Built for Every Winter Condition
**A full-season test of CKX’s warmest riding gear—from deep powder to long days behind the camera.
When the first long-range forecasts predicted a colder-than-average winter for the 2025–2026 season, I decided to prepare accordingly. Instead of chasing the lightest possible setup, I chose warmth, durability and versatility. My goal wasn’t only to stay comfortable while riding; I also needed gear capable of keeping me warm during long periods standing behind the camera, often motionless while waiting for the perfect shot.
Mother Nature had other plans.
Like many winters, temperatures swung dramatically throughout the season. Some rides delivered deep cold, while others brought wet snow, rain and spring-like conditions. Those constant changes turned out to be the perfect proving ground for CKX’s warmest lineup: the Alaska Jacket and Bibs, Kearny Gloves, and Colchester Pro Boots.
After a full season riding mountain terrain, groomed trails and spending countless hours photographing snowmobiles in every condition imaginable, here’s how each piece performed.
CKX Alaska Jacket & Bibs: Warmth Without the Bulk
One look at CKX’s insulation chart makes it clear the Alaska collection is designed for cold temperatures and lower-activity riding. At first, I wondered if it would simply be too warm for the type of riding I typically do.
Most of my riding days aren’t spent doing one thing. I might spend the morning climbing technical backcountry terrain before standing in the snow for thirty minutes or more waiting for riders to reach the perfect location for a photo. That constant transition between high-output riding and low-output photography makes choosing riding gear surprisingly difficult.
The Alaska kit handled those transitions better than I expected.
Also, during the coldest rides of the season—well below -20°F (-29°C)—I wore nothing more than a lightweight base layer underneath. While riding, I never felt chilled. What impressed me even more was how well the insulation continued working once I stopped moving. Standing still behind the camera for half an hour normally means reaching for another layer, but with the Alaska jacket and bibs, I remained surprisingly comfortable.
Later in the season
I spent four consecutive days photographing trail riders. Higher speeds and constant wind exposure often expose weaknesses in riding gear, yet the Alaska system continued to perform exceptionally well.
When temperatures climbed, ventilation became the key. The jacket and bib vents, combined with opening the front zipper, provided enough airflow for moderate riding. In aggressive backcountry conditions above 0°F (-18°C), I occasionally found myself getting too warm. Trail riders, however, will likely remain comfortable much longer thanks to the more consistent airflow generated while riding.
Once temperatures reached the twenties and above, the Alaska system became more than I personally needed for aggressive mountain riding, but it remained outstanding for photography, touring and riders who naturally run cold. Anyone who typically struggles to stay warm will likely appreciate the additional insulation well into the 30°F range.
What impressed me almost as much as the warmth was the durability.
This wasn’t an easy season on riding gear. Low snow conditions meant frequent hiking through brush, climbing over logs and rocks while searching for camera angles, pulling stuck sleds and brushing against countless tree branches. I also had my share of minor crashes.
By the end of the season, the jacket and bibs still looked remarkably good.
The waterproof membrane also earned high marks. During one ride, I spent more than ten miles riding out of the backcountry in steady rain. Everything underneath remained completely dry.
The only noticeable wear after months of hard use was a few small cuts on the right knee where I repeatedly slipped off the running board while sidehilling.
CKX Kearny Gloves: The Surprise Favorite
If I had to choose one standout product from this entire kit, it would be the Kearny Gloves.
After more than fifteen years of snowmobiling—and wearing gloves from just about every major manufacturer—they’ve become my favorite mid-weight gloves.
That’s saying something.
I wore them virtually every day throughout the season, whether I was riding deep powder, cruising trails or spending hours photographing sleds.
The fit immediately stood out.
The gloves provide excellent bar feel without creating pressure points or restricting movement. Heated grips transfer warmth efficiently when needed, yet the gloves breathe well enough that my hands rarely overheated.
However, only two situations managed to soak them completely: digging sleds out of heavy, wet snow and riding through sustained rain. Even then, they continued providing enough insulation to keep my hands comfortable.
Durability also exceeded expectations. Despite daily use, they held up remarkably well.
Simply put, these are now my go-to gloves.
I’ll be buying another pair before next season.
CKX Colchester Pro Boots: Confidence Starts From the Ground Up
Snowmobile boots often force riders into a compromise between support and comfort.
The Colchester Pro manages to strike an impressive balance between both.
This winter, low snow conditions meant I spent far more time walking than usual. While photographing riders, I regularly crossed fallen trees, climbed rocky terrain and hiked into locations that would normally remain snow covered.
In many ways, these boots became part snowmobile boot, part hiking boot.
That versatility quickly became one of their greatest strengths.
The sole provides excellent feel on the running boards while maintaining enough support for technical riding. At the same time, the boots feel far more natural when walking than many traditional snowmobile boots.
The dual-zone BOA® closure system remained reliable all season, although the lace cables gradually rubbed against the tongue material, creating some cosmetic wear.
Mid-season, one boot suffered an encounter no boot is designed for—a spinning track from a stuck snowmobile tore into the outer protective layer. Despite the damage, performance never changed.
The boots continued performing exactly as they had before.
Additionally, the soles also held up extremely well considering the amount of abuse from aggressive mountain boards.
If these boots provide two seasons of similar backcountry use—roughly fifteen to twenty riding days per year—I would consider that excellent value.
More importantly, I’d buy another pair without hesitation.
Final Verdict: A Kit Ready for Real Winter
Testing gear for an entire season tells a much more complete story than spending a single weekend on the snow.
The Alaska outerwear, Kearny gloves and Colchester Pro boots experienced nearly every type of winter condition imaginable: bitter cold, rain, deep powder, icy trails, technical mountain riding and long days behind the camera.
Each piece proved itself in different ways.
The Alaska Jacket and Bibs delivered exceptional warmth without sacrificing mobility. The Kearny Gloves became my favorite gloves after an entire season of daily use. Finally, the Colchester Pro Boots combined comfort, support and durability well beyond what I expected.
Would I trust this kit again next winter? Absolutely.
After one full season of real-world testing, I wouldn’t hesitate to pack every piece of it for another winter adventure.
Continue Reading
- The History of CKX: From a Small Quebec Workshop to a Global Leader in Snowmobile Equipment — A look at CKX’s origins, evolution and growth in the snowmobile industry
- 10 Years of the CKX Titan: The Helmet That Redefined Snowmobiling Standards — A retrospective on the CKX Titan and its impact on modern snowmobile helmet design.
- CKX Snowmobile Gear Review: A Canadian Snowmobile Icon, Tradition — A hands-on review of CKX snowmobile gear, including the Titan helmet and Conquer jacket and bibs.
- Unboxing CKX Snowmobile Gear: Titan AMS Helmet, Yukon Monosuit & More — Featuring the Titan AMS helmet, Yukon monosuit, Colchester Pro boots and Alaska leather gloves.
- Field Test of CKX Gear: Comfort, Warmth, and Performance in the Monts-Valin — A field test of CKX gear in real winter conditions.
- CKX Contact Helmet Review: The Investigation is on! — A detailed real-world review of the CKX Contact Edge helmet.
