I have the AX1 and saw the Road Toad (not sure if it’s the “action suit”) when mburley did. I was on a trip with him when his old suit peeled apart.
The AX1 is much heavier, similar to those used by fishermen, whereas, the material on the Road Toad looks like a lightweight tarp. The Road Toad came with a sack in which the suit can easily be stored. I had difficulty repacking my suit into the plastic pouch that it came in. Consequently, his Road Toad packs in less than 1/2 the space that my AX1 takes up. I’m 2XL and he is probably an XL, also my AX1 was just folded up, not compressed into a sack. $5-10 at a camping store for a nice waterproof compression sack.
The AX1 does in okay job in circulating air. There are vents in the armpits and along the width of the back. I didn’t see vents on the Road Toad, but the material appears to be more breathable.
The Road Toad has a hood that stores in the collar. The AX1 does not. I wear a full face helmet and don’t see the need for a hood. I didn’t have any issues with water coming in between my helmet and the collar. I’ve got a short neck and big traps, so the collar is butted up against my helmet.
The AX1 has suspenders, which help keep the pants up. The Road Toad does not. At high speeds in heavy rain, water will ride up the pants, under the jacket and onto you. Keeping the pants high helps, but a 1-piece suit is the best way to avoid this. The Road Toad has pass through openings with Velcro flaps along the sides of the pants, so that you can access your pant pockets. Both have zippered flares on the pant legs. The AX1 has stirrups as well as elastic and Velcro at the bottom of the pants. The stirrups keep the pant cuff from riding up.
I’m going to pick up a rain suit for my wife. It’ll probably be a Road Toad.
Don’t forget the goofy looking boot covers! My boots were soaked on the trip. . . the other guy well, you can see here: http://s90.photobucket.com/albums/k256/orlanes/Saddle%20Sore%201000%208-11-08/?action=view¤t=100_0978.flv