My armored hoodie arrived from GoGo Gear

gar1013 · Post by **gar1013** » Sun Jul 21, 2013 6:05 pm

Glad I made the purchase, and here are my initial thoughts:

- Fit: These do not fit like a traditional hoodie that you would wear around town. This is a good thing, as they need to fit in such a way that the armor stays in place, and that the jacket functions well for riding on a scooter (or motorcycle). Go by the sizing chart on the website, and you'll be rewarded with a jacket that looks like a hoodie, but with the cut of a motorcycle jacket. With all the armor in it, you stand a chance of looking really muscular - I know I look like a total badass wearing mine, so I haven't taken it off for the past few days despite the fact that I'm starting to smell (okay, I might not be serious about this last bit).

- Temperature: When you're riding, it doesn't really feel like you have anything on in the way of a jacket, except for the fact that you aren't exposing your skin to the sun. When you're stopped, you feel like you're wearing a hoodie. In short, it reminds me of having a perforated leather motorcycle jacket on. Awesome when you're moving, but like all jackets, a bit warm when you're stopped. If it's cool out, you're not going to get a lot of warmth retention here.

- Hood: doesn't get in the way, and like most hoodies on me, the hood is a bit short for me to use very often. Just how I'm built.

- Pockets: glad they have zippers - smart idea. I would have preferred them to be slightly larger, with larger openings as well, but it's only a minor issue.

All in all, I'm glad I picked one up. I don't know how well it'd hold up in a high speed crash, but I suspect it will hold up better than mesh gear would, without being noticeably warmer.

viney266 · Post by **viney266** » Sun Jul 21, 2013 10:27 pm

A buddy of mine has one. Neat idea. I am not a fan of hoodies, but I really like that piece. Easy to wear protective gear and it look to be pretty well made.

LunaP · Post by **LunaP** » Mon Jul 22, 2013 2:08 am

I very much agree. The sleeves were a bit long on me, but that is just how I am... I'm not tall and don't have long legs or arms. I have never liked the idea of a riding hoodie because most of the riding hoodies out there pretend to give you protection that they actually do not offer you... but this one is legit. You can tell that it's not messing around, that there is kevlar involved, the armor is real and sturdy; but at the same time, it is still a hoodie and it is light enough that it can be worn without dying most days in the summer (not that you won't be sweaty and a little uncomfortable, especially while stopped), but during the winter it will offer you most of the protection you need, especially if you order a rain liner/wind breaker to go under or over it and layer for warmth.

It has some great little details to it, such as: the pockets have zipper closure, and there are at least 2 zipper vents for air flow on the sides, and I believe there's a cel phone pocket on the inside.

I have yet to wear the Trench out, since it's summer, but I plan on it when it has cooled off.

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Mon Jul 22, 2013 2:21 am

I bought one of these too. Totally wrong weather to try it out in, but I like the fit and other aspects of the design.

DariaSen · Post by **DariaSen** » Mon Jul 22, 2013 10:36 am

I have yet to wear the Trench out, since it's summer, but I plan on it when it has cooled off.

The Trench is awesome...it does get warm...but it's nice to go from scoot to work without looking like a Power Ranger. I just picked up the mesh Cafe jacket in white and it is so comfortable in the heat.

I bought the Hoodie for my husband but he never wears gear (it was worth a try) so I steal it for quick trips when I don't wanna look like I am geared out or wanna feel cozy.

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Mon Jul 22, 2013 2:34 pm

I love mine. it has already faded a little (unless that's just how dirt shows up) but the quality is awesome. It's more of a hot weather beast. Once it's below 55, it can be a bit chilly.

LunaP · Post by **LunaP** » Mon Jul 22, 2013 3:47 pm

DariaSen wrote:
I have yet to wear the Trench out, since it's summer, but I plan on it when it has cooled off.
The Trench is awesome...it does get warm...but it's nice to go from scoot to work without looking like a Power Ranger. I just picked up the mesh Cafe jacket in white and it is so comfortable in the heat.

I bought the Hoodie for my husband but he never wears gear (it was worth a try) so I steal it for quick trips when I don't wanna look like I am geared out or wanna feel cozy.

Question for you... how badly does dirt show up on the white Cafe vs how easy it is to clean? I really want the white mesh Cafe, but typically avoid white because of the dirty factor.

DariaSen · Post by **DariaSen** » Mon Jul 22, 2013 4:01 pm

LunaP wrote:Question for you... how badly does dirt show up on the white Cafe vs how easy it is to clean? I really want the white mesh Cafe, but typically avoid white because of the dirty factor.

So far so good. I've only owned it for a few weeks but it still looks good after riding and being thrown around the garage constantly. A little water and soap has taken out anything I notice.
FYI...it's not a pure white...more like a cream or light linen color...which helps with the dirt hiding.

ravenlore · Post by **ravenlore** » Mon Jul 22, 2013 11:59 pm

I can wear my hoodie up to about 80, but above that, i'm dying.

That said, i'm amazed that I can wear it up to 80.

LunaP · Post by **LunaP** » Tue Jul 23, 2013 5:16 am

ravenlore wrote:I can wear my hoodie up to about 80, but above that, i'm dying.

That said, i'm amazed that I can wear it up to 80.

This. Pretty much.

gar1013 · Post by **gar1013** » Tue Jul 23, 2013 5:32 pm

ravenlore wrote:I can wear my hoodie up to about 80, but above that, i'm dying.

That said, i'm amazed that I can wear it up to 80.

Wow! I thought I had low heat tolerance!

I've worn mine as it gets up into the 90s.

Since getting taking the MSF and getting my license, there has only been ONE time when I've ridden without upper body protection. It was rural NC, it was summer, and the sun had come out following the rain. It was so humid that it felt like the sweat was being forced back into your body.

Stitch · Post by **Stitch** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 3:36 am

Got my hoodie last week. Put a couple hundred miles on it, and I couldn't be any happier with it. Fits good, the armor stays where it should, the quality seems good, and the hood fits my gorilla sized head.

mfavata · Post by **mfavata** » Mon Aug 19, 2013 1:04 pm

I posted a thread about my hoodie once before, but I'll add to the list here with how happy I am with my hoodie, and with Arlene from GoGo Gear in general. My girlfriend measured me and I ordered the recommended size, but when it arrived I felt it was just a little too tight. I contacted Arlene, and she mailed me the next size up so I could try them both on and then return whichever size I didn't want. I received the second hoodie incredibly fast, I felt the fit was a lot better and shipped the first hoodie back. That was back in the spring.

I have worn mine up into the upper 80s, and it is very comfortable while moving even into the low 90s. If I'm in heavy stop and go traffic, its hard for me to wear it above the low 80s. A lighter color would probably make it more comfortable for me into hotter weather.

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Mon Aug 19, 2013 1:13 pm

Sadly the weather the past few weeks has been perfect for wearing the hoodie instead of the mesh jacket: autumnal instead of summery. It's been keeping me warm on cool mornings ... and cool evenings. I like it. But I feel like I'm setting a bad example when I wear it, riding with "only" a hoodie for protection instead of a proper biking jacket.

Danielm · Post by **Danielm** » Mon Aug 19, 2013 2:54 pm

mfavata wrote:I posted a thread about my hoodie once before, but I'll add to the list here with how happy I am with my hoodie, and with Arlene from GoGo Gear in general. My girlfriend measured me and I ordered the recommended size, but when it arrived I felt it was just a little too tight. I contacted Arlene, and she mailed me the next size up so I could try them both on and then return whichever size I didn't want. I received the second hoodie incredibly fast, I felt the fit was a lot better and shipped the first hoodie back. That was back in the spring.

I have worn mine up into the upper 80s, and it is very comfortable while moving even into the low 90s. If I'm in heavy stop and go traffic, its hard for me to wear it above the low 80s. A lighter color would probably make it more comfortable for me into hotter weather.

Sounds like great customer service. Sizing over the internet is always difficult so it's good the company is understanding of that. I'll have to check out one of these soon.