HOT weather jacket recommendations?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,904
Likes: 29,884
From: PNW
I have a Rev It! Airlight jacket. It work great and I'm sure it will give reasonable protection in a crash. It's Grey so not as hot as black. I never understood the black mesh jackets. Must be hotter than hell at a stop light.
The Motoport stuff would be my 1st pick if cost were no object.
The Motoport stuff would be my 1st pick if cost were no object.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Sin City
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
Read this. Above 93 degrees, mesh isn't what you want. You want a light fabric that breathes but isn't vented, and you want something in white or another light color.
Wearing a t-shirt or mesh is a quick way to dehydrate in serious heat. I rode across Colorado last summer in heat as high as 115 degrees in a full-face helmet and full riding gear with all the vents closed. It was hotter than hell, but I guaranty I was more comfortable than the guys in t-shirts I was riding with.
Wearing a t-shirt or mesh is a quick way to dehydrate in serious heat. I rode across Colorado last summer in heat as high as 115 degrees in a full-face helmet and full riding gear with all the vents closed. It was hotter than hell, but I guaranty I was more comfortable than the guys in t-shirts I was riding with.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 191
Likes: 1
From: Japan
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store...tchback-jacket
It's MoCo gear, but I landed one for 50% off in Europe. I wore it in the States while I was in the Sates briefly at the end of last summer. Hot, humid, nasty weathered South Carolina and Georgia. The jacket has a liner (not needed at all where I was) for cold weather, textile sleeves and a mesh jacket with a tex shell that can be zipped on or off. During the days, the shell would stay in my saddlebags and at night, I could toss on the shell. also, there are zippers front and back on the shell to allow air flow.
It also comes with elbow and shoulder pads. The sleeve buttons help adjust the pad tightness if you have the shell on or off.
It's MoCo gear, but I landed one for 50% off in Europe. I wore it in the States while I was in the Sates briefly at the end of last summer. Hot, humid, nasty weathered South Carolina and Georgia. The jacket has a liner (not needed at all where I was) for cold weather, textile sleeves and a mesh jacket with a tex shell that can be zipped on or off. During the days, the shell would stay in my saddlebags and at night, I could toss on the shell. also, there are zippers front and back on the shell to allow air flow.
It also comes with elbow and shoulder pads. The sleeve buttons help adjust the pad tightness if you have the shell on or off.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,813
Likes: 6
From: Rio Grande Valley-Texas
You are not really "south" TX. I live in the Rio Grande Valley! This IS south tx! LOL. Anyways, it's hotter than hell here and this is the best thing since sliced bread: BOHN Airtex Shirt. it has a tight but stretchy fit. Great protection and great airflow. I use it everyday. I have not used my Revit airwave jacket since May. It will probably be stored until October!. Good luck.
Amazon.com: Bohn Bodyguard Airtex Shirt - Black - Small: Automotive
Amazon.com: Bohn Bodyguard Airtex Shirt - Black - Small: Automotive
Anyway, My Joe Rocket mesh is not so bad for daily use up and down 77/83.
Thread Starter
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3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, TX
I ended up buying a Fly Coolpro Jacket in Black from Revzilla and then immediately had to do some work-related travel so today was my first chance to test the jacket. It was only 102° here in SA. Know it must have been hotter in the RGV, but still a decent test temperature. ;>)
Sitting still at lights it was hot but not OMFG HOT like the leather jacket was. Rolling 35 MPH was pretty comfortable but not as cool as my cage with flakey AC. They're on clearance now for $90.
- I wear an XL in most things and their XL fits me fairly well ... maybe a tad loose but it has velco straps to tighten the waist to your liking.
- It also has snaps so can adjust the sleeves to your liking. And it came with a few replacement snaps. Hmmm ...
- I immediately tool the piece of foam out of the back. The pads on the should and elbows don't bother me so will leave them in.
- The removable liner will likely never leave the house ... it goes inside the jacket and feels like it wouldn't breath at all and would likely stick like hell with any moisture under it.
- It's got five logo looking pieces of soft rubber that I'll remove tonight.
- Materials seem OK.
- Sewing seems OK.
- Zipper works pretty well.
Fredman
Sitting still at lights it was hot but not OMFG HOT like the leather jacket was. Rolling 35 MPH was pretty comfortable but not as cool as my cage with flakey AC. They're on clearance now for $90.
- I wear an XL in most things and their XL fits me fairly well ... maybe a tad loose but it has velco straps to tighten the waist to your liking.
- It also has snaps so can adjust the sleeves to your liking. And it came with a few replacement snaps. Hmmm ...
- I immediately tool the piece of foam out of the back. The pads on the should and elbows don't bother me so will leave them in.
- The removable liner will likely never leave the house ... it goes inside the jacket and feels like it wouldn't breath at all and would likely stick like hell with any moisture under it.
- It's got five logo looking pieces of soft rubber that I'll remove tonight.
- Materials seem OK.
- Sewing seems OK.
- Zipper works pretty well.
Fredman
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,719
Likes: 60
From: Los Angeles
+1 on the Vanson Vent Max 4. (Particularly if you can find it in Silver. The black seems too hot for me, but YMMV.)
It works extremely well in higher temps in city traffic and freeway traffic, here in L.A. Not sure what situations you are riding in, OP. But if you are an urban rider, this will do the trick, IMHO. Of, course, nothing will protect you like leather. I have not ridden in it in 100 degrees. Just doesn't get that hot here in SoCal. But I have spent time in SanAnto, and would say it would be the only jacket I'd consider there in the summer.
Below in italics is what I wrote about mine in a recent thread on the same topic.
I've been riding with this Vanson Vent Max 4 this week and it handles the warm weather nicely. The mesh is so porous, at one point I thought I had it unzipped, but didn't.
Cost me 200 on Ebay brand new. Really well designed, comfortable on the bike. Not all crazy branded, and you do feel reasonably protected with the armor reinforced in leather compartments. (Back, shoulders, elbows)
Nothing will ever beat a full on leather jacket, but this hot weather alternative is working well for me so far. I've tried three different mesh jackets this summer and this Vanson has been the best combo of ventilation and protection by far, IMHO.
It works extremely well in higher temps in city traffic and freeway traffic, here in L.A. Not sure what situations you are riding in, OP. But if you are an urban rider, this will do the trick, IMHO. Of, course, nothing will protect you like leather. I have not ridden in it in 100 degrees. Just doesn't get that hot here in SoCal. But I have spent time in SanAnto, and would say it would be the only jacket I'd consider there in the summer.
Below in italics is what I wrote about mine in a recent thread on the same topic.
I've been riding with this Vanson Vent Max 4 this week and it handles the warm weather nicely. The mesh is so porous, at one point I thought I had it unzipped, but didn't.
Cost me 200 on Ebay brand new. Really well designed, comfortable on the bike. Not all crazy branded, and you do feel reasonably protected with the armor reinforced in leather compartments. (Back, shoulders, elbows)
Nothing will ever beat a full on leather jacket, but this hot weather alternative is working well for me so far. I've tried three different mesh jackets this summer and this Vanson has been the best combo of ventilation and protection by far, IMHO.
Last edited by SoCalSoftailSlim; Jul 31, 2013 at 07:17 PM.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 492
Likes: 139
From: Bel Air, MD
This is the jacket I wear from 40 degrees to 100 degrees, and it's great in hot weather. It gets warm sitting still on the asphalt, true, but once moving it is true air conditioning. Listen to the jacket wearers about being cool and protected.
