[motorcycle.com] - Best Summer Motorcycle Jackets

[Ninjette Newsbot]

Summer, as in hot weather. So hot it’s tempting to take the car and turn up the AC. Don’t fall into that trap. From there it’s a short trip to sloth and gluttony, followed shortly by despair. It’s always going to be tough to stay cool when you’re stopped, but the miracle of convective cooling means you can remain reasonably chill even when the temperature starts climbing into triple digits – if you’ve got the right gear. The key is being able to adjust your airflow and keeping hydrated. Here’s a quick sampler of the right stuff.

Beat the Heat: Riding Gear for Hot Weather

Dainese Stripes D1 – $300 – $420



Yes you can wear a nice leather jacket when it’s hot; the key word here is perforated, as in shot full of tiny holes. Done correctly, it doesn’t make the leather any weaker, and we can tell you from firsthand experience that jackets like this one flow enough air to be downright chilly when the temperature drops below about 65 F. Like everything Dainese makes, this is a quality jacket, full grain cowhide in a soft natural finish accented by suede paneling and very little Dainese branding. There’s composite CE armor in the shoulders and elbows, an optional back protector – and a removable thermal liner in case there’s a change in the weather.

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Joe Rocket Phoenix 5.0 – $170



Perhaps something in a mesh? Nothing flows more than mesh to keep you cool, and the JR 5.0 protects you at the same time with CE-rated armor in the elbows and shoulders. This one also comes with a waterproof liner to keep out wind and water when necessary. The downside of mesh is that when temps get above about 100 – especially out west where there’s little humidity – that hot, dry air can suck away too much of your precious bodily fluids and quickly dehydrate you. When the outside air is hotter than your own 98.6 degrees, it’s time to reduce your airflow. But up to about 100 F or so, and particularly in humid climates, mesh is the way to go. JR makes mesh pants that zipper to the jacket, too.

Shop for the Joe Rocket Phoenix 5.0 jacket here

Spidi Summer Net Lady – $219



For the fairer sex, who are now up to 19% of all motorcyclists, most makers produce garments to flatter the female form. Including Spidi, with this mesh number. It comes with CE protection in the arms and shoulders, and an inner pocket for the optional Warrior CE back protector. Also with reflective areas, wide waistline adjustment, and Clip Stop for connecting to pants. White, as our camel-keeping friends know, is the right color for keeping cool, too.

Shop for the Spidi Summer Net Women’s jacket here

Olympia Bradley – $200



Now more stylish than stodgy, Olympia’s Bradley eschews gaudy graphics in favor of a more contemporary look. Its outer shell consists of a combination of 600D poly EVO Thread fabric and ballistic poly mesh panels to deliver maximum airflow with excellent abrasion resistance. There’s also a second layer, a rain jacket that can be worn over or under the main outer shell to deliver multi season, multi weather riding comfort – or even by its stylish self. Other features include a soft Neoprene framed collar, adjustable side waist panel detailing, reflective piping all over, and CE armor as standard equipment at elbows, shoulders and back.

Shop for the Olympia Bradley jacket here

Scorpion Yosemite – $390 – $405



If you’re really going places, like in the desert, the problem is often temperature extremes: Africa hot in the daytime and freezing when the sun goes down. All the gear manufactures build all-weather clothing with various removable liners and venting systems to deal with that, and the Scorpion is a good example. It comes with both removable waterproof and thermal liners, as well as big mesh panels on front and back you can unzip for full airflow, as well as full-length vents on the arms and on the torso. A big pocket on the lower back provides storage for the liners when they’re out, as well as plenty of pockets for more items. You’ve got CE certified Sas-Tec armor at the elbows and shoulders, a foam back pad that can be upgraded to a Level 2 SAS-TEC protector, and plenty of NightViz reflective material.

Shop for the Scorpion Yosemite XDR jacket here

Aerostich Darien Light – $597



It’s light, tough, simple, and practical because that’s what works best, says Aerostich. Tough HT200D Gore-Tex breathable/waterproof outer fabric is far lighter than normal Cordura yet retains most of the abrasion resistance. Removable hard shell TF3 foam elbow and shoulder armor protect from impacts, adjustable anti-flutter sleeve tabs keep it snug, removable magnetic collar clasps let you leave the front open for max airflow, while big underarm and back vents let hot air out. When things cool down, various optional fleece liners are standing by, with vent zippers that line up perfectly and work like they were made for the Darien. Which they were.

Shop for the Aerostich Darien Light jacket here

Spidi Multitech Armor EVO – $320



If you’re pretty sure it’s not going to cool off anytime soon and you want maximum protection, Spidi’s tactical-looking mesh jacket could be the hot-weather setup. Abrasion-resistant Polyamide mesh outside, nylon Tactel inserts and Tenax reinforcement in impact areas, with Warrior Back and Chest Protector and CE Level 1 Multitech protectors on shoulders and elbows. Five pockets hold your stuff, and an optional waterproof H2Out liner is available. Very Mad Max, very lightweight, and combined with a large drink bladder, could be just the thing for offroad adventures. It can be worn under an outer shell, too.

Shop for the Spidi Multitech Armor EVO jacket here

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