Riding jackets are the second most important gear after a helmet. In this article, we will discuss the various factors to consider when choosing a riding jacket and also some our recommendation.
This is the second article regarding gear selection on this site. The emphasize here is that riding motorcycles is a very risky task and the right gear makes the difference between life or death. The first post was about helmets, which can be read here.
Factors for choosing a Riding Racket:
- Types of Jacket
- Armor/Safety
- Fit & Finish
- Of course, budget.
Types of Jacket:
Riding jackets are broadly classified in into three types based on the material used in construction.
Leather Jackets
Leather is safest material when is come to abrasion resistance. No wonder MotoGP race suits are made out of leather. Also, leather is the costliest material is this list. One factor to consider in this jacket is that the ventilation is poor and is big NO if you are in a hot and humid place in India.
Note: Not all leather used in various jackets are same and some are better than others.
Textile Jackets
These are made from abrasion resistant material like Cordura and are better at protecting you from mud / dust being thrown while riding. Textile jackets are better than leather jackets in ventilation and generally come with openable zippers to allow better air flow.
Mesh Jackets
These are like textile jackets; however the the front and back portion uses 3D mesh material and the impact areas like shoulders, elbows have abrasion resistant material like Cordura. Mesh jackets are the best when it comes to ventilation and definitely the best choice for Indian riding conditions.
Armor/Safety:
The second major factor when choosing a riding jacket is the armour and safety that is being used. It is absolutely must that one buys a jacket with back, elbow and shoulder armours.
Armours are basically classified in to CE Level 1 and CE level 2. For a piece of protective body armor to pass Level 1, the maximum transmitted force must be below 18 kN, with no single value exceeding 24 kN. Similarly, for Level 2 maximum transmitted force must be below 9 kN and no single value can exceed 12 kN. This number is the standard for all types of Motorcycle armours like knee, hip, elbow, and shoulder pads.
It is our recommendation that everyone should invest in a jacket with Level 2 armor or should be able to buy a jacket and upgrade to Level 2 armor. Also, many companies make armor like KNOX, SASTEC, D30 it is best to check the at the armors are made by a reputable brand.
Armour only work if they remain in place in a crash. On a fully fastened jacked check if you can move/push the armour around. If you can, then there is a good chance they will not be where you need them if you crash. It also means you have bought a wrong size riding jacket.
There are chest guards and external back armours also available which can be purchased as an add on accessory.
Fit/Style:
Riding jackets basically come in two styles Sport/Street Fit and Touring fit . As mentioned previously the fit of the jacket should be snug; only then you will get the best protection in case of a crash.
- Sport/Street Fit:
These jackets are tight fitting similar to a slim fit shirt. This are best when you ride a sport/street bike which has a slightly aggressive riding posture. They will also catch less wind at high speeds and decrease drag.
- Touring:
Touring jackets are generally loose fitting and are length in nature. They also have lot of external pockets and are mainly aimed at people who do multi day trips.
If you want a budget jackets of good quality, some of our Jacket recommendation are:
Textile Jackets
Choice 1: Rynox Stealth Evo 3
Choice 2: Aspida Odysseus
Mesh Jackets
Choice 1: Aspida Helios Mesh Jacket
Choice 2: Rynox Tornado Pro 3
Of course, if you are able to get your hands on premium gears from Dainese or Alpinestar and other similar brands, nothing like it. They however come with a heavy price tag.