Lightweight armour?

2wheelNsanity · Post by **2wheelNsanity** » Tue May 29, 2012 1:16 am

Is there any affordable lightweight armoured clothing that can be worn in 90+ heat. The last couple of days here the heat index has been over 93 and riding in my Cortex denim armoured jacket has been kinda hot. The temp here is only going to get worse in July and August (with heat index exceeding 100 regulary).

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Tue May 29, 2012 1:25 am

I wear this jacket, which I find pretty cool with the liner removed. Today it was 90ºF here, and I was comfy enough in it... as long as I kept moving.

PeteH · Post by **PeteH** » Tue May 29, 2012 1:25 am

Take a look at the mesh jackets, by all the major gear manufacturers. They usually have the same five pieces of armor as a textile jacket, but are, well, mesh, made from rugged fibers that will hold up in a skid. You can pretty much see through the layers of mesh, so obviously they breathe nicely when you're moving. I wear mine pretty much all the time in the summer, and we get over 100 quite a bit.

2wheelNsanity · Post by **2wheelNsanity** » Tue May 29, 2012 1:36 am

Thanx that helps alot and the best part their under $100

DrPlasma · Post by **DrPlasma** » Tue May 29, 2012 1:42 am

I wear a Joe rocket mesh jacket when it gets really hot. When youre moving you don't know it's on but stopped at a light it's still
hot

Capt_Don · Post by **Capt_Don** » Tue May 29, 2012 1:49 am

The mesh jacket rules, I got mine two days ago and it is such a refresher!

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Tue May 29, 2012 1:49 am

The mesh jackets are wonderful for warm weather riding. However, I'd offer a suggestion that you stay away from a black jacket. Mine is great while I'm moving, but as you would expect, the black color tends to warm up quickly when stopped on bright, sunny days.

Rob

Lokky · Post by **Lokky** » Tue May 29, 2012 2:51 pm

Honestly white jackets are almost as bad when you are not moving.

I have a rev'it air jacket in white and just ordered a set of pants to go with it, the airflow is great when moving but traffic lights make me sweat oceans and as soon as you start moving you get that icky feeling of wet coldness from the airflow hitting your sweat

Still miles better than a non-mesh jacket or not wearing armor.

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Tue May 29, 2012 2:56 pm

Agreed! Mesh is the way to go when it's hot!

phatch · Post by **phatch** » Tue May 29, 2012 3:27 pm

Anybody rock an Alpinestars "Verona" jacket? Those things look awesome and perfect for AZ summer...

AlleyOops · Post by **AlleyOops** » Tue May 29, 2012 3:31 pm

I want this
http://www.gogogearla.com/products/%22C ... WHITE.html

too bad I'm broke.

Mousenut · Post by **Mousenut** » Tue May 29, 2012 3:33 pm

AlleyOops wrote:I want this
http://www.gogogearla.com/products/%22C ... WHITE.html

too bad I'm broke.

No way that is staying clean. Does it come with the lip mole?

rickyh · Post by **rickyh** » Tue May 29, 2012 5:20 pm

Vanson vent max 4 jacket.

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Wed May 30, 2012 12:12 am

How about "netted" armor worn atop clothing? For summer, I mean. I think dirt bike riders have similar. I was talking to a friend this morning who said a guy at his work got into a mc crash and dislocated his shoulder after hitting his elbow hard on the ground. Doc said elbow may have shattered if not for the armor, which my friend said was "fishnet" because it was hot. This happened just yesterday.

Sounds pretty good, I guess? As for myself, idk? Armor, no armor? Just seems I won't wear it every time I ride. Sort of like a condom, I figure. Use it every time or what use is it, really? Well, not the same one, but you know...

So I just went out yesterday and bought three Dickies Unlined Eisenhower jackets for my summer riding. Not much protection, but they look cool nonetheless and are not cold weather wear. I can wear a (t) shirt underneath and I am golden. Got all three colors they had

Post by **ericalm** » Wed May 30, 2012 12:40 am

JHScoot wrote:How about "netted" armor worn atop clothing? For summer, I mean. I think dirt bike riders have similar. I was talking to a friend this morning who said a guy at his work got into a mc crash and dislocated his shoulder after hitting his elbow hard on the ground. Doc said elbow may have shattered if not for the armor, which my friend said was "fishnet" because it was hot. This happened just yesterday.

Sounds pretty good, I guess? As for myself, idk? Armor, no armor? Just seems I won't wear it every time I ride. Sort of like a condom, I figure. Use it every time or what use is it, really? Well, not the same one, but you know...

So I just went out yesterday and bought three Dickies Unlined Eisenhower jackets for my summer riding. Not much protection, but they look cool nonetheless and are not cold weather wear. I can wear a (t) shirt underneath and I am golden. Got all three colors they had

So you heard a story of an injury that could have been prevented if the rider had been wearing armor and then ran out and bought three unarmored canvas jackets?

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Wed May 30, 2012 12:49 am

That I did eric, that i did. Wasn't my story after all, and I have tough elbows.

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Wed May 30, 2012 12:55 am

Ok now i am feeling silly and guilty and unwise. I just don't want to be HOT this summer.

Is that so wrong?

rsrider · Post by **rsrider** » Wed May 30, 2012 2:08 am

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/cl ... acket.html

Super cheap and noisy, but you can usually cut off the labels. That is just one example of many.

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/cl ... and_pants/

http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/

Also, you could go full flava flav stunta and rock one of these:
http://www.rideicon.com/product_details ... 4&id=13470

But I use a joe rocket mesh myself............

Mutt the Hoople · Post by **Mutt the Hoople** » Wed May 30, 2012 2:19 am

AlleyOops wrote:I want this
http://www.gogogearla.com/products/%22C ... WHITE.html

too bad I'm broke.

I'm with you. Check out eBay. I found one in my size for $140.... I had to go through pages and pages of stuff, but there it was, a lot less expensive than from the website. The person got it in the wrong size and never got around to returning it. And it is relatively cool. We have already had some not humid days and as long as you are moving you're fine. But the white gets dirty first time you wear it. I sort of like the red, but I look at it and think The Red Coats are coming, the Red Coats are coming. It fits cute too.

PeteH · Post by **PeteH** » Wed May 30, 2012 3:29 am

I picked up a Fieldsheer mesh on closeout for about $50 last year at motorcyclegear.com. They have some pretty good discounts on closeout stuff. Mine is black and grey, but as long as I'm moving it's fine. I wore it all last summer and survived

I have a couple of alternate routes home from work that minimize traffic and stopsigns/lights, keeping me moving and the air flowing

I also picked up a nice Joe Rocket textile jacket for around the same price. This one's much more suited to the other 3 seasons.

run_sarah_run · Post by **run_sarah_run** » Wed May 30, 2012 3:47 am

I would highly suggest the Icon Stryker Vest. I wear it for my motorcycle, but its also good for my Genuine Buddy Psycho. Its lightweight and offers protection where it matters especially when its hot. If you want more protection I also use the FlyStreet summer line. The mesh jacket works really well, but even in 90 degree weather anything mesh is still hot. Hopefully it works out.

Post by **ericalm** » Wed May 30, 2012 4:36 am

JHScoot wrote:Ok now i am feeling silly and guilty and unwise. I just don't want to be HOT this summer.

Is that so wrong?

Do what feels right, man. I just kind of missed the point of the story!

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Wed May 30, 2012 4:49 am

Its ok not sure it had a point? ah, I wanted to pass along info about some sort of "netted" armor. But I am not sure about that? The guy I spoke with is a non rider.

The injury sounded nasty, though. Apparently the guy landed so hard on the elbow it dislocated his shoulder. ouch.

I have a light blue XXL First Gear jacket I got when I first bought my scooter. Wore it a few times, but....I'm going to sell it to a rider who will use it. $20, I figure. The color is just not right for me.

Maybe if I were a Smurf, but I am not.

smarkum · Post by **smarkum** » Wed May 30, 2012 4:54 pm

I have a great light blue mesh jacket that feels good in the 90 + Kansas heat. However, I've yet to find some pants that are suitable. I'd like to be able to slip on a pair of shorts and then some mesh pants and go. . . I believe the mesh is probably see through so one would not want to go Commando

I'd prefer light colored but everything I've seen seems too expensive or just pain HOT. I keep checking motorcycle superstore as I'm sure at some point the perfect pants will pop up. . .

Post by **ericalm** » Wed May 30, 2012 7:27 pm

SkootzKabootz recently got some white mesh pants.
Here, he demonstrates doing the Robot as I do my Run-DMC pose:

(Oh, we'll see who's making jokes next time I wind up with bruised and bloody knees.)

There is slip/strap on armor that off road and dual sport riders use.

Tocsik · Post by **Tocsik** » Wed May 30, 2012 8:09 pm

phatch wrote:Anybody rock an Alpinestars "Verona" jacket? Those things look awesome and perfect for AZ summer...

That's my favorite - in the Desert/Black. I want to replace my mesh jacket that looks to "sport-bikey" and the Verona air has a really nice look. It's just a little too expensive since I have one that is functional. But they must be really popular as they are on back order at most sites.

manual_overide · Post by **manual_overide** » Wed May 30, 2012 9:12 pm

phatch wrote:Anybody rock an Alpinestars "Verona" jacket? Those things look awesome and perfect for AZ summer...

I have the all black one and it's fine in Cincinnati's hot and muggy summers. It can get a bit warm when stopped at a light, but I cool back off quickly once I start moving again.

It's not so great when it's cool out, however. Even with the liner, I need to wear a sweatshirt or something under it.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Thu May 31, 2012 9:52 pm

Lokky wrote:Honestly white jackets are almost as bad when you are not moving.

Really? I thought they would be significantly cooler under a strong sun. Guess I'll hang on to the black and save some bucks.

Rob

Lokky · Post by **Lokky** » Thu May 31, 2012 10:45 pm

Rob wrote:
Lokky wrote:Honestly white jackets are almost as bad when you are not moving.
Really? I thought they would be significantly cooler under a strong sun. Guess I'll hang on to the black and save some bucks.

Rob

Mind you, they will be cooler, but they are still going to make you sweat bucket when you sit at that traffic light.
I guess my point is you'll see an improvement but don't sink a lot of money into it expecting it to be a miracle cure