Moose Racing Monarch Pass Gear

Riding in bad conditions, weather and temperatures, even freak summer thunderstorms or cooler high elevations, is a tricky game. You'll almost always be uncomfortable, more so if you don't have the right gear. For the wet and the cold, Moose Racing offers its top-of-the-line Monarch Pass setup. The pant, jacket and fleece jersey all combined will keep you dry and warm. Water proofing for the jacket and pant is provided by using eVENT fabric, a breathable laminated nylon. The jacket features a fleece-lined collar, zippered vents, a few pockets, a pass-through for a drink system and a tunable fit via elastic pull cord, and is available in sizes S to 3XL. Want an added bonus? The whole $299 jacket folds into a fanny pack!

The $199.95-$219.95 pant has a roomy over-the-boot fit with ballistic nylon on the knees and Cordura on the seat area, and comes in sizes 30-48. The $49.95 jersey is more of a sweatshirt made of stretchy polyester fleece, and is available in S to 3XL.

Simply put, this stuff works as well as any cold-weather gear I've worn. It's cut just right to be roomy and allows you to bundle up in the cold while being lightweight enough to be worn alone for aggressive riding. It breathes about as good as most waterproof material, which means it's pretty easy to get from sweating. But it also repels water well, and that's the most important part. Truly, the golden charm in the package is the fleece jersey that wicks away moisture swiftly and allows it to evaporate when you can get some air flowing into the jacket through the easy-to-open vents.

I've been wearing this jersey all winter long and it's worth every cent. As with most waterproof materials, the jacket and pant don't stand up to hot mufflers, and sharp branches can tear the material easier than some less-technical fabrics, but this gear does have protection in all the right places. And it seemed less prone to ripping than in the past. My only complaint with the set is that the jacket has a few less pockets than I'm used to, especially a much-needed breast one that's waterproof for my wallet or cell phone.

If you like black, then Moose made this stuff for you since that's the only color. -Jimmy Lewis