Are Shift jackets a good choice?

[VengeanceB4U]

I just ordered a black Avenger Shift jacket online for $100.00 & was wondering if anyone has an opinion on these as for as comfort, fitting, etc. I really like the looks of this jacket & it doesn't look too bulky. I ordered a medium because I figured it would fit me snug @ 5'9" 157 pounds. Any thoughts or advice would be great!

[gfloyd2002]

Buying gear that you like well enough to wear all the time is the most important thing. Regardless of what you got, well done for that.

And the Avenger is a good jacket, with a reputation for being very comfortable and breathable. Typical 600D nylon with CE armor (not in back) like you'd find in most of the entry level textile jackets. No frills, solid jacket at a good price. You could do better with ceramic, 1000D or leather in the abrasion risk areas, but not for that price point. You may want to look at upgrading your back pad, which isn't CE approved, and pickup up a SAS-TEC back protector or something similar.

While the Avenger is a perfectly fine jacket, Shift gear, imho, isn't a great brand. There are a few brands, like Joe Rocket, Icon, Shift and Speed & Strength, that market heavily and sometimes don't have the quality to match their market presence. They compete by marketing unique designs and cheap gear, not by offering safer, better constructed gear. (I have owned some Joe Rocket and Shift stuff, so no criticism here. Some is good, some is bad. My Shift Airborne jacket I wore for a year in 2006 before it disintegrated - simply from wear - was crap.) There is a place for that attracting riders who need less expensive options, and I suppose also for attracting someone with style who might not otherwise wear protective gear. But you know, KNOW, that the business people in these companies often win out over the safety people as they debate design. And you can see the results with gear from these companies that sometimes include polyesters that melt with abrasion, cheap thread that doesn't hold up on impact, etc.

[cuong-nutz]

I have tha jacket and it is awesome! Great Armor and the textile is thick. No complaints with it other than the white getting really dirty quick but that's normal. I have not upgraded the back armor but is something worth looking into.

[Live2ride]

I have a shift avenger jacket and can't say enough good things about it. It's very comfortable, looks great, it has shoulder/elbow/ back armor. It has a removable quilt like vest liner for riding in cold conditions too. I haven't noticed the white staining at on mine and I've had it for about a year. My step brother went down at least 3-4 times in his avenger jacket and it's still holding up. After about a week it felt like the jacket just molded to me making it very comfortable with a lot of unrestricted movement. Hope this helps ease your mind; you made a good choice.

[VengeanceB4U]

Thanks sooo much guys, I feel much more at ease with my choice now! I currently have a xelement jacket & it feels a bit stiff & it is too big. No point in wearing a jacket that doesn't fit snug & isn't comfy right. I just hope I chose the right size, everything in the sizing was to my stats except the chest size. My chest is about 2 inches bigger than the medium size chart, but I think it should still fit fine....I hope.

[massacremasses]

Ive got it, it looks nice i like it but i would say the medium is a little large on me. 5'6" 155 lbs. too loose pretty much everywhere but it works its not that bad...

I like it overall, just a little big.

[rusninja]

Just makes justin look a little fat. ;]

[csmith12]

i have the air avenger mesh. its great so far... not crash tested and plan on keeping it that way

[csmith12]

not sure if its the same one you got, but it may help.

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...ht=air+avenger

[massacremasses]

Originally Posted by rusninja

Just makes justin look a little fat. ;]

this is true...


fatter then I already am haha

[rusninja]

Originally Posted by massacremasses

this is true...


fatter then I already am haha

right jk

[VengeanceB4U]

Here is the Shift Avenger jacket I bought & I must say I love it! It looks & fits great, & is very comfortable. I would definitely recommend this jacket. It vents pretty good while riding & doesn't restrict your movement while being snug. Perfect fit!