KEY TO IMPORTANT JACKET FEATURESCommon Features and Why They Matter1. Removable sleeves: Converts jacket to vest for less restriction in mild weather. Most have pockets in the rear of the jacket to carry the sleeves.
2. Vents: Zippered areas that allow air into the jacket without opening the jacket front. Important for keeping cool in mild or warm weather.
3. Drink Port: A hole in the front of the jacket that allows your drink system hose to exit.
4. Two-way front zipper: The main zipper opens up or down. This allows you to open the bottom to clear a fanny pack, or have the zipper meet in the middle to allow full air intake, yet have immediate temperature control while riding.
5. One-way front zipper: A main zipper that zips up from the bottom.
6. Velcro neck flap: Allows the most possible adjustment so riders with different size necks will not have chafing.
7. Velcro wrist closure: Allows you to snug up the sleeve openings for cold, or open them wide to scoop air when it is warm.
8. Fully fastened zipper cover: Usually a flap or even double flap that covers the front zipper and is fastened to the jacket front (usually with Velcro) when closed. This is the best set-up for waterproofing and cold control.
9. Snap- or patch-fastened front zipper cover: Allows the option of having the zipper open for venting, but with the jacket front closed.
10. Expandable jacket skirt: Usually zippered slots in the bottom of the jacket that can be opened for comfort or to allow fanny pack room under the jacket. Can be closed to keep the jacket bottom snug in cold or wet conditions.
11. Barrier or breathable fabric: Any of a number of waterproof fabrics with an inner membrane that passes water molecules one direction and blocks them coming through the other way. Gore-Tex® is the best known of these.
12. Zip-in liner: An insulated liner made for the jacket that zips in to change the jacket from a wind and water-resistant shell to an insulated one.
13. Armor: Plastic or foam elbow or shoulder guards that install in the jacket to provide impact protection.
14. Waterproof zippers: Special zippers with flaps that close over the zipper as it is closed to keep water from going through the zipper teeth.
15. Snap-close cuffs: Cuffs that restrict sleeve opening via snaps. These are usually two-position adjustable. They don’t catch on things like hook-and-loop can, but doesn’t offer as much adjustment.
16. Internal wind gaiter: An internal stretch flap that keeps wind from coming up under the jacket at high speeds.
17. Elastic jacket drawstring: Generally hidden inside the jacket, a drawstring allows snugging the lower part of the jacket against you body. Some are at the waist, and others right at the bottom of the jacket.
www.mx1west.com.IMPORTANT FEATURES: 1,2,3,5,12,15,17
The good: This jacket is unique in having the zips attaching the sleeve double as vents, and when the sleeves are removed, the upper back panel comes off with the sleeves. You can actually wear the sleeves without the jacket. The jacket fits the body well, but is sized small and the sleeves are short. Snap the front flap, leave the front zipper open, open the wrist flaps wide and drop the sleeve zips and the venting is very impressive. The pocket sizes and configuration are excellent. Styling is distinctive. The biggest complaint concerned a tall front collar with a one-position snap closure that was tough on necks.
Website: www.acerbis.com
Phone: 800.659.1440Acerbis Desertika Rally
Price: $299.95
Sizes: Med through XXL
Colors: Grey
Comfort range: 55-90 degrees
Waterproofing: Poor. Water comes through material
IMPORTANT FEATURES: 2,3,5,7,9,16
Ride report: The name says a lot about this jacket. It is made for desert riding conditions, and it vents well, is cool to ride in. It is also made for riding fast with a short body and internal wind gaitor. The pre-bent arms make the jacket comfortable, and the neck collar removes to allow wearing a neck brace. There is a pocket in the jacket to hold a drink bladder. This jacket is a good riding jacket, a great rally-type garment and not much of a foul-weather covering. For what it is designed for, it rocks.
Phone: 800.659.1440
Website: www.acerbis.comAerostich Darien Light
Price: $397.00
Sizes: 36 to 54
Colors: Hi-viz, black, tan, grey
Comfort range: 30-85 (colder with optional liners.)
Waterproofing: Excellent. No leaks at all, but water pooled in outer pockets.
IMPORTANT FEATURES: 2,4,6,7,8,10,11,12,13,14,17
Ride Report: This U.S.-made jacket of fully seam-sealed Gore-Tex® is a serious adventure riding tool, but is probably more than all but die-hard weather chasers need as an enduro jacket. This is the perfect protection for a trip to Alaska. The material and armor is stiff when new, but the shell and collar break in nicely, and the shoulder and elbow pads soon conform to your body. It has outstanding and substantial pockets, some venting and a generous fit. The collar is tall and a neck-eater until the material breaks in. For street it has huge light-reflecting strips sewed on. Velcro strips on the sleeve hold a map pouch. It already comes in jacket sizes, but you can have it custom-tailored as well. If you need it to be warmer still, you can get the optional TLTec Wind Pro liner for $130.00 or the TLTec Wind Blocker liner for $150.00. Aerostich also has electrically heated garments to wear under for more extreme weather.
Phone: 800.222.1994
Website: www.aerostich.comAXO Mistral WP Jacket
Price: $169.99
Sizes: Small through XXXXL
Colors: Black
Comfort Range: 40-75 degrees
Waterproofing: Excellent. No leaks.
IMPORTANT FEATURES: 2,5,9,10,11,12,13,15
Ride Report: This is a trim jacket that runs small. It has cinch-straps at the waist and arms to stop the fabric from flapping in the wind, so despite the armor, it is more a dual-sport or adventure jacket than an enduro jacket. Order this one at least a size larger than normal. Outer shell material is softer and more comfortable than most of the barrier-type cloth. It has some venting, but definitely runs a little warmer than the lighter garments.
Phone: 877.AXO.RACE
Website: www.axo.comAXO Melbourne Jacket
Price: $119.99
Sizes: Small – XXXL
Colors: Red, blue, black
Comfort range: 50-80 degrees
Waterproofing: Good. Material is water resistant, but vents, collar and sleeve zippers leak first.
IMPORTANT FEATURES: 1,2,3,5,6,7,9,10
Ride Report: With four vents at the front and a removable collar to fit a neck brace with the coat, this is a comfy and nicely vented. Plus the front flap closes with snaps, so you get plenty of cooling air. On the other hand, below 50 degrees the jacket leaks cold air in too many places. The fit is nice, and especially the arms that are sewn pre-bent. This jacket also has a nice pocket layout. Since this isn’t a barrier type material, it has a soft and comfortable feel. This is a good riding jacket for mild weather.
Phone: 877.AXO.RACE
Website: www.axo.comTourmaster Coretech Accelerator 2
Price: $249.99
Sizes: XS – XXXXL
Colors: Black/black, , silver/black
Comfort range: 30-75 degrees
Waterproofing: Very Good: Water takes a long time to find its way in.
IMPORTANT FEATURES: 2,3,5,6,7,8,10,12,13,17.
Ride Report: This jacket is a heavy-duty, full-featured, armored adventure jacket with innovative venting: The front pockets come off to reveal huge vents! I can be used for off-road as well with the major vents. Other standout features include the standard arm and shoulder armor and standard removable quilted liner for warmth. The jacket also includes a modular drink system that can be part of the jacket or worn separately. This jacket even has an internal row of small pockets inside the liner. The whole jacket/drink system combo is on the heavy side, but it doesn’t leave much out.
Website: www.tourmaster.com
Phone: See your dealer.
Phone: 208.376.8400Website: www.flyracing.comFox Access
Price: $129.95
Sizes: Medium – XXL
Colors: Black camo
Comfort range: 50-80 degrees
Waterproofing: Poor + Water slowly works its way through the fabric.
IMPORTANT FEATURES: 1,2,3,4,7,9,10,13,
Ride Report: This Fox Access jacket makes no pretense of being a serious foul-weather barrier. This is a light, comfortable and roomy jacket with excellent temperature control with the light material, nice vents and zip-off sleeves. Normal size riders found it fit over compact shoulder pads or armor, and the bottom of the jacket kit over a fanny pack. Stocky builds will want to go up a size to wear armor underneath the coat. You don’t even feel the built-in elbow pads. This was the only jacket to have right and left drink ports. This jacket looks and feels good enough to wear for casual social occasions.
Phone: See your dealer
Website: www.foxracing.comFox 360
Price: $139.95
Sizes: Medium – XXL
Colors: Black, red
Comfort range: 50-80 degrees
Waterproofing: Good – Water slowly works through the fabric, but the sleeves resisted better than some. Good for wet brush and trees.
IMPORTANT FEATURES: 1,2,4,7,9,10,13,17
Ride Report: Fox’s 360 is advertised on the web site as an off-road riding jacket or for cold mornings at the track. The venting is good, and you can use the removable sleeves to cool off more. It was easy to wear a fanny pack under the jacket, since the lower half fits loosely, but the upper body was snug for an XL. Some riders felt the elbow guards, but other didn’t. At 55 degrees this jacket had to be completely closed up, and won’t keep you warm at speed. The arms deflect brush and branches well. This is not an adventure jacket or for inclement weather, but is good for mild weather or to race in.
Phone: See your dealer
Website: www.foxracing.comKlim Valdez Parka
Price:$419.99
Sizes: Small through XXXL
Comfort range: 40-80 degrees
Waterproofing: Excellent. Some water splashed over the top of the collar, but no leaks at all.
Colors: Red, blue, black
IMPORTANT FEATURES: 2,4,6,7,8,10,11,12,14,16,17
Ride Report: Klim is serious about weather protection, so this jacket is fully waterproof, but for hard riding the underarm zippers fillet the sides of the jacket wide open for enormous venting. The fit is roomy enough for armor and/or a drink system underneath. For adventure riders there is an internal wind gaiter and soft, elastic gaiters inside the sleeves that you can hook over your thumb or simply let it hug your wrist. The material is stiff and crinkly when new, but it breaks in. The collar is tall and stiff, but it breaks it with use, and it is tall enough to fold down as well. This is an expensive option, but is a quality piece of equipment that will do the nasty jobs.
Phone: 208.552.7433
Website: www.klimusa.comMoose Expedition
Price: $149.95 to $159.95 (3XL-4XL)
Sizes: Small – XXXXL
Colors: Natural
Comfort range: 40-70 degrees
Waterproofing: Excellent. No leaks at all.
IMPORTANT FEATURES: 3,4,6,7,9,11,17
Ride Report: Most of our riders used words like “perfect” and “best ever” to describe the fit of this jacket. Unlike many of the waterproof jackets, the Moose material is light and comfortable enough to wear in the car or out to dinner. The fit is roomy enough to wear over armor or a drink system. There are light reflective patches on the jacket for safety. The only vent is via the back vent or unzipping and fastening the front flap with the snap-shut front flap. This jacket generated only two complaints: it is a little warm in the sleeves at the wrist, and despite very lightly padded elbows, the material is so light and comfortable that you feel it when you hit brush or branches.The material seems fragile but holds up as good as the tougher feeling fabrics on other jackets. On the plus side, if the jacket does get too warm, it folds into its own fanny pack, and can be worn around your waist.
Phone: See your dealer
Website: www.mooseracing.comMoose XCR
Price: $169.95 -$179.95 (3XL)
Sizes: Medium through XXXL
Colors: Stealth (grey)
Comfort range: 40-70 degrees
Waterproofing: Excellent. No leaks even though there is no flap over the front zipper.
IMPORTANT FEATURES: 2,3,5,6,7,11,14,17
Ride Report: Our test jacket was an XL, and it had a roomy fit. Three riders (between 5’9″ and 6’1″) wore it over armor or plastic chest protectors with no problem, but even the shortest rider (at 155 pounds) felt the large might have been snug over armor. Comfort was rated highly but not as highly as the Expedition. The jacket has effective venting for a waterproof model, and since there is no front zipper cover, using the waterproof front zip to control air flow is easy. This is a clean and simple-looking coat that does the job for inclement weather, has reflective material for the street and offers good temperature adjustment at a reasonable cost. It isn’t the best of the vented jackets for riding when it is warm, but it is a great cool and wet weather choice.
Phone: See your dealer
Website: www.mooseracing.com
Phone: 951.340.3301Website: www.msracing.comMSR Trans Jak
Price: $119.95
Sizes: Medium – XX Large
Colors: Black, blue and orange
Comfort range: 45-75 degrees
Waterproofing: Good. Material resists water OK, but it gets in through the zippers.
IMPORTANT FEATURES: 1,2,4,6,7,9,13(optional $14.95),17
Ride Report: This was another jacket that was rated extremely high for fit and comfort, and one of the few that actually noted a comfortable collar. The material is coated for water resistance rather than a barrier type, but it does keep water and cold out pretty well. The jacket is vented and has removable sleeves for heat control. It still isn’t the best of the vented jackets. Our storage hounds felt there weren’t enough pockets, but there are fleece-lined hand pockets which is nice. This jacket keeps you warm better than it keeps you cool or dry, but is a great outerwear for the price.
Phone: 951.340.3301
Website: www.msracing.comScott X-Two
Price: $109.95
Sizes: Small – XXXL
Colors: Black
Comfort range: 40-70 degrees
Waterproofing: Good: Water slowly works its way through the fabric.
IMPORTANT FEATURES: 2,5,6,7,9,17
Ride Report: With just one front vent high on each shoulder and black coated ballistic nylon for a shell, the Scott is one of the warmer jackets in the test. For Western conditions it is a great value as a dual-sport or adventure touring jacket with the light-reflective piping. The price is still a bargain, but it is warm for a serious off-road jacket. The fit is good if a little small. Riders liked the heavy fabric in brush, and all liked this garment when it was cold, and with the waterproofing it can stand some rain as well.
Phone: 800.292.5874
Website: www.scottusa.comShift XC
Price: $139.95
Sizes: Small – XXXL
Colors: Black, black/orange, black/red, black/blue
Comfort range: 50-80 degrees
Waterproofing: Poor : Water works through the fabric and right through the zippers.
IMPORTANT FEATURES: 1,2,3,5,7,9,13,17
Ride Report: The Shift jacket does a great job keeping you comfortable with option of being worn as a vest. It has pretty good venting, and especially if you include the front opening, but on easy trails at 52-degrees it was barely warm enough. The sleeves are tough enough to ward off brush and branches, but there are elbow guards inside as well. The neck flap has an elastic loop and a hook to close which Jimmy found troublesome while riding, but you can also lock the flap open with a hook on the opposite side, and Karel liked that. This is a good choice for riders who want comfort but worry about overheating and run home when it rains hard.
Phone: See your dealer
Website: www.shiftracing.comThor Ride
Price: $179.95
Sizes: Med. Through XXL
Colors: Black, red/charcoal, blue/grey
Comfort range: 45-80 degrees
Waterproofing: Excellent: Especially considering the venting this offers.
IMPORTANT FEATURES: 2,4,6,7,9,11,14,
Ride Report: One of the best vented of all the jackets and for sure the best of the ones rated “excellent” for waterproofing. The vents include very long underarm vents, and we were able to ride light trails in 70-degrees with the front zipped and collar closed. Close everything up and you are warm and dry. Thor loves the Rubbertech molded parts, and the sleeves have two separate patches of the rubber attached, and they make the sleeves feel heavy, and the one rubber gismo catches hard on brush. This remains and impressive jacket that can help you cope with a wide range of riding conditions, and the price is very reasonable considering the features.
Phone: See your dealer
Website: www.thormx.comThor Pack Jacket
Price: $85.95
Sizes: Med – XXL
Colors: Black, red/charcoal, blue/grey
Comfort range: 50-80 degrees
Waterproofing: Good-: Water works its way through the fabric in a short time.
IMPORTANT FEATURES: 2,5,10,11,14,17
Ride Report: The lightest and least expensive of jacket in the test, we considered dropping this pullover shell, but kept it in the test because of features like zippered vents, one of the most comfortable collars in the test and the membrane material in the shell. Even when you are not getting air in, you feel the cool of the material on your skin without something more than a shirt under it. The light fabric makes the coat feel cooler than it is. If you get too warm, the pullover folds into a hidden pouch and has belt loops so it can be carried on a fanny pack belt or drink system strap. It was not as water resistant as we had hoped, but this is a great carry-along option to a heavy jacket.
Phone: See your dealer
Website: www.thormx.com
