IMAX Thermo waterproof suit review
- Xosé Mouriño
- 3 days ago
- 9 min read
The IMAX Thermo suit is getting popular so we thought it would be worth a look and an unbiased review.
The challenge of winter
Winter is a challenging time for us motorcyclists. To help you make the most of this time of the year we have already published a three part series on winter riding and you may find Parts 1, 2, and 3 on our blog. During our CBT training courses we explain in detail the considerations we must make for weather protection.
One of the things we discuss in the winter riding series is clothing. In Scotland they have a great saying: "There's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes". This comment could have been written about motorcycling as much as the Scottish climate.
Whatever the time of year a motorcyclist must find the correct balance between comfort and protection. Protection not just from a collision but from the weather also. In the summer we need to be protected and stay cool but in winter staying warm and dry is ever so important.
The search for good kit
I have been riding motorcycles for around 35 years and that means I have ridden through 35 British winters. Our winter may not be as dramatic as other countries but it ain't half cold this time of year! Throughout the years I have constantly battled the elements with varied degrees of success.
The natural starting point for the average motorcyclist is, of course, the motorcycle clothing industry. The benefit of this is that this is clothing that is purpose built for motorcycling. There are some very good clothing manufacturers out there but there are also many that are, frankly, quite shoddy and there's no worse feeling than spending a lot of money on a biking suit and finding it doesn't quite offer the weather protection you expect.
One autumn five years ago I decided to splash out on a winter suit produced by a well known manufacturer which cost me around £700. This is not Rock Star levels of expenditure admittedly, compared to the price of some kit out there, but neither is it cheap. £700 is still a considerable sum.
The suit was marketed as a high-tech design with a multi layer approach to weather protection. Basically, there was the outer laminated layer with adjustable ventilation, a removable internal waterproof layer and a removable thermal layer together with CE armour. The removable waterproof jacket was what the manufacturer called a "destination jacket". The idea being that if touring you could now remover this layer and use it as a lightweight jacket when walking around.
My new suit did look and feel quality and it was a nice fit. It felt warm too so I was quite excited that I had found something that would do me for a while. It took less than a month for the zip of the "destination jacket" to break. What is it with modern zips being so rubbish? The suit coped well with light rain showers but I knew it would be put to the test at some point that winter. And so the rain came. All was well until I began to feel that tell tale icy cold pin prick of discomfort in the gentleman's area. This was followed by the same issue in the elbows and at the wrist. The 100% waterproof high-tech suit was nothing of the sort. £700 down the toilet. I have not bought a single thing from that manufacturer since and doubt whether I would again. I won't mention names but if anyone from Oxford clothing is reading this, then please take note.
This then is the issue with motorcycle kit. We are told "cheap ain't quality, quality ain't cheap" but it leaves a bad taste in the mouth, and a big hole in the wallet, if you spend a sizeable sum on equipment and it turns out to be rubbish. In my particular case I would have had the same result if I'd spent £100 on my suit. I would still have been wet in the crotch, elbows and wrists but then again I wouldn't be bemoaning the loss of seven hundred holiday tokens.
Alternative solutions
There are of course many other ways of protecting against the weather. A waterproof over-suit is one way to prevent water ingress while it presents another layer of protection against wind chill.
Over the years I have used this method many times and it definitely works but can make you feel bulky and if it isn't breathable you can end up being dry on the outside but wet on the inside, which is not pleasant.
One of my favourite purchases over the years was a Royal Navy deck suit. I figured that if it was issued to a sailor on deck and kept them dry and warm while at sea it would certainly do the job for me on a motorcycle.
I found it on an army surplus website. It had reflective panels and was made with Gore-Tex, a breathable waterproof membrane. I paid less than £50. I used to wear my armour underneath and never once complained of being cold/wet. I also have a surplus North Rhine-Westphalia Polizei coat with a removable thermal layer, Gore-Tex membrane and reflective panels which is also superb. They can be found for around £70. Again, I just wear my armour underneath.
Sadly, I wore my Royal Navy suit so much that it got to a point that it just fell apart after years of constant wear. I still have the Polizei parka though.
Needing a replacement for the deck suit sent me on a search for similar items. Unfortunately I couldn't find another Royal Navy item in my size.
Foremost in mind was that I needed enough room for my armour but it needed to offer effective weather protection.
I would consider motorcycling in winter an extreme pursuit.
Leaving home on a January morning with a temperature of one degree, that same temperature will translate to around minus ten after an hour's ride so it is important to find something that works in extreme weather conditions.
Who needs to work in such cold and wet conditions? Fishermen! Why had I not thought of this before? A fisherman needs to be able to function in pretty harsh weather so if I could find a suitable suit it could do the job! My search eventually took me to the IMAX Thermo suit. I did a bit of reading around this suit and compared user reviews to other similar items of kit before settling on the IMAX version.
The IMAX Thermo suit
The IMAX Thermo Suit is a popular line of thermal, waterproof clothing designed primarily for sea fishing, ice fishing, boating, and other cold-weather outdoor activities. It's produced by IMAX, a brand under DAM (a European fishing tackle company), and is known for being affordable, durable, and effective in harsh conditions.
Key Features include: Two-piece design consisting of a jacket and bib-and-brace salopettes (overalls) for better mobility compared to one-piece suits.
Waterproofing: Typically rated at 8,000mm or higher, with taped seams and durable outer fabrics (e.g., polyester with PVC coating or microfiber). Insulation: Padded with 160–300gsm polyester filling and lined with soft microfleece for warmth. Some models (like ARX-20) claim a comfort zone down to -20°C or lower.
There are also some practical features: Detachable/adjustable hood, multiple zipped pockets (often fleece-lined for hand warmers), reflective details for safety, adjustable cuffs/waist/hem, high collar, and strong zippers. Inner pocket that can hold a large wallet of smart phone.
This is not a flotation suit however, so don't think of jumping in the river with it!
It's lighter and more flexible than heavy-duty flotation models, making it suitable for general winter use like skiing or pier fishing too. And for motorcycling where freedom of movement is important. The bright red panels are useful for visibility too (It is also available in blue). I wear my reflective vest over it for even more visible impact.
Users in fishing communities often praise it for being very warm, windproof, and good value, with many reporting it holds up well over years of use on boats or in cold/wet conditions. Some note minor durability issues in older versions (e.g., small tears), but overall reviews are positive for the price point. There are variations like the ARX-20 Ice (extreme cold focus), Oceanic, and even three-piece options for extra layering.
In terms of cost I have seen them for sale at different retailers ranging between £119-£140.
The verdict
As they say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. I bought my suit at the end of summer and therefore had to wait for something approaching "bad weather" before writing this review. I have now worn my suit through three heavy rain/wind storms and in the last few days several times in temperatures below freezing. Each of the test rides have been all day training days involving between 5-7 hours in the saddle. All I wore underneath each time was my Kevlar armoured shirt and a t-shirt.
I am absolutely delighted to report that I have stayed perfectly dry through the rain storms and nice and warm in the cold! The only thing that was cold were my fingers but I wore standard bike gloves and my heated gloves should deal with that in the grip of winter.
Obviously, time will tell what the suit is like in terms of longevity but for the moment I am very happy. My only annoyance is the jacket's double zip. Double zips are designed so that you can open the long zip in two directions for maximum practicality. This means if using the toilet, for example, you don't have to remove the jacket. I have several coats with this facility, including the Polizei parka, and find them difficult to operate. This is clearly a me thing as opposed to a design thing but I do find them awkward, especially with cold fingers. Maybe I need training in this area!
Apart from that however I have no complaints. It is extremely comfortable to wear and feels like you're wearing a sleeping bag. I removed the hood as I don't need it when riding the bike. The collar is very high with a soft furry lining which keeps your ears warm if the helmet is removed. There are many pockets throughout the jacket and salopettes and the hand warmer pockets are delightfully fleece lined.
I wanted something that would keep me dry and warm. I think I may have found it. Interestingly, since wearing mine I have seen several delivery riders wearing these suits and these boys and girls spend long hours in the saddle in all conditions. I have made a point of stopping to ask them what they thought and they are delighted with it, just like I am!
IMAX Thermo suit specifications
Shell fabric of 100% polyester microfiber with durable water-repellent finish. 100% waterproof of 8.000mm.
Insulated by 200gsm 100% polyester padding for great warmth.
Soft comfortable 100% polyester microfleece lining.
Jacket:
2 box pockets with handwarmer pockets behind.
1 chest box pocket.
2 way zipper covered by double wind fillet.
Adjustable at waist and hem.
High collar for extra warmth.
Detachable adjustable hood with wired peak.
Comfortable ribbed inner cuff.
Velcro adjustable outer cuff.
Inner zipper pocket.
Bib:
2 way zipper covered by double wind fillet.
2 box pockets with handwarmer pockets behind.
Comfortable adjustable elastic suspenders with strong slim-line buckles.
Elasticated at back waist for perfect fit.
Gusset with zipper at bottom leg and adjustable velcro flap.
Price: From £119 to £140 (dependent on retailer).
Your opinion matters
Have you tried the IMAX Thermo? We would be very interested to hear what you think. Feel free to leave a comment below!
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