Question for ya all. i searched through and did some reading on jackets. Right now i am planning on getting the Cortech GX Air. I've read that leather is best but my question is what do you guys recommend for a jacket, i know that many say mesh are good for one wreck which is fine, but i'm more conerned about that one wreck, does leather protect any better vs mesh for that one wreck? What about textile? I'm in PA where the temp ranges and am just looking for some extra protection, i like the hard plastic that this jacket has. Also didn't know with all the improvements if there is something better out now (since some of the threads that i read were a couple years old). thanks
Where do you rider primarily? Your riding environment has a lot to do with the gear you choose...
So far, only in PA. Right now we've just ended the heat warnings (up to 110 degrees) w/ heat index. I just got my bike registered so haven't really been out much but main concern is some extra protection for the spring/summer w/o roasting my azz. Like i said i dont mind wrecking and having to get something new, i just dont want to wreck and be injured more than if i would have just bought a different jacket.
I bought a GX Air recently and I've been pretty happy with it. It is a mesh jacket, but I think it will provide excellent crash protection. The hard armor feels very strong, and the back protector feels good too. What I like most is the leather inserts over the back, shoulders, and arms. You will sweat under the armored parts while wearing this jacket, but its not too bad and I think its very worthwhile for the protection it offers. I can't say for sure that it'll hold up for more than one crash, but the leather makes me think it'll hold up a lot better than, say, a Phoenix 4.0.
I have 2 jackets. One for hot weather and one for cold.
My hot weather jacket is a mesh jacket by Fieldsheer and has CE armor (the hard plastic stuff) all around. Mesh jackets make warm and hot weather much more bearable to ride in; however, textile or perforrated leather (both provide about the same amount of venting) would be far too hot in the summer and far too cold in the winter. I have no questions about its ability to hold up in a crash, as I have accidentally crash test the previous model and it held up fine. I wouldn't trust Joe Rocket mesh at all though.
For cold weather I have a solid leather Teknic jacket. It is too hot for the summer, which is why I have the mesh jacket.
Leather provides the best protection, but there are mesh jackets out there that can withstand a lot of damage. They'll be toast afterwards as they are one-crash-jackets, but they do their job well. Leather is just more abrasion resistant and slides over pavement without much thought. It might scrape up a little bit, but most leather will hold up fine. Again, I wouldn't trust Joe Rocket leather because of stitching issues that could cause the jacket to bust open while sliding. That is not good.
If you do riding in all sorts of weather you need to have differnt gear to accomodate the different scenarios. Hot weather requires a hot weather jacket. Cold weather requires a different jacket. Get the idea?
The GX Air has a good temperature range because it has not only a windbreaker that you can zip in but also a thermal liner. Its not leather, but it'll extend the temp range a bit.
Leather is your best option for protection. The hard plastic cups are only good if they stay in place. I have never seen an off-the-shelf jacket or suit that provided that kind of fit. Typically there will be a slide involved in a crash where mesh and textiles will provide little to no protection against abrasion. I have abrasions on both the forearms of my leathers from slides which show this. I have been down enough times to trust my skin to leather.
There are some leather jackets that have removeable panels for better ventilation. These also have liners for colder weather. JR Blaster 3.0 is one of them.
Get a perforated leather jacket and wear a wet T-Shirt under it... You'll stay cool for 30+ min... Even better than a mesh jacket.
I don't like mesh jackets 'cause I've never found one that fits right... The armor moves out of place with my hand pulling on it... So, a 30 MPH crash would move it a LOT easier.
With ALL types of jackets, you want to find one where the armor stays in place.
All I can speak to is the jacket I have which is a Joe Rocket Phoenix textile mesh jacket. I love it for the summer because it keeps me cool and protected. However the early spring and fall rides can get chilly because the wind just cuts right into you. I actually have worn my Columbia jacket OVER my textile jacke to keep warm. That works pretty good.
Anyway, I really like my jacket and it has held up really well . . . even though my wife calls me a Power Ranger when I put it on. :icon_confused:
:thumb:
I have to wear mesh 90% of the year.
It works for me. Technic and Tour Master. Love the Tour Master.
The major recommendation is that if you get mesh, get it with CE hard capped shaped armour.
Do not get "padded" shoulders and elbows.
Mesh is a lot more flexible than leather and armour tends to move more. If you have good armour it tends to hug the corners and stay in place.
well, for the past few weeks where it was 100+ here in SoCal, I was wearing an all black, leather one piece, and it didn't get overly hot.
If you keep moving, you're fine.
Mesh, I never feel safe wearing mesh.
I have a leather one peice, a leather perf. jacket, and a Joe Rocket Phoenix Jacket.
Of all of them, leather makes me feel the safest, without every really over-heating.
i also go with leather all the time. I have an alpinestar ice jacket that is partially perforated (on the sides) so it keeps me really cool but in the winter its not too cold.
Personally i would never wear mesh, even textile is iffy.
I just bought myself a Joe Rocket Pheonix jacket a couple days ago. Previous to this I was only ever in leather, I took a bit of a ride in the mesh to get used to the different feel but considering the size (as in area covered) by the padding on the Pheonix I think it would protect "ok" in typical riding type accident, the jacket definatly wouldn't survive but the pads would do thier job. I don't, and probably never will trust it to protect me at highway type speeds... I read alot of people complaining about the pads moving around too much on a different forum, they dont move on me (they have a little strap about mid-arm to keep them in place) but they do have to be positioned when you first put the jacket on, something I've never had to do with my leather... big deal!
+1 for the Joe Rocket Pheonix (I think mine is a 3)
Sweat wipes off. Road rash doesn't. Sliding on your belly or back with only mesh as protection risks you looking like Johnny the Skinless Boy (or girl).
~ JP
I've never heard of anyone crashing in a decent mesh jacket and not having it hold up. Most people who've crash tested mesh have been impressed, at least that I've read or heard of. Take your mesh to tthe MotoGP? No. Ride it around town, and on the local twisites? Sure!
all leather, all the time. but ultimately a leather jacket that doesnt fit right isnt going to protect you as well as a textile or mesh one that does. make sure it fits snugly so the armor doesnt move around in the event of a crash.
~50mph lowside:
A few busted seams around the shoulder and some scrapes on the padding:
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/AlphaFire_X5/GSTwin/92crash/Gear_05_sm.jpg)
Wore the padding through a bit, but didn't scrape the armor at all. Melted the straps a little bit:
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/AlphaFire_X5/GSTwin/92crash/Gear_07_sm.jpg)
Mesh holds up fine. At the track? Leather, no questions asked.
I have had a few low speed crashes in textile clothing and it held up fine. I use my bike for commuting and textile is just more practicle. I have a 2 piece leather suit which I use if I do a track day don't use it on the road I just prefer textile clothing. I feel more comfortable in it and don't feel so much like a power ranger.
I usually always wear leather, but i recently bought a mesh jacket. Leather is obviously a better choice, but here is my reasoning...
- Once the temp hits about 85-90F w/ humidity i find it hard to sit in stopped traffic with leather, its fine when you're moving if you have a good leather jacket.
- When it is really hot i end up unzipping my jacket 1/2 way or 3/4 because it becomes too hard to concentrate on riding with the heat... so i become a big magnet for bees and such to fly into my jacket
I wear my textile jacket around the city on my commute when it is really hot... If i'm moving at a good speed, leather is good all the time for me, my alpinestars leather jacket has vents and is perfectly comfortable if you're moving faster than 50km/h... even with very high humidex rating (i think they call it a humidity factor in the usa) bringing the temps over 100F
Quote from: pantablo on August 04, 2006, 10:02:33 PM
all leather, all the time. but ultimately a leather jacket that doesnt fit right isnt going to protect you as well as a textile or mesh one that does. make sure it fits snugly so the armor doesnt move around in the event of a crash.
Its got to fit right, you really need to try on different kinds of jackets and find one that fits snug, and that you are somewhat comfortable in at a riding position. I've got a Joe Rocket Phoenix 4.0, because it fits me good, and its always HOT in FL, I"d seen how it worked for a friend on a 65mph slide, and it was on sale $99.99. But my best suggestion to all is NEVER CRASH.
And don't forget about some good gloves and a good helmet and tie those shoe's good too. :cheers:
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on August 04, 2006, 10:28:28 PM
~50mph lowside:
A few busted seams around the shoulder and some scrapes on the padding:
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/AlphaFire_X5/GSTwin/92crash/Gear_05_sm.jpg)
Wore the padding through a bit, but didn't scrape the armor at all. Melted the straps a little bit:
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/AlphaFire_X5/GSTwin/92crash/Gear_07_sm.jpg)
Mesh holds up fine. At the track? Leather, no questions asked.
AlphaFire X5,
how fast were you going when you went down in your mesh jacket? Also what type of jacket is the one that you went down in.
Thanx
Quote from: hzk6rz on August 05, 2006, 08:48:21 AM
AlphaFire X5,
how fast were you going when you went down in your mesh jacket? Also what type of jacket is the one that you went down in.
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on August 04, 2006, 10:28:28 PM
~50mph lowside:
Fieldsheer Mach 1.
QuoteSliding on your belly or back with only mesh as protection risks you looking like Johnny the Skinless Boy (or girl). /quote]
True, the Pheonix isn't protected at all on the front (my leather has armor protecting the collar bones, a feature I really like) but the padding on the back in the Joe Rocket mesh is much larger than that in my leather, especially around the shoulder blades and the kidneys/lower back.
**Another fact: I dont know how to use the quote feature yet!**
Quote from: Its Just Me on August 05, 2006, 10:24:28 AM
QuoteSliding on your belly or back with only mesh as protection risks you looking like Johnny the Skinless Boy (or girl). /quote]
True, the Pheonix isn't protected at all on the front (my leather has armor protecting the collar bones, a feature I really like) but the padding on the back in the Joe Rocket mesh is much larger than that in my leather, especially around the shoulder blades and the kidneys/lower back.
**Another fact: I dont know how to use the quote feature yet!**
Most leather jackets don't have
armor on the chest (in fact, no jacket does, I think) but some do have
padding.
As to sliding on the back. My mesh jacket has a CE approved back protector. My leather jacket came with foam padding in the back, but I replaced it with CE rated armor from my old crashed Fieldsheer jacket. In fact, I replaced all the padding (shoulders, elbows, and back) in my leather jacket with the CE approved armor from my Fieldsheer.
As to sliding on your stomach, it is more likely you'll be sliding on your knees, forearms, and hands if you do go down. Your stomach is an odd place to get rubbed because you typically automatically tuck up a little bit, thus bringing your arms and knees in allowing you to slide on them.
I agree that a belly slide isnt really that much of a worry... just replying to a prev. statement. And yes, mabey armor was the wrong word to describe the protection on the collar bone, but its not just ordinary foam padding, some kind of plastic looking stuff sewn into the jacket, I dont think in a spill this would ever do anything, again more likely to be on arms and legs but even in a full out belly flop (arms and legs hopefully still intact) my helmet would be in front of this.
I ordered a GX Air from ridegear.com for $161 and free shipping - 5% off = $152. For the rebate, type in 5THANKS in the promotion code area during checkout. The jacket is currently on backorder and they haven't let me know when they should be getting it so...
I have a Fieldsheer Titanium Air mesh jacket that looks pretty sturdy. Though, with mesh, you never know in a crash. I just wear it as my "better that nothing" jacket for around town.
I also have a Joe Rocket Mercury leather jacket that is the balls.
Leather is by far the best protection, 100x over the best mesh.
As far as pads in the jackets moving around; you have to find out what fits you best.
Contrary to what Alpha said earlier, Joe Rocket quality has come a long way in the past few years. I dont know many people who are worried about Joe Rocket seams blowing any more that other high-end manufacturers' leathers.
I DO however keep hearing that Teknic gear is cheap for a reason and to stay away from it. The thing will supposedly fall apart in a crash; It's a one-crash jacket or suit. This is coming from people who have crashed in newer Teknic suits at the track. You can get a Teknic suit on newenough.com for like 300 bucks. I'll admit it's still great protection, but not the best if you're looking for a race suit. It isn't that cheap just bacause they found a different distributor, like thay say. :icon_rolleyes:
Buy one never really knows in a crash. Teknic has held up well for some other people. I'm not one to compromise though...
A fieldsheer leather suit can be found for 100 bucks more & is better quality.
I'm bringing up the leather suits, but the construction and quality of the manufacturers' suits parallels their lackets and pants. :cheers:
Quote from: l3uddha on August 07, 2006, 10:21:36 AM
I have a Fieldsheer Titanium Air mesh jacket that looks pretty sturdy. Though, with mesh, you never know in a crash. I just wear it as my "better that nothing" jacket for around town.
I also have a Joe Rocket Mercury leather jacket that is the balls.
Leather is by far the best protection, 100x over the best mesh.
As far as pads in the jackets moving around; you have to find out what fits you best.
Contrary to what Alpha said earlier, Joe Rocket quality has come a long way in the past few years. I dont know many people who are worried about Joe Rocket seams blowing any more that other high-end manufacturers' leathers.
I DO however keep hearing that Teknic gear is cheap for a reason and to stay away from it. The thing will supposedly fall apart in a crash; It's a one-crash jacket or suit. This is coming from people who have crashed in newer Teknic suits at the track. You can get a Teknic suit on newenough.com for like 300 bucks. I'll admit it's still great protection, but not the best if you're looking for a race suit. It isn't that cheap just bacause they found a different distributor, like thay say. :icon_rolleyes:
Buy one never really knows in a crash. Teknic has held up well for some other people. I'm not one to compromise though...
A fieldsheer leather suit can be found for 100 bucks more & is better quality.
My Teknic jacket had little damage from when I crashed at the track. The pants were fine too after what they'd been through. I slid on my knees, thus reulting in some retty nasty wear marks on the pants.
As to the Teknic full suit for $300, it's $400 and a discontinued item. Teknic is switching its US distributor so all their stuff needs to be cleared out from the old distributor. That's why it is so cheap. That's the beauty of sales.
As to the JR stuff, I've heard of people's seams blowing out at 30mph. That's not comforting whatsoever.
I usually ride in a Joe Rocket Reactor - mesh chassis w/ leather reinforcements on the elbows, forearms and from shoulder to shoulder w/ CE armor. I also bought a perf'd JR Blaster 2.0 but never wear it and am hoping I can sell it..
I do intend on buying a 1 or 2 piece suit eventually
If anyone is looking for a perf'd leather Jacket, I have a JR Blaster 2.0 size 42 in grey I am trying to sell ($175 shipped). If anyone is interested in it PM me :)
My original statement referred to sliding "with only mesh" to protect you is too risky (for me), which inspired several persons to remark about the armor/padding in their mesh jackets. In the photo supplied re: mesh jacket holding up well, I disagree - the armor held up well, but the mesh is clearly torn through where the primary slide appears to have occurred. If you slide on good quality armor/padding, you should be alright, but typical "mesh" will not sustain a high speed slide, which is perhaps why persons endorsing mesh sometimes qualify this by stating they wear leather at the track (more abrasive surface and legally higher speeds). If you get a mesh jacket, get a sturdy one with sturdy shoulder, elbow and back armor/padding. As to whether belly slides are likely or not - I read somewhere that chin bashes are less likely than hitting the back/side of the helmet in a crash, but I wear a full face helmet because I'd look even uglier without my chin - although less belly might be better.
Quote from: Libido on August 08, 2006, 06:24:16 AM
My original statement referred to sliding "with only mesh" to protect you is too risky (for me), which inspired several persons to remark about the armor/padding in their mesh jackets. In the photo supplied re: mesh jacket holding up well, I disagree - the armor held up well, but the mesh is clearly torn through where the primary slide appears to have occurred. If you slide on good quality armor/padding, you should be alright, but typical "mesh" will not sustain a high speed slide, which is perhaps why persons endorsing mesh sometimes qualify this by stating they wear leather at the track (more abrasive surface and legally higher speeds). If you get a mesh jacket, get a sturdy one with sturdy shoulder, elbow and back armor/padding. As to whether belly slides are likely or not - I read somewhere that chin bashes are less likely than hitting the back/side of the helmet in a crash, but I wear a full face helmet because I'd look even uglier without my chin - although less belly might be better.
Ah yes, good point. Mesh is virtually useless unless it has quality armor and padding to go along with it. For example, my current Fieldsheer mesh jacket (the Mach 3) has armor in the shoulders, elbows, and back, as well as extra padding on the forearms, triceps, back, butt, and collar bones. That padding can slide for a surprising while before being useless.
As a note, after my crash in the old Fieldsheer Mach 1 my mother took the mesh that was frayed and sewed it together. The jacket worked for another few months until I got my Mach 3.
i picked up a nice Mesh jacket with all elbow, forearm, kidney, back, shoulder, and elbow protection. also has an optional water proof liner which i plan to get in the Fall. The mesh with a light fleece under it is very comfortable for cooler rides around town.
I have both, a leather and mesh jacket. I use the mesh jacket more than the leather jacket. Probably because I ride more in warmer weather than in colder weather. My mesh jacket is a Joe Rocket Rio with the zip out Dry-Tech liner. My leather jacket is a Nexx Unlimited, I bought off of E-Bay for $100.00. It was new and they list for $450.00. I have a couple of jackets for sale if you would be interested. :icon_lol:
d23