Bontrager Lithos Stormshell Jacket: Update

Some true Winter testing

Back toward the end of last year I wrote a bit of a review on my Bontrager Lithos Stormshell Jacket. Well, at that point we really had not had the bitter cold, snowy, windy weather that we have had the past almost two months since then. I feel as though I need to give a bit of an update now that I have used this jacket in what I would consider as pretty severe cycling conditions.

Things like heavy, wet snow fall, high winds, and bitter, below zero temperatures. Yesterday was a great example as it was in the lower teens and the winds were 20-25mph with blowing snow and flurries. All of my riding in the jacket during this period has been on my fat bike.

The fit of the jacket is roomy, compared to other cycling jackets, but when the winds howl, you will appreciate the fact that you can layer up underneath without bursting at the seams. I typically can do a wool base layer, a heavier wool mid layer, and then the Lithos jacket is typically my outer layer. This gives me all the warmth I need while being active on the bike. In fact, the jacket is absolutely totally windproof. The hood can be drawn down pretty tight around a helmet, or if you use a thicker cap or hat for Winter, the hood works well to keep out the wind and wet snow.

Speaking of wet snow, I got caught out in a heavy, wet snow, which at 34°F was melting as fast as it fell on me. Essentially making for a good test of the water proof claims of this jacket. Remember, in the beginning the entire reason I went looking for a jacket, and landed on the Lithos, was because another jacket I have failed to keep a heavy rain out and I was soaked when I arrived at home that day. Well, how did the Lithos hold up in equally as wet conditions? Fantastic. Perfect performance in all respects with regard to the waterproof feature.

I also did a ride with a heavy backpack, and one of the claims for the Lithos Stormshell is that it was designed with a hydration pack in mind. I was very impressed with how my big Osprey pack worked with this jacket. As advertised there for sure! 

So, I am increasingly pleased with this jacket, and although it doesn't feature pit zips, it is a very, very good piece of gear for cycling. If it featured pit zips, it would be nearly a perfect score for me so far. Long term, I cannot yet speak to that, but if I can squeeze out several season out of this Lithos Stormshell and get this sort of performance, I will feel very good about my purchase in the long run.

Note: This jacket was purchased with my own damn money and I was not paid, nor bribed for this review.

Bontrager Lithos Stormshell Jacket: Update

Some true Winter testing

Back toward the end of last year I wrote a bit of a review on my Bontrager Lithos Stormshell Jacket. Well, at that point we really had not had the bitter cold, snowy, windy weather that we have had the past almost two months since then. I feel as though I need to give a bit of an update now that I have used this jacket in what I would consider as pretty severe cycling conditions.

Things like heavy, wet snow fall, high winds, and bitter, below zero temperatures. Yesterday was a great example as it was in the lower teens and the winds were 20-25mph with blowing snow and flurries. All of my riding in the jacket during this period has been on my fat bike.

The fit of the jacket is roomy, compared to other cycling jackets, but when the winds howl, you will appreciate the fact that you can layer up underneath without bursting at the seams. I typically can do a wool base layer, a heavier wool mid layer, and then the Lithos jacket is typically my outer layer. This gives me all the warmth I need while being active on the bike. In fact, the jacket is absolutely totally windproof. The hood can be drawn down pretty tight around a helmet, or if you use a thicker cap or hat for Winter, the hood works well to keep out the wind and wet snow.

Speaking of wet snow, I got caught out in a heavy, wet snow, which at 34°F was melting as fast as it fell on me. Essentially making for a good test of the water proof claims of this jacket. Remember, in the beginning the entire reason I went looking for a jacket, and landed on the Lithos, was because another jacket I have failed to keep a heavy rain out and I was soaked when I arrived at home that day. Well, how did the Lithos hold up in equally as wet conditions? Fantastic. Perfect performance in all respects with regard to the waterproof feature.

I also did a ride with a heavy backpack, and one of the claims for the Lithos Stormshell is that it was designed with a hydration pack in mind. I was very impressed with how my big Osprey pack worked with this jacket. As advertised there for sure! 

So, I am increasingly pleased with this jacket, and although it doesn't feature pit zips, it is a very, very good piece of gear for cycling. If it featured pit zips, it would be nearly a perfect score for me so far. Long term, I cannot yet speak to that, but if I can squeeze out several season out of this Lithos Stormshell and get this sort of performance, I will feel very good about my purchase in the long run.

Note: This jacket was purchased with my own damn money and I was not paid, nor bribed for this review.

Bontrager Lithos Stormshell Jacket

Just standing around in the rain. Nuthin' unusual!

A while back I told ya all that I picked up a Bontrager Lithos Stormshell Jacket and that my initial impressions were good. Well, after using it everyday since, here are my further impressions on this technical outer shell.

Visibility: First off, I got the "Firebrand" color which is pretty close to DOT Orange/Hunter Orange for those who need reference. I have been told by other cyclists that have seen me with it on during riding that I was immediately noticeable from a far distance. I have also noted that I have been getting a wider berth from motorists of late. So, if you are buying this jacket and want high visibility too, I feel this jacket delivers on that.

Rain-Proof: Now, I haven't been in a deluge with this jacket yet, but I have been in a few drizzles and one decent shower with this jacket. There was no question at all that it was keeping me dry. The hood is generous and nicely covered my Bell Super helmet, as seen in the image here, so you can keep your head dry. The draw strings on the hood really help to seal out the weather, by the way.

Breathability: The ever famous last words for any rain gear- breathable! Well, I can say that the Lithos isn't the most breathable jacket ever, but for a rainproof one, I have never been in a more comfortable jacket in terms of not getting overheated. That said, I haven't ridden in anything over 50°F, so Summer or Spring warm showery weather still may not fit this jacket's range of use, but then again, I don't think this strikes me as anything but a cooler weather jacket. You'll have to decide when/where you'll use it and make your decision based on that. All I can say is that in cooler weather it works really well in terms of keeping the perspiration at bay.

Deer hunter? Nope. FATBIKER!

Venting: A separate word on venting. In my initial impressions I stated that I wished this jacket had pit-zips. Yep.......still do. It would really make the jacket climate easier to manage, but give that two way zipper a workout and you can still do a decent job keeping your temperature in the zone where you won't sweat out. Wearing a hydration pack kind of makes things worse, what with something laying right on your back, which cuts off the air circulation. The chest vents work and I would add in that the pockets are really two more vents which happen to hold stuff. I've decided they aren't robust enough to be "real" pockets and will treat them in that manner.

Windproof: The jacket is excellent as a cold weather wind shell. This week our temperatures dumped and winds were pretty stiff, which tested this jacket out well. I found that I could keep warm with everything zipped up and use the pockets, chest vents, and two way zipper to manage temperature during cooler weather rides really well. Without a helmet on, it is tough to work around how enormous that hood is. You just cannot draw it down tight enough without it blinding your peripheral vision.

Fit: Finally, I want to add my two cents on the fit. I can use this jacket with layers and it isn't tight or restrictive. The arms are plenty long, even in a stretched out, cycling position for my 35" wingspan. I have the XL sized jacket, and it has a length that seems just right for me. Not too far down the butt to cause issues and it doesn't crawl up my backside when pedaling. I'm pretty happy with the, what I would term as, the semi-loose fit. Make no mistake- this ain't no skin suit! You will have a bit of flapping in the wind in the arms and lower torso at times. I'm okay with that. 

Impressions Overall: This is a spendy jacket designed for mountain biking. It was meant for folks who carry stuff in their hydration pack more so than in their jacket. I am a bit disappointed then that there are few good places to stuff things and that the two huge slash pockets aren't really anything more than two more venting options. Or.....maybe I am glad that they are two more venting options. There are no pit-zips, so those faux-pockets that are really vents are a good thing then.

Otherwise this is a great jacket so far. If it lasts longer than six months performing at the level it has so far I would be mildly satisfied. But for $300.00 retail, (I did pay less because I got the shop deal), you'd hope that the jacket had the weather-proof capabilities, the breathability it has, and some creature features. Like pockets and pit-zips. But I'm good with it so far. More on this Lithos jacket in a few months.......

Bontrager Lithos Stormshell Jacket

Just standing around in the rain. Nuthin' unusual!

A while back I told ya all that I picked up a Bontrager Lithos Stormshell Jacket and that my initial impressions were good. Well, after using it everyday since, here are my further impressions on this technical outer shell.

Visibility: First off, I got the "Firebrand" color which is pretty close to DOT Orange/Hunter Orange for those who need reference. I have been told by other cyclists that have seen me with it on during riding that I was immediately noticeable from a far distance. I have also noted that I have been getting a wider berth from motorists of late. So, if you are buying this jacket and want high visibility too, I feel this jacket delivers on that.

Rain-Proof: Now, I haven't been in a deluge with this jacket yet, but I have been in a few drizzles and one decent shower with this jacket. There was no question at all that it was keeping me dry. The hood is generous and nicely covered my Bell Super helmet, as seen in the image here, so you can keep your head dry. The draw strings on the hood really help to seal out the weather, by the way.

Breathability: The ever famous last words for any rain gear- breathable! Well, I can say that the Lithos isn't the most breathable jacket ever, but for a rainproof one, I have never been in a more comfortable jacket in terms of not getting overheated. That said, I haven't ridden in anything over 50°F, so Summer or Spring warm showery weather still may not fit this jacket's range of use, but then again, I don't think this strikes me as anything but a cooler weather jacket. You'll have to decide when/where you'll use it and make your decision based on that. All I can say is that in cooler weather it works really well in terms of keeping the perspiration at bay.

Deer hunter? Nope. FATBIKER!

Venting: A separate word on venting. In my initial impressions I stated that I wished this jacket had pit-zips. Yep.......still do. It would really make the jacket climate easier to manage, but give that two way zipper a workout and you can still do a decent job keeping your temperature in the zone where you won't sweat out. Wearing a hydration pack kind of makes things worse, what with something laying right on your back, which cuts off the air circulation. The chest vents work and I would add in that the pockets are really two more vents which happen to hold stuff. I've decided they aren't robust enough to be "real" pockets and will treat them in that manner.

Windproof: The jacket is excellent as a cold weather wind shell. This week our temperatures dumped and winds were pretty stiff, which tested this jacket out well. I found that I could keep warm with everything zipped up and use the pockets, chest vents, and two way zipper to manage temperature during cooler weather rides really well. Without a helmet on, it is tough to work around how enormous that hood is. You just cannot draw it down tight enough without it blinding your peripheral vision.

Fit: Finally, I want to add my two cents on the fit. I can use this jacket with layers and it isn't tight or restrictive. The arms are plenty long, even in a stretched out, cycling position for my 35" wingspan. I have the XL sized jacket, and it has a length that seems just right for me. Not too far down the butt to cause issues and it doesn't crawl up my backside when pedaling. I'm pretty happy with the, what I would term as, the semi-loose fit. Make no mistake- this ain't no skin suit! You will have a bit of flapping in the wind in the arms and lower torso at times. I'm okay with that. 

Impressions Overall: This is a spendy jacket designed for mountain biking. It was meant for folks who carry stuff in their hydration pack more so than in their jacket. I am a bit disappointed then that there are few good places to stuff things and that the two huge slash pockets aren't really anything more than two more venting options. Or.....maybe I am glad that they are two more venting options. There are no pit-zips, so those faux-pockets that are really vents are a good thing then.

Otherwise this is a great jacket so far. If it lasts longer than six months performing at the level it has so far I would be mildly satisfied. But for $300.00 retail, (I did pay less because I got the shop deal), you'd hope that the jacket had the weather-proof capabilities, the breathability it has, and some creature features. Like pockets and pit-zips. But I'm good with it so far. More on this Lithos jacket in a few months.......

Friday News And Views

Braces!

These Things Rule:

Once in a while you get a hold of something and use it, then you decide it is awesome. It may be a small thing, but it is so good that you decide it "rules". There are a few things I have come up with of late that I feel this way about, and I figured I would share here.

First of all, if you have an issue with shorts or winter tights rolling down, not staying up, or if you have to cinch down the tie or use a belt on your knickers, well, here is something I am using that you should as well. This is old, old, old school. They are suspenders, or as they are called in some parts of the world, "braces". They turn anything that isn't a bib style cycling garment into virtual bib type garments. No more belts, no tight rope strung around your gut. No more tugging at your waistline to get your tights in place.

I think suspenders rule. They are comfortable and cheap to buy. Mine came from a surplus store and cost ten measly bucks. You can wear your outer shell over them and no one will know you have them on. (If you even care about that sort of thing.) Found in a multitude of colors and patterns to suit your taste. Get some!

Bontrager Lithos jacket

Another item I have just purchased is this Bontrager Lithos jacket. It is a hard shell jacket that is wind and water proof and is.......here it comes.......breathable. Yeah, everyone says that about rain gear, and then you wear it and, yep! You may as well be in a garbage bag you are so soaked in sweat. Well, this jacket actually does have a modicum of breathability. I know, because I have been wearing it on these upper 40 to lower 50 degree days. Cycling back and forth to work, I have noticed little of the "garbage bag" effect. The Lithos has two enormous vents running diagonally from the chest down to the lower sides. What is more, the huge slash pockets have mesh liners to the inside.   So, they are, in effect, two more vents. There are no pit zips, but if you don't cinch down the wrists, you get some air flow through the arms. This is, actually, my only nit with the jacket so far. Had they put pit zips in this it would be really breathable. But as it sits, I think it is really good.

Besides the breathability, The Lithos has a helmet sized hood, an inner chest pocket, well sized for the largest phones, and that has a zippered closure. That pocket also has a media port. There is this little pocket on the upper left arm as well. Not really sure what you'd put in there, but it is there! The main zipper is a two way zip, so you can zip it up from the bottom for more venting options. Finally, it features a treatment dubbed 37.5 which is why the  Lithos works when you are exercising.

I haven't been in a rain with the thing yet, but if it passes that test, (and for a $300.00 jacket, it darn well better!), I'll say it rules as well. The main thing is that it fits true to size, breathes okay, and vents pretty well. It is a mountain biking piece, so it is meant for hydration pack wear, thus no rear pocket/venting. And about the price- in rain wear, you get what you pay for, generally speaking. I've had a lot of rain jackets that cost less, and all of them were deficient. We'll see how this plays out, but so far........

The much maligned Fasterkatt

Finally, I want to nominate the 45NRTH Fasterkatt as a boot that rules. I know, I know.........lots of folks hated on these. And to be sure, they have their deficiencies. You had to learn how to dance with them, the zippers in particular are fussy, but the alternative is what?

The alternative, which lots of folks forget about, is cycling shoes and booties, or"shoe covers" if you prefer. Whatever you want to call them, Fasterkatt boots beat the heck out of the old way. Yeah, go ahead and slag the boot, call me stupid for liking them, but I am not going back to those booties. No how, no way. That sucked, and in the worst way possible. These boots protect from wind, rain, snow, mud, and keep my feet warm. They fit me great, and I have zero discomforts when cycling with them.

45NRTH now has a Japanther model which has supplanted the Fasterkatt boots and is supposedly a better deal. Get those then. Whatever you do, get something like the Japanther, or the Garneau boot which is similar. Just get a boot for cycling that rules.

My boot? The Fasterkatt, and I have learned just exactly how to make the zippers live and I get along with them just fine. So for my uses, this rules, and it is waaaaay better than booties!

Okay, how long can this totally awesome weather hold out in December? (Maybe not long with the coming storm, but.....) Anyway, get outside and enjoy what you can of what is left of it. Thanks for reading, as always, and have a great weekend!

Friday News And Views

Braces!

These Things Rule:

Once in a while you get a hold of something and use it, then you decide it is awesome. It may be a small thing, but it is so good that you decide it "rules". There are a few things I have come up with of late that I feel this way about, and I figured I would share here.

First of all, if you have an issue with shorts or winter tights rolling down, not staying up, or if you have to cinch down the tie or use a belt on your knickers, well, here is something I am using that you should as well. This is old, old, old school. They are suspenders, or as they are called in some parts of the world, "braces". They turn anything that isn't a bib style cycling garment into virtual bib type garments. No more belts, no tight rope strung around your gut. No more tugging at your waistline to get your tights in place.

I think suspenders rule. They are comfortable and cheap to buy. Mine came from a surplus store and cost ten measly bucks. You can wear your outer shell over them and no one will know you have them on. (If you even care about that sort of thing.) Found in a multitude of colors and patterns to suit your taste. Get some!

Bontrager Lithos jacket

Another item I have just purchased is this Bontrager Lithos jacket. It is a hard shell jacket that is wind and water proof and is.......here it comes.......breathable. Yeah, everyone says that about rain gear, and then you wear it and, yep! You may as well be in a garbage bag you are so soaked in sweat. Well, this jacket actually does have a modicum of breathability. I know, because I have been wearing it on these upper 40 to lower 50 degree days. Cycling back and forth to work, I have noticed little of the "garbage bag" effect. The Lithos has two enormous vents running diagonally from the chest down to the lower sides. What is more, the huge slash pockets have mesh liners to the inside.   So, they are, in effect, two more vents. There are no pit zips, but if you don't cinch down the wrists, you get some air flow through the arms. This is, actually, my only nit with the jacket so far. Had they put pit zips in this it would be really breathable. But as it sits, I think it is really good.

Besides the breathability, The Lithos has a helmet sized hood, an inner chest pocket, well sized for the largest phones, and that has a zippered closure. That pocket also has a media port. There is this little pocket on the upper left arm as well. Not really sure what you'd put in there, but it is there! The main zipper is a two way zip, so you can zip it up from the bottom for more venting options. Finally, it features a treatment dubbed 37.5 which is why the  Lithos works when you are exercising.

I haven't been in a rain with the thing yet, but if it passes that test, (and for a $300.00 jacket, it darn well better!), I'll say it rules as well. The main thing is that it fits true to size, breathes okay, and vents pretty well. It is a mountain biking piece, so it is meant for hydration pack wear, thus no rear pocket/venting. And about the price- in rain wear, you get what you pay for, generally speaking. I've had a lot of rain jackets that cost less, and all of them were deficient. We'll see how this plays out, but so far........

The much maligned Fasterkatt

Finally, I want to nominate the 45NRTH Fasterkatt as a boot that rules. I know, I know.........lots of folks hated on these. And to be sure, they have their deficiencies. You had to learn how to dance with them, the zippers in particular are fussy, but the alternative is what?

The alternative, which lots of folks forget about, is cycling shoes and booties, or"shoe covers" if you prefer. Whatever you want to call them, Fasterkatt boots beat the heck out of the old way. Yeah, go ahead and slag the boot, call me stupid for liking them, but I am not going back to those booties. No how, no way. That sucked, and in the worst way possible. These boots protect from wind, rain, snow, mud, and keep my feet warm. They fit me great, and I have zero discomforts when cycling with them.

45NRTH now has a Japanther model which has supplanted the Fasterkatt boots and is supposedly a better deal. Get those then. Whatever you do, get something like the Japanther, or the Garneau boot which is similar. Just get a boot for cycling that rules.

My boot? The Fasterkatt, and I have learned just exactly how to make the zippers live and I get along with them just fine. So for my uses, this rules, and it is waaaaay better than booties!

Okay, how long can this totally awesome weather hold out in December? (Maybe not long with the coming storm, but.....) Anyway, get outside and enjoy what you can of what is left of it. Thanks for reading, as always, and have a great weekend!