Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/958224
LOTOS REVIEWS In 2017, I went for a Harley-Davidson rally (about 500 km from the place I live) and I took bunch of cool items with me, so that I could share my experience with you later on. Carinthia ISG 2.0 was one of those. I immediately wore it and rode towards the sea. A journey at the beginning on July, the speed… within the permissible limits on a highway, dust, sun, wind – just a phenomenal trip! Phenomenal and convenient, phenomenal and comfortable, phenomenal and stylish! You know – holidays and summertime are not the best moment for tests of such a jacket, but… I went to the Baltic Sea coast where the conditions in the evenings and the mornings are far from tropical. I star- ted my testing on the Day 1. I did not need any other layer to lay comfortably on the cold sand. ISG 2.0 immediately gained my respect because when you wear it, you do not look like the Michelin Man but rather as if you wore a sweatshirt from Blade Runner. Thanks to the motorcycle, I learned that the jacket is convenient, light, and provides the maximum comfort both when you ride the motorcycle and when you dismount it. Of course, we started the serious testing in Fall and the jacket should have received the "Gold Award for Comfort" at that time. It made my everyday life simpler when I was on the street or in my car (the jacket is short and slim fit). It has become my favorite piece of garment that provides me with the necessary comfort and "that style". Of course, its functionality under field conditions is of invaluable – no wonder, such was its purpose! So, you can treat it as your "transitional" Fall/Spring jacket, but if you wear it with proper configuration of clothes, you can use it more often. OK, now to the point. For me, the hood is a significant element (adjustable, with the possibility of storing in the collar or removing it completely), low weight (about 800 g), very comfortable in use (nicely shaped sleeves with pockets and anti-abrasive pads for the shoulders), and finally that G-Loft on core that has its work done. Oh, I almost forgot about my favorite two-way front zipper. In my opinion, it is a very convenient feature which makes the jac- ket adjustable to activities performed at a particular time. When running at the shooting range, one may often experience "overheating", but it can be easily dealt with thanks to the side zippers that increase ventilation and air circulation, which improves thermal comfort. Some of you may point out the lack of insulation in the sleeves themselves, but I have not experienced any problems with that so far – they are fine as it is. The fabric of the jacket is "quiet", although I had thought that I will become "the rustling king". You know, a puffy jacket with softshell sleeves and some rough material on shoulders… but no, it is all fine. The Keprotec panels will bravely hold your vest or pack on the shoulders. Well, they won't be as efficient as some adhesive, but they are still a great solution to keep your equipment in place. Compression is quite a substantial feature. You can always have ISG at hand, because you can greatly reduce its size, while such a package can be easily strapped onto or put inside a backpack or attached to your motorcycle. The jacket is stylish. It looks as if tailor-made for some Sci-Fi movie, while looking at the quality and care it was made with – it is a superb piece of clothing. Black or olive – it does not matter because either way it looks and performs well! I am certain that everyone who tries the jacket on will be satisfied. The price, however, is slightly "bone-breaking" (all in all, 250 euros is a nice sum of money), but I must admit that such a universal product is a long-term investment, no matter whether you will go hiking, visit the shooting range, or have a motorcycle trip to the seaside. clothing