Last fall, I remembered the hard way that Kentucky weather doesn’t play fair. It was one of those almost-too-perfect mornings of crisp air, golden trees, and my CFMoto freshly cleaned and ready to run. My brother and I decided to get one more ride in before the real cold hit.
As my luck would have it, by noon the wind had turned brutal. What started as a nice trail ride became a fight against sleet, mud, and freezing rain. By the time we got back to the truck, my gloves were soaked, my jacket was stiff, and I couldn’t feel my fingers.
Right then, I decided I was done freezing.
I told myself, “That’s it. I’m getting one of those fancy rides with heat.”
So the next week, I started looking.
And welp, that excitement lasted right up until I saw the price tags.
Those new UTVs with built-in HVAC systems with a full cab, heat, and AC were going for a shocking $30,000 to $40,000 depending on the setup. Sure, the idea of flipping a switch for warm air sounded nice, but dropping that kind of cash just for comfort? Not so nice. My CFMoto ran great, and I wasn’t about to trade it in over a little cold air.
I started searching for something more practical and something that would keep me warm without requiring a second car loan.
That's when I came across 3 Star UTV. Scrolling through their site, I found the WeatherFlex Full Cab Enclosure, and honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But as I read more, I realized this wasn’t just another cheap cover. It was built for riders like me who push through the seasons and don’t park their machines just because the weather turns ugly.
The WeatherFlex design stood out right away made from Rhino Shield 1000-denier acrylic-coated polyester with rip-stop technology; it’s built tough enough for branches, mud, and wind. The rear panel swaps between mesh and vinyl, so I can let air in during the summer or seal it tight when winter hits. The windows are 30-gauge double-polished smoked vinyl, which means they stay clear instead of clouding up, and the install was simple with military-grade hook-and-loop and adhesive strips that fit tight and clean.
I ordered mine the same night. (Did you know they make these for just about every brand on the market — older and newer models?)
When it arrived, my brother and I installed it in about an hour. Everything lined up, and it looked sharp like it came that way from the factory. The next weekend, I hit the trails again, same route, same cold wind. But this time? No wind in my face. No soaked gloves. No early exit...and I could feel all my fingers.
Inside that WeatherFlex cab, it was warm, dry, and just plain comfortable.
And the best part? I spent a few hundred dollars instead of thirty grand.
Since then, I’ve learned something: comfort doesn’t have to cost a fortune. If your UTV runs great, there’s no need to upgrade just to stay warm. A 3 Star enclosure gives you everything you need. Now when the temperatures drop, I don’t park my UTV, I ride.
There’s a verse that sticks with me when I think about it:
“He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge.” - Psalm 91:4
Sometimes, that refuge comes in the form of a good enclosure, a reliable ride, and a trail that’s still calling your name long after everyone else has packed it in for the winter.
If you’re on the fence about upgrading for the cold, take it from me: you don’t need a brand-new UTV to stay warm, you just need to make the one you have better.
Ride smart. Stay warm. Keep going.