Olympia Expedition Suit | Review

Olympia Expedition women's riding suit.
Olympia Expedition women’s riding suit.

“Wow, that’s a really great-looking suit!” That was the first thing I heard when I joined my riding group for day one of a weeklong tour of Slovenia, Bosnia and Croatia. And it’s true, the Expedition suit looks really nice, but that wasn’t what I was thinking when I chose to bring it on the tour. It’s also highly versatile, and I wasn’t sure what to expect weather-wise; reports were calling for rain, near-freezing mornings and 80-plus-degree afternoons.

For women, the Expedition comprises two standalone pieces, a jacket and pants, which can be connected via an 8-inch zipper in back. For men the Expedition jacket is matched with Olympia’s X-Moto pants. Olympia uses 500- and 2000-denier Cordura fabric for the outer shell, and comfortable, CE-approved Motion Flex armor at the shoulders, elbows, back and knees (knee armor is height-adjustable). The jacket can be tailored to fit with hook-and-loop straps on the arms and the waist, while the pants have stretch panels at the hips for a little “give” when you’re sitting on the bike. There is also a zip-in full-sleeve quilted Thermolite liner in the jacket.

But the best part about the Expedition is its “ready for anything” design. One of my pet peeves is a rain layer that can only be worn inside the outer shell, especially on a multi-day trip. Sure, you might stay dry, but the next morning you’re pulling on a suit that’s still cold and wet? No thanks. Not to mention having to stop and zip it all in—and the alternative is leaving it in, which negates any venting. The Expedition’s high-viz and black rain layer, however, can be worn under or over the outer shell, and it includes an integrated neck gaiter that stows in the collar.

As the days warmed along the Adriatic coast, I was grateful for the Expedition’s aptly named Mega Vent Panel System. Large panels in the chest, upper arms, back and thighs unzip and tuck into integrated pockets, revealing mesh that flows tons of air. The zipper pulls are large and easy to use with gloves on, although I had to glance in my side mirror a time or two to make sure I wasn’t yanking on the wrong one (like the main central zipper). When they’re open and tucked into their pockets, there was a little discomfort with the added bulk pressing into my ribs and arms, but a quick adjustment on the hook-and-loop fitment straps solved the problem.

Pockets abound, and the pants have a full-length zipper with a lower hook-and-loop closure over your boots, so getting them on and off is a snap. The Expedition jacket is available in Ivory/Black, Fatigue Gray/Black and Neon Yellow/Black, in women’s sizes XS-3XL and men’s sizes S-4XL, for $429.99. The Expedition pants are available in Ivory/Black or Black in women’s sizes 4-18 for $349.99.

For more information, see your dealer or visit olympiamotosports.com.

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