This year, the snowmobile clothing manufacturer Tobe is a major partner of SledMagazine.ca. In this context, I had the chance to try the Hoback jacket and the Iter V2 Bib pants.
Tobe is very well known for the quality of its high-end off-road snowmobile clothing. What’s not so well known is that the manufacturer now offers clothing for trail riders. Of course, I was eager to try this outfit during the season.
Tobe’s care in choosing materials is immediately apparent. All seams are fully sealed. The zippers are YKK Aquaguard. This prevents any air or water infiltration.
Jacket Description
The coat has one inside and 3 outside pockets. The two outside pockets located at the bottom of the coat are protected by a small flap.
Under the arms, there are two ventilation zips with mesh. These “openings” are very large so we can adjust the size of the opening to our liking.
The coat collar goes up very high, providing excellent protection against air or snow infiltration at the neck. Inside, there is also a metal D-ring to hang the cord of the snowmobile’s circuit breaker.
Description of the Bib Pants
The Bib pants are also well-designed. It has Kevlar strips on the knees, the bottom of the legs and the inside of the calves. These are areas that are prone to premature wear and tear so these Kevlar additions will ensure that your Bib pants will stay in excellent condition for many years.
Another point is that the tab on the zipper carriage is relatively small. When it’s cold and your fingers are frozen, this makes it difficult to use. To counter this little disadvantage, I added a piece of black lace to maximize the grip of the tab.
On the sides, there are zippers that run from the top of the thigh to the bottom of the legs. There are two small improvements I would like to suggest. The first is the location of the zipper. It is placed further back than what we usually see. This makes it more difficult to close or open the zipper.
Choosing the size of your Tobe Insulated Garments
You have to be careful when choosing the size of your Tobe-insulated clothing. I had to choose a size larger than the one I usually wear. I recommend that you go to a retailer to buy your clothes. You can then make sure you choose the right size.
Also, I discovered too late that Tobe’s Bib pants come in a short version. I am 170 cm (5 feet 7 inches) tall and the legs on mine could be several inches shorter. This is something to keep in mind when shopping.
My test of the jacket
My Tobe suit is very comfortable. It provides very good protection against the cold and the weather. It is practical with its many pockets. I would have liked the outside pockets at the bottom of the coat to be a little larger. That said, they are well-positioned and above all very waterproof.
The collar of the coat goes up high and protects the neck very well. It’s not too loose so it’s easy to attach and detach your helmet. Inside the jacket, there is an elastic band that prevents the wind from entering from underneath. There are also small drawstring ties at the bottom of the coat to find the perfect fit.
At the end of the sleeves, there is an adjustable band with velcro. It is possible to put your gloves inside or outside the sleeves. The velcros are quality so they stay in place.
The Bib Pants I tested
Of all the bib pants I’ve had the opportunity to test over the past 15 years, the Tobe Iter V2 is the one with the best build quality. The Kevlar reinforcement strips and the quality of the materials show the seriousness of the manufacturer’s people when they design their clothes.
Also, the back part goes up high which protects the back from air infiltration. The elastic straps are very easy to adjust. At the bottom of the legs, there are gaiters with Velcro and snaps. A metal hook allows you to adjust the height of the bottom of the pants so that it does not rub on the ground. We simply hang them on the laces of our boots.
Conclusion of my test
My suit protected me well, no matter what conditions I encountered during the winter. Even when riding a snowmobile with a very low windshield, I stayed warm and dry.
If you are a trail rider like me and are shopping for a new snowmobile kit, I encourage you to seriously consider Tobe products.
