OUTERWEAR

[unsuspected]

Anyone had their hands on the Volcom Overhauler bibs? Thoughts? Touring friendly features?

While Volcom makes good products, and for resort riding it is great, I feel Burton AK is superior when it comes to splitboarding. The Volcom stuff doesn’t breathe as well, the vents are not as useful and it’s heavier.

I will say that theoretically it could be a bit more durable, due to the heavier fabric and Tricot backing, but when it comes to breathability and light weight, AK is superior. I’ve owned both them through the paces.

As for a pure snowboard brand, it is the second best stuff on the market. The Volcom GPT and Burton AK ( especially AK457 ) is worlds above all other pure snowboarding brands, and if I was only bumping chairs with a day or two a year of splitboarding I’d be plenty happy with the Volcom stuff.

I will say, as for my experience, the best splitboarding kit out there, from a pure snowboard brand is Burton AK Tusk bibs and the Burton AK Japan Guide jacket. I’ve owned all 3L pieces they make and the Volcom 3L stuff and that combo just rules. The Tusk bibs with the full zip down hips and thigh vents has superior venting, the built in beacon pocket and reinforced lanyard attachment points can’t be beat. The Japan Guide jacket vents like crazy as well. The radio pocket is tits, and the powder grip cuffs are the best when it comes to the sleeves and keeping you snow free when you fall, reach down in the snow or just reach out for something, but they’re not as restrictive as a wrist gaiter and they fold out of the way if you don’t want to use them and you don’t even know they are there.

How do the 457 bibs compare to Tusk?

[pow_hnd]

Anyone had their hands on the Volcom Overhauler bibs? Thoughts? Touring friendly features?

While Volcom makes good products, and for resort riding it is great, I feel Burton AK is superior when it comes to splitboarding. The Volcom stuff doesn’t breathe as well, the vents are not as useful and it’s heavier.

I will say that theoretically it could be a bit more durable, due to the heavier fabric and Tricot backing, but when it comes to breathability and light weight, AK is superior. I’ve owned both them through the paces.

As for a pure snowboard brand, it is the second best stuff on the market. The Volcom GPT and Burton AK ( especially AK457 ) is worlds above all other pure snowboarding brands, and if I was only bumping chairs with a day or two a year of splitboarding I’d be plenty happy with the Volcom stuff.

I will say, as for my experience, the best splitboarding kit out there, from a pure snowboard brand is Burton AK Tusk bibs and the Burton AK Japan Guide jacket. I’ve owned all 3L pieces they make and the Volcom 3L stuff and that combo just rules. The Tusk bibs with the full zip down hips and thigh vents has superior venting, the built in beacon pocket and reinforced lanyard attachment points can’t be beat. The Japan Guide jacket vents like crazy as well. The radio pocket is tits, and the powder grip cuffs are the best when it comes to the sleeves and keeping you snow free when you fall, reach down in the snow or just reach out for something, but they’re not as restrictive as a wrist gaiter and they fold out of the way if you don’t want to use them and you don’t even know they are there.

How do the 457 bibs compare to Tusk?

Material wise, identical. The Tusk is a bit baggier/roomier fit, and the hip vents on go from your knee all the way to the top of the bibs, like you can fully unzip them top to knee, so they will vent better for sure, the AK457 hip vent goes from just above your hip to the knee. Then the Tusk has a dedicated beacon pocket and a lanyard attachment point that is reenforced. I think they have kinda changed the AK457 pockets so one is more beacon friendly, but mine are from winter 18/19 and haven't seen any new ones in person. Main reason I switched to Tusk is the hip vents/zips. Both the Tusk and AK457 are really just high top pants VS the AK Freebird which are full overalls and come almost all the way up your chest and back. Tusk and 457 have mesh on the back as well. The high-top design is the best of both worlds. Not as hot as a true bib, but high enough that it still acts like a bib when it comes to snow protection. or keeping snow from going down your butt.

You can see here how they open all the way up with the hip zips.

tusk.jpg (510.85 KiB) Viewed 1295 times

and the mesh back

tusk 2.jpg (520.8 KiB) Viewed 1295 times

[tp1_kenobi]

Thanks for the breakdown. Ended up getting a guch jacket as the price was too good to pass. I was too worried on the length of the back on the Keb Eco-shell I grabbed and it’s just too short for splitting imho.

I’ve still got a set of Freebirds that are still in good shape and will use those until they blown but sounds like the Tusks are the way to go. I find the FB’s a little shorter and tighter around the thigh than I’d like…

[unsuspected]

While Volcom makes good products, and for resort riding it is great, I feel Burton AK is superior when it comes to splitboarding. The Volcom stuff doesn’t breathe as well, the vents are not as useful and it’s heavier.

I will say that theoretically it could be a bit more durable, due to the heavier fabric and Tricot backing, but when it comes to breathability and light weight, AK is superior. I’ve owned both them through the paces.

As for a pure snowboard brand, it is the second best stuff on the market. The Volcom GPT and Burton AK ( especially AK457 ) is worlds above all other pure snowboarding brands, and if I was only bumping chairs with a day or two a year of splitboarding I’d be plenty happy with the Volcom stuff.

I will say, as for my experience, the best splitboarding kit out there, from a pure snowboard brand is Burton AK Tusk bibs and the Burton AK Japan Guide jacket. I’ve owned all 3L pieces they make and the Volcom 3L stuff and that combo just rules. The Tusk bibs with the full zip down hips and thigh vents has superior venting, the built in beacon pocket and reinforced lanyard attachment points can’t be beat. The Japan Guide jacket vents like crazy as well. The radio pocket is tits, and the powder grip cuffs are the best when it comes to the sleeves and keeping you snow free when you fall, reach down in the snow or just reach out for something, but they’re not as restrictive as a wrist gaiter and they fold out of the way if you don’t want to use them and you don’t even know they are there.

How do the 457 bibs compare to Tusk?

Material wise, identical. The Tusk is a bit baggier/roomier fit, and the hip vents on go from your knee all the way to the top of the bibs, like you can fully unzip them top to knee, so they will vent better for sure, the AK457 hip vent goes from just above your hip to the knee. Then the Tusk has a dedicated beacon pocket and a lanyard attachment point that is reenforced. I think they have kinda changed the AK457 pockets so one is more beacon friendly, but mine are from winter 18/19 and haven't seen any new ones in person. Main reason I switched to Tusk is the hip vents/zips. Both the Tusk and AK457 are really just high top pants VS the AK Freebird which are full overalls and come almost all the way up your chest and back. Tusk and 457 have mesh on the back as well. The high-top design is the best of both worlds. Not as hot as a true bib, but high enough that it still acts like a bib when it comes to snow protection. or keeping snow from going down your butt.

You can see here how they open all the way up with the hip zips.

tusk.jpg


and the mesh back


tusk 2.jpg

Thanks for the info.. Have a pair of Freebirds that I really like except for the absent of a "butt flap" as the Tusk have or any other high-end brand bibs. Tried on the Tusk bibs 3 years ago and liked them but didn't buy which I now regret when looking at this season's price. Got the Tusk jacket and its a bit thin fabric for a resort jacket but use it as riding bike to work/rain jacket almost year round.

[SJF_NH]

+1 for Tusk bibs. I also have Freebirds that I now only use for super cold days. For me, I think the Tusk fit is a smidge baggier than the Freebirds. The mesh back/high-top pant design of the Tusk is a game changer for uphill travel, especially for a sweaty pig like me.

I have the Tusk jacket as well which is great, but with no cuffs or thumb loops and big wide cuffs, I've often had a sleeve ride up on my forearm in the snow, which is obnoxious. Sounds like the Japan Guide jacket solves that problem.

[pow_hnd]

I think the Tusk fit is a smidge baggier than the Freebirds. The mesh back/high-top pant design of the Tusk is a game changer for uphill travel, especially for a sweaty pig like me.

Yup, I love the baggier fit, and the mesh as you say is a huge difference on how sweaty your back gets on the up.

Sounds like the Japan Guide jacket solves that problem.

It does 100%

[bunn]

@pow_hnd Have you been able to find the AK Japan Guide jacket on the US site yet? I've tried searching since the 3rd, but can't seem to find it.

[pow_hnd]

@pow_hnd Have you been able to find the AK Japan Guide jacket on the US site yet? I've tried searching since the 3rd, but can't seem to find it.

No, I ordered mine from Japan.

[Paidingum]

@pow_hnd Have you been able to find the AK Japan Guide jacket on the US site yet? I've tried searching since the 3rd, but can't seem to find it.

No, I ordered mine from Japan.

How did you do that? I need that green guide jacket

Standard ak sizing or 1 size up from US Size?
I wear a Large in standard ak. Should I go with XL guide?

[pow_hnd]

@pow_hnd Have you been able to find the AK Japan Guide jacket on the US site yet? I've tried searching since the 3rd, but can't seem to find it.

No, I ordered mine from Japan.

How did you do that? I need that green guide jacket

Standard ak sizing or 1 size up from US Size?
I wear a Large in standard ak. Should I go with XL guide?

This is the easiest way to order from Japan...

Neokyo

It's a forwarding service, they will buy the item for you then charge you then ship it to you.

Yes, size up one size, you can see from the label a Jap XL is US L