[SantaCruzRider]

All this talk about the benefits of textile (other forums) has me thinking about a getting a textile jacket for the upcoming summer.

Any thoughts or opinions on the Scorpion Hat Trick — http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/39/10927/CITEM/Scorpion-Hat-Trick-Jacket-Closeouts.aspxor or Scorpion Burnout — http://www.newenough.com/street/closeouts/textile_jackets_and_pants/scorpion/burnout_textile_motorcycle_jacket.html ?

The Hat Trick is compelling as my daily commute typically starts with an early morning climb from sea level into the mountains, where fog often drops temps into 50s even in summer. But the ride home is in full sun and summer temps will creep into the low 90s.

I like the styling of the Burnout best — fits my ’94 sport tourer and middle age best, but would still be OK with the edgier Hat Trick. I’m also a bit suspicious of the Hat Trick’s mesh material and it’s ability to hold up in a crash.

Thoughts?

[WeaponZero]

The hat trick is nothing more than a basic mesh jacket with 2 layers of liners–one being a waterproof liner and one being a thermal liner. The burnout is a very sturdy textile jacket. They’re so completely different that I’m surprised a person would be considering them both as they don’t fill the same role.

The burnout, just FYI, is the textile version of the all-in leather jacket.

[IBA270]

Most mesh material is made of a polypropelene or like material that doesn’t hold up well, if at all in a crash. What you’re counting on is the armor to provide protection. In many instances, especially around town, this might be perfectly adequete. I have found however, that a well vented jacket/pants combo or suit and be even more effective, particularly at speed. The reason for this is that mesh allows a huge amount of air to blow across your body, taking with it your persperation before it has a chance to cool your body. Also, when it is very hot (90 degrees +) you’re getting blasted with hot air! Not only that, that mesh has no reflective capabilities to divert the sun’s hot rays.

Think of a well vented solution as a “cover” or shade structure and your motorcycle speed as providing the breeze. You still perspire, but the controlled breeze through your jacket doesn’t blow it away before it carries heat with it. You could think of mesh much like standing in the sun and blowing the hair drier on your body.

[WeaponZero]

Though I don’t own one myself (yet–Sportbiketrackgear is sending me a Speed & Strength mesh jacket), I have ridden in one. At speed, a well ventilated textile jacket will keep you just as cool as a full on mesh jacket as you say, and some can even do a better job for the reasons you say. Teknic’s textile jackets that use the powerskin II waterproof/windproof breathable liner are ESPECIALLY good about this.

HOWEVER, if you’re like me and your commute home from work involves just as much time sitting in traffic as it does moving, you will roast alive in those same well-vented textile/leather jackets. THIS is where you really begin to appreciate mesh. I spent over an hour stuck in traffic in the way home yesterday on an 85 degree day wearing a full perf leather jacket and i was about dying.

When shopping for a mesh jacket (something you should only wear on the hottest of the hot days), there are some features you should look for that not all mesh jackets have.

1. Removable windproof liner. This is a godsend on those spring days when it’s like 40-50 degrees in the morning but hot as hell in the afternoon like we had yesterday.

2. Ballistic nylons or leather in the high impact areas (shoulders, forearms, elbows). Mesh jackets typically fall short on protection because they pretty much disintegrate on impact with the ground and don’t provide much abrasion protection. Using sturdier materials like what you’d find on a textile jacket in the high impact areas helps alleviate this issue and provides a MUCH higher degree of protection.

Because of what happened yesterday (basically they closed down a bridge–with me and a bunch of cars on it–while 3 ambulances came to get to a major accident involving multiple cars) I spent an hour in traffic cursing my perforated leather jacket and the second I got home i started browsing newenough and sportbiketrackgear for good mesh jackets that were on sale for good prices. I eventually narrowed it down to the Speed & Strength Moment of Truth jacket, Scorpion Cool Rod, and ICON Hooligan 2 because they all seemed like good, high quality mesh jackets that were being sold for great prices. I ended up choosing on the Speed & Strength because the entire arm from the shoulder down is covered in ballistic textile which offers more protection, it includes a waterproof liner, and I like the fit of Speed & Strength gear.

By the way, I just want everyone on this site that if you are a big guy with a gut like I am, Speed & Strength offers THE BEST FIT around!!! The only thing that can match it is Joe Rocket, but their quality isn’t as good.

[Rab]

I agree that once moving, a well vented jacket can cool you better than a mesh jacket and is likely to offer better protection, however, like weaponzero says, we all have to stop or go slow at various times and that’s where mesh wins out.

So! If you’re going on a long fast trip, your well vented 3/4 length touring jacket (sans liner) is probably just the ticket. If you’re likely to be in stop and go, then a mesh and cordura armoured jacket is the way to go. If you want to *look* cool, then sweat it out in the leather jacket

No doubt leather provides the best protection though and a perforated leather jacket is fine on the move (up to a certain point).

In the really hot days, I’ve worn a wet T-shirt underneath my jacket which helps but soon dries out, so this summer, I might try one of those “cooling vests”; probably not for the office commute though if they wet your clothing.

[romalo]

I just got the latest version of the Joe Rocket alter ego 10.0. The construction and fabric are a lot higher quality than the old one. The interesting thing about the design is that you can take panels off and transform it into a mostly mesh jacket. It comes with a waterproof liner also. I haven’t gotten to try the mesh out as it hasn’t been warm enough yet. When in regular mode it ends up offering 2 layers of protection. The ballistic and the mesh.

[Author]

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