Opinions on vented clothing

[48Rob]

Hi,

I'm shopping for hot weather gear for a summer trip.
Trip is in the middle of July, with temperatures forecast from 90-110.

While black is great for colder weather, I'm after white or silver.
That narrows the market pretty quick for mesh, or any gear...
I'm also tall, and wear tall sizes, since regular sizes come up short...
The field is getting pretty thin now!

I've found a jacket, and pants, but have a concern with "ribb" armor, and the protection offered in the pants, for the seat area.
I can't see that the pants offer any abrasion protection in the seat, or am I missing it?

Anyone know what "Ribb" armor is?
I'm concerned about the armor.
If I'm going to all this trouble to be safe, I don't want to find out while tumbling down the road that this armor is really just a foam pad...

With the temps I'm looking at, is mesh the only real option, or should I also consider vented jackets?
If I buy a 3 or 4 season jacket, after I remove all the liners, it will likely be too loose...
I don't mind wearing a different jacket over mesh if it gets cool out.

These are the two items I'm looking at;

Tour Master Venture Air Pants
Tour Master :: Venture Air Pant

Feeldsheer High Temp Mesh Jacket
Fieldsheer High Temp Mesh Jacket - Motorcycle Superstore

I'm not opposed to perforated leather if it is affordable, but I haven't found many color options other than black unless I want to spend WAY over $300!

Thanks for any help

Rob

[Uthor]

I usually just wear my leather, but it doesn't get above 95 here too often and I can just deal with it.

I've heard great things about Olympia's Mesh Tech and Airglide jackets for warm weather riding:
Olympia Moto Sports - Home Page

I've got their AST for the cold and I love all the features. You tend to pay a little more, but it's well worth it. They seem to be brought up along with (and usually chosen over) Fieldsheer.

**** around on AVDrider for a ton of reviews:
ADVrider - Search Results

While looking on there, I also came across a recommendation for Rev'It:
ReVit Air Jacket - - A&S BMW Motorcycle Parts and Accessories

[El Zorro]

I've been looking at this perforated leather jacket. It's not all silver, but it is silver on top, where you'll get the most sun. I haven't bought one yet, so if you take the plunge, let me know what you think.

Dennis Kirk | Metric Bikes Main Page

[mkelley]

I bought a Fieldsheer high temp mesh jacket last year to use on my commute to work. Being stuck in stop-n-go rush hour traffic in a leather jacket in the summer wasn't fun. With the liner out, the Fieldsheer sure gets good airflow. My biggest complain is the sleeves. They're so big around they must be intended for someone with stovepipe arms. There are elastic straps to tighten the sleeves around your arms, but I don't know why they're so big to start with.

The liner that comes with the Fieldsheer is quite warm, good enough for me to wear in winter riding (30-35 degrees).

[fretbuzz]

I don't know about being the only real option but it is a good one. I had a FirstGear mesh jacket with all the armour, etc. and it worked great here in theTexas heat -did it's job on asphalt at about 55 mpr too.

[48Rob]

Thanks for the replies and opinions!
The URL's are great too, sometimes its nice being tall, and other times, like when I'm shopping...I wish I was "normal" so I could buy all the stuff everybody else can...

When the mesh "did its job" was there any issues with the fabric melting from the abrasion?

Rob

[Bender]

48Rob, did you end up getting something? I'm also looking for a warm weather mesh jacket for spring/fall riding in Texas. I'm 6'3", so I also need the Tall size.

[48Rob]

Hi Bender,

Yes, I ordered a jacket, should arrive in the mail in the next couple days.

I'll report as soon as possible, its supposed to rain the next two days, but the weekend looks good!

Rob

[Ruh Roh]

3 of us in my family have mesh jackets, Teknic, Joe rocket and i dunno what brand my son has. Just the thing for HOT southern temps. The worst part is at the stop lights, leather gets real hot real fast. You can find the much cheaper on Ebay.

[Bender]

I tried on a Motoboss Mustang mesh jacket at Cyclegear the other day. I thought it seemed kind of "cheapo". Admittedly, it was only $59 dollars... but still.

Same day at Cyclegear, I tried on a Frank Thomas mesh jacket, I think it was called Titanium Pro Mesh Jacket. It seemed much better made than the Motoboss, and I think it was $119.

Another I'm considering is the Mesh Tex 3.0 from FirstGear.

I'm 6'3" so I need a Tall size, and not all the companies make Tall. I've never owned a mesh jacket before, so any pointers or tips appreciated.

EDIT: I guess the Motoboss jacket I tried on was called the Mojave, not Mustang...

[kimjorgen]

Ordered this jacket about a week ago, cant wait to try it on. Anyone have any have experience with joe rocket jackets?

[48Rob]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...g?t=1209303659

My Jacket arrived!

I bought the Cortech GS/air mesh and leather.

It was about 85 when it came, so I took out the quilted liner and waterproof liner and went for a ride.
Did about 50 miles before a big thunderstorm had me heading for home...
It worked very well!
Can't say how it will feel in 95 degree temps, but I'm hoping...

Yesterday, the weather was a bit cooler, 45 or so.
I put the liners back in and did a hundred miles.
I was plenty warm, and it didn't leak air.

The leather on the sleeves and back is reassuring, as is the armor and the extra padding.
Nice jacket for $109.00

Rob

[Uthor]

Originally Posted by kimjorgen

Anyone have any have experience with joe rocket jackets?

Good jackets for a good price, but the arm snaps are crap.

[barry5k]

I recently bough the Mesh Tex 3.0 from FirstGear. Today I went riding in 92 degree weather in CA (no humidity) and it was still warm, but bearable. In the end I took it off, but felt uncomfortable without the armor. It is really an excellent summer jacket for about $115.

[Bender]

I think I'll also get a Mesh-Tex 3 from FirstGear. I also like th Olympia Airglide 2, but it is over $90 more than the Mesh-Tex. They both come in Tall sizes too.

I just picked up a FirstGear Mesh-Tex 2 at MotoLiberty on closeout, for my son, for only $49.95. He loves it.

[barry5k]

I looked at the Olympia Airglide 2 and it was way to heavy for summer!

[rayfin]

I have a Joe Rocket jacket. It look s awesome but I hate the vents. If it's a cool night the wind will blow right through it. Ok for racing I bet.

[Uthor]

Originally Posted by rayfin

I have a Joe Rocket jacket. It look s awesome but I hate the vents. If it's a cool night the wind will blow right through it. Ok for racing I bet.

True, but I like it because it allows me to wear a full leather jacket fairly comfortably during the summer.

[guitarstudd636]

The Icon Accelerant Perforated jacket will offer good protection and claims to be very cool in the summer. It come in white, red, and black. Cheapest I have found it is at
www.sandhillspowersports.com
I was thinking about it myself until I found the Skull Motorhead jacket. Ill sweat in the summer for the awesome look of that jacket. Alpinestars makes a jacket called the Airflo which is supposed to be real good for summer riding too.