This fall and early winter have been disappointing across the US West. Moisture is well below normal and backcountry conditions are largely un-rideable off trail. Fortunately, the arrival of my CKX gear has lifted my spirits!
Out of the Box: CKX Snowmobile Gear First Impressions
My five-piece kit includes the Titan AMS helmet, the Colchester Pro boots, Kearny gloves, and the Alaska jacket and pants.
CKX Titan AMS Snowmobile Helmet
The AMS helmet is packed with new-to-me features that I’m stoked to test. I’m hopeful the integrated Air Management System (AMS) helps solve the annoying moisture and fogging problems that have plagued my riding life. I have envied CKX’s drop down muzzle for a couple of seasons, and I’m hopeful it will live up to the hype in my mind.
The snowboard binding style cinch is going to be clutch because I take my helmet on and off more often than most to run my camera. Additionally, the removable neck curtain will likely help reduce those troublesome beardcicles (the bearded readers know). I ordered a large pair of Sunny Lime glasses with Apex lenses in a green and yellow gradient. I am really impressed with the magnetic closure. It seems solid and makes swapping lenses a breeze.
CKX Alaska Jacket & Pants
The Alaska pants and jacket are stout. I immediately noticed the heavyweight feel I would expect for the warmer end of CKX’s outerwear lineup. I went with this option vs a lighter model, as I end up spending a lot of time off the sled behind my camera. I was fairly hesitant going with the heavier weight kit, but as I’ve tried on this jacket and pant combo, those hesitations have evaporated. The user-oriented construction has created a warm but flexible kit that seems well built with a high degree of attention to detail that I am excited to get on the snow with. I’m approximately 5′11″ and 205 lb, and the Alaska pants and jacket kit size large are a great fit. The pants are roomy enough that adding my knee/shin guards isn’t a problem.
CKX Colchester Pro Boots
The Colchester Pro boots are very well built and offer plenty of support. The ATOP dual zone reel system and three-piece tongue construction do a great job of cinching down the boots and don’t bind, pinch or bunch up. The soles feel firm but tacky like a quality basketball shoe would. I expect they’ll provide exceptional grip on the boards. I followed CKX’s sizing guide, and they fit great with good boot socks.
CKX Kearny Gloves
The Kearny gloves remind me of a well broken in soft leather gloves. They are snug, but not tight, don’t have any pressure points from the seams or otherwise and seem to be a solid medium-weight glove. The palms are constructed differently right vs left, with grip emphasis on the right where the palm, bars and throttle will contact. The left emphasizes the index and middle finger grip for the brake, and the thumbs on both are reinforced.
Pray for snow and watch for a detailed review in the future!
