If you ride your motorcycle only for short distances or at a slow pace, you might be wondering whether or not you really need a riding jacket.
The response is a definite “yes!” Because if you get a case of road rash, the road surface is not going to be kind to your skin, regardless of how slowly you are going.
Even a mild impact on your joints can cause a significant amount of discomfort that can last for days or even weeks.
When you fall, your shoulders, elbows, torso, and spine are all protected by a good riding jacket with the right armor inserts.
A good riding jacket is a piece of engineering that is made to fit you like a second skin.
It has fabrics that won’t wear down, stitching that won’t break, and reflectors that will light up the road at night.
So let’s begin with the basics of riding jackets, which will go a long way toward assisting you in making the right choice.
Different Types Of Riding Jackets As Follows:
Despite the fact that you have made the decision to purchase a motorcycle jacket that will provide you with a stylish appearance while also keeping you safe, do you have any idea how many jackets are available on the market?
Let me assist you with an in-depth analysis of each type of jacket.
1. Mesh Jacket:
Mesh, which is the most breathable fabric, has been used for the panels on these jackets. They are made to let in as much air as possible while still keeping you safe, making them perfect for the hot summer months.
Depending on the brand and model, though, a mesh jacket may come with a waterproof liner that can be taken out.
2. Textile Jacket:
Most jackets made of fabric have a removable thermal liner and a built-in waterproof liner.
Most of the time, the outer layer of these jackets is waterproof, but the vast majority of cloth jackets have air vents to let air in.
Even when the thermal liner is removed, these jackets are thought to be better for the winter and less good for the summer.
3. All-Weather Jackets:
The liners can be taken out of these jackets, so they can be worn in a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions.
The outer shell is primarily made up of mesh panels, and it also has removable liners that are both waterproof and thermal.
When it’s cold, these liners are helpful, and during monsoon season, they keep the wearer dry.
These jackets each have qualities that make them beneficial as well as those that make them problematic.
The fact that this jacket can be worn at any time of year is without a doubt its best feature.
Second, they will fit with all of the liners inside, but there is a good chance that the fit will not be satisfactory after the liners have been removed.
4. Touring Jacket:
Touring jackets resemble Swiss army knives.
They are tall and prioritize versatility.
Most touring jackets have outer shells made of mesh with removable liners or outer shells made of fabric with large air vents and removable liners.
If you ride long distances and will be on your bike for long periods of time no matter what the weather is like, you need a good touring jacket.
And the amenities and other features will improve as you spend more money.
The best-in-class touring jackets feature a “Gortex” outer shell that provides both waterproofing and breathability from the inside out.
The Sand 3 is a great touring jacket in the middle price range. It comes with CE 2 armor, which is widely available on the market.
5. Leather Jacket:
When it comes to riding a motorcycle, nothing beats the luxurious look and feel of leather seats and accents.
I would like to inform you that leather riding jackets are not at all made from regular leather but rather from high-quality leather that is resistant to abrasion.
I hope this information is helpful. People often think that leather jackets can only be worn when it’s cold outside.
But now you can buy perforated leather jackets that not only look vintage but also let you breathe because they have mesh panels on the inside of the chest, back, and arms.
These jackets are available. One shining illustration of this is Revit! The Ignition 2 jacket is one that can be bought on the market for an acceptable price.
6. Body Armor/Vest:
Although they do not resemble jackets, the purpose of these items is to keep you safe while you are riding.
On days when you just want to wear a casual shirt or t-shirt or during the hottest days of summer, they can be a great option for you to have.
Armor and vests are comfortable to wear and can be worn snugly under t-shirts or shirts.
Jackets, on the other hand, don’t keep the wearer safe from friction. Instead, they absorb it.
This leaves open areas of the body vulnerable to road rash.
Consider 9 Factors While Buying A Motorcycle Jacket:
Now that you are aware of the different types of jackets available, let us look at some other important factors to consider while choosing the right jacket.
You cannot buy a jacket solely based on its brand name and stylish appearance; you must also consider the other factors listed below.
1. Fit:
How is the fit of the riding jacket? With road rash, you can tell if your skin is rubbing against your jacket.
A snug fit will always guarantee that the armor stays in place and the jacket does not move or tear when exposed to wind gusts.
Various brands provide varying fits, with models providing more variation. Typically, a touring jacket will have numerous adjustment straps.
While all-weather jackets will fit well with any liner, the fit may change when the liner is removed.
Therefore, it is best to try on the options and select the best fit!
2. Armor:
The majority of high-quality jackets include CE-grade shoulder and elbow armor and CE-level 2 back armor as an option.
We frequently observe riders without any back protection. However, keep in mind that your spine is equally as important as your brain and requires extensive protection from back armor.
Additionally, a rear armor prevents the jacket from slipping off if the wearer slides feet-first onto the road.
Therefore, spending a little more on back armor will be beneficial in the long run.
Most manufacturers use foam fillers in the pockets of back armor, which are mistaken for back armor.
Be cautious with this one, as it will not protect your spine.
3. Ventilation:
This is important in a motorcycle jacket, especially if you live in a place with hot summers.
Nothing could be better than the ventilation offered by a mesh jacket and body armor.
Pair these with a cooling vest, and you are well set to face the summer.
Touring jackets with large air vents also work well for ventilation.
4. Abrasion Resistance:
Most of this brand’s riding jackets have polyester 600D in the area where they hit the ground. But the quality gets better as you spend more money.
This jacket, for example, is lightweight and has great abrasion resistance, waterproofing, and breathability.
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5. Adjustment Straps:
These are very helpful for keeping the armor in place and making sure that the jacket fits snugly.
They’re especially useful in all-weather jackets that need to be adjusted after the liner is removed.
6. Waterproofing:
There are already a lot of different waterproofing liner options for riding jackets, from standard materials that don’t breathe to more advanced materials that do.
The only things that affect the price of a waterproof liner are whether or not it breathes and, of course, whether or not it keeps water out.
7. Color:
Depending on the environment in which you live, a jacket of any light color may become soiled very quickly.
It is common knowledge that black is the most popular color for coats and jackets.
When shopping for a jacket, you should consider how much care you are able to give it and base your decision on that.
8. Warranty Backup:
It is very important to buy any kind of riding gear from a legal and trustworthy dealer.
Beware of products on the market that appear to be authentic but do not come with any kind of warranty or replacement service after the sale.
If you want to save a few thousand dollars, your safety should not be compromised in any way.
9. Price:
The price is the final consideration, but it’s also the most important one.
You should shop for jackets like these, which are easy on your wallet and offer you the most convenient features.
Since you probably won’t wear the same jacket more than once, there’s no point in making an expensive investment when you can get the same features in other jackets that won’t put as much strain on your finances.
Proper Care Of A Riding Jacket:
When washing clothes by hand, it’s best not to use harsh detergents, fabric softener, dry cleaning, machine washing and drying, or to scrub too hard.
Also, before washing your jacket, make sure to take off any protective armor.
Unlike the fabric of other clothing, the fabric of your riding gear needs to be treated while it is still unworn in order to offer the highest level of abrasion resistance.
You don’t want structural damage at the molecular level on your equipment because this type of damage cannot be seen with the naked eye.
Conclusion
Your riding gear will not only keep you safe in the event of an accident, but it will also protect you from the severe elements of the weather.
This will give you peace of mind while you are riding, in addition to keeping you comfortable and visible and making the ride more enjoyable.
So, think carefully about what you want and your riding jacket will be a good travel companion.
I hope you have liked this article. We have mentioned all the procedures for choosing the best riding jacket.
If you have liked this article and have any questions related to it, then do ask in the comment section.
