Plus REV'IT! layers in two more pockets on the jacket's interior, and a hidden security Napoleon pocket where you might want to put your registration or insurance card, etc. These have zippered tops, but even if you space on sealing them shut, they retain whatever you've stuffed in there and more than once have prevented us from losing a phone, cash, keys, earbuds, etc. Exhibit A? Flap pockets at your hips that are extra deep. The Trench is also bristling with utility, which our tester felt was a sign it was built by experienced riders. If it's a scorcher, also unzip the exit vents behind your shoulders. If it's a hot day, flip open the active chest vents and keep them open via magnetic anchors. Credit the zip-out liner for warmth and the Gore-Tex laminated directly into the shell, so it's always breathable and windproof. Our tester loved it because it can handle all of that and keep you protected, dry, and (unless it's below 30 degrees or above 85) reasonably warm or cool. We've tested this jacket for about a year in conditions ranging from freezing wind to summer's driving rainstorms to mud and muck. Not quite enough venting for peak summer riding.VisibilityĮven if you’re going for that Darth Vadar look, the best motorcycle jackets will still help riders see you at night, usually with reflective paneling. Textile jackets often have mesh paneling. Leather jackets often have perforation for this purpose. No one wants to look, feel or smell like they just exited a schvitz after hopping off the bike. VentilationĪ lot of riding happens in warm weather. Some jackets use Kevlar at strategic points to reinforce Cordura nylon and other fabrics. Though it doesn't breathe as well as other fabrics and isn't as flexible. It provides abrasion and heat resistance. Kevlar is a popular synthetic fabric used in motorcycle jackets. They can be specialized to offer features like waterproofing and extra ventilation. Textile jackets can be a compelling alternative to leather. They also provide strong abrasion resistance, durability and comfort once broken in. Leather is the classic choice for a motorcycle jacket. You may want slightly longer sleeves than a typical jacket to avoid them riding up while you hold the handlebars. Many jackets will offer stretch panels and be adjustable. But you still want it loose enough to be able to move. You want it tight enough to keep the armor in the proper place and to keep from flapping in the wind. FitĪ motorcycle jacket should fit tightly, but not too tightly. Zippers should let you hold your stuff in confidently and be easy to operate with gloves on. They will be more important for a motorcycle jacket than a normal jacket. The basic thing to note is that CE Level 2 armor, designed for higher-speed applications, is more protective than CE Level 1 armor, which is still better than no armor. The best motorcycle jackets have armor at the joints and along the spine to do so. The main point of a motorcycle jacket is to protect you. What to Look for in a Motorcycle Jacket Armor Some of our choices reflect a preference for the one motorcycle jacket you'll keep forever, with all the bells and whistles you'd want for a pan-nation moto adventure, while others are more for grocery-getting or coffee meet-ups. Even if a jacket on our list doesn't have its own integrated protection, it's built to allow wearing armor underneath, and every piece here is designed to protect you during a slide. We looked for options with more pockets, manual vents, and when a jacket is armored, we made fit and freedom of movement a priority-because not all armor makes that possible. Our choices for the best motorcycle jackets reflect seasonal thinking (from heat to cold) and versatility. The best riding jackets will be your second-best friend after a high-quality helmet - so we've pulled together a guide to the best motorcycle jackets on sale to armor you against all of the above. The one sure thing about riding a motorcycle: you need to be protected from every eventuality, whether that's heat, rain, wind or a possible crash.
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