Not the Valdez, but have run head to foot Rekon for years. I typically run proper base, a puffer coat, vest, then jacket up top and base + fleece pants and pants below. I think Klim has something similar to the puffer, but generally very warm. I always carry an extra fleece in my bag if needed, but generally good to go. I'm a stand-up rider, so wind protection is more important than anything. No I have run to -20 f. Below that and helmet is more of a concern

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I just bought the Valdez. I have been wearing the Tomahawk for years which is model just below the Valdez. I wear a base layer and a mid layer with the shell. I like this setup as it’s not bulky. Ive ridden when it was 10 below and I wasn’t cold

 

I ride Quebec and would never consider an uninsulated shell I think you're over estimating the warmth of a tek vest
Not to mention it's a vest and won't provide any warmth for your arms

 

Fair point. I'm 43 but a Stand-up rider.... Meaning I'm really active on the sled. I only sit when I'm on a long rail grade or lake.

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We are very active riders. Last year I rode with a thin base layer and my X team jacket, and was still sweating (sorry, perspiring because I'm a lady). That's the main reason why we are thinking of layering under non insulated jackets with good venting options.

Thanks everybody for your advice, I appreciate every answer!

 

I have the Valdez and a tomahawk, as others have said base layer, mid-layer, tekvest , shell, if it's very cold adjust your mid-layer, if you get too warm both of these jackets have plenty of venting options to vent out, keeping your core warm is key and of course NO COTTON, judging from the amount of luggage you carry on your sleds you could have an entire wardrobe of different weight mid layers ????

 

No kidding? I don't think it's fair to say I'm overestimating anything when I'm actually using one. I think you are underestimating the warmth added by a vest; to your core like I mentioned, along with good layering. If someone is a relatively inactive rider, has poor circulation, or constantly trail rides in the coldest of the cold, then sure...maybe I'll buy what you're selling, I've ridden both out west and in the UP in all sorts of conditions, in temps down to -15 and a few times lower, and can absolutely say I wasn't as uncomfortable as people might imagine.

Yup no kidding & I don't think it's fair for you to say I'm underestimating the warmth since I wear a tek vest too!

I was replying to Budkos question about trail riders wearing an uninsulated shell whiling trail riding not your reply to her question. I'm basing my opinion of the added warmth of a tek vest from my experience of wearing one while riding Quebec in January & February in temps down to -25f & sometimes even colder. The tek vest in conjunction with your windshield should keep your core warm. I believe the issue will be making sure your arms will be warm enough.

 

I like the Valdez and layer under it.Works great, the Valdez is super waterproof and has numerous venting options. Not cheap, figure about a grand for your sledding clothes but worth it. You can plan on keeping the stuff for many years.

 

I just sold my kewenaw and picked up a tomahwk

It fits nice and like concept of layering over a heavy insulated coat.

I also will be wearing a klim tek vest

 

I have valdez for warmer days and it works very well, but for really cold days i won't ride without my keewanaw

 

I've got 3 Klim insulated jackets & a Tomahawk shell. My favorite for any temp above 0F is the Tomahawk. I've been looking at adding a Valdez to my closet, but after trying them on and talking to the Klim Reps at Haydays - I've decided against it.

The Valdez is a heavier & stiffer shell than the Tomahawk and it's designed to be more resistant to rips & tears from tree riding in the mountains. The Reps called it "Bombproof". But it doesn't really have advantage for the average trail rider that's not out busting trail thru the trees. To me - it just doesn't feel as good as the Tomahawk - it's too stiff.

 

I wear a Klim Valdez along with the Klim Tekvest. It works well but the layering required to be comfortable in colder temps can cause me to feel somewhat mummified. I would definitely recommend going up a size as you'll likely need a heavy mid-layer to provide adequate warmth. I also find the collar somewhat restrictive when fully zipped up, but that's likely due to my rather large neck. Overall, I like the combo very much. I wear the Klim Freeride pants, at least 10 yrs old and still like new, personally I prefer them to bibs

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I have Motorfist Alpha gear uninsulated and I add or take away under layers as needed. Alpha series are just a shell with good venting. I use a North Face lightweight feather jacket that fits in your pocket over my UA base layer on most days. In the spring mostly I only use the base layer if it's above zero. I tend to sweat when driving aggressively. If it's above -10 but below -15 I stay pretty warm if trails are not wide open and long. If I know it's 20 below then I might add a sweater and an extra pair of pants over the log johns. I never wear cotton anything when snowmobiling.
I see so many others with big insulated Coho type jackets sweating and uncomfortable. They are great when it's -15 out. But anything above -10 definately the uninsulated technical over layer will be better. It will have proper vents and more pockets. Clips for the kill switch cord. Plus be articulated in the elbows and knees with added protection normally.

People wearing big insulated jackets are 20 years in the past still and haven't graduated up to the latest technology. Of course this new gear is very expensive. So maybe then we have holes in our head for spending $600 on a jacket and another $800 on the pants $300 on boots. Cdn pricing.

 

I just started last year with the Klim Inversion jacket. Full gor-tex with what they call windstopper. And it works great with my Tec vest. I did go up a size though to accommodate my Tec vest. If really cold I just put 2 layers with one being fleece. It took me a little while to learn what to wear and not to wear. I also wear skidoo pants also. Not bibs but the insulated pants with suspenders. They are probably 8 years old. I doubt I would go back to the insulated jackets after wearing this type of set up. So easy to move around in>>>>>

 

I have the Valdez and a tomahawk, as others have said base layer, mid-layer, tekvest , shell, if it's very cold adjust your mid-layer, if you get too warm both of these jackets have plenty of venting options to vent out, keeping your core warm is key and of course NO COTTON, judging from the amount of luggage you carry on your sleds you could have an entire wardrobe of different weight mid layers

Hey Snirthead,
Thanks for the luggage complement! We worked very hard to come up with the optimal luggage configuration for our sleds. We actually doo take long trips, and we carry lots of emergency gear. Our big luxury is sneakers so we don't have to wear boots in Hotel restaurants!

 

There's one other variable to the equation that perhaps I should have added. We don't only ride in Quebec, we were born and raised, and live in Quebec. We did out PADI Scuba certification in a local lake in October years ago. That was cold! We have cold weather layering smarts from when we were kids. We are examples of if it doesn't kill you it makes you stronger. We don't whine, well sometimes I try to whine (again because I'm a girl) but someone always makes a little violin with their fingers, and tells me to man up, and let's ride! (Which I do!)

(All of the above was written to give everyone a smile, not be a smart-a** because I really do appreciate all of the advice I get here on doo talk. I'm just feeling a little punchy because we already have about 20cm of white gold, and my new sled is being assembled this week, and I can't wait for the season to start)

When I'm talking about layering, I'm talking about layering.
A lot of variables come into play- am I riding in the mountains and trees, or am I riding though farms or river running. When I'm in the mountains I'm working harder and get warmer, when I'm exposed to the elements and the wind hits me from all sides I get cold really quickly.

On my upper body, if it's -20C or colder or when I'm riding wide open terrain I could comfortably wear
1. Very warm base layer -Klim Solstice 3 or X-bionic cold weather base
2. Very breathable but very warm ski top
3. Klim Sundance or Ski-Doo zipper fleece top
4. All of this tucks comfortably in to my Klim Alpine bibs
5. Tek Vest (over bibs)
6. If really really cold I can still fit a ski-doo packable jacket (the removable layer of insulation from the M Code which is very warm) over the tek vest and under the uninsulated shell.

Bottoms,
1. Base layer - if very cold Klim solstice 3 or X-Bionic cold weather pants
2. 2nd layer either Klim Sundance or Murino long underwear
3. Then Klim Alpine bibs

I'm wearing all of the under layers mentioned in the picture above and could still put one layer (ski-doo packable jacket) on top of the tek vest if needed.

I ride with good snowmobile gloves FXR or Klim that go up my forearm and if it's really cold I'll ride with hand muffs and thinner gloves.

I wear ski socks that go up to my knee, Klim Boa boots, and I have battery warmer insoles in my boots with a remote control so I can adjust the heat setting on the batteries without unzipping my pants. Usually I just keep the battery on the lowest setting to keep my toes warm. Anything warmer makes my feet too warm.

I really am a very active rider, and every cold day last year when I dressed with an extra top layer, I'd have to take it off 20 minutes into the ride. I just don't know how much warmer the tek vest will make my layering system, and how much more bulky it will make me feel. Without a jacket and layered up as in the photo I posted above, I'm very comfy. I know people have said that their arms can get cold that the tek vest just protects your core. One friend of mine made arms for his tek vest, and if I find my arms are cold I can easily find thermal arm warmers- I'm thinking of using my kids outgrown ski long under ware and cutting to the size of my arms if needed.

I ordered the Valdez in a Men's small which actually has shorter arm length than a women's small.All the other dimensions in Klim size chart will work with my body size. I'll get the shell next week, and it it doesn't fit, it will cost me $7 to ship it back for full refund. I have nothing to lose, but really hope that the Valdez will work for me.

Doesn't the second photo give everyone a smile? The photo was take this past Wednesday by a friend of mine who was grooming some trails around his house.

Winter is coming!!
???? Carole

 

Good luck with your choice and be sure to give ride reports
What brand of heated insoles do you use?

 

These are the boot batteries that I use. I originally purchased them for skiing, and have two sets of insoles. I keep one set in my ski boots and one set in my ski-doo boots. They’re amazing batteries.

 

Yup no kidding & I don't think it's fair for you to say I'm underestimating the warmth since I wear a tek vest too!

I was replying to Budkos question about trail riders wearing an uninsulated shell whiling trail riding not your reply to her question. I'm basing my opinion of the added warmth of a tek vest from my experience of wearing one while riding Quebec in January & February in temps down to -25f & sometimes even colder. The tek vest in conjunction with your windshield should keep your core warm. I believe the issue will be making sure your arms will be warm enough.

I am surprised that Tekvest hasn't designed a mid layer jacket with zero insulation where the tekvest covers and have insulation just on the arms.

 

I have a Klim Klimate and Klim base layers just to keep warm, with an ultra high windshield!
MY Tomahawk WITH my Klim base layers doesn't work on my bike below 60*.
People all have different '' issues" and tolerances, unfortunately mine seem to be on the low side.....

 

I wear my Arc’teryx ski coat shell. It’s all GORE-TEX with no insulation. I dress in layers and I’m never cold.

 

I received my Klim Valdez, and measured it against my MCode shell. They look to be the same size, if anything the Klim is a tad smaller. The Klim is so well made. I'm so impressed with all of their stitching. Yes the Valdez is a much stiffer jacket than the MCode, but I think it will keep me much warmer because it will certainly block the wind more.

I'll post more after I try on the jacket with my ski-doo gear. I really hope this jacket fits. The colours pop, and it's got so many more features than ANY women's jacket I could find, and I've been looking for several years for a new jacket!

 

I have the Valdez jacket for a couple years now and its great , warm and cuts wind ,breathable good quality. use good base and mid layers and u can't beat it. and quite visible..

 

I would like to thank everyone who posted on my thread. All of your feedback was very appreciated. I was really happy to read that so many riders are now wearing tek vests. My husband and I started riding touring sleds at slow speeds with our kids when they were young. We rode with them as passengers on the trails from 2005 to 2012. It was a really fun family outing. We kept rides short, and would find good destinations to stop at where they could get hot chocolate and a warm lunch. We would study maps at the stops, and riding together really bonded the family. Every weekend we'd ski Saturdays and ride Sundays. When the kids got old enough we had "drivers ed" on the lake and we taught the kids how to ride. Now they are all young adults and are busy with doing their own thing. We always kept our MXZ TNT 600 Ace for them to ride, but could see the writing on the wall that their personal lives were more important to them than going ski-dooing with Mom and Dad.As I was finalizing the paperwork with my dealer for accessories to install on my 2020 MXZ X 850, I asked what they would give me if I traded in my 600 Ace. They offered a really fair price, and I was able to benefit from trading in my 2018 MXZ X 850 and the Ace making my 2020 the least out of pocket $ for any sled yet. This made me super happy! At this point, if the kids decide to ride, they can buy their own sled or ride one of ours.

I figured that I'd put some of that extra cash into an exciting purchase. I find it really hard to find quality women's ski-doo suits with the same features as the men's line, and being a petite gal, I was really unsure how the Men's Klim Valdez would fit. With nowhere to try one on locally because no dealers near me carry the full Klim line, I had to order the jacket online. With a great refund policy and a $7.00 shipping fee to return the jacket if it didn't fit, I gave it a try, and ordered it.

It arrived this week, and I was able to "suit up" with cold weather layers, my tek vest and my new Valdez. I removed the jacket's shoulder pads because I thought that they were making me look too broad shouldered but it was actually the tek vest that gave me the shoulders. I dressed in good breathable layers - also Klim that I just bought online- base layer Solstice 2 and mid layer Sundance as well as another warm layer a skidoo mid layer with a zipper as well. My tek vest over that and then the Valdez. I wanted to do a real test, so I also put on my Klim Alpine Bibs with base and mid layer and my Klim Boa boots, and topped it all off with my helmet.

I found that the Men's small fit great, and even with all those layers I was able to get the ski-doo removable liner from my MCode jacket on underneath the Valdez. I doubt I would ever need so many layers, but wanted to see all the combos I could fit in comfortably just in casewe're On a trip and the weather gets really cold. About 5 years ago I went on a trip with my husband and 3 other guys to the Chaudiere Appalache region, and the warmest day was -35C. Our sleds were so cold our dashes froze over. Every sled started every morning, but it was so cold, we couldn't even lift our visors to take pictures, and I had to keep the camera battery inside my glove's zipper inside my muffs to have enough charge for a few pictures. Aside from that trip, I've never worn more than two layers.

So, all stories told here's the final result of my gear test with full layers.
I love the jacket's colours and features. I love determining how warm I want to be by layering under a shell. I'm not sure how warm the tek vest will keep me but I'll figure it out after a couple of rides. The sizing of the Men's small with all the layers I listed is AMAZING!! I love love love the jacket, and it even looks more contoured and "feminine" than my MCode shell which looks sloppy on me by comparison.

I am so psyched with my new riding gear, and can't wait to hit the trails!

 

Looks great Carole! I have all Klim gear head to toe and I'm very pleased with it.

Very warm and like you mentioned the quality seems to be a step above the others.

My wife has Doo outerwear but Klim second layer stuff and Klim boots. She is pretty happy with her stuff also but like you she has always felt that the women's clothing was lacking compared to what was offered for men.