[zeppelinfromled]

I’m fairly happy with my Cortech textile jacket, but it just gets so hot. I’ve thought about a mesh jacket, and I think it would give me enough protection, but I’m also looking into perforated leather jackets.

Does anyone have experience with perforated leather jackets? I’ve heard that they’re very hot while you’re sitting still, and that the perforation only really keeps you cool if you’re moving. Can anyone confirm this or offer a differing opinion?

Specifically, I’m looking at a Triumph mesh jacket (yeah, I know I don’t ride a Triumph, but I like the jacket). I don’t have a model name for that. I’m also looking at a Joe Rocket perforated leather jacket (http://www.joerocket.com/catalog/index.cfm/234/404/Leather_Jackets/Blaster_4.0_Perforated_Jacket). They both seem to fit well, so it’s really just a decision of which I want more. The leather is considerably more expensive, but I’m trying not to let that be a factor, since I’ll hopefully have it for a while.

Any opinions would be much appreciated.

[eternal05]

The same is pretty true of mesh though. For comparison, I have a Shift Vendetta perf’d jacket (leather) and a Shift Backdraft jacket (mesh). They’re basically in the same boat to differing degrees: much more comfortable moving, bad to brutal when stationary.

There is a substantial difference in how much air flows through a mesh jacket vs. perforated leather, however, since leather can’t be perforated nearly enough to equal a porous-by-design mesh textile without sacrificing structural integrity. That Backdraft jacket feels great in heat: like you have a fan aimed at your chest. The Vendetta cools down a bit, but in bad heat it’s still hot at 50mph. The JR leather jacket you linked though is really well perforated…looks like a pro racer’s summer leathers. It might do the job and keep you safer than the mesh. If it’s perforated, it’s your summer jacket, and that said I’d probably avoid black. With the exception, all of my street gear is black…brutal in heat. Looks so cool, but it’s brutal.

[zeppelinfromled]

Hm, it sounds like I should go with the mesh. Since I already have a jacket, and it’s just a little too warm, I would hate to drop several hundred dollars to find out that my new one is exactly the same. I wish I could test ride the jackets. Just go out on my bike for 10 minutes a piece on a warm day. I’m pretty sure that I could very easily decide after that. That’s a good tip about avoiding black. It should apply to the mesh jacket as well, but it’s probably less important there.

[JackTrade]

I live in the mid-Atlantic region (Washington), and it gets very hot+humid here in the summer. I started with a Fieldsheer textile jacket, and while it was just fine riding in January, once the summer arrived, I was dying. I remember sitting at a light in May, and I could feel the sweat pouring off me underneath it.

So I got a Fieldsheer High Flo mesh jacket, and wow…first time I rode w/the liner out it was like just wearing a t-shirt (or so I imagine…I’ve never ridden in just a t-shirt). Wonderful airflow, and even while stopped, it at least lets the heat out. I got red, so that helps a little (and definitely makes me more visible). That’s it in my avatar.

Feels pretty substantial, but of course nothing like leather. Most of the decent ones can be had with CE armor in them, so while it’s not the most protective, it’s still decent. Obviously, no track will let you ride with mesh, but for around town speeds, seems like a reasonable compromise.

[zeppelinfromled]

I decided to go with the mesh jacket, and I picked it up today. I had to pick it up in my car since I can’t carry 2 jackets at one time on my bike, so I haven’t tried it yet. I’ll report back once I do.

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