One of the greatest challenges with winter outdoor training is being able to adjust warmth, insulation and layers efficiently on the run. When the temperature drops it is nice to be able to adjust the warmth/ventilate without removing or adding apparel. One essential piece of apparel is a vest. I have found that keeping my core warm is important. Once the core gets cold it can take a long time to warm up and prove very dangerous over extended periods of time.
Imagine the insulation that you get from a thin light weight air mattress wrapped around your whole torso. KLYMIT has created the tool to keep the core warm in serious conditions. KLYMIT has created the KINETIC VESTS and the MARATHON which I tested running in single digit temperatures with ice and snow. I also tested the vest while snowboarding for multiple days in temperatures varying from 0-30 degrees.
The vest is made out of 4 way stretch materials and is very flexible. The areas around the waist, the shoulders and the neck all have been designed carefully to allow full range of motion. When the vest is fully inflated it feels a bit like a non coast guard approved life vest. The fit can be loose or snug depending on how much air or argon gas is put in the vest.
While running in the KLYMIT MARATHON it is very comfortable. Running with the vest fully inflated to start is the best. And while running it is a great reminder of proper posture and form because it hugs the midsection. After running for about 20-30 minutes I typically will let a bit of air out of the vest. Letting air out of the vest is easy with a valve on the front of the chest. As I warm up I let out some air allowing some cool air to circulate.
The KLYMIT MARATHON has an input tube that tucks away nicely into the side pocket. To inflate the vest you have 2 choices an air pump that you squeeze about 10-15 times and it is fully inflated. Or you can use the canisters that look like CO2 cartridges. These cartridges have argon gas in them. This is the same element that is put into glass windows between panes of glass. This argon gas is about 5 times warmer than normal air. I was amazed at the warmth from just the air and impressed at the increased warmth when filled with the argon gas. I found that the argon gas is best for conditions under 20 degrees.
The vest that I tested will be available in October of 2011. Check out the current lineup at www.klymit.com
