Fox FlexAir Pant And Jersey

When it comes to riding gear there are only a few sets of gear that I really look forward to wearing day in and day out. I ride anywhere between 5-6 days a week and the gear that I wear must hold up over several hours of riding time, have enough stretch materials so I am able to move around on the bike freely, gives me enough ventilation that I am not getting over heated, have a comfortable fit, and of course make me look like I am the fastest on the track, even though I’m not. Fox Racing has been one of those companies that has been making sets of gear for the past few years that have checked all of those boxes. 

Fox changed some of the features to their top of the line FlexAir pant and jersey for 2020, which grabbed my attention enough for me to re-test and get some information back to you all. The FlexAir jersey has been refined to maximize breathability and increase mobility. The active-fit sleeves with laser perforated venting are changed for increased breathability and airflow. The pant’s chassis has been redesigned to increase mobility and comfort. Fox updated the waistband to improve fit, refined the rear yoke to increase flexibility, and redesigned the internal liner to reduce chafing (something that I thought was needed on last year’s FlexAir pant). If you want to red all the features to Fox’s pant and jersey you can simply click on this link: https://www.foxracing.com/moto/mens/gear-sets/. For this article I wanted to give you all the straight scoop on what it’s like ride with this gear on the track. As you all know, I may or may not be a gear freak. 

For warmer weather this FlexAir jersey is the best on the market with its Tru-Dri fabric material. The ventilation through the arms and a lightweight feel throughout my torso, there is no other jersey on the market quite like this FlexAir jersey. I don’t know if Fox changed the length of the arm for 2020, but after wearing my 2019 jersey and this new HOWK jersey back to back, it seems like the cut is slightly longer, so taller riders will like this feature more in 2020. However, I am 5’11 and the length of the sleeve/arm was adequate enough for my picky ass. The perforated sleeves ventilate insanely well, but unlike last year, when you happened to sweat, the sleeve doesn’t get crusty/hard feeling once your jersey dries. The 2020 FlexAir jersey doesn't have that harsh or course feel to the skin and remains soft throughout the day. The FlexAir jersey is athletic cut, but as snug as it is to your torso, the material of the jersey is super stretchy. All you bigger dudes out there do not stress on if this jersey will be too tight or reveal too much. It will be just fine! Trust me! You will like the way this jersey can conform to your body yet remain so comfortable throughout a long day of riding. 

The cuff doesn't get stretched out like the old FlexAir jersey over time and although it’s somewhat tight when sliding over your hand, it’s very comfortable when riding (and isn't restrictive). The FlexAir jersey feels so light, it’s almost like wearing nothing, so be forewarned of roost if you’re a non-chest protector kind of guy. It’s super thin, yet surprisingly durable! Most underprotectors work well with the FlexAir jersey because it’s sso stretchy. I have worn three different types of underprotectors and all have fit well with my normal jersey size. You will not need to go up a size if you’re wearing a underprotector. Durability of the jersey is superb, but DO NOT go riding through trees with this jersey and expect it to last. Tree branches will rip the material on the FlexAir! This is a motocross only type of material. The jersey fits true to size and stays tucked in throughout the day.

The Flex Air pant is an athletic style pant that fits tight/snug over my knee brace/knee area, but remains super stretchy through the thigh area. I am able to move around on the bike freely and feel less restricted compared to other non-athletic fit type pants. The word “snug” doesn’t have to mean “restrictive” or “uncomfortable”. Having a snug fit against your body can help make you feel streamlined while riding. This may sound like a line of bullshit to some of you, but I have gone back and forth enough with other brands of pants and jerseys that I can really feel the difference with the Fox’s FlexAir set of gear. Having a cut closer to your body that is stretchy really lets me move around the bike better without any hang ups or drag when riding (aka, seamless feel). It’s hard to explain how good the feeling is when wearing a pant and jersey that is snug enough yet can make your muscles feel more secure when riding, but also has enough stretch in it that you can move around/articulate your movements on the bike more efficiently while riding.     

What’s odd to me is that no other media testing outlet ever really talks about this, but when going back and forth between athletic/non-athletic cut gear, you can feel a difference in drag (especially at speed) and weight. When going from sitting to standing with athletic cut gear there is less bunching of material therefore when going from sitting to standing I can actually feel the lack of weight of the pant. At the end of a long test day my legs are literally less fatigued because of the lightweight materials inside the FlexAir pant. The updated closure system is like having a half belt around your waist with Fox’s two-piece design. When you cinch down on the buckle it feels like the waist area is firmly secure all the way around your waist, not just the front area. I am a huge fan of the BOA reel on the Fly Racing pants, but this half belt is the next best closure system to me. The taped seams inside the pant are great and I wish every manufacturer would do this because you never get snags when pulling the pants up. Not only do taped seams help when putting the pant on, it helps when moving around on the bike and keeps the pant lightweight feeling. Fox’s “RAP” system really does work and is not just a gimmick. The redesigned internal liner will not rub your ass raw when riding longer motos unlike like last year’s FlexAir pant. I will say that I only ran into this chafing problem last year when wearing boxer brief type of under garments (Ethika’s, BVD’s, tighty whitey’s, etc.) with the FlexAir pants. If you’re a cycling short under garment type of rider then don’t worry as you may not even notice the internal liner change.

The FlexAir pant bends with my natural motion on the bike and doesn’t bunch up near the leather of the knee area when I am seated on the machine. Not to mention that the leather knee is extremely durable for a minimalistic type pant. I have endured more than a few weeks of durability testing with the FlexAir pant and it has held up well against my CTi knee braces as well as a heatshield-less Pro Circuit headpipe/mid-pipe. The FlexAir pant fit is true to size and has a little extra room with how stretchy the pant is in the waist. So if you're a size 33, a 32 will work just fine. 

The Fox FlexAir price point has also been reduced for 2020. The pant costs $199.95 and the jersey is $69.95. That is $60.00 less than last year’s price point. I am huge fan of the materials, fit, durability, and function of the Fox FlexAir gear. I do wish Fox had more colorways to choose from in the FlexAir design, but without a doubt the HOWK is my favorite of the 2020 sets.

As for you older guys reading this that might think this type of gear isn't for you, I will have to say don’t knock it until you try it. I know us older dudes are stubborn and usually DO NOT like change, but wearing athletic cut gear could really open your eyes to some next level comfort you may have not have ever felt while you're riding. Like an older/wiser test rider once told me, “you’re only as good as what you try”.

Go to foxracing.com to see all of the Fox products as well as order this HOWK FlexAir set.

If you have any questions about this gear please email me at kris@keeferinctesting.com.

Pros: 

• Fit

• Comfort

• Durable for minimalistic type of gear

• Ventilation

Cons:

• Lack of different colorways

• Jersey can be hard to remove after riding (sticky)

2019 Fox V3 Helmet

Fox introduced their updated 2019 V3 last month, but it has taken us a few weeks to get you an actual first impression of the helmet because we actually wanted to ride in it for a while. Call us crazy, but we really like to test products here at Keefer Inc. before opening our mouths. It also seems like a ton of gear companies are coming out with their own helmet technology and that sometimes can be overwhelming for consumers on which one to decide on. We at Keefer Inc. can’t sit here and tell you which one is the best, but what we can do is give you the information about the hemet technology and give you details on fit and performance, but it will be up to you to make the decision on which you feel the most comfortable with. Spending $500.00-$700.00 on a new helmet is a big investment on your part and we are here to help you through it. If you have any further questions about the V3 helmet please email me at kris@keeferinctesting.com as our open door policy is put in place to help you like no other media outlet can. 

Technology: 

Almost every helmet manufacturer is trying to address rotational energy as riders take hits to the ground. There are a few different systems out there and Fox has come up with their own called “Fluid Inside” (or FI). There are seven pods around the inside of the helmet that are filled with a food-grade mineral oil that is supposed to mimic the same type of fluid that is inside your skull (cerebral spinal fluid). Crazy right? Fox claims that with this system, the head is decoupled from the helmet allowing the pods to squish and deform on their own, thereby absorbing rotational and linear energy. The MVRS (Magnetic Visor Release System) has been updated to be more secure than the previous V3 visor. No more of the “NO VISOR GASJER” out there on the track! Seriously, no one likes a bullethead. On the new V3, the visor slots into the top-front of the helmet with a dedicated channel rather than just floating on a round section of the helmet. This keeps the visor from popping off as easy when getting hit with roost, rocks, branches, but still allows it to separate from the helmet if you have a good sized crash. According to Fox, the benefit of the visor breaking away is in the event of a crash, the visor doesn't act as a shovel and add energy transfer to the head and neck area. 

The dual-density Varizorb EPS liner is meant to provide and improve protection by spreading the forces of impact across a wider surface area. A patent-pending chin bar/eye port CAGE is intended to improve energy management in the event of an impact as well. The MCT (Multi Composite Technology) shell construction that blends Carbon and FRP resins are weaved to try and provide a light yet rigid external shell. Injected Mesh vent screens across the helmet are put in place to try and provide superior ventilation and airflow, while maintaining protection from dirt and debris. The removable, washable X-Static® comfort liner and cheek pads are antimicrobial and are put in place to manage odor while work together to wick moisture away from the head. The new V3 meets or exceeds DOT and/or ECE 22.05 standards. 

Criteria: 

I wanted to ride back to back with the older V3 and the new V3 version, so I spent a few weeks going back and forth between the two, switching helmets every moto to pinpoint what was better/worse. We are going to do a full blown helmet shootout very soon to compare a whole mess of helmets, but in the meantime here is how the new V3 feels/performs/ventilates/fits/looks compared to its older sibling. 

On The Head/On The Track: 

The first thing I noticed with the new V3 is that it ventilates a lot better than the older model and to me is the most ventilated helmet that I have tried in quite sometime. The newer V3 helmet has 12 intake and 3 exhaust ports compared to the 14 intake and 4 exhaust ports of the older helmet, but the vents that the new V3 version does have work amazingly well.

The second thing I should mention is that the new V3 fits a little different than the older V3. The newer V3 has a snugger fit around my ears when the helmet sits on my head. Just note that if you’re a medium (like me) the new V3 will fit slightly tighter than the older version on each side of your head. With that being said, I DO NOT feel any hot spots on my head when wearing the V3 for long periods of time as comfort is not an issue. The issue I have mostly comes when taking the helmet off. I really have to spread the V3’s strap/buckles apart to spread the shell out as far as I can so it doesn't rip off my ears when my head is coming out. Getting the helmet on and off was the toughest part for me, to the “fit” of the new V3 

The plushness of the new liner of the V3 feels a little different than its older brother. The old V3 had a nice feeling inside, but over time, as you sweat, then wash, ride, the liner would get less soft (harsher) to my skin. The new V3 is the opposite as I wasn’t impressed with the plushness of the helmet when new, but when I rode in it for a week, washed the liner twice, then wore it, it felt much better than the older V3. Weird I know, but something I thought that was worth mentioning. If you think the liner of the new V3 is not as soft as what you desire, try washing your liner in the sink, let it air dry, and re-install. Thank me later! ( Note: You can wash your liner/cheek pads in the washer, but put it on gentle wash) I will concur that the new V3 liner doesn't stink up to high heaven (after a long hot day) and that it does wick away sweat pretty damn good as well. 

I also wanted to mention the new MVRS is much better this time around. I had two visors blow off of me on the old V3 (once when I had a small wash out in a corner and one on a low hanging tree branch while trail riding), but the new MVRS system seems to be stronger. I had one low side crash through a corner with the new V3 and in that crash the front of the helmet took the brunt of the energy, but the visor stayed in place! Boom! Wiped myself off and continued on while hoping no one caught that lame spill. The bad news is that I don’t think the new V3 comes with an extra visor as I didn't receive one inside my box. Fox’s website also doesn't specify if they put an extra inside the box.

The eye port of the new V3 is improved for me personally. The older V3 eyeport let a ton of roost inside of the helmet and almost felt too large at times. Although I don’t know the exact measurements of each eyeport, the new V3 eyeport feels smaller to me because it doesn't allow roost in as easily, while maintaining a wide enough peripheral to insert large framed goggles. I did a wide peripheral goggle shootout with the V3 helmet and all “Big Three” goggle brands sealed nicely inside the helmet without an issue. 

I get this question a lot… “Kris what about weight? How heavy is it”? The new V3 “feels lighter on my head while riding, but my scales here in the shop say they are the same in weight (3.2 pounds). Is it the lightest feeling helmet I have worn? No, it’s not, but it’s definitely not the heaviest either. I have run across this “weight discrepancy/dilemma” with dirt bikes as well. I have ridden bikes that weigh heavy on the scales, but feel light when I tested them. This is what I also feel with the new V3. So in my personal opinion don’t look so hard on the “numbers”, but pay more attention to what it actually feels like on your head. This should also go hand in hand with other aspects of life. Pay attention to what things feel like rather then be enamored by numbers, dynos, graphs, etc. I know long distance riders (off-road guys) prefer a light feeling helmet, but I think this helmet is good enough for those type of riders. 

Again, I did not have a crash in this V3 helmet, but if you want to listen to someone who did have a big one, go to Donn Maeda’s website swapmotolive.com (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22r2qer2NOo) and you can listen to his testimonial. I always say that helmet technology is a lot like religion in that you will have to go with the one you believe in the most. None of these helmets are going to save you from getting a concussion if you hit hard enough! PLEASE JUST KNOW THIS! All of these new technologies that are popping up will only help our sport get safer and now Fox is doing their part to see this through. 

Last, but not certainly not least my metrosexual side has to kick in here people! If you’re a manly dude and don’t give a shit about looks you can stop reading now. I prefer the new V3 shape/looks much more than the older version. Why? A couple reasons…The new V3’s visor shape is longer, not so stumpy, and even though I can’t adjust the visor, the placement in which Fox put the visor on the helmet is perfect. The front of the helmet has a much more attractive chin bar area and the overall lines of the new V3 to me are much more race inspired than the older V3. Yes, I am 42, but I love the zebra print! You older dudes shouldn’t give a crap and rock the zebra stuff too! Just because it’s loud doesn’t mean you’re too old to rock some of this stuff! I always loved wearing Fox head to toe, but never was completely in love with the older V3 looks when I viewed photos of myself riding in it. The new V3 is sexy and looks much better than the old one. Ok, metrosexual talk is finished now. Thank You.    

Fox Flexair Gloves

If you asked me what piece of riding gear that I am most picky about, my answer would be, “gloves”. If you have the wrong fitting glove your whole day of riding seems to get ruined. Your hands are connected to the handlebars, which controls 90% of the motorcycle that you're trying to control right? So…. If your hands aren’t comfortable then it can throw your riding off axis real quick. Having a tight fitting glove causes arm pump and having a loose fitting glove can possibly give you whiskey throttle, so yes gloves are important! In the coming weeks I am going to be writing about some of my favorite sets of gloves that are out there on the market right here at keeferinctesting.com. The first set I would like to talk about are the Fox Flexair gloves: 

The Flexair Glove is a minimalist motocross glove with a almost tailored fit and a lightweight feel. Constructed from Stretch Cordura, it provides a high level of dexterity. The stretch mesh finger gussets (the fabric between your fingers) increases flexibility as well as helps channel air through the glove for increased ventilation. The Flexair glove also features a conductive thread on the thumb and index finger so you can use your cell phone without removing your gloves (AKA, getting bangers at the track).

Why are the Fox Flexair gloves one of my favorite sets of gloves to wear? Let me walk you through this a little…. I like Fox’s minimalistic glove because this type of glove forms to my hand well enough that I can feel my grips exceptionally well while riding. The Fox Flexair minimalistic gloves don’t bunch up or feel fat to where I can’t feel my handlebars. The cuff design is brilliant as there are no seams to the glove near the cuff. The cuff and thumb area of the glove are a one piece design, which allows for a snug fit, yet not so tight where it cuts off the movement of your fingers/palms on the bars. The material that Fox uses is unmatched for a minimalistic style glove as the stretch Cordura material feels like a second layer of skin once the glove is slipped on to your hands. It doesn’t even feel like you're wearing gloves, it just feels like an extension of your hand. The palm area of the Flexair is super sticky and might take some time to get used to if you're not familiar with that feel. Once your hands are on the handlebars, the palms of the Flexair gloves feel planted to the compound of your grips and adheres itself so well that you do not have to worry about slippage, even when your grips seem to get worn out (which mine do often on these set bikes). The ventilation I experience is second to none as these gloves pass air so well that if you're wearing these suckers on a cool day, you might notice that your fingers will get cold fairly quick. They are super lightweight and it basically feels like a soft pillow for each finger. 

Now don't expect to deflect roost, rocks, and or trees with these gloves, but if you're looking for one of the most comfortable, form fitting, stretchy set of gloves these gloves take the cake with ease. Much like new boots some new gloves take some time to break in, but the Flexair gloves need “ZERO” break in time and are ready out of the package. Durability of these gloves are decent, just don’t expect to go four hard months of riding with these as the seams can come apart from taking them on and off several times. The cost of the Flexair glove is reasonable at $39.95 and they come in three colorways (black, orange, red). The fit of the gloves are true to size, so if you're a large in other sets of gloves you will be a large in the Flexair. 

If you're looking for a glove that has the most comfort, give these Fox Flexair’s a try. While you're at it, let me know how you like yours and email me at kris@keeferinctesting.com and drop some knowledge on me! I like to hear what you guys think as well..   

2019 Fox FlexAir Pant And Jersey

Fox has been a staple in the motocross world for as long as I can remember. Being a little seven year old high desert kid I can still remember seeing my heroes wearing Fox Racing gear. I used to ride around my house, on my YZinger, with my trusty Pawtector’s on pretending I was racing the Coors Light Supercross Challenge at Anaheim Stadium. Fast forward 35 years and Fox is bigger than just motocross, but have stayed true to their motocross heritage. The FlexAir is Fox’s high performance, race driven set of gear that you see top riders like Ken Roczen, Ryan Dungey, and Austin Forkner wear every weekend. I have reviewed the FlexAir set a couple years ago, but I wanted to re-visit the new updated version to see how it performs on my body and track. 

The FlexAir pant utilizes Fox’s RAP (Rider Attack Position) construction for a precise fit on the bike, a rigid waist system to firmly hold the pant in place, a four- way stretch TruMotion main body fabric that is said to provide increased mobility on the machine, laser perforation in key areas for enhanced airflow, a dyed main body fabric with premium heat transfer logo treatments, the elimination of internal liner is said to reduce weight and heat, slim knee construction provides a sleek performance fit over braces or guards, a double layer knee system for durability against knee braces and guards, critically taped seams to help reduce chaffing, and there are hip pads that are available, but sold separately. 

The FlexAir jersey incorporates a lightweight construction for complete freedom of movement, new for 2019 is an athletic fit sleeve with laser perforation for enhanced airflow, a TruDri fabric provides a soft, lightweight fit as well as moisture wicking, a dyed main body fabric with premium heat transfer logo treatments, a bonded collar to reduce chaffing, and lastly a bonded stretch cuff provides a slim athletic fit.

Now that some of the details are out of the way, here are a few things that I wanted to share with you all about the Fox FlexAir set of gear: 

The Flex Air pant is an athletic style pant that fits tight/snug over my knee brace/knee area, but remains super stretchy. I am able to move around on the bike freely and less restricted than other non athletic type pants. The word “snug” doesn’t have to mean “restrictive” or “uncomfortable”. Having a snug fit against your body can help make you feel streamlined while riding. Think of bicycle racers and their skin suits they wear for time trials. They wear tighter fitting clothes to cut through the air when tucked into their attack position. Motocross is not that much different, except we are flying through the air and going much faster speeds. No media testing outlet ever really talks about this, but when going back and forth between athletic and non-athletic cut gear you can feel a difference in drag (especially at speed). The updated closure system is like having a half belt around your waist with Fox’s two-piece design. When you cinch down on the buckle it feels like the waist area is firmly secure all the way around your waist, not just the front area. When I move around on the bike with the older style FlexAir pant, at times, the pant slipped down and this led to my jersey untucking as well as having to deal with unwanted pant slippage. However, with this closure system my jersey stayed tucked in and the FlexAir pant stayed around my waist where it belonged. The taped seams inside the pant are great and I wish every manufacturer would do this because you never have get snags when pulling the pants up. Not only do taped seams help when putting the pant on, it helps when moving around on the bike and keeps the pant lightweight feeling. Fox’s “RAP” system really does work and is not just a gimmick. The FlexAir pant bends with my natural motion on the bike and doesn’t bunch up near the leather of the knee area when I am seated on the machine. Not to mention that the leather knee is extremely durable for a minimalistic type pant. I have endured a few weeks of durability testing with the FlexAir pant and it has held up well against my CTi knee braces. The FlexAir fit is true to size and has a little extra room with how stretchy the pant is in the waist. So if you're a size 33, a 32 will work just fine. I usually wear either an Asterisk ZeroG pant or Leatt knee brace pant and the fit isn’t too snug around the waist. 

The FlexAir jersey has one big change to it and that is with the sleeve/arm portion of the jersey! If you are looking for ventilation look no further than this jersey right here! it is THE BEST on the market (besides the Shift Blue Label jersey) with ventilation and a lightweight feel. No other jersey compares to it! The FlexAir jersey felt like it had an overall shorter cut length arm when on the bike, which I approved of, but if you're a taller rider (6’2 and up) you may notice a shorter overall sleeve length than normal. The perforated sleeves ventilate insanely well, but when sweating, it does turn the material on the sleeve kind of crusty once your sweat dries. The feeling isn't a harsh or course feel to the skin, but it does change once you have started to sweat. The FlexAir jersey is athletic cut, but not skin tight like other performance-based jerseys. Hey all you bigger dudes out there!!!! If you're a little overweight and have a belly, don't fret, the FlexAir jersey will not show ALL of your curves in your stomach. I have a couple fat rolls and it’s not even noticeable, so don’t stress! The updated cuff also doesn't get stretched out like the old FlexAir jersey over time and although it is somewhat tight when sliding over your hand, it’s very comfortable when riding (and isn't restrictive). The FlexAir jersey feels so light, it’s almost like wearing nothing, so be forewarned of roost if you’re a non-chest protector kind of guy. It’s super thin! Most underprotector’s work well with the FlexAir jersey because it is so stretchy. I had zero problems with movement on the machine with an underprotector on. Durability of the jersey is superb, but DO NOT go woods riding with this jersey and expect it to last. Tree branches will rip this jersey! This is a motocross only type of material.

The cost of the 2019 FlexAir pant is $229.95 and $99.95 for the jersey. This is a steep price, but you're getting what you pay for with the Fox FlexAir stuff. It has proved to be durable for a minimalistic type of gear and Fox offers a wide variety of colorways to keep anyone happy. If you’re looking for ventilation along with mobility on the bike, this set of gear is hard to beat. You can check out the complete line of Fox products over at foxracing.com.

If you have any questions about this test please feel free to email me at kris@keeferinctesting.com 

Fox 180 Boot Review

The 180 boot is Fox’s brand new offering for 2018. The 180 boot comes in at a lower price point than the Instinct and has a couple new features we haven't seen yet from a mid line boot. Completely redesigned and built off of one of my favorite boots to wear, the Instinct, the 180 boot aims at getting the rider a precise performance fit at a lower cost. Some of the features of the 180 boot is a floating cuff system that aims to provide lateral support & fluid linear movement while locking out before the hyperextension of ankle, aTPU shin plate, calf guard, heel cap & full toe coverage, an exclusive silicone closure system on shin plate allows the shin to flex with the motion of the boot, a rubber medial and burn guard provides excellent grip, a rubber outsole with internal steel shank, two Instinct style lower buckles for a secure zero heel lift fit and a break in period that aims to give the rider instant step-in comfort. The Fox 180 boot comes in four different colorways and a MSRP of $249.95.  

           The Fox 180 Boots comes in four different colorways to match your ensemble. 

The floating cuff system allows the boot to move naturally while riding on the bike, but also locking out to prevent hyperextension.The closure system is also designed for support and rider movement with 3 closures: two lower Instinct buckles to lock-in your fit, plus Fox’s exclusive silicone strap at the calf, the boots are designed to fit ultra-snug while providing flexibility where you need it. To get the boots on, set the two lower buckles using the set-it-and-forget-it memory settings, and pull the top closed with the silicone strap. The silicone strap has four size settings for a precise fit just in case you have calves like Gary Sutherlin (that is big, just know this). When it comes to coverage, the 180 boot has plastic plates at the shin, calf, heel and toe box. The rubber medial and burn guards are there to provide maximum grip and long-lasting durability.

The top silicone strap of the 180 has four different settings (for wide range of calve sizes) that lets the rider easily choose how snug he wants the boot to be.  

So what does all this mean in the real world of riding? Well…On some mid level pricepoint boots at times the feeling that I come away with is that I don’t get the protection I am looking for when riding. The boot is either so stiff I can’t feel the shifter and brake pedal or they break down so quick I feel like I am wearing a pair of Vans when I land from a jump. I was leery about the silicone strap system when I heard about it from Fox, but I can say with confidence that it’s a very good system. Once my foot was in my size 11 boots and both buckles and silicone strap were secure, it stayed that way over the course of every ride I took them on. It's wide enough for my foot and does not create any hot spots while I ride. 180 boot is true to size and fits similar to the Instinct. In fact I feel like I can get a snugger fit with the 180 boots than I can with the Instincts. The bottom buckles can seize up after some use so make sure to have some WD-40 on hand to give them the spritz every now and again. As far as the top strap, just know this. I am on board with the silicone strap people! Don’t be surprised to see more of this on other boots as well in the future. It's easy to take on and off, never gets seized up, will not get clogged with mud and gives me a snug enough fit around my shin plate (which I like). However, the one draw back is that if you are in the heat of battle and someone runs it in on you and hits your boot, it could be more susceptible to un-latching itself. This didn't happen to me when my buddies thought it was funny to play take out one day, but I can possibly see this happening in some extreme cases. The break in period is a little longer than the Instinct, but not so bad that you can’t feel the brake pedal or shifter on the very first outing. The Instincts are good to go out of the box, so it’s tough to hold a candle to those. 

The burn guards have tons of grip that leaves the rider with a positive feel against the machine. 

Once riding I felt the Duratac rubber sole had tons of traction and found it very easy to get locked down in on your pegs. The sole is “very grabby and sticky”, but it does take some getting used to. The sole is on thicker side on the 180, but once you ride in them a couple days you will begin to get used to it. After spending a lot of time landing hard off jumps, my ankles were in one piece and not sore the next day. Like I said earlier, when going down in pricepoint on some boots you can lose protection, but with the 180 boots that never happened. The toe box feels feels bigger than the Instincts, but I never really noticed it while riding. The inside rubber burn guards have great traction against aluminum and steel frames and gave me a positive feel while gripping the bike. The 180 boots are slightly heavier than the Instincts at almost 10 pounds per pair, but that doesn't correlate when you ride in them. They feel light and the only negative that I could find is the lack of ventilation. The 180s are on the warm side when the temperature outside rises. My feet were all sorts of sweaty after the first moto of the day, but once cooler temps prevailed in Southern California, the boots provided my feet the warmth that they were looking for. Wearing thin socks on a hot day helps combat some of the heat that I was feeling with the 180s. The good news is that they don't stink to high heaven after a few rides like the old Instincts used to. What about durability you ask? The Fox 180 boots have been great in that department as well. So far, the Duratac rubber sole is holding up with only minor teeth marks. The silicone strap and buckles haven't been a nightmare and are still intact. Fox provides an extra buckle inside the box of every 180 boot, so that is very cool, just in case you need them. The downside is that Fox doesn't have a replaceable sole you can go out and purchase for yourself. You can however send your boots back into Fox and they can replace the sole for you. Just make sure to send them back before they get too damaged or else they will not be able to re-furbish them for you.  

The Duratac rubber sole has great traction on the pegs and also has great shock resistance for your ankles. 

So at $249.95 are these worth purchasing? The answer is a resounding yes! For about half the cost of Instinct’s you are getting a very comfortable and durable boot. Yes, the Instinct’s are slightly lighter, a little more comfortable in the footbed area, takes less time to break in, but are much more expensive. For the average blue collar working type of rider the Fox 180 boots are a great buy. I even gravitate to these over the Instincts at times when I go to grab a pair of boots off the shelf in the garage for a day of testing. To me that says something! 

Fox Racing 360 Viza Pant and Jersey

360 Viza: $174.95 (jersey), $59.95 (pant)

The Fox Racing 360 line of racewear is the flagship set of gear that is currently worn by many factory motocross riders in the sport today. Fox designed the 2018 360 line of gear to be super flexible when the rider is in the attack position and using different types of fabric that wick away moisture better. The pants utilize TruMotion 4-way stretch fabric for a wide range of motion, while 600D polyester protects high abrasion areas. This strategic fabric placement delivers a combination of mobility and durability. Fox’s Rider Attack Position (RAP) construction is used for a precise fit, so it can put you in the best position to be comfortable. Finally, laser cut perforations and vents channel air through the pants for superior breathability. The 360 jersey also has a moisture wicking polyester fabric, a larger hole polyester mesh back panel for enhanced airflow, minimal athletic precision fit cuff and an athletic fit collar for increased comfort up near the neck. 

               No this isn't a Tinder profile pic. It's helmet head and a bad ass set of gear. 

Immediately, when you see the Fox 360 Viza line it screams “Best Dressed” right? If you’re team “Lit Kit” you can stay and continue to read, but don’t get too comfortable. If loud isn’t your thing, other more traditional colorways our available in the 360 line with the same features as the Viza line. The pant fits well, goes over many types of knee braces and the waist is true to size. While the waist seems true to size I also noticed that the 360 pant still has more of an “athletic cut” feel below the waist (which I like). The pant is tighter around the thigh and knee area (again, which I prefer), but if you have bigger than average legs the pant might be on the snug side in those areas. However, don’t fret as the pant is stretchy enough to not cut off your circulation and moves with your lower extremities very well. Yes, even if you’re a size 38, just ask my test rider Kelly Gelhaus. You will just have to get used to the more revealing fit if you're old school. Trust me, I'm 40 years old and come from the baggy gear era and I am just fine with the snugger fit of the 360 pant! My knee braces never get caught up or snag on the inside of the pant and feels seamless against my body. Even though the pant is on the slimmer side moving around on the bike didn’t feel constricted while I rode. There were tons of flexibility at the knee and I noticed more give when I swung my leg over the bike in the groin area than other pants that I have tried lately. The life of the pant has been superb and although it has seen its fair share of crashes, has held up well. The leather knee panels are still soft and pliable and even the abuse of the recently "knee brace shootout" have not created that much wear. The pant comes in sizes 28 all the way up to 38. 

Slipping on the 360 Viza jersey gives you a minimalistic feel. Its lightweight and breathability gives you a cool feeling when the temperature rises. The cuffs elastic keeps them from restricting the forearms but are tight enough to not let the jersey slide up on you when you’re riding. Like the Fox 360 pant, the jersey is made for slimmer riders. If you have broad shoulders or carry a beer belly you might want to try a size larger than your traditional sizing. The tail of the jersey stays tucked inside the pant (sorry Jason Anderson), but I do wish the jersey had a little padding on the elbows for some protection from lighter type crashes. The Viza jersey comes in a range of sizes from small to XXL. 

For the price of the Fox 360 line of gear it is amongst some of the most comfortable and long lasting gear that I have tried to date. I am coming to prefer this 360 gear to the FlexAir, especially in the cooler months of testing that lie ahead of me. If you are looking for a pant with durability, flare, a slim feel without being restrictive the Fox 360 Viza gear is a top choice, especially when I go to the gear closet and decide on what to wear. Don't laugh! This actually happens, ask Mrs. Keefer. She thinks something is wrong with me. :)