat zipped to the pants nor the Velcro waist adjusters snugged down. I took the bike up to 70 mph for part of that which would approximate a wind chill of about 16 above zero. My impression is that I was right at the comfort level for sustained all day riding at above 60 mph (ambient temp of about 33-36 degrees) if I would have had long pants and shirt on. Lower than that and You might be able to squeeze out a few more degrees if you wore a technical base layer.

Back in the driveway:



Weather condition at time of ride: 36 degrees, 83% humidity, light snow at 4,500 feet.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Nice backdrop Frulk.

[the Ferret]

That's pretty impressive test results. Let me ask this are you normally pretty tolerant of cold?

[Cormanus]

Frulk, the new gear looks good.

I’ve had an RST Ventilator mesh jacket for 8 years and am very happy with it. It’s faded a bit from the sun, and I had to put a new zip in, but it’s been great. Zip in waterproof and thermal liners work well and provide flexibility in temperature control.

[mattmcuomo@yahoo.com]

Sorry if you mentioned this in your write up but I was wondering if those pants can be put on over your boots or not??


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[Frulk_imp]

MMC: I put the pants on this AM because I was riding in 32 degrees to check to see if my fork seal leak had been resolved. I was able to put an ankle length boot through the pants with both the Rain and thermal liner in place but just barely. I then took the liners out and tried it again. Boots good hooked on the mesh internal liner. My boots are smooth brown leather boots with no noticeable heel in the sole. I can only think any cam buckled riding boots would not work. the pants don't have a zipper on the side that goes up to around the knee so its not ideal for trying to pass a boot through.

Other things I've noticed since using the jacket/pants.

The internal pocket in the thermal liner is too small for an iPhone 6S. You're forced to put it into a pocket (several are available) external to the thermal liner. Iphones don't do well in cold (at least those that are getting a little up in age) and the battery goes down quick.

Since this is the first time I rode without the liners in the pants I was able to tell that the mesh stretch panel just above the knees does a good job ventilating that area as the cold air that was coming in was very noticeable. That should work well n the summer to let the heat out.

I'm still very happy with the set all things considered.

[mattmcuomo@yahoo.com]

[quote='Frulk' pid='234014' dateline='1552840558']
MMC: I put the pants on this AM because I was riding in 32 degrees to check to see if my fork seal leak had been resolved. I was able to put an ankle length boot through the pants with both the Rain and thermal liner in place but just barely. I then took the liners out and tried it again. Boots good hooked on the mesh internal liner. My boots are smooth brown leather boots with no noticeable heel in the sole. I can only think any cam buckled riding boots would not work. the pants don't have a zipper on the side that goes up to around the knee so its not ideal for trying to pass a boot through.


Awesome, thanks.


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