The HD website says the Illumination 360 Functional Jacket is waterproof. I'm wondering HOW waterproof. Will it keep you as dry as a rainsuit? To those that have this jacket, do you even bother packing rain gear? Any other comments about it??

 

Nobody?

 

Just ordered it. Looking forward to test it

 

If it's anything like my Tourmaster textile jacket, bone-dry waterproof. But, I don't wear it all the time so I do pack rain gear. Of course the HD is a LOT more expensive.

 

WaterProof means it's just that!!!!!!!!!!! I have a HD Road Warrior pants & Jacket & they are "WATER PROOF" I do not carry rain gear anymore> Of course the rain suit is less expensive.

 

According to the ad it is made out of polyester (probably polyester Carbolux) which is what is used in entry level riding gear like Tourmaster and Joe Rocket which sells for a lot less. Better quality gear uses nylon based Carbolux or Cordura which is much more abrasion resistant and durable. The only difference is HD is charging a lot more than JR or Tourmaster - $325. For that amount of money you can get a much higher quality and protective jacket that will be a lot more abrasion resistant and most likely have breathable waterproofing and separate insulation liner and offer a more accurate fit. As a general rule better quality gear has a more tailored fit. Also with mesh a dual liner system, with separate rain (preferably breathable like Gortex) and insulating liners is desirable. As an example of what you can get for a similar amount of money check out the AirGlide which is a much higher quality jacket. IMO everything HD sells with it's logo is 33 to 50% more money than the equivalent item would be without the logo. Also black is a bad color choice for mesh gear since it absorbs heat unlike lighter colors.

Comparison of jacket materials http://www.gbfr.org/saveyourhide.pdf

 

I have a Joe Rocket Alter Ego jacket I bought in 2008. The material in the HD 360 Illumination jacket seems much heavier than that. I've searched whatever forums I could find as well as Google and Bing - can't find any reviews or info other than the HD description on this jacket.

 

I have it. And so far I like it. Haven't ridden in rain much with it yet.

 

Even if it's waterproof I doubt it was really designed like a rain jacket where the collar, wrists and waist were designed to keep water out. When the rain gets heavy enough I always break out the rain gear.

 

I have the Leather version of that jacket. It is not supposed to be waterproof, and it isn't.